The International Commission for Catholic Migration (CCIM) will hold its International Council meeting in Rome from November 10 to 12, 2026. The event marks the organization's 75th anniversary and aims to address global geopolitical and humanitarian challenges facing migrants. Christine Nathan, the current president, will lead the deliberations, which include electing a new commission president and approving strategic guidelines for the next four years. Key speakers include Cardinal Fabio Baggio and Filippo Grandi. The closing day will feature a public event celebrating the UN Refugee Convention, emphasizing faith-based commitments to human rights and welcoming migrants, as highlighted by Pope Leo XIV's teachings.
Thousands of attendees gathered in Paju, South Korea, for the 50th anniversary of the International Church Growth Institute. Speakers from Indonesia, Panama, and the Philippines stressed that church growth relies on prayer and obedience rather than marketing strategies. Indonesian pastor Timothy Arifin Tedjasukmana shared how he established 470 churches through spiritual dedication. Panamanian minister Edwin Alvarez credited prayer for his ministry expansion into Italy. Filipino pastor David Samsul warned against relying on techniques, urging leaders to focus on their relationship with God. Participants from various nations expressed deep appreciation for the local prayer culture and its potential for global revival.
The Italian Episcopal Conference and the Pontifical Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies have presented educational materials on Islam for Italian schools. The project aims to combat prejudice and polarization by providing accurate information to publishers, teachers, and students. The initiative follows previous sheets on Judaism and prepares for future ones on Buddhism and Hinduism. It emphasizes interreligious dialogue and historical context to counter extremism. The work involves a balanced group of Christian and Muslim scholars. This effort aligns with Pope Francis's 2019 document on human fraternity, promoting understanding without erasing differences. The goal is to foster a culture of knowledge as an antidote to hatred in divided societies.
The Archdiocese of Naples has granted free use of the former Santa Caterina chapel to the Pallonetto di Santa Chiara for a social initiative called Brigata Caterina. Located in Italy, the project aims to support the social reintegration and employment of current and former inmates through pizza-making training. According to the Archdiocese, the initiative seeks to reduce recidivism by addressing personal and environmental challenges. A pizzeria will be established in the space, offering professional pathways for selected prisoners, particularly those who have already obtained pizza-maker qualifications at the Poggioreale prison. This effort promotes a return to free community life and new life projects.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I visited the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome on Wednesday, October 28. This stop concluded a pilgrimage that included Loreto and Assisi. The patriarch studied at the institute between 1963 and 1968, earning a doctorate in Canon Law. During the event, speakers highlighted how academic study fosters unity between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches. Bartholomew delivered a lecture reflecting on his history with the institution and his relationship with Pope Francis. The visit also featured a special exhibition displaying documents and photographs from his personal archive.
Franco Vaccari, founder of Rondine Cittadella della Pace, will receive the 2026 Gold Dove for Peace award in Rome. The ceremony takes place on November 23, 2026, at Sapienza University. The prize is promoted by Archivio Disarmo to honor individuals committed to peace. Alongside Vaccari, Mauro Biani and Angela Caponnetto will be recognized. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa receives the international award for his work in the Holy Land. Rondine has spent nearly 30 years training youth from conflict zones using its relational method. The organization holds special consultative status with the UN ECOSOC. Participation requires prior registration.
On October 27, 2026, students from the ITIS Rivoira school in Verzuolo, Italy, met with representatives of the Omnibus Brasile project. Bruno Francesco, Giovanni Bardelli, and Francesco Cammarota shared their volunteer experiences supporting fragile communities in Brazil, particularly in Bahia. The A.V.O.S.D. association, originally from Pinerolo, promotes social and missionary projects including education, indigenous support, and water infrastructure. The event allowed students to learn about these initiatives and reflect on solidarity and active citizenship. The group says the meeting highlighted how personal commitment can build bridges between different cultures and improve local living conditions.
Pope Leo XIV, through a message signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, urges participants in Perugia and Assisi to view Mary as a model for dialogue and peace. The message was directed to attendees of an event organized by the Pontifical Marian International Academy and the Order of Friars Minor. The gathering, held from October 27 to 29, involves Marian sanctuaries from Algeria, France, Israel, and Lebanon. Organizers state that Mary serves as a reference point for diverse cultures to meditate on peace and stop wars in the Mediterranean region. They emphasize the need for reconciliation and the inclusion of women in peacebuilding efforts.
The soup kitchen on Via Baracca in Florence has been renamed to honor Cardinal Silvano Piovanelli, who served as Archbishop from 1983 to 2001. The dedication coincides with the tenth anniversary of his death and the facility's 35th year of operation. Mayor Sara Funaro and Archbishop Gherardo Gambelli praised Piovanelli’s commitment to the vulnerable. The center, managed by the Solidarietà Caritas Foundation, provides meals to thousands annually. Upcoming renovations aim to improve sustainability with solar panels and better facilities. The renaming highlights the enduring legacy of charitable service in the city.
Over 380 religious leaders from various faiths gathered in Assisi, Italy, from October 25 to 27 for a peace conference organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio. Marking the 40th anniversary of Pope John Paul II's historic peace day, participants issued an appeal stating that humanity must end wars or face their destruction. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi emphasized dialogue and the need to transform military spending into social welfare. The group delivered their message to children, calling for a culture of peace over conflict to address current humanitarian and climate crises. The event concluded with a symbolic lighting of candles at the Lower Basilica.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Representatives from 53 countries gathered in Rome from October 25 to 27, 2026, for a forum organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio. The event focused on achieving unarmed peace and investing in Africa's youth. Speakers, including Cardinal Antoine Kambanda and Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama, emphasized that stability is essential for economic development. They warned that corruption and conflict hinder progress, urging governments to prioritize education and job creation for young people. The group stated that sustainable development requires good governance and regional cooperation to protect vulnerable populations and build lasting justice across the continent.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew visited the Pontifical Oriental Institute in Rome on October 28, 2026, delivering a lecture on Canon Law. He argued that the Orthodox Church requires a unified canonical code to maintain global unity and prevent political interference. The Patriarch also expressed optimism regarding the reopening of the Halki Theological School in Turkey, citing encouraging talks with local authorities. He emphasized that canon law should facilitate Christian dialogue rather than create division. This visit marked a symbolic return to the institution where he studied decades ago, highlighting his long-standing commitment to inter-Christian rapprochement and theological education.
Over 5,000 people gathered in Assisi, Italy, for an international peace meeting organized by Franciscan Brother Thomas Freidel. The event featured representatives from various religions and Christian denominations, including Patriarch Bartholomous of Constantinople and Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm. Although Pope Leo was absent due to recent lung surgery, he participated via video message. The gathering emphasized interreligious dialogue, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi’s historical encounter with the Sultan of Egypt. Attendees lit lights for peace, aiming to foster global harmony through prayer and networking among diverse faith communities.
Fabio Attard, rector major of the Salesians, welcomed a delegation of approximately 50 Ukrainian veterans, many with amputations, at the congregation's headquarters in Rome on October 27. The group, part of the Pokrova AMP football team for amputees, is undergoing rehabilitation through sports. The visit included a pilgrimage to Fano for a championship, meetings with Italian church leaders in Bologna, and an audience with Pope Leo XIV in the Vatican. The Salesians aim to support the veterans' dignity and social reintegration through spiritual and human aid. The delegation also visited Turin to continue their journey of hope and recovery.
Approximately 5,000 people from various faiths gathered in Assisi, Italy, for a three-day interreligious meeting titled 'Unarmed and Disarming Peace.' The event commemorated the 40th anniversary of the 1986 prayer day initiated by Pope John Paul II. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi warned against justifying violence, while Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I emphasized the need to disarm oneself before others. Pope Leo XIV sent a video message condemning holy wars and calling for dialogue. Hiroshima survivor Koko Kondo urged youth to build a world free from war. The next meeting is scheduled for Genoa in 2027.
Milan and Brazil are commemorating Marcello Candia, an Italian businessman and missionary who died in 1983, on the 110th anniversary of his birth. According to Vatican News, Candia established medical and social facilities in Macapa and Marituba, Brazil, to aid the poor and those with leprosy. The Marcello Candia Foundation, founded in 1982, continues to fund these Amazonian projects. Events in Milan included a conference at Palazzo Marino and a Mass celebrated by Archbishop Mario Delpini. Alberto Scotti of Assocandia stated the foundation aims to sustain this humanitarian work. Candia is recognized for promoting lay missionary involvement and was declared Venerable by Pope Francis in 2014.
The Ecumenical Patriarch visited Rome, holding private meetings with the Pope and the Major Archbishop of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. These audiences received little publicity, reflecting the normalized state of Catholic-Orthodox relations after decades of leadership. Despite his advanced age, the patriarch remains a key figure in fostering unity between the churches, even as the Russian Orthodox Church creates division within Eastern Christianity. The low-key nature of the visits highlights the routine status of these diplomatic efforts.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew was the guest of honor at an international meeting in Assisi, Italy, organized by the Catholic Community of Sant’Egidio. The event focused on achieving a disarmed peace. The Orthodox spiritual leader emphasized that the Church must proclaim peace alongside the Resurrection and rebuild relationships across divisions. He stated that human dignity is inherent regardless of skin color, language, or religion. Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Sant’Egidio Community, praised Bartholomew’s decades of service and global influence. Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline highlighted the Patriarchate’s role in fostering reconciliation. The meeting concluded with a video message from Pope Leo XIV, who could not attend due to health reasons.
Cardinal Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, stated that the world still needs the 'Asisi method' to build peace. Speaking in Italy, he emphasized that religions cannot impose peace politically but can transform individuals internally. He highlighted the importance of joint witness by religious leaders, noting that united condemnation of violence is harder to ignore. Referencing Pope John Paul II and Pope Leo XIV, he argued that peace comes from God and requires religions to disarm from the logic of force. The Vatican official stressed that prayer and inner conversion are essential for lasting dialogue and conflict resolution.
Translated from Polski
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
