Florian Homberger, a reform pastor in Müllheim, Switzerland, hosts weekly devotionals inside the video game Minecraft. The sessions, attended by about 20 people including non-believers, began in summer 2025 after Homberger was inspired by a deceased parishioner's gaming community. Participants engage in interactive activities, such as building structures that illustrate Bible verses, to explore faith in a familiar digital environment. Homberger states this approach removes barriers for those uncomfortable with traditional church settings. The initiative aims to reach young adults where they feel at home, rather than replacing Sunday worship. The Dienstags Mail and Beobachter reported on this innovative outreach method.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV visited the Piccolo Cottolengo don Orione facility in Claypole, Argentina, during the second day of his South American tour. Speaking to staff and residents, the Pontiff praised the center for making people feel welcomed, cared for, and loved as they are. He described the location as a fraternal community where charity is visible in every gesture and smile. The Pope compared the environment to places Jesus lived, such as Bethlehem and Nazareth, noting that these settings foster integration and friendship. He expressed gratitude for cities of charity where the Gospel remains active in the country, according to the Agenzia SIR report.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 70 outlets
More than one thousand young people assembled in Ede, Netherlands, on November 7 for the national Catholic Youth Day. The event, themed around unity, included seven Dutch bishops and numerous clergy members. Pope Leo XIV sent a message encouraging the participants to grow closer as siblings in Christ. US Franciscan Casey Cole spoke about mercy and sincere listening. Organizers also officially opened registrations for the Dutch pilgrimage to the World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea, scheduled for July and August 2027. Preparations include a national day in Weert on June 12, 2027, featuring Antonia Salzano, mother of Saint Carlo Acutis.
Argentine authorities arrested two men during Pope Leo XIV's visit to Argentina. A 49-year-old man was detained in Pilar for threatening the Pope's life, following an investigation by the Federal Police that used digital tracking tools. Separately, 27-year-old Tomás Natenzon was arrested in Buenos Aires for using fake credentials and a motorcycle license plate near the event's central stage. The first suspect faces charges of threats, while Natenzon is held for document forgery and public intimidation. Officials stated the cases are separate and did not confirm any link between the two individuals.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, celebrated Mass in Prato, Italy, with local Bishop Giovanni Nerbini. The cardinal stated that while the full-scale war in Gaza has ended, a complete ceasefire and reconstruction are still pending. He emphasized the urgent need to restore dialogue and resume pilgrimages to the Holy Land, noting that Jerusalem requires visitors. Pizzaballa highlighted the role of local associations in providing humanitarian aid where institutions have failed. He urged focusing on new generations to rebuild mutual trust, asserting that maintaining humanity is essential for spiritual identity.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass in Argentina before an estimated crowd of 2.5 million people in Buenos Aires. The event marks the second stop of his twelve-day South American tour and is described as the most attended liturgy of his pontificate. Pilgrims from neighboring countries, including Chile, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Brazil, joined the gathering. During the homily, the Pope focused on the family, urging Christians not to accept narratives that the institution is obsolete. He highlighted the fragility of modern families and called them to become protagonists in evangelization, citing Pope Francis to emphasize the family's role in encountering Christ. The city displayed welcoming messages on digital traffic signs as the Pope traveled through the crowd in his papamobile.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 103 outlets
Religious organizations in Australia, including the Sydney Anglican Diocese and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, warn that the government’s proposed digital duty of care law could lead to the censorship of traditional biblical teachings. They argue that automated moderation systems might incorrectly classify doctrines on male headship and gender as promoting gender-based violence. These groups are urging the Senate to add specific exemptions for religious content to prevent over-censorship driven by hefty fines for tech platforms. The concerns were raised during Senate hearings examining the Labor government's online safety overhaul, which aims to protect children from harmful material. The Coalition has also criticized the bill for these alleged censorship risks.
Representatives of ECA Global will hold a press conference in Buenos Aires on November 11 to demand an audience with Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Argentina. The group aims to highlight the Próvolo Institute abuse case in Mendoza and allegations against Opus Dei involving 43 women. According to the outlet, survivors and human rights defenders seek acknowledgment of abuses, judicial cooperation, and reparations. Matthias Katsch stated that the Pope should recognize the crimes and apologize, emphasizing that institutional protection must not override victims' rights. The organization argues these cases reflect a structural problem within the Church.
A documentary highlighting the struggles of five individuals facing repression, food shortages, and medicine scarcity in Cuba won the Grand Prize and Best Documentary Feature at the Anthem Film Festival. Directed by a public figure and produced by a Cuban activist, the film features testimonies from people involved in recent protests. The project took three years to complete and aims to document the reality of life under the Cuban government. The award arrives amid ongoing political tension and reports of hundreds of political prisoners in the country, according to a regional outlet.
On September 21, 1990, Italian magistrate Rosario Livatino was assassinated by the Stidda mafia in Agrigento, Sicily. Known as the 'boy judge,' he was 37 years old when he was killed while working to combat organized crime. The Vatican beatified him in 2021 as a martyr and later declared him the patron saint of Italian magistrates. A new television series directed by Michele Placido, airing on Rai 1, recounts the final two years of his life. The outlet reports that Livatino fought the mafia without relying on informants or police protection.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole, Argentina, on Monday, telling residents with disabilities that their lives are a blessing. The visit served as a symbolic critique of President Javier Milei’s austerity measures, which have cut funding for social services and disability care. Leo then addressed an estimated 2.5 million people at a Mass in Buenos Aires, emphasizing that the economy must serve people, not rule them. The government recently paid the facility for overdue supplies, but tensions remain over the administration's fiscal policies and opposition to disability benefits. The event highlighted the Pope's focus on protecting vulnerable populations in Argentina.
Pope Leo celebrated an open-air Mass in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on Monday, drawing an estimated 1.5 million attendees. This event marks the first papal visit to the country in nearly forty years. According to Reuters, the pontiff expressed joy at the enduring strength of Catholicism in South America. He noted his pleasure in witnessing vibrant Catholic communities in a region that historically anchored the faith. However, he also acknowledged that the Church has recently lost influence to rapidly expanding evangelical groups. The large turnout highlights the continued fervent devotion of local believers despite these challenges.
Pope Leo XIV celebrated a mass attended by over two million people in Palermo, Argentina, on Monday. The event took place at the Monumento de los Españoles, featuring a nearly 24-meter-high stage designed by priest Eugenio Uda. The structure incorporated three Christian symbols: a dove-shaped roof for the Holy Spirit, a large cross for Christ, and a stone altar representing Saint Peter. The production, handled by DF Entertainment, cost approximately 5.6 million dollars. This location previously hosted Pope John Paul II in 1982. A second vigil for youth and families was scheduled for Tuesday before the structures were dismantled.
Devotees from La Plata, Corrientes, and Tucumán have gathered near the Monument to the Spaniards in Palermo, Argentina, to witness the historic visit of Pope Leo XIV. According to eldia.com.do, pilgrims express high expectations and emotional anticipation for the event. Some travelers, like Elias, seek a new spiritual experience similar to past papal visits, while volunteers such as Francisco aim to serve the nation. Others, including Esperanza and Nadia, hope to see the pontiff to receive faith and hope. The crowd includes families and groups waiting to participate in this unique moment with the successor of Peter.
Reverend Stephen Yenusom Wengam was inducted for a second four-year term as General Superintendent of the Assemblies of God in Ghana during a ceremony in Accra. President John Dramani Mahama attended the event, alongside other church leaders. Wengam reported that the denomination now has over 10,000 congregations and 1.2 million members. He outlined plans for a new conference center ahead of the church’s centenary. President Mahama announced a 100 million cedi allocation for a prison remand block project initiated by the church. He also encouraged the denomination to support youth employment and national development efforts.
A recent global Christianity report indicates that Latin America has emerged as the primary hub for missionary activity, surpassing traditional Western sources. This region now contributes nearly half of all Christian worker dispatches worldwide, with one major nation leading the effort by sending tens of thousands of active personnel. The total number of missionaries has grown significantly. The data reveals a structural shift toward a polycentric model, where professionals from the Global South serve in restricted areas and engage in reverse mission efforts in Europe and North America, reflecting a new dynamic in international evangelism.
The Catholic University of Murcia (UCAM) has established a new branch of its International Institute of Charity and Volunteering in Arequipa, Peru. This initiative launches alongside Pope Leo XIV's visit to the country and operates in collaboration with the Catholic University of Santa María. Archbishop Javier Del Río highlighted the project's goal to strengthen Christian solidarity and social service. The local coordinator will manage activities focused on organized charity and volunteer training. UCAM Vice Rector Antonio Alcaraz stated the center aims to address community needs through education and service, continuing the university's long-standing partnership in the region.
The Diocesan Charity of Rožňava launched a new day station in Kokava nad Rimavicou, Slovakia, on November 9. The facility, blessed by Bishop Stanislav Stolárik, will begin operations in January to support 14 seniors and individuals with disabilities. According to PR manager Lucia Černáková, four staff members will provide professional care, meals, and activities during weekdays. The project received funding from the EU Recovery Plan via the Slovak Ministry of Labour. Director Emília Revajová Bujňáková stated the service aims to maintain users' health and help them overcome limitations while they return home at night.
Marta Griselda Torres, a woman with cerebral palsy, shared her personal story with Pope Leo XIV during a visit to the Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Italy. Torres described being abandoned by her mother and finding refuge at the center, which she called a beacon of light. The Pontiff was visibly moved by her account and received a book she authored. He praised the institution for integrating people with disabilities into society and emphasized the inherent dignity of those with disabilities. This event occurred during the Pope's activities in Argentina, highlighting his focus on caring for vulnerable populations.
Translated from Español
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