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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Centro Sefarad-Israel has awarded the 2026 Corona Esther prize to three non-Catholic religious programs on Spain's La 2 channel: Buenas Noticias TV, Shalom, and Medina. The decision was made by a committee meeting in Madrid on June 9. The award recognizes the programs' efforts in promoting religious pluralism, diversity, and freedom of worship. Buenas Noticias TV, an evangelical show directed by Esteban Lozano, marks its 40th anniversary this year. José Thovar Lozano, the center's director general, praised the directors for their valuable contribution to democratic coexistence. The award ceremony will take place on September 8 in Madrid during the Jewish New Year celebrations.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Cottolengo facility in Claypole, Argentina, to meet residents with severe disabilities. During the trip, he emphasized that national progress depends on how societies treat vulnerable people. The visit occurred amid political debate over President Javier Milei’s proposed budget reforms for disability benefits. The local bishops’ commission had criticized reducing human fragility to mathematical equations. The Pope affirmed that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. This stop is part of his twelve-day tour of Latin America, following recent cancer surgery. The event highlights ongoing tensions between the government’s austerity measures and the Church’s social priorities.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 5 outlets
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 disability care and social services. Before addressing an estimated 2.5 million people at a Mass in Buenos Aires, Leo emphasized that a nation's progress is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable. The Pope’s comments highlight ongoing tensions between the Vatican’s social teachings and the government’s fiscal policies, with care homes still owed significant funds despite legislative efforts to increase support.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington is organizing an official pilgrimage to World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea. Registration for the ten-day trip, running from July 31 to August 9, 2027, closes on November 30. The event will gather young Catholics with Pope Leo XIV for prayer and cultural activities. This marks the first time the international gathering is held in a country where Christians are a minority. The package costs between $5,400 and $5,600 per person and includes airfare, hotel stays, and site visits. Participants must complete safe-environment training by February 1, 2027. The archdiocese encourages spiritual preparation alongside logistical arrangements for the upcoming faith celebration.
Stella Maris, the Catholic maritime charity, has published The Seafarers' Cookbook, featuring recipes and stories from crew members worldwide. Sponsored by Britannia P&I Club, the book highlights the resourcefulness of feeding crews at sea with limited supplies. All profits from sales, priced at £8.99, will support the organization's pastoral and practical assistance for seafarers and fishers. Contributors include Richmon Dale Figueroa, who shares a Filipino rice dish. The publication aims to celebrate maritime food traditions while raising funds for those working in dangerous and isolated conditions on ships that carry most global trade. The book is available via the Stella Maris website.
María José Terré, CEO of the US-based NGO Water is Life, explains how a temporary trip to Kenya became a five-year commitment to leading the organization. Founded by Kent Surritte in 2007, the group provides clean water solutions in Kenya, Chile, Mexico, and the US. Terré recently oversaw a project in Peñaflor, Chile, where the NGO distributed water filters to families in the Cerro La Virgen camp. The initiative, supported by Blessd and Igor Lichnovsky, addresses the lack of formal water connections in informal settlements. Terré emphasizes that effective aid requires long-term community involvement rather than short-term visits.
The city of Phoenix has launched a citywide food drive in partnership with St. Mary’s Food Bank, running from November 9 through December 23. This initiative aims to address high demand for food assistance in Arizona, where many residents lost SNAP benefits. Mayor Kate Gallego stated the campaign makes it easier for residents to support neighbors in need. Donations will be collected at Burton Barr Central Library, five community centers, and various nonprofit and church locations. The city also encourages monetary contributions directly to the food bank. More information is available on the city website.
Catholic priest Julio Lancellotti resumed his social media activity on November 9 in Brazil after being absent since December 2025. He thanked supporters for their solidarity during his hiatus. The Archdiocese of São Paulo, led by Cardinal Odilo Scherer, had restricted his online presence and live broadcasts due to severe online threats from right-wing groups. Lancellotti, who coordinates humanitarian aid for homeless populations in São Paulo, received authorization to return to digital platforms on November 8. He continues to lead initiatives such as the Padre Julio Lancellotti Law, which bans hostile architecture designed to displace vulnerable individuals.
The term Cottolengo refers to religious and civil institutions providing care for people with disabilities, originating from the work of Italian priest Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo. In 1828, he founded the Ospedaletto della Volta Rossa in Turin to help vulnerable individuals rejected by traditional medical centers. After a cholera epidemic forced its closure, he established the Piccola Casa della Divina Provvidenza in 1832. This model expanded globally, including a notable site in Barcelona. The name is now commonly used in Spanish-speaking countries to describe similar support networks, reflecting a legacy of solidarity and humanitarian aid that continues to influence care organizations today.
Hundreds of residents in Guaymallén, Mendoza, Argentina, gathered at the Virgen precinct to watch Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Argentina on a large screen. The event, organized by provincial and municipal authorities, broadcasts three key moments: the Mass in Buenos Aires, the youth vigil, and the farewell Mass in Luján. Traffic on the Northern Collector Road is restricted, prompting drivers to seek alternatives. The site also offers free veterinary services for pets. The location holds historical significance, as Pope John Paul II met with faithful there in 1987. Authorities advise caution due to heavy vehicle circulation in the area.
Translated from Español
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