On November 7, 2026, the Bolivian Community of Survivors requested a definitive and fair response from Pope Leo XIV regarding sexual abuse allegations against Jesuits in Bolivia. The group states that the scandal, which emerged three years prior, requires immediate attention. This appeal follows a parliamentary commission that began investigating the claims in April 2024. The victims emphasize the need for accountability from the Church hierarchy. The request highlights ongoing tensions between survivors and religious authorities in the South American nation.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 9 outlets
Pope Leo XIV will visit the Pequeño Cottolengo facility in Claypole, Argentina, on November 9. The institution, founded by Saint Luigi Orione in 1935, provides care for over 400 residents with disabilities. Brother Jorge David Silanes, the director, stated that the visit aims to highlight the dignity of vulnerable individuals and address funding challenges. The Pontiff previously recorded a message for the community in 2009. The visit includes a tribute to the founder's relic and meetings with residents, emphasizing the center's mission of charity and inclusion in the Buenos Aires metropolitan area.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 36 outlets
Daechodong Lutheran Church in Seoul held its annual 'Happiness Sharing Party' on November 8 for approximately 80 elderly residents receiving basic living support. Pastor Choi Tae-sung initiated the event in 2011 to serve the most marginalized community members. The gathering featured performances, meals, and gifts provided by local government officials and welfare organizations. This collaborative effort has grown over 16 years, involving district councilors and neighborhood associations. The church also opens its facilities for community use throughout the year, emphasizing mutual respect and social inclusion rather than proselytizing.
Poland is reeling from a terrorist attack in Krakow on Saturday, November 7, which left at least six people dead and sixteen injured. Among the victims is a British citizen. The incident has triggered a national mourning period, with flags flown at half-mast and television screens displaying black banners. Conservative newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported that the country feels the event marks the end of an era previously defined by peace. The widespread shock reflects a sudden shift in the national sense of security following the violence.
The 8th Gwangju Multicultural Sports Festival took place on November 1 at Tanbul Gymnasium in Gwangju, South Korea. Organized by the Gwangju Foreign Resident Support Council, the event brought together over 250 participants from 13 countries. Local politicians, including Assembly Speaker Park Sang-young, attended to support the initiative. The festival featured cultural performances and team sports designed to foster unity. During the event, Pastor Jang Yoon-je highlighted the urgent need for a dedicated foreign welfare center in Gwangju, noting that the city's foreign resident population exceeds the national average. Officials emphasized their commitment to helping migrants integrate as equal partners in the community.
Pope Leo XIV spoke to approximately 70,000 young people at the Centenary Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay. He emphasized the missionary role of the Church, particularly in contexts where faith is marginalized. The Pope urged Christians to avoid judging their situation by purely human standards and instead reflect the light of Christ through humility. He highlighted that being a minority does not mean being insignificant, as God chooses small places like Bethlehem. The Pontiff encouraged the youth to remain faithful, build families, and serve the poor, demonstrating that true witness comes from reflecting divine grace rather than relying on human strength or numbers.
Translated from KiswahiliAlso reported by 1 other outlet
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Journalists from Dnipro.media discovered that a children's magazine titled 'Bogdan' is being sold at the Holy Dormition Cathedral in Dnipro, Ukraine. The publication, linked to the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, contains content promoting the revival of Russia and featuring Russian state symbols. Articles compare clergy children to the Russian president and depict the Kremlin. Legal experts note potential violations of Ukrainian laws banning the promotion of the aggressor state. Authorities have been contacted to investigate the sale of these materials, which continue to be distributed despite the cessation of new print runs during the pandemic.
Translated from УкраїнськаAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The Parents Alliance for Children's Education Rights (PACER) held a rally on November 9 outside the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education. Organizers demanded the halt of a proposed guidebook addressing hate speech and discrimination in schools. They argue the draft improperly classifies political views and sexual orientation as hate speech, potentially violating freedom of expression. The group also called for the resignation of Seoul Education Superintendent Jeong Geun-sik. PACER claims the guidebook bypasses legislative debate and urges transparency. The education office plans a public discussion on November 14.
Pope Leo XIV met with residents of the Casavalle district in Montevideo, Uruguay, on Saturday, November 7. The meeting featured testimonies from locals who shared stories of resilience and hope amidst social difficulties. Carmen Albana Sanz, a pedagogy graduate, spoke first, followed by parish priest Pablo Coímbra, who highlighted the beauty found in human suffering. Attendees also honored the late priest Rubén Isidra Alonso, known as Father Cacho, and shared personal experiences of overcoming trauma through Church support. The event emphasized solidarity and faith in marginalized communities.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Russian forces have reduced a women's monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) in Komyshuvakha, Zaporizhzhia region, to ruins. Soldiers from the 65th Separate Mechanized Brigade shared video of the devastation, noting that personal items and uneaten food remained inside. Press officer Serhiy Skibchik described the scene as haunting, with the scent of incense lingering amidst broken windows. The attack occurred on the morning of November 2, when Russia dropped nine aviation bombs, including FAB-3000s, on the settlement. Rescue workers recovered 55 bodies from the rubble of an underground school, with search operations continuing.
Pope Leo XIV spoke to 70,000 young people at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, during a cold and windy night. The Vatican News outlet reports that the Pope addressed the challenges of secularization and the Church's mission in a context where faith transmission has been interrupted. He urged Christians to avoid judging their situation with purely human criteria or nostalgia for the past. Instead, he pointed to Bethlehem as an example, teaching that being a minority does not mean being insignificant. The Pope encouraged the youth to reflect the light of Christ through humility, honesty, and service to the poor, rather than relying on numbers or structures.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 4 outlets
Polish Catholic leaders urged unity and prayer after a gunman killed six people in Kraków’s Main Market Square on Saturday. Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś invited the faithful to a Mass at St. Mary’s Basilica, stating that hatred must not have the final word. Police detained a man in his mid-20s from Ostrowiec Świętokrzyski after he fired from a vehicle, wounding sixteen others. Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the suspect held radical far-right views, while Prime Minister Donald Tusk classified the event as terrorism. President Karol Nawrocki declared national mourning for November 8 and 9. Other bishops, including Primate Wojciech Polak, expressed solidarity and grief over the attack near the historic basilica.
Volunteer leaders from Pingst churches in central Sweden gathered in Västerås to discuss recent trends. According to Dagen, these leaders observe that more people than before are showing interest in Jesus and the Christian faith, often attending church services. The outlet interviewed several volunteers from the region, including Rozalin Jerjes, Elsa Anhage, and Nftaliem Okbagabr, who attended the event. The group notes a noticeable shift in societal openness toward Christianity, suggesting a growing curiosity among the public regarding religious matters.
Following a mass shooting in Krakow, Poland, on November 7, 2026, which left six people dead and approximately fifteen injured, church leaders have expressed deep sorrow. Cardinal Grzegorz Ryś, the Archbishop of Krakow, called for a memorial mass to honor the victims. The incident involved a 24-year-old Polish national who opened fire on pedestrians. The Catholic media outlet Cath-Info reported that the bishops are urging the faithful to remain united during this difficult time. This event marks a significant tragedy for the local community and the wider church in Poland.
Manuel Castelo Branco, president of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace in Coimbra, Portugal, argues that the housing crisis stems from deliberate political policies rather than migrants. He cites the 2010 gold visa program and urban rehabilitation laws as primary drivers of rising costs and speculation. While supporting the Church’s use of its property to help the needy, he insists the State must address its political responsibilities. He also condemns the intimidation of migrant protesters and discriminatory laws, emphasizing that Christian ethics must guide public policy. The interview was conducted by Renascença and Agência Ecclesia.
Romanians in the La Ferté-sous-Jouarre and Chamigny regions of France will benefit from a new cultural center. The Orthodox Cultural Association acquired a building in Chamigny, funded by the Department for Romanians Abroad. The project, running from April to November 2026, aims to support parish activities and the Romanian Parish School. Metropolitan Iosif of Western and Southern Europe visited the site with the parish priest and architect Dorel Cordoș. The group says the space will serve children, youth, and families. The association thanked the department for the financial support that enabled the property purchase.
Pope Leon XIV, described as the first pontiff from Peru, visited the Casavalle neighborhood in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 7. The visit aimed to bring hope to one of the capital's most neglected areas, where poverty and crime rates exceed national averages. Thousands of residents gathered in the cold weather to welcome the Pope, with some expressing that his presence brought peace and recognition to their community. Local volunteers highlighted the daily struggles of families facing insecurity, while emphasizing the strong bonds among neighbors. The event marked a significant moment for the district, allowing residents to share their reality with the world.
Translated from PolskiAlso reported by 1 other outlet
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Mylo O'Herli, co-author of a new book, claims the Russian Orthodox Church engaged in espionage near Greek naval bases on Crete. He cites data from a detained church official's laptop suggesting Patriarch Kirill knew of the operations. O'Herli argues the church serves Kremlin interests by blessing the war in Ukraine and undermining Orthodox unity. He states the church uses property near NATO sites for surveillance, posing a threat to European security.
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇺🇦 Ukraine·
Over 1,700 pilgrims completed the Camino Podolico route in Ukraine this season, marking a record high for the project. According to Vinnytsia regional council deputy Volodymyr Onufriychuk, this figure triples the previous year's total of approximately 500 certificates. The 250-kilometer path, which ends in Kamianets-Podilskyi, was traversed by 87% of participants on foot and 13% by bicycle. Most pilgrims were women aged 21 to 30, primarily from Ukrainian regions including Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa. Additionally, 17 travelers from nine countries participated in the scenic journey through Podillia.
Translated from Українська
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