In Rome, Italy, Caritas Internationalis, the International Catholic Migration Commission, the Jesuit Refugee Service, and the UN Refugee Agency co-hosted an event marking the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Refugee Convention. The gathering emphasized that refugee protection is rooted in moral and spiritual values shared by religious traditions. Speakers, including UNHCR Representative Francesca Bonelli and Caritas Director Victor Genina, called for renewed commitment to human dignity and non-refoulement amid rising challenges. Participants signed a global statement of solidarity to ensure refugees can rebuild their lives. The event highlighted the enduring relevance of international legal frameworks for displaced persons.
Pope Leo XIV returned to Peru on Wednesday for a visit to Lima, the country where he previously served as a missionary and bishop for twenty years. During three addresses delivered in a single morning, he called the Catholic Church to account for clerical abuse and denounced what he described as a persistent machista mentality. He urged the faithful not to surrender to poverty, addiction, or domestic violence. Approximately 40,000 people attended his address at the Plaza Mayor, while three million lined the streets the previous day to greet him. The Pope spoke inside Lima’s cathedral, which holds the tomb of Saint Turibius of Mogrovejo.
Pope Leo XIV addressed crowds in Lima, Peru, on November 12, 2026, at Plaza de Armas. He stated that human dignity must be the foundation for addressing the nation's challenges. The Pope linked family, work, cultural diversity, and women's rights to a single human reality. He urged placing people at the center of social and economic systems based on solidarity. He praised mothers and grandmothers for their resilience while acknowledging struggles like addiction and domestic violence. Later, he led prayers at the Cathedral of St. John the Apostle, calling for reconciliation. He is scheduled to meet with youth at the National Stadium that evening.
The US Conference of Catholic Bishops announced grants from the Catholic Campaign for Human Development to support anti-poverty initiatives ahead of World Poor Day on November 15. Bishop Timothy C. Senior stated that the campaign aims to address root causes of poverty through solidarity. Nearly 3.5 million dollars will be distributed to 88 organizations across states including Pennsylvania, Idaho, Kentucky, and California. These funds support housing, job creation, and immigrant rights. According to the US Census Bureau, 34.5 million people lived in poverty in 2025, representing a 10.2 percent rate.
A new documentary titled 'Resurrection That Love' has been released in South Korea, depicting the life of Cheon Jeong-eun, who died in 2025 after battling terminal breast cancer for over a decade. The film highlights her deepening Christian faith and her commitment to comforting other patients despite her own suffering. Pastor Kim Seong-ro of Chuncheon Hanmaum Church in Gangwon Province appears in the movie, sharing how Cheon viewed her illness as an opportunity to share the gospel. Produced by Pioneer21, the documentary aims to spread her message of hope beyond Korea to international audiences.
Lisbon, Portugal, November 12, 2026. D. Virgílio Antunes, president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, stated that housing access must transcend private and ideological interests. He announced that church assets are being evaluated for residential use to address the national crisis. The Patriarchate of Lisbon is collaborating with Caritas to identify available properties. Additionally, the Archdiocese of Braga reported housing 176 families in 157 homes. D. Antunes emphasized the church's commitment to social aid, noting that vacant buildings may be repurposed for social utility alongside religious functions.
The Providența Medical Foundation of the Iași Archdiocese organized a medical caravan in Scobinți, Iași County, Romania, between October 21 and November 10. The initiative offered free consultations and biological sample collection for 80 individuals from disadvantaged families. Services included internal medicine and pediatrics, conducted in a mobile medical cabinet and a senior day center. Dr. Ilinca Mihaela Alexa and Dr. Andreea Nicole Bârleanu emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and health education. Beneficiaries will continue to receive support for accessing recommended treatments and investigations to improve long-term health outcomes.
Pope Leo XIV met with church leaders in Lima, Peru, on November 12, 2026, urging the local Catholic Church to address past harms. Speaking at the Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist Cathedral, the pontiff stated that Peru greatly needs reconciliation. This visit marks the final leg of his sixth apostolic journey, which began in Uruguay on November 6. The meeting highlights the Church's ongoing efforts to heal wounds caused by historical issues, including sexual abuse scandals, as the Pope continues his tour of South America despite recent health concerns.
Father Martín Carranza, a priest from the Archdiocese of Córdoba, Argentina, used artificial intelligence to recover his voice after a surgery ten years ago caused severe disabilities. He met Pope Leo XIV at the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de la Asunción on November 10. Carranza explained that he chose to remain open rather than withdraw, using AI to convert his written homilies into audio. The Pope praised this creative use of technology, noting that physical limitations do not stop one from serving the Church. He emphasized that God's power remains active regardless of bodily constraints, encouraging priests to find new ways to preach.
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A Mexican Franciscan missionary and journalist completed a long bicycle pilgrimage across the Americas, arriving in a city in Peru. She traveled from Mexico through Brazil and Colombia to attend a Mass by Pope Leo XIV. Despite facing accidents, theft, and heatstroke, she persisted to deliver a message of peace. According to her statements to local media, her goal was solely to see the Pontiff. Her journey highlights the strong connection between the Pope and the region where he previously served as bishop, demonstrating remarkable dedication and faith amidst significant physical challenges.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Archbishop Ferenc Palánki issued a message on World Social Work Day to staff at institutions within the Debrecen-Nyíregyháza diocese in Hungary. He thanked employees for their patience and sacrifice toward vulnerable, elderly, and sick individuals. According to the text, their service preserves human dignity and demonstrates Christian love. Palánki stated that by listening and supporting those in need, workers transmit Christ's love and make God's presence tangible. The archbishop emphasized that this care reflects the Church's compassionate face and asked for divine blessing on their daily duties. The message was published by Magyar Kurir.
Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey through Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru has drawn massive crowds, echoing past papal visits. According to Agenzia SIR, nearly six million people attended events in Argentina, while approximately three million gathered in Lima, Peru, where the Pope previously served as a missionary and bishop. The outlet notes that these numbers recall significant historical gatherings, such as Pope Francis’s record-breaking 2015 Manila mass and Pope John Paul II’s 1995 visit to the same city. The report highlights the enduring ability of the papacy to mobilize populations across continents, from India to Europe, demonstrating the continued global reach of the Catholic Church.
Pope Leo XIV is set to visit Peru, his final stop in Latin America, where he previously served as a missionary. Lima, home to over 10 million people, faces significant social strain from Venezuelan immigration, prompting local groups to combat stereotypes. According to Vatican News, Bishop Juan Carlos Morante Buchhammer notes that while Peruvians are devout, the Church struggles to address political polarization and corruption effectively. The Pope will travel to Chiclayo, where he once served as bishop. However, preparations were marred by the death of a worker who fell while decorating an archway for the papal visit.
Chiclayo, Peru, is preparing for a visit from Pope Leo XIV from November 13 to 15. The Pope, formerly Bishop Robert Francis Prevost in the region, is expected to celebrate Mass for one million people. The city displays photos of his humanitarian work, including flood relief. This visit occurs while Peru declares a state of emergency due to El Niño rains. President Keiko Fujimori canceled a summit trip to attend to the crisis. Locals celebrate their former bishop with exhibitions and renamed treats.
In Nepal, communities in a northern district are recovering from severe floods that struck in late August. The disaster destroyed homes and schools along major rivers, affecting over 32,000 people. International aid organizations are distributing food, shelter materials, and winter supplies to displaced families. While some services have resumed, damaged infrastructure isolates many villages. Survivors face urgent challenges as winter approaches, striving to secure permanent housing and restore livelihoods before the cold season arrives. The situation highlights the critical need for sustained humanitarian support in the region to help residents rebuild their lives amidst ongoing logistical difficulties.
The Sanctuary of Banneux in Belgium is hosting the 10th World Day of the Poor on November 14 and 15. Approximately 350 people facing poverty, homelessness, or isolation are expected to attend this interdiocesan event. The gathering focuses on fraternity, prayer, and sharing, with the theme 'The Lord is the refuge of the poor' chosen by Pope Leo XIV. Activities include workshops, biblical sharing, and a torchlit procession. The Eucharist on Sunday will be presided over by Father Christophe Monsieur, Abbot of Leffe Abbey. The event aims to provide comfort and foster solidarity among participants from various Belgian dioceses.
Maximiliano, a 32-year-old Argentine man, shared his testimony with Pope Leo XIV during the pontiff's visit to the Córdoba Penitentiary Complex. Struggling with drug and alcohol addiction for years, Maximiliano stated that his imprisonment provided a necessary pause for reflection. He described finding inner freedom and reconnecting with his childhood faith within the prison chapel. The inmate expressed regret for lost time with his daughters and a desire to rebuild his life through honest work and service. The Pope emphasized that incarceration does not erase human dignity or the possibility of starting anew, urging society to respect the inherent worth of those behind bars.
Oliver Müller, head of Caritas International, called for urgent winter shelters and unrestricted humanitarian access in Gaza on Thursday in Freiburg. The organization reports that the situation for 1.4 million displaced people has worsened, with heavy floods submerging approximately 70,000 tents. Refugees remain exposed to cold weather in damaged shelters. While Caritas staff continue their work, their capacity is insufficient. Müller noted that many colleagues are also living in flooded tents with their families. The group emphasizes the critical need for food, medicine, and warm clothing to address the escalating crisis in the region.
Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee announced that World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul, South Korea, will center on the theme of making the world a garden. The event, scheduled for August 2027, aims to promote peace and reconciliation in a nation still divided by the Korean War. Organizers describe the gathering as an opportunity for young people to build fraternity and transform a landscape marked by conflict. Ambassador Shin Hyung-sik highlighted that this will be the first World Youth Day held in a non-European country where Catholics are not the majority. The initiative seeks to turn the border into a symbol of hope and dialogue.
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