The Catholic Church in Spain is providing pastoral and material support to communities affected by severe wildfires in Madrid and Avila. Cardinal José Cobo of Madrid has ordered special prayers for victims and emergency workers, while priests assist evacuees in towns like San Martín de Valdeiglesias and Navas del Rey. Bishop Ginés García Beltrán of Getafe and Bishop Jesús Rico of Ávila are also coordinating aid. Over 19,000 people have been evacuated as fires spread across the region. The Church is offering shelter, spiritual comfort, and resources to those displaced by the blazes that began in late July.
Venezuelan bishops issued a message titled 'Samaritans, witnesses of hope' marking one month since twin earthquakes struck the northern and central regions of Venezuela. The episcopate expressed indignation over the state's alleged negligence, noting that thousands died and infrastructure was destroyed. They warned that reconstruction must avoid past corruption and political interests to protect vulnerable populations. The document also addressed the broader social crisis, including political prisoners and economic hardship, while rejecting claims that the disasters were divine punishment. The bishops thanked international aid and called for spiritual support for victims.
Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to the Halleluya 2026 Festival in Fortaleza, Brazil, organized by the Catholic Community Shalom. The event took place from July 22 to 26. The Pope praised the festival for fostering evangelization through music and worship. He encouraged young people to maintain their missionary zeal and share their faith courageously. Additionally, he advised them to use social media and artificial intelligence with moderation and discipline. The Pope warned that enthusiasm might fade over time and urged the youth not to fear Christ, stating that He gives everything to those who surrender to Him. He concluded by asking God to strengthen the young in their call to holiness.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 3 outlets
Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to young people in Cutervo, Peru, for the Second Diocesan Youth Day. He encouraged them to reject passivity and comfort, calling instead for a 'holy rebellion' to serve the common good. The Pontiff urged participants from the Prelature of Chota and Cutervo to become active missionaries in their schools and communities. He emphasized serving the vulnerable as encountering Christ. The event, themed 'Called to love, sent to serve,' highlights three patron saints: Carlo Acutis, John Paul II, and Rosa de Lima, to inspire faith and commitment among the new generation.
Aid to the Church in Need International·🇱🇧 Lebanon·
On July 25, thousands of faithful will gather in Dimane, Lebanon, for the beatification of Maronite Patriarch Elias Hoyek. The 19th-century church leader founded the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family and advocated for Greater Lebanon. Aid to the Church in Need reports that the event highlights his legacy of unity across religious lines, evidenced by a miracle involving a Druze patient. Sister Noura Khoury-Hanna states that Hoyek’s emphasis on education and compassion remains vital amid Lebanon’s current economic and social crises. The celebration serves as a reminder of hope for the nation.
Archbishop Gallagher, serving as Pope Leo XIV’s special envoy, visited Kyiv on July 19 to honor victims of the war and the Revolution of Dignity. He laid flowers at a memorial and met with Acting Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, reaffirming the Holy See’s solidarity with Ukraine. Gallagher also held talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky and met with leaders from the All-Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations. Religious leaders highlighted the exhaustion of the population and the urgent need for a just peace. The visit coincided with the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Latin Rite Catholic Church structures in Ukraine, centered around celebrations in Berdychiv.
Religious sisters in Mozambique are providing emergency relief to flood victims in a coastal city within Gaza province. Following severe rains that displaced families, the sisters are supporting approximately 1,600 displaced people, including nearly 600 children. They distribute food three times a week from their convent to shelters in schools and community centers. Local women also volunteer to help prepare and deliver meals. The sisters address urgent needs for hygiene items and clothing while offering emotional support to those who lost their homes. This aid continues their long-standing mission in the region, focusing on vulnerable populations across various provinces.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 10 outlets
One month after earthquakes struck Venezuela on June 24, 2026, the Missionary Daughters of the Holy Family of Nazareth are reopening schools in Caracas. According to Agenzia Fides, the sisters plan to use a double-shift schedule to accommodate approximately 400 to 600 enrolled students in the morning and children from destroyed neighboring schools in the afternoon. This initiative, supported by Camillian Disaster Service, aims to restore education for thousands of children affected by the disaster. The tremors killed at least 5,346 people and damaged over 400 school buildings, disrupting learning for many in difficult socio-economic conditions. The sisters' efforts ensure educational continuity while reconstruction continues in the northwest and center of the country.
The Diocese of Copiapo in Chile has launched a solidarity campaign to assist families affected by severe flooding that began in mid-July 2026. According to Vatican News, the storm impacted ten regions, causing significant damage and displacing thousands. Caritas Diocesana is collecting non-perishable food, warm clothing, and footwear to distribute in communes such as Vallenar, Alto del Carmen, Freirina, and Huasco. Bishop Ricardo Morales Galindo visited the coordination center to thank volunteers and encourage the wider church community to support those suffering. The initiative aims to provide urgent material aid and spiritual companionship to the affected population.
Aid to the Church in Need International·🇻🇪 Venezuela·
Following devastating earthquakes in Venezuela on June 24, Archbishop Raúl Biord of Caracas stated that the Church is prioritizing spiritual and emotional support for victims alongside material aid. With over 35 damaged churches in La Guaira and Caracas, clergy and seminarians are providing consolation and sacraments in the streets. Official figures report thousands dead and tens of thousands missing. Aid to the Church in Need International pledged an initial 100,000 euros, with a larger reconstruction package planned. The Church emphasizes rebuilding lives and supporting caregivers amidst the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Holy See's secretary for relations with states, concluded a six-day visit to Ukraine on Tuesday. The trip combined pastoral duties, including a mass at the Berdychiv sanctuary, with diplomatic meetings in Kyiv. Gallagher met President Volodymyr Zelensky and Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha to discuss the war, the protection of religious sites, and humanitarian efforts such as prisoner exchanges and child repatriations. The Vatican aims to serve as a neutral ground for peace talks. The visit followed a similar humanitarian mission by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, highlighting the Holy See's ongoing engagement in the conflict.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 11 outlets
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher arrived in Ukraine as the papal legate to mark the 35th anniversary of the reopening of a Latin Rite Catholic church in Berdychiv. After landing in Poland due to closed airspace, he crossed into Ukraine via Lviv. There, he met with local authorities and Archbishop Mieczyslaw Mokrzycki, emphasizing the need for fair conditions to end the war. He also visited the Catholic University of Lviv, where Rector Bishop Borys Gudziak highlighted the impact of the conflict on students. Gallagher plans to meet with Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk in Kyiv to discuss the ongoing suffering and the path toward peace in the region.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 10 outlets
The Diocese of Savannah in Georgia is expanding the venue for the beatification of five 16th-century Spanish Franciscan martyrs to accommodate approximately 12,000 attendees. Originally planned for 2,000 people, the October 31 ceremony at the Savannah Convention Center reflects a surge in interest from Catholics across the United States and Spain. Bishop Stephen D. Parkes stated the martyrs died defending Christian marriage. Cardinal Frank Leo will preside as Papal Legate for Pope Leo XIV. The event marks the first beatification in Georgia and coincides with the Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi.
Caritas Venezuela, the Catholic Church's social services arm, announced a transition from immediate emergency relief to long-term recovery following devastating earthquakes. The organization reports distributing 16,000 tons of aid and 96,000 medical supply units, primarily in La Guaira. With over 5,200 deaths confirmed and tens of thousands displaced in Caracas and surrounding areas, the group emphasizes that the crisis persists. Approximately 10,000 volunteers and clergy are supporting affected communities. Caritas warns that thousands remain in temporary camps and urges continued financial support to sustain the ongoing recovery efforts across Venezuela.
Peruvian bishops offered prayers and expressed solidarity following a 5.1 magnitude earthquake that struck the Junín region on Saturday night. The disaster, centered in Chongos Bajo, killed at least five people and injured more than twenty, according to the National Civil Defense Institute. Prime Minister Luis Enrique Arroyo Sánchez visited the area to coordinate relief efforts. The historic Cani Cruz, a national heritage site from 1534, collapsed during the tremor. Officials attribute significant structural damage to the use of substandard building materials in the affected zone. Rescue operations involving the army and police remain ongoing as authorities assess the full extent of the destruction.
Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, special envoy of Pope Leo XIV, celebrated Mass at the Mount Carmel Sanctuary in Berdychiv, Ukraine, on July 19. The event marked the 35th anniversary of the restoration of the Latin Rite Catholic Church in the country. Gallagher urged perseverance and prayer for peace, invoking the Virgin Mary for the war-torn nation. The ceremony occurred shortly after intense Russian missile strikes on Kyiv killed one person and injured at least 16. The archbishop emphasized spiritual unity with suffering Ukrainians and highlighted the importance of faith during the ongoing conflict.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 6 outlets
The Latin American Episcopal Council has released a comprehensive manual on addiction pastoral care, developed with input from hundreds of individuals across multiple nations. This initiative aims to provide integral responses to drug use, combining medical, psychological, and spiritual approaches. The organization also signed a strategic agreement with the Organization of American States to combat organized crime. The document highlights diverse national experiences, including family reintegration efforts in one country, preventive outreach in another, and a dignity-centered recovery model in a third. A virtual school will offer ongoing training for parish workers to support individuals and families affected by addiction throughout the region.
Aid to the Church in Need International·🇻🇪 Venezuela·
Aid to the Church in Need reports that the situation in La Guaira, Venezuela, is apocalyptic following a major earthquake. Executive president Regina Lynch described widespread destruction, with an estimated death toll in the tens of thousands. The local Catholic Church, supported by Caritas volunteers, has organized a rapid relief response in Caracas and La Guaira. ACN has pledged 100,000 euros to support clergy and laity aiding victims. Future plans include rebuilding church structures and providing trauma healing for survivors and staff. Bishop Pablo Modesto of La Guaira emphasized the Church's role in rebuilding the country.
Government officials report that nearly 5,000 people have died following twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela's La Guaira state on June 24, 2026. National Assembly President Jorge Rodriguez confirmed 4,829 fatalities, with over 16,000 injured and 17,907 displaced. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 quakes caused extensive structural damage, prompting a massive humanitarian response. Organizations like Caritas Venezuela and Catholic Relief Services are distributing food, water, and medical supplies. UNICEF highlights a severe emergency for children and vulnerable groups, while church leaders urge global donations to support recovery efforts in the affected region.
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