Three priests killed by Nazi troops in Italy during World War II were declared blessed in Bologna. Cardinal Marcello Semeraro presided over the ceremony at San Petronio Basilica, concelebrated by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi. The martyrs are Don Ubaldo Marchioni, Don Elia Comini, and Father Martino Capelli, recognized for dying in hatred of the faith. The event highlights their choice to stay with their communities during the 1944 Monte Sole massacres. Church leaders emphasize that their testimony offers a message of peace and fidelity for Christians today, connecting past suffering with current global conflicts.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 5 outlets
Pope Leo XIV met with catechumens and neophytes at the Catholic Institute of Paris on Saturday. He expressed wonder at the rising number of adult baptisms in France, noting this trend contrasts with declining child baptisms. The Pope urged the Church to welcome these new believers with compassion and provide solid theological and liturgical formation. He emphasized the need for ongoing accompaniment to prevent post-baptismal abandonment. According to the report, he described these converts as a promise of fruitfulness for the Church in France and called for a collaborative approach to faith formation.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 5 outlets
Approximately 700,000 Catholics gathered in Paris on Saturday, September 26, 2026, for a mass celebrated by Pope Leo XIV. The event took place along a route stretching from Place de la Concorde to Avenue de la Grande Armée. According to the outlet, the Pope encouraged the faithful to uphold the spiritual heritage of French saints and support those defending life. He also noted a rise in baptisms among adolescents and adults, stating this trend contradicts defeatist attitudes. The gathering highlighted a desire for communion and a strong message regarding end-of-life issues among the attendees.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 2 outlets
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle presided over the beatification Mass for Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 24. More than 50,000 people attended the event where Sheen was formally declared Blessed. Tagle described Sheen as a humble servant who viewed himself as a porter leading people to Christ rather than an owner of souls. The cardinal emphasized that Sheen’s evangelization began with communion with Jesus and service to the poor. Sheen, a prominent 20th-century communicator, used radio and television to spread the Gospel. The beatification follows a cause opened in 2002 and a miracle approved in 2019.
German and Malagasy bishops connected climate justice with Madagascar during the World Mission Month launch in Aachen, Germany. Aachen Bishop Helmut Dieser highlighted extreme heat as proof of shared vulnerability, while Tolagnaro Bishop Luc Olivier Razafitsimialona described drought impacts and unfair mica mining practices. Missio President Dirk Bingener criticized German development aid cuts and demanded transparent supply chains. Sister Claudine Aimée Rasolohery presented affordable herbal medicines developed in Madagascar. The campaign, focusing on Madagascar, runs from Aachen to Regensburg, culminating in collections on October 25.
Pope Leo XIV expressed surprise at the increasing number of adult baptisms in France during a meeting in Paris on Saturday. According to the French Bishops' Conference, over 13,000 adults were baptized during this year's Easter Vigil, a significant rise from 4,124 in 2016. The Pope urged church leaders to provide concrete pastoral care for these new believers. He emphasized the need to integrate them fully into parishes through comprehensive instruction and liturgical involvement. Additionally, he called for specialized training for godparents to support this growing demographic, noting that while overall baptisms are declining, this specific trend requires dedicated attention.
Translated from DeutschAlso reported by 6 outlets
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Pope Leo XIV urged collective responsibility to protect migrant children facing violence during their journeys. Speaking in St. Peter's Square on September 23, he highlighted the suffering of minors forced to leave their homes due to war, poverty, and climate disasters. This appeal precedes the 112th World Day of Migrants on September 27, themed around welcoming even one child. The Pope emphasized recognizing the dignity and fundamental rights of these youths. UNHCR data indicates that 45 million children were among the 117.8 million forcibly displaced people globally by the end of 2025.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 15 outlets
France is experiencing a significant rise in adult Catholic baptisms, with over 13,000 individuals baptized during Easter 2026. This figure represents a 28% increase from 2025 and more than triples the number from a decade ago. Vatican News reports that this trend reflects a shift from inherited to chosen Christianity among French youth. Newly baptized converts and catechumens, including Robin, Cristal, and Angelina, met Pope Leo XIV at the Catholic University of Paris on September 26. These individuals cite community, spiritual peace, and personal conviction as key reasons for their conversions, highlighting a growing desire for faith among young people in France.
Pope Leo XIV became the first pontiff to visit Notre-Dame Cathedral since its 2024 reopening, holding Evening Prayer in Paris on Friday. The visit marks the first time the church has hosted a pope following the devastating 2019 fire. During his homily, Leo emphasized the cathedral's role as a place where heaven and earth meet, urging clergy to prioritize prayer. The event drew an estimated 300,000 people. This visit occurs as France experiences a rise in Catholic baptisms despite broader secularization trends, according to demographic data.
The World Council of Churches and the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organizations have issued a joint appeal regarding the humanitarian crisis in Oleshky, Ukraine. They state that Russian forces are blocking the city, leaving civilians without food, water, electricity, or medicine since late May 2026. Bishop Prof. Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm condemned the blockade, noting that residents are starving and evacuation is denied. The groups urge an immediate end to the siege to prevent mass loss of life, accusing Russian authorities of exploiting the situation for propaganda while denying humanitarian access.
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Pope Leo XIV will meet 80,000 young people aged 17 to 35 at the Stade de France in France on Friday evening. The event, organized by French authorities, sold out in 30 minutes, demonstrating significant enthusiasm. Bishop Étienne Guillet of Saint-Denis notes the diverse attendance and the generation's search for meaning beyond digital distractions. The gathering includes musical performances and a prayer session. Attendees will also venerate the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil, a relic associated with Christ's Passion, which the bishop describes as a symbol of Church unity.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 14 outlets
RISU (Religious Information Service of Ukraine)·🇷🇺 Russia·
Pope Francis's envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, is scheduled to visit Russia, according to reports cited by RISU. Yuri Ushakov, an advisor to President Vladimir Putin, stated that the two will discuss humanitarian issues related to the conflict in Ukraine. Zuppi, who heads the Italian Bishops' Conference, last visited Moscow in October 2024 to negotiate family reunifications and prisoner exchanges. Additionally, RISU reported that Andriy Sybiga previously discussed the release of Ukrainian civilian hostages held in Russian prisons with the cardinal. The visit aims to advance dialogue regarding the ongoing war.
Translated from УкраїнськаAlso reported by 11 outlets
Former US television bishop Fulton Sheen will be beatified on September 24 in St. Louis, Missouri. Pope Leo XIV honored Sheen as a model for evangelization through media during a general audience. Cardinal Tagle will lead the ceremony, with organizers expecting nearly 45,000 pilgrims and over 80 bishops. Sheen, known as a TV star in the post-war era, won an Emmy for his program. The beatification follows a six-year delay due to concerns about his handling of abuse allegations during his time as bishop of Rochester. The event takes place during the pontificate of the first American pope, who hails from Illinois, where Sheen's cause is managed.
VATICAN CITY (Vatican) – Pope Leo XIV used his weekly audience on September 23, 2026, to highlight the plight of migrant and refugee minors. Ahead of the 112th World Day of the Migrant and Refugee, he described their experiences as involving indescribable suffering, violence, and exploitation. The Pontiff urged global responsibility, stating that every child possesses infinite dignity. He called for effective legal instruments to ensure family reunification and protect human rights, rather than merely managing migration flows. The message also emphasized the need for constant pastoral care and inter-religious cooperation to prevent the radicalization of vulnerable youth. The group says these measures are essential to safeguard the best interests of minors.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 2 outlets
Pope Leo XIV will become the first pontiff to venerate the Holy Tunic of Argenteuil during a visit to France from September 25 to 28, 2026. The relic, believed to be Christ’s seamless robe, will be brought to the Stade de France in Saint-Denis for a prayer vigil attended by 80,000 young people. This event follows a prayer session at Notre Dame Cathedral. Local authorities describe the transport of the tunic from its basilica as unprecedented. The display aims to highlight Christian unity, a theme emphasized by Bishop Benoît Bertrand of Pontoise, the relic’s guardian. The tunic has been venerated in France for over 1,200 years.
Pope Leo XIV praised Venerable Fulton Sheen during a Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter’s Square, highlighting the late American Archbishop’s pioneering media evangelization. The Pope noted that Sheen will be beatified on Thursday, September 24, 2026, at The Dome at America’s Center in Saint Louis, Missouri. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle will preside over the ceremony. According to the Diocese of Norwich, organizers anticipate nearly 45,000 pilgrims from across the United States and twelve other countries. Born in 1895, Sheen gained fame through his television program Life Is Worth Living and later served as Bishop of Rochester. He died in December 1979.
Aid to the Church in Need provides financial assistance to thousands of students and teachers across several Middle Eastern countries. The foundation emphasizes that maintaining Christian schools is crucial for community survival during ongoing wars and economic collapse. In one nation, support was given during a severe financial crisis and continues despite recent military strikes and displacement. In another region, instability and economic hardship persist. In the Holy Land, schools face government pressure, including permit issues for teachers. ACN allocated significant funds to sustain these educational institutions, which often serve students of all faiths, ensuring their continuity amidst regional crises.
Dominican nuns have been serving in Buryatia, Russia, since 2000, engaging in inter-cultural dialogue with local ethnic groups. Sister Bernadetta Gratkowska recalls initial challenges, including adapting to extreme Siberian cold and overcoming local curiosity. The community in Ulan-Ude integrates Buryat traditions, such as the khadak greeting, into their Catholic practice. Their mission focuses on helping poor children and the sick, which has sparked conversations about faith and human dignity. This approach has led to the formation of a Buryat Third Order of Dominic, emphasizing that every person is important within the region's diverse cultural mosaic.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 2 outlets
UNICEF, the FAO, and the World Food Programme report that 254,000 children in Haiti are at risk of acute malnutrition. Approximately 94,000 already suffer from severe forms of the condition. The crisis stems from gang violence that blocks food supplies and displaces nearly 1.5 million people. Armed groups control roads, preventing aid delivery to Port-au-Prince and neighboring provinces. Humanitarian organizations like Doctors Without Borders have suspended activities in areas such as Cité Soleil due to insecurity. The situation is worsened by cholera outbreaks and extreme poverty, leaving children without access to basic healthcare or nutrition.
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