The Latin Patriarchate School in Gaza officially reopened on September 22, 2026, for the 2026–2027 academic year. The institution welcomed 1,005 students from kindergarten through Grade 12, marking the end of nearly three years of disrupted education. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem prioritized this restoration, supported by various donors. Fr. Gabriel Romanelli noted that the school, which previously sheltered displaced persons, is now returning to its educational mission. Despite shortages of materials, 77 teachers have resumed work. The school remains the only Christian educational institution in Gaza, aiming to provide psychological support alongside academic instruction.
Pope Leo XIV will join hundreds of children to pray the Rosary for peace on October 1 at the Grotto of Lourdes in Vatican City. The event launches the World Week of Prayer, an initiative by Aid to the Church in Need that now spans seven days. Participants from Rome and global communities, including regions in Africa and South America, will unite in prayer. The campaign aims to foster hope amid global conflicts and poverty, inspired by messages from Fátima and Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. The week concludes on October 7 with the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 21 outlets
About one hundred priests from eight countries gathered in Rome to demonstrate for peace in the Holy Land. The group, known as Priests against Genocide, held a prayer at Santo Spirito in Sassia church before marching along Via della Conciliazione. Participants carried a shroud listing the names of 300 Palestinian and Lebanese children killed after ceasefires. The procession ended at the headquarters of Leonardo, a major European arms manufacturer. Patriarch Emeritus Michel Sabbah supported the initiative, citing the high death toll in Gaza. The demonstrators urged the UN General Assembly to prioritize diplomacy and international law to resolve the ongoing conflicts in the region.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 3 outlets
Two Christian schools have reopened in a village in northern Syria after nearly sixty years of closure. The Custody of the Holy Land, supported by Pro Terra Sancta and local Franciscan friars, led the reconstruction efforts. The inauguration brought together civil and religious authorities. The project created jobs for approximately one hundred people and now educates eighty children, with plans to expand to three hundred. The schools aim to foster dialogue between Christians and Muslims, serving as a foundation for rebuilding the country and promoting peace after years of conflict.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 4 outlets
Dominican Sisters from Poland have been active in Buryatia, Russia, since 2000, engaging in cultural dialogue and charitable work. Sr. Bernadetta Gratkowska recalls early challenges, including extreme Siberian cold and rebuilding the Catholic parish in Ulan-Ude after Soviet-era destruction. The community integrates local Buryat traditions, such as the 'khadak' greeting, into their faith life. They assist poor children, provide palliative care, and established the Third Order of Saint Dominic. The sisters emphasize mutual respect and shared values between Christian and Buddhist cultures, highlighting the dignity of every person in this diverse region.
Translated from KiswahiliAlso reported by 6 outlets
Pope Leo XIV will visit Maison Bakhita, a migrant support center in Paris, France, on September 26, 2026, during his Apostolic Journey to the country. The facility, opened in 2021, aims to welcome and integrate migrants through various social and educational services. Isabelle Cauchois, the outgoing director, stated the visit highlights the Church's commitment to solidarity and justice for those on the move. The center serves as a meeting point for locals and migrants, fostering fraternity. The Pope's presence is seen as encouragement for the staff and volunteers who assist people from diverse backgrounds in the 18th district of Paris.
Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern regarding the severe humanitarian crisis in Somalia. Speaking to pilgrims in a major square after prayer, the Pontiff highlighted how violence and extreme weather are worsening living conditions, particularly for women and children. He called for generous collaboration from the international community to ensure the affected population receives necessary assistance. The Vatican News outlet reported that the Pope emphasized the urgent need for global solidarity to address these compounding challenges in the Horn of Africa region.
Translated from EspañolAlso reported by 18 outlets
Vatican Nuncio Celestino Migliore reports strong enthusiasm in France for Pope Leo XIV’s upcoming trip. The Pope arrives Friday in Paris, followed by Lourdes and Metz, as part of his fifth apostolic journey. Migliore notes a surge in adults and adolescents seeking baptism, which has drawn the Pope’s admiration. The visit includes a speech at UNESCO and a peace meeting in Metz. The Nuncio also highlighted the French Church’s ongoing efforts to support abuse victims through new protective institutions. Preparations are complete, with thousands of volunteers ready to welcome the Pontiff.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 5 outlets
The Catholic Church in Malawi celebrated its 125th anniversary on September 19, 2026, in Dedza. The event, themed 'Rooted in Christ, Sent for Mission,' gathered bishops, government representatives, and faithful under the leadership of Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu. During the Eucharistic celebration, two deacons were ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Dedza. Archbishop Nwachukwu urged clergy to transcend political and tribal divisions while serving the community. The jubilee highlighted the Church's historical contributions to education and healthcare since the arrival of Montfort Missionaries in 1901. According to the report, Catholic schools continue to perform well in national examinations, reflecting the institution's ongoing commitment to spiritual and human development in the country.
The Archdiocese in a major Mexican city is launching a mobile chapel to serve migrants and residents in dangerous neighborhoods. A priest explains that the initiative aims to bring Eucharistic presence to areas affected by drug cartel violence and lacking church infrastructure. The converted van, prepared by anonymous laypeople and overseen by another priest, will offer confession and adoration. A senior church leader supports the project to reach those in remote or unsafe districts. The ministry also assists elderly individuals and responds to material needs like food and medicine, highlighting the Church's outreach in a highly industrialized region with significant migration flows.
Approximately 300 delegates gathered in Incheon, South Korea, from September 14 to 17 to prepare for the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. Organized by the local committee and the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, the meeting focused on spiritual preparation and logistical planning. Participants included representatives from various dioceses and international advisors. Preparations involve 230 parishes in Seoul selecting host families and training volunteers. The goal is to recruit 30,000 volunteers for the event scheduled for August 2027. The gathering highlighted cultural exchanges and the importance of community hospitality for the upcoming international pilgrimage.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 9 outlets
The Sainte-Famille school in Gaza City reopened on September 15, welcoming approximately 1,000 students after nearly three years of conflict. Father Gabriel Romanelli, the local parish priest, described the event as a beacon of hope for a devastated community. George Akroush from the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem noted that about 130 Christian students will now study together in this single institution. The school previously served as a shelter for over 450 displaced people during Israeli bombardments. The reopening aims to restore a sense of normalcy and includes new psychosocial support for traumatized children and teachers, according to the outlet.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 7 outlets
A fire on July 29 forced families and associations out of the Spin Time social center in Rome, Italy. The building is now sealed by judicial order, preventing residents from returning. The owner plans to build a luxury hotel, and negotiations for the city to purchase the property have failed despite intervention by Cardinal Baldassare Reina. Spin Time, active since 2013, serves as a hub for housing rights and social services. The incident has drawn international media attention, highlighting the vulnerability of the community and the ongoing struggle to preserve this model of nonviolent social organization in the Esquilino neighborhood.
Thousands of people participated in the 'March for Life' in Berlin and Cologne on Saturday. The Bundesverband Lebensrecht reported 4,200 attendees in Berlin and 2,100 in Cologne, while police estimated lower numbers. Bishops Rudolf Voderholzer and Stefan Oster attended, with Oster emphasizing the Church's role as guardian of human dignity. The event faced counter-protests, including from the 'Alliance for Sexual Self-Determination' in Berlin, who called for abortion legalization. Police prevented a banner drop near the Charité hospital. The march, organized around World Children's Day, continues to draw criticism within the Catholic Church due to past involvement of right-wing extremists.
Three Vatican Dicasteries published a document titled 'A Path of Hope' marking the 60th anniversary of the Nostra Aetate declaration. The text reaffirms the Catholic Church's commitment to interreligious dialogue and condemns discrimination and violence based on religion. Authored by Cardinals Víctor Manuel Fernández, Kurt Koch, and George Koovakad, the report highlights the irrevocable covenant with the Jewish people and calls for a joint struggle against antisemitism. It also criticizes Islamophobia and emphasizes that caring for the poor is a key criterion for discernment. The document urges believers to act as peacemakers in a divided world.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 5 outlets
The Catholic Church in Germany provided 537 million euros for international aid last year, according to a report released by the German Bishops' Conference. This amount is lower than the 595 million euros given in 2024. Funds supported projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe, focusing on health, education, and peace. Bishop Bertram Meier thanked donors for their contributions, noting that the aid helps individuals improve their lives. The money came from donations, public funds, and church taxes. The report states that actual aid levels are higher because it excludes independent projects by parishes and schools.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell spoke in Incheon, South Korea, on September 14, 2026, during a Mass marking the start of preparations for World Youth Day 2027 in Seoul. He urged young people to turn to Jesus for salvation rather than relying on human strategies or technology. The event, held from September 14 to 17, involved about 300 delegates from over 100 countries. Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek and Vatican Ambassador Giovanni Gaspari also addressed the gathering, emphasizing the spiritual importance of the upcoming pilgrimage.
Translated from KiswahiliAlso reported by 2 outlets
Five Combonian Missionary Sisters from diverse backgrounds serve in a remote village in Chad, isolated by seasonal floods. Established at the request of a local bishop, the community operates in a region with diverse languages. The sisters manage a school for 400 students, a health center, and a home for vulnerable youth. Their work promotes fraternity among different ethnic and religious groups, fulfilling the vision of founder Daniel Comboni for a universal mission focused on the poor and abandoned.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 6 outlets
A joint Catholic and Orthodox pilgrimage took place at Mount Athos in Greece from September 6 to 9. The group included Bishop Aldo Berardi and Metropolitan Ghattas Hazim, reflecting strong relations between the churches in Kuwait. The delegation visited twelve monasteries, including Simonopetra and Vatopedi, to experience the region's monastic spirituality. Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew blessed the initiative, which aims to advance Christian unity. The trip highlights shared spiritual heritage, as Saint Areta is a patron saint for Christians in the Arabian Peninsula.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 4 outlets
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