The Vatican will celebrate the tenth World Day of the Poor on Sunday, November 15, under the theme 'The Lord is the refuge of the poor.' Pope Leo XIV, currently on an apostolic journey to Latin America, has delegated Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín to preside over the Eucharist at St. Peter's Basilica. Free admission tickets are available from November 11 to 14. On November 22, the Pope will host a lunch for 1,300 needy individuals at the Paul VI Audience Hall. Additionally, the Dicasteries for Evangelization and Charity are organizing food distribution, utility bill assistance, and extended free medical clinics at St. Peter's Square throughout the week.
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The German Council of Abuse Survivors, based in Bonn, has called for an independent investigation into the Recollectio-Haus retreat center in Schwarzach am Main, Bavaria. The group accuses Benedictine monk Anselm Grün and the facility’s management of ignoring new allegations of sexual misconduct. This demand follows September revelations that a priest accused of abuse stayed at the center in the 1990s. The council claims its request for a meeting was rejected, though the Münsterschwarzach Abbey disputes this. Survivors plan to present the evidence to Bishop Heiner Wilmer, arguing that the center should not receive church funding until its handling of abuse claims is transparently reviewed. (ZENIT)
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The 'Jesus Still Works' evangelistic campaign concluded in Bilbao, Spain, on June 21, 2026, after gathering over 4,000 participants at the Bilbao Arena. Organized by the Christian association El Sembrador, the three-day event featured international praise ministers Christine D’Clario, Redimi2, and Dani Carrasco. Pastor Roy Bondo from the Democratic Republic of the Congo delivered the central message. The program included worship, biblical preaching, and special conferences for pastors and church leaders. According to organizers, the gathering emphasized church unity and the public proclamation of the Gospel, aiming to strengthen the mission of local churches in the Basque Country region.
The First Baptist Evangelical Church La Trinidad in Dénia, Spain, recently held its annual June baptism ceremony in the Mediterranean Sea. Sixteen individuals, aged 14 to 80, were baptized at the Marge Roig site near the historic English Protestant Cemetery ruins. The event commemorated the 105th anniversary of the congregation's first baptisms, which occurred under religious persecution. Pastors Elías Nofuentes, Marcos Martins, and retired pastor Jorge J. Pastor led the service. The church stated the ceremony reaffirms its commitment to sharing the Christian faith in the region after more than a century of existence. (Protestante Digital)
At the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the World Evangelical Alliance urged Austria to improve protections for human trafficking victims and unborn children with disabilities. Representative Anna Mouhout highlighted concerns about the lack of consistent victim identification systems and called for better collaboration with civil society. The group also criticized Austria’s institutional hierarchy that favors the Catholic Church, urging equal recognition for smaller religious groups. Additionally, the Alliance expressed concern over discriminatory abortion practices related to fetal disability, asking the government to review relevant laws to align with UN disability rights conventions.
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The Archdiocese of Denver has reached a historic high with 110 men in priestly formation, nearly doubling the count from three years ago. This 96 percent increase reflects the success of the 'Called by Name' campaign and sustained efforts by clergy to foster vocations. Archbishop James Golka attributes the surge to the Holy Spirit, noting unprecedented interest in the Catholic faith in northern Colorado. The growth follows consecutive records for new entrants, with 34 men joining this year. Seminarians David López Gutiérrez and Juan Bogumill cite the joyful witness of priests as a key factor in their discernment process.
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Pope Leo XIV visited the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione in Claypole, Argentina, where he met Marta Torres, a 78-year-old woman with cerebral palsy and blindness. According to ACI Prensa, Torres shared her story of being abandoned as a child and finding stability at the center founded by Saint Louis Orione. She described the facility as a home where she felt loved and accepted. During the meeting, Torres presented the Pope with a book detailing her life and faith. The outlet reports that she hopes her testimony will comfort others facing similar disabilities and rejection.
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Following the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela that killed over 1,700 people, Spanish evangelical organizations are coordinating humanitarian responses. World Vision, REMAR, Alianza Solidaria, Diaconía, and several denominations have activated emergency funds and deployed teams. World Vision is providing food and child protection in affected areas like Caracas and Miranda. REMAR sent volunteers from Madrid to La Guaira. Other groups, including FADE and COAHES, are channeling donations through local church networks to support survivors in hospitals and shelters, according to Protestante Digital.
The International Days 'Maimona Amiga' have begun in Los Santos de Maimona, Spain, running from July 1 to 10. Organized by the Evangelical Church of the city in collaboration with Decisión, the event features fifty volunteers from Spain and abroad. Activities include sports tournaments, cultural concerts, and children's festivals. The initiative aims to promote social solidarity and Christian values. Pastor Samuel Alonso and the Association Decisión lead the effort, which highlights the region's historical connection to Protestantism and biblical translation.
According to Vatican notes, Pope Francis held individual meetings with women who accused the Opus Dei of abuse, listening to their painful stories and proposals for healing within the Church. However, these same accusers were excluded from the broader papal encounter with abuse victims taking place in Argentina. The Vatican statement highlights the personal nature of these conversations while confirming the women's absence from the main group event. This distinction marks a specific approach to handling these allegations during the papal visit.
Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Francis Prevost, will return to Peru from November 11 to 16. The country welcomed him as a young Augustinian missionary over forty years ago. According to the outlet, Peruvians view this as a homecoming for the successor of Peter who shared their struggles. The visit highlights the nation's complex social fabric, marked by inequality and violence, yet rooted in deep faith. Former colleagues recall his pastoral style focused on solidarity with the poor and synodal inclusion. The trip aims to strengthen hope in a region seeking reconciliation.
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An apostolate awarded first prize to a Bible study initiative at its annual meeting in a Mexican city. Created by a Spanish translator, the project helps Catholics overcome fear of scripture. Supported by a university, it includes an annotated Bible and a mobile app with personalized formation itineraries. The creator aims to make Bible reading fashionable again and reduce the perception of scripture as encrypted text. The young entrepreneur is now developing the app prototype to validate its viability as a business, seeking to empower believers through accessible religious education.
Approximately 15 women released a video on social media platforms, specifically through the organization Ending, demanding a meeting with Pope Leo XIV. The group, identified as victims of Opus Dei in Argentina, stated they want justice and for the Pope to listen to their experiences. The video was distributed via the international organization's social media channels to highlight their grievances and request an audience with the pontiff. This appeal marks a public effort by these individuals to address their claims directly with the highest church authority in Argentina.
During his second day in Argentina, the Pope traveled to Claypole, south of Buenos Aires, to visit the Pequeño Cottolengo Argentino Don Orione. This facility supports 415 people with disabilities. The Pontiff praised the community as a city of charity, referencing biblical locations like Bethlehem and Nazareth. He emphasized that a nation's progress is measured by how it treats the vulnerable. The Pope encouraged young Argentines to become volunteers and form a new generation of charitable saints. He concluded by highlighting the relic of Saint Louis Orione’s heart, stating that charity saves the world.
León XIV visited the Cottolengo facility in Argentina, emphasizing that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities and special needs. The visit highlighted the triumph of Christ's love over individualism and exclusion. The outlet reports that the leader encouraged Argentina to continue performing great works of charity. This event underscores the importance of social inclusion and care for vulnerable populations within the country. The statement reflects a broader message about societal values and the role of religious institutions in supporting those with specific requirements.
Father Alberto Ares, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service in Europe, will deliver a talk titled “Open Doors, Open Hearts” at San Camilo Parish in Silver Spring, Maryland, on November 14. The event, held from 2 to 4 PM, focuses on Christian hospitality toward migrants and refugees during times of social division. Ares argues that welcoming strangers is central to Catholic identity, citing the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt. He emphasizes that true hospitality involves accompanying migrants and defending their rights rather than offering mere charity. The discussion aims to encourage parishes to practice solidarity and recognize the dignity of all people, regardless of their legal status.
The Rural Association of Paraguay (ARP) and its foundation (FUNDARP) conducted a free ophthalmological event in Misiones, Paraguay, on November 7, 2026. The initiative benefited 28 patients from various municipalities through cataract surgeries at the San Juan Bautista Regional Hospital. Led by Dr. Carlos Llano and coordinated by Dr. Enrique Cappello, the medical team provided all necessary supplies and medications at no cost. The organization states this activity supports community well-being and improves the quality of life for beneficiaries, reflecting ARP's social responsibility efforts beyond agricultural activities.
In Luján, Argentina, the Sisters of the Missionary Workers of the Immaculate operate the L’Eau Vive restaurant. Founded in France in 1950 by Marcel Roussel-Galle, the community moved to Argentina after he fell in love with the local shrine. The sisters, who are not native to the country, run the French-style eatery to support their communal life. A unique tradition since 1976 involves inviting guests to sing the Ave Maria de Lourdes. The group also engages in family visits and charity work with Cáritas. They are currently pausing operations to support the upcoming papal visit in the region.
Peru is making final preparations for the pastoral visit of Pope Leo XIV, scheduled for November 2026. In Lambayeque, construction of the papal field continues ahead of a mass expected to draw over 1.5 million attendees. In Lima, authorities are organizing a youth vigil at the National Stadium for more than 50,000 participants, with emergency services deploying rapid response tents. Additionally, a band of musicians with intellectual disabilities from CONADIS will perform at the Government Palace. Officials in Cajamarca are also preparing infrastructure for the Pope's travel to that region, while the Archbishopric of Lima showcases historical documents related to the Pontiff.
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