Pope Leo XIV visited Argentina in November 2026, drawing crowds of up to 2.5 million people. On November 10, he urged young Argentines to preserve their freedom from appearance obsession during a vigil in Buenos Aires. He also celebrated mass in Córdoba and met with survivors of clerical abuse. The visit marks the first papal trip to the country in nearly 40 years. According to the outlet, the pontiff emphasized holiness in public life and highlighted the importance of supporting people with disabilities.
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On November 26, 2026, the Bethlehem Project celebrated its twentieth anniversary in Anderlecht, Belgium. Founded in 2006 following a call by Cardinal Godfried Danneels, the initiative converts unused ecclesiastical buildings into affordable housing for low-income families. Nearly 700 people have already found homes through the program, which operates primarily within the Archdiocese of Mechelen-Brussels. The project is supported by the King Baudouin Foundation, which has awarded nearly two million euros for renovations. The jubilee event took place at the Sainte-Anne Village, a site housing over 200 residents. Organizers note that continued donations remain essential as renovation costs rise.
Pope Leo XIV expressed concern over a significant decline in international humanitarian funding for displaced persons in a video message released on November 10, 2026. Addressing the International Catholic Commission for Migration during its assembly in Rome, the pontiff highlighted the impact of reduced aid from the United States and other traditional donors. According to the outlet, global assistance dropped nearly 30% between 2023 and 2025. The Pope urged Catholic organizations to find new ways to protect migrant children and address the root causes of displacement amid rising global inequalities and conflicts.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Liberia (CABICOL) praised Gwendolyn Myers after she received the African Union's 2025 Young Peacebuilder award. The honor was presented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, during a conference marking twenty years of post-conflict reconstruction strategies. Myers serves as the national youth coordinator for the Catholic Church in Liberia and leads Messengers of Peace-Liberia Inc. According to CABICOL, the award recognizes her efforts in promoting youth empowerment, active citizenship, and community development across the continent. The bishops described the achievement as a source of pride for the nation and an inspiration for young Catholics to engage in peacebuilding and social transformation.
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Caritas Zambia, through its partner Caritas Kasama, has launched the LIGHTS project to combat rising child abuse in southern Africa. Operating in Mporokoso, Mungwi, and Mpulungu, the initiative collaborates with the Zambian Association of Female Religious Congregations. According to a November 9 statement, Community Child Protection Committees educate residents on human rights, sexual violence, child marriage, and labor exploitation. The project aims to build safe communities for children and women. Supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the campaign addresses critical issues, noting that nearly 29% of young women married before 18 and only 14.2% of children under five have birth registration. These statistics highlight the urgent need for legal identity and protection services in Zambia.
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Caritas Switzerland is addressing the persistent belief that poor people are responsible for their own situation. The organization has been working for 125 years to shift public attitudes toward poverty. Although the social safety net has strengthened over the last century, approximately 360,000 working individuals in Switzerland still earn insufficient income to support their families. The outlet emphasizes that poverty is fundamentally a matter of human dignity rather than just financial status. This ongoing campaign highlights the continued prevalence of economic precarity among the active population in the country.
A former conservatory in the 15th arrondissement of Paris was inaugurated on November 9 as an emergency shelter for homeless women. The event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony performed by Arouna, a 12-year-old boy who attended with his mother. Arouna expressed his happiness at finally having a roof over their heads, describing the new facility as a safe place where he can do homework and meet friends. The transformation of the historic building aims to provide immediate housing and security for vulnerable women in the French capital.
A Catholic nun from Ethiopia received a humanitarian award in Germany for her service to vulnerable communities affected by poverty and conflict. The honor highlights her leadership in rebuilding schools and supporting children in a northern region. A church official stated the recognition reflects the Church's mission of mercy. The nun has worked for over two decades with a religious order, impacting thousands through partnerships with an international aid organization. This recognition comes amid ongoing regional violence in other parts of the country, underscoring the critical need for humanitarian support in areas affected by instability.
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Pope Leo XIV addressed approximately one million young people at the Monument to the Spaniards in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The event marked a youth vigil for individuals aged 15 to 35. Archbishop Jorge Ignacio García Cuerva welcomed the Pontiff, highlighting local struggles such as poverty and addiction. Four young attendees shared personal testimonies regarding recovery, vocational discernment, and balancing faith with daily work. In his speech, the Pope encouraged the assembly to remain standing against contemporary idols like social media betrayal and exploitation. He emphasized that ordinary work can be a path to holiness, urging the youth not to lead divided lives but to integrate their faith into all aspects of their existence.
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Pope Leo XIV visited the Cottolengo facility in Claypole, Argentina, to meet residents with severe disabilities. During the trip, he emphasized that national progress depends on how societies treat vulnerable people. The visit occurred amid political debate over President Javier Milei’s proposed budget reforms for disability benefits. The local bishops’ commission had criticized reducing human fragility to mathematical equations. The Pope affirmed that the economy must serve people, not the other way around. This stop is part of his twelve-day tour of Latin America, following recent cancer surgery. The event highlights ongoing tensions between the government’s austerity measures and the Church’s social priorities.
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Peruvians are preparing to welcome Robert Prevost, remembering his time as Bishop of Chiclayo. Residents of Illimo and Callao describe him as humble and joyful, especially during the 2017 El Niño Costero floods. Manuel Barreto recalls Prevost visiting disaster victims with a positive attitude. The community highlights his engagement with the poor, including Venezuelan migrants. His legacy is defined by his close connection to believers and non-believers alike. This upcoming visit allows locals to reflect on his compassionate leadership and simple demeanor during difficult times in Peru.
Pope Leo XIV arrived in Buenos Aires, Argentina, greeting a massive crowd of approximately 2.5 million people. Speaking from the cathedral balcony, he thanked the nation for its welcome and emphasized the joy of knowing Christ. His visit included a morning tour of the Pequeño Cottolengo Don Orione facility in Claypole, where he met with residents with disabilities. Later, he celebrated Mass for families, met with labor leaders and religious representatives, and held evening prayers with the Argentine episcopate. The Pope plans to travel to Córdoba on November 10 to meet clergy and youth before returning to the capital.
A senior missionary leader expressed optimism about the Catholic Church's future in Africa, highlighting the potential of its youth. Speaking in a southern African nation, she noted her congregation's 25-year presence in a specific region, having begun there in 2001. The group operates across seven African nations, including Lesotho and Ethiopia. Emphasizing evangelization, charity, and local vocations, she encouraged young Catholics to remain hopeful despite challenges like unemployment. Founded in India in 1942, the congregation now has members in 22 countries, continuing its mission to support faith communities across the continent.
Christian organizations are calling on world leaders to take concrete action against climate change as COP31 opens in Antalya, Turkey. The World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, and ACT Alliance issued a joint statement emphasizing that creation is a sacred gift. They urge governments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and honor financial commitments to vulnerable nations. Jerry Pillay, secretary general of the WCC, prioritized communities over corporate interests. Catholic leaders also demanded decisive action and support for developing countries. A joint celebration is scheduled for November 15 in an Orthodox church in Antalya.
On November 9, 2026, Pope Leo XIV visited a medical-social center near Buenos Aires, Argentina. He stated that a nation's progress is measured by how it welcomes people with disabilities. This visit is symbolic because the Argentine government has significantly reduced public funding for this cause. The Pope also urged leaders to preserve democracy and support private initiative to ensure economic growth benefits everyone. This occurred during his tour of South America, which included stops in Uruguay earlier in the week.
Pope Leo XIV has continued his journey through Latin America, following his visit to Uruguay with stops in Argentina and Peru. During a mass at Montevideo's Centenario Stadium, he urged Uruguayan Catholics to pursue holiness and offer themselves entirely to God, rather than settling for a routine faith. The pontiff, who served as a missionary and bishop in Peru for over two decades, is expected to speak with his characteristic missionary heart in Lima. Local church leaders, including Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos Vidarte, anticipate that the Pope will connect deeply with the Peruvian faithful as he reflects on his time in the country.
Pope Leo XIV visited Uruguay, encouraging Catholics to remain faithful in a secular society. Addressing crowds in Montevideo and Paysandú, he highlighted that being a minority can be a strength. He urged believers to actively evangelize and live fully Christian lives. The Pope emphasized transmitting faith to future generations with courage. He called for honesty, forgiveness, and engagement within families and society. This visit aimed to revitalize the Christian mission among Uruguayan Catholics, who constitute about a third of the population. The message stressed not settling for mediocrity but offering oneself entirely to God.
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Pope Leo XIV visited Florida, Uruguay, on November 8, addressing thousands of Catholics during a pilgrimage stop. The Pontiff emphasized that smallness does not equal insignificance, encouraging believers to proudly identify as Christians. He shared personal devotion to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus and blessed religious items. The visit followed his earlier prayers in Montevideo and Paysandú. The Pope thanked the Uruguayan people for their generosity, stating that their faith radiates across the nation and the world, offering new meaning to their lives through God's grace.
Cardinal Antoine Kambanda, Archbishop of Kigali in Rwanda, launched the “50 years – 50,000 trees” project at the Butamwa TVET center. The initiative aims to plant 50,000 trees to mark the archdiocese’s 50th anniversary in 2026. Government officials, including Local Administration Minister Dominique Habimana, and youth groups attended the event. The cardinal emphasized environmental stewardship and urged young people to preserve this legacy. One thousand fruit trees were planted initially, with activities planned across 44 parishes. This effort aligns with Rwanda’s national campaign to plant 100 million trees. The project seeks to foster economic development and ecological protection while celebrating the church’s history.
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