The Vatican's Peter's Pence charity collection will take place on June 28. The 2024 annual report shows the fund collected 58 million euros, an increase from the previous year, but spent 75.4 million euros. This resulted in a 17.4 million euro deficit covered by reserves. Most funds support the Pope's apostolic mission, while 13.3 million euros aided projects in 66 countries, primarily in Africa. The article notes that donations come largely from wealthy nations like the United States, France, and Italy. Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas frames this giving as shared responsibility rather than simple alms, emphasizing solidarity with the poor.
Caritas Ukraine states that nearly 70 percent of the population requires psychological assistance due to the ongoing war. Since the Russian invasion began in February 2022, approximately 15 million people face mental health challenges caused by displacement, grief, and daily missile attacks. Khrystyna Semegen-Bodak, head of the health program, highlighted that Caritas operates 11 medical centers, palliative care teams, and specialized services for veterans, children, and the elderly. These efforts include telemedicine and social support, particularly in frontline areas, to address the severe psychological impact on civilians. The organization collaborates with local associations and international partners to sustain these critical services.
The Madonna del Sorbo sanctuary in northern Rome, near Formello and Campagnano, has launched a new pilgrim hostel managed by young people with disabilities. The project, called Gēr, is a collaboration between the Diocesan Volunteering Association and the social cooperative Il desiderio di Barbiana. It aims to provide social and work inclusion for individuals with autism or cognitive deficits. The facility, located along the Via Francigena, was inaugurated in April. A community event featuring a mass by Bishop Marco Salvi is scheduled for June 28 to operationalize the structure and promote slow tourism. The initiative also receives support from the ReCinthia association, founded in memory of Cinzia Fulvi.
An anthology of Palestinian poems titled 'Il loro grido è la mia voce' has become a bestseller in Italy, selling 45,000 copies. Published by Fazi Editore, the book donates five euros per sale to the NGO Emergency. This initiative has raised 200,000 euros to support medical activities in Gaza, covering nearly two months of operations for 9,000 patients. The funds help pay for medications and staff salaries at clinics in Khan Younis and al-Mawasi. Curators, including university students, compiled the work to highlight Palestinian resilience. The project has also drawn attention from Pope Leo XIV, who received a copy during a visit to Sapienza University in Rome.
Monsignor Jan Hendriks, bishop of Haarlem-Amsterdam, expressed deep concern in Avvenire regarding the first reported case of pediatric euthanasia in the Netherlands. The incident, involving a terminally ill child under 12, was announced by Health Minister Sophie Hermans. Hendriks argues that this practice undermines human dignity and the rule of law, noting that Dutch euthanasia laws have become increasingly permissive since 2002. Statistics show over 10,000 euthanasia deaths in 2025. The case highlights ongoing ethical debates, with groups like Pro Life opposing the expansion of euthanasia to minors, citing the need for care rather than lethal injection.
A psychologist with Caritas Poland emphasizes that addressing trauma is crucial for building peace in conflict zones across multiple regions. Speaking at an international conference, she argues that psychological support for families must precede community rebuilding. Without treating trauma, individuals lose hope and the ability to plan for the future. She highlights the severe impact of sexual violence, noting a doubling of such crimes globally in recent years. Stabilizing victims through specialized therapy is presented as a prerequisite for any lasting recovery or social reintegration, ensuring survivors can eventually reintegrate into society.
The Italian Episcopal Conference has allocated 500,000 euros to aid victims of recent earthquakes in Venezuela. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi announced the funds, drawn from the 8xmille tax allocation, to support immediate relief efforts in the La Guaira state and central regions. Caritas Italiana will coordinate the distribution of water, food, medicine, and hygiene kits to vulnerable families and those in temporary shelters. The initiative aims to provide essential support to those who lost homes or suffered injuries, while urging donors to use official channels to ensure aid reaches those in need effectively.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Following a major earthquake on June 24 that devastated at least five regions in Venezuela, Archbishop Jesús González de Zárate of Valencia called for national unity and support for victims. The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference is coordinating relief efforts through Caritas, focusing on immediate aid and long-term reconstruction. The Church is assisting with logistics and emotional support, particularly in hard-hit areas like La Guaira. A day of prayer has been organized to foster solidarity. The archbishop emphasized that the Church must manage donations transparently and help rebuild communities, urging the country to overcome political divisions and rebuild based on shared values of solidarity.
Following severe earthquakes in Venezuela, volunteers known as 'angels of the rubble' have been digging through debris to rescue survivors. César Augusto, a resident of Caracas, spent 15 hours manually removing concrete to save his cousin, Laura. He located her using her mobile phone and extracted her along with another woman, Mayerlis. Mayor Gustavo Duque of Chacao witnessed the rescue. Laura was transported to El Avila and Los Sauces clinics with a fractured vertebra and broken fibula. Rescue protocols prioritize saving the living over recovering bodies, as over 50,000 people remain missing under the collapsed structures.
Following the end of the school year, parishes and ecclesial associations across Italy have launched summer activities for children and adolescents. From Valle d'Aosta to Sicily, programs like Grest and summer camps offer safe spaces for play, socialization, and spiritual reflection. The initiative supports families during the summer months and prioritizes inclusion for vulnerable groups, including children with disabilities and those from foreign backgrounds. Activities feature creative workshops, sports, and themes honoring saints such as Francis of Assisi and Carlo Acutis. Bishops have encouraged educators and visited participants, emphasizing fraternity and personal growth. The outlet reports that these efforts aim to foster peace and solidarity among the new generation.
Religious leaders from Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and the Bahá'í faith signed the Pact for Dialogue at the Ara Pacis auditorium in Rome. The agreement, promoted by the Italian Bishops' Conference, aims to strengthen social cohesion and mutual respect. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi emphasized that deep listening is key to healing societal fractures. The signatories committed to maintaining dialogue even during disagreements. The document will be presented to President Sergio Mattarella at the Quirinale to offer a model of unity to Italian society.
Translated from ItalianoAlso reported by 4 outlets
A magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Venezuela's central coast on June 24, followed by a 7.5 aftershock. The US Geological Survey estimates the death toll could exceed 10,000, with nearly 40,000 people missing. Affected regions include Caracas, La Guaira, and Miranda. President Delcy Rodríguez acknowledged the disaster but noted the government lacks resources for rescue operations. International aid is arriving, including from the United States and Qatar. The crisis is compounded by severe economic inflation and a healthcare system in collapse, leaving rescuers to work without proper equipment. Authorities warn of continued seismic activity and potential civil unrest.
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The Catholic Church in Naples, Italy, has opened several historic basilicas and Caritas facilities to combat an intense heatwave. This initiative aims to protect vulnerable groups, including the elderly and homeless, by offering cool spaces, fresh water, and restrooms. Don Salvatore Giuliano, dean of the historic center, stated that the gesture provides dignity and support to those living on the margins. Participating sites include the Basilica of San Giovanni Maggiore and the Binario della Solidarietà. The move transforms religious buildings into community refuges, addressing immediate climate-related needs through simple acts of hospitality and proximity.
Twenty-four adolescent boys from Bethlehem are spending a holiday in the Milan diocese, hosted in Seregno and Ferno. The initiative, called 'Ponte della speranza', was proposed by the 'Oasi di Pace' association in late 2024 but delayed by airspace closures due to the war. Don Luigi Marcucci reports that the visit, which began on June 17 and ends on June 27, has fostered unexpected friendships between the Palestinian teens and local youth. The group will visit the Milan Cathedral and San Siro stadium, and meet Archbishop Mario Delpini. The project aims to restore hope and overcome prejudices following the trauma of conflict.
A magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 earthquake struck northern Venezuela, causing widespread destruction in Caracas, La Guaira, and Valencia. President Delcy Rodriguez reported 164 deaths and 971 injuries, though experts warn the toll could rise significantly. Many buildings have collapsed, and churches suffered severe structural damage. Bishop Pablo Modesto González Pérez of La Guaira described himself as displaced after his seminary was damaged. Caritas Venezuela is organizing aid centers, while survivors remain trapped under rubble. The disaster has left thousands homeless and disrupted communications in the affected regions.
Caritas Internationalis convened nearly one hundred representatives from over twenty-eight countries in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, until June 25 for a conference on holistic health. The gathering addressed critical issues including artificial intelligence in medicine, climate change impacts, and conflicts in regions like Ukraine and Lebanon. Alistair Dutton, the secretary general, highlighted difficulties in Catholic healthcare due to funding cuts and declining missionary presence. Pope Leo XIV sent a message encouraging solidarity and concrete action for the sick. Participants also discussed ethical AI use and the urgent need to protect communities from climate-related health risks, emphasizing human connection alongside technological advances.
The Israeli government posthumously awarded Maria Grazia Goglia the title of Righteous Among Nations on June 24 in Rome. The ceremony, held at the Mater Dolorosa Institute, recognized her actions in 1943 when she sheltered over 60 Jews and political refugees in her convent. According to Avvenire, she provided false documents and religious clothing to hide their identities. Her name joins more than 700 other Italians in the Yad Vashem memorial. Livia Ottolenghi, president of the Union of Italian Jewish Communities, attended to honor the nun who saved her family. The recognition follows a campaign initiated by a 2022 book about Goglia’s life.
An Afghan artist and refugee collaborated with an Italian newspaper on a peace initiative. After fleeing the Taliban's return to power, she designed the project's visual identity while living in a neighboring country. The initiative included online art therapy courses for Afghan girls denied education. The project expanded, supporting over two hundred women. Facing deportation threats, the artist moved to a North American nation. There, she launched a program using art to empower Afghan women and highlight their resilience rather than portraying them solely as victims. Her work emphasizes creativity and future-building amidst crisis.
Yad Vashem has designated two Tuscan priests and a laywoman as Righteous Among Nations for saving Jews during World War II. Don Aldo Mei was executed by SS forces in Lucca in 1944 after sheltering persecuted individuals. Don Egisto Salvatori and Stella Coppedé protected Enrica Cremisi and her family in Terrinca, helping deliver her baby, Adriana, in 1944. The announcement came from Joel Zisenwine on June 23. Their names will be inscribed on the Wall of Honor in Jerusalem, recognizing their courage and compassion during the Holocaust. The Israeli embassy in Rome will organize a memorial ceremony.
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