Pope Leo XIV visited the vulnerable Casavalle neighborhood in Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 7, 2026. He condemned child hunger and urban violence that prevent children from attending school. Speaking at the Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Pope urged cooperation between the Church, civil society, and the state to defend the common good. He emphasized that no child should go hungry or lack education due to insecurity. The visit included blessings for new homes built for low-income families. Local residents shared testimonies of hardship and hope, while Archbishop Daniel Sturla described the area as a land of pain but also daily charitable action.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 9 outlets
Caritas Internationalis urged governments at the COP31 climate summit in a Turkish city to approve a just ecological transition and new taxes on polluting sectors. The Catholic confederation argues that climate action must address inequalities and protect livelihoods, warning that decarbonization is unjust if it leaves people in poverty. In collaboration with SCIAF, the group released a report highlighting risks to disaster funding. They propose public funds from developed nations, taxes on fossil fuel extraction, aviation, and financial transactions. The organization emphasizes that financing loss and damage is essential for global justice and stability, citing testimonies from Nepal and India.
The Abraça Minas event, now in its fifth edition, celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Canção Nova community in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. According to the outlet, the gathering brought together various generations to share stories and testimonies regarding the group's evangelization work in the region. The report, produced by Vanessa Anicio with images by Daniel Camargo and Gleyson Paulo, highlights the significance of this ministry to the local population. This milestone underscores the organization's long-standing presence and impact within the state over the last quarter-century.
Pope Leo XIV met with Christian and religious leaders in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on November 9. He urged attendees to unite in prayer for peace, emphasizing dialogue and respect for diverse traditions. The Pope stated that religions should protect human dignity, express freedom, and cultivate hope. He warned against division, citing the need to build bridges in society. The event included a minute of silence and a candle lighting ceremony. The gathering aimed to foster fraternity and a world free from violence and poverty, following teachings from Pope Francis.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 3 outlets
The Bambino Gesù Hospital in Rome has signed a five-year operational agreement with the Our Lady of Good Counsel Foundation in Tirana, Albania. The partnership aims to improve pediatric care quality through specialist missions, professional training for Albanese doctors and nurses in Rome, and teleconsultations. Key initiatives include establishing a Child Development Center in Tirana to provide multidisciplinary diagnostic and treatment services. The collaboration covers six medical specialties, including neonatology and pediatric orthopedics, and seeks to strengthen local health competencies while expanding treatment opportunities for children and adolescents in Albania. The agreement was signed by hospital president Tiziano Onesti and foundation president Fr. Leandro Román Lobato.
Canção Nova celebrated its 25th anniversary in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday, August 8. The event, held at the Immaculate Conception Parish in Taguatinga, gathered missionaries and faithful for prayer, homilies, and a Mass. The Jubilee of Silver featured evangelization concerts by Adriana Arydes and the Ministry of Love and Adoration. Father Gevanildo Torres highlighted the community's impact, while Father Roger Luís emphasized the mission's focus on preparing hearts for the Second Coming of Jesus. The celebration honored the prophecy of founder Father Jonas Abib regarding Brasilia as the capital of the Holy Spirit.
Anthropologist Alfredo Teixeira of the Catholic University of Portugal analyzed data from the new 'Atlas of Religion in Portugal' to explain why Catholicism is growing in certain areas. Although national figures show a slight decline to 80.2 percent, municipalities like Braga, Sesimbra, and Mafra saw increases. Teixeira attributes this trend to migration, noting that many Brazilian and other foreign residents identify as Catholic, challenging the stereotype that they are exclusively evangelical. The study, based on 2021 census data, highlights how demographic shifts are reconfiguring the religious geography of the country. The researcher emphasizes the role of these communities in social cohesion.
Heavy rains, wind, and hail affected dozens of cities in Southern Brazil between Thursday and Saturday, according to ebc.com.br. Rio Grande do Sul reported injuries, damaged roofs, and displaced residents. Santa Catarina declared emergencies in multiple municipalities, with Rio do Sul suffering the most damage to homes. Paraná experienced significant power outages, impacting nearly half a million consumers, though restoration is nearly complete. Authorities distributed food, mattresses, and hygiene kits. The El Niño phenomenon influenced the severe weather. Hundreds of emergency situations remain active across the region.
The Brazilian Road Pastoral, a Catholic ministry supporting truck drivers and travelers, celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026. A commemorative Mass will take place on November 14 in Araucaria, Parana, Brazil. The event features Father Arno Miguel Longo and the traditional Caminhão-Capela. Founded in 1976 by Father Marian Litewka, the organization provides spiritual care and promotes road safety across the country. Supported by the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil, it aims to value those who work on highways through evangelization and community building. The celebration highlights five decades of service to the road community.
Pope Leo XIV spoke to 70,000 young people at the Centenario Stadium in Montevideo, Uruguay, during a cold and windy night. The Vatican News outlet reports that the Pope addressed the challenges of secularization and the Church's mission in a context where faith transmission has been interrupted. He urged Christians to avoid judging their situation with purely human criteria or nostalgia for the past. Instead, he pointed to Bethlehem as an example, teaching that being a minority does not mean being insignificant. The Pope encouraged the youth to reflect the light of Christ through humility, honesty, and service to the poor, rather than relying on numbers or structures.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 4 outlets
Catholic priest Julio Lancellotti resumed his social media activity on November 9 in Brazil after being absent since December 2025. He thanked supporters for their solidarity during his hiatus. The Archdiocese of São Paulo, led by Cardinal Odilo Scherer, had restricted his online presence and live broadcasts due to severe online threats from right-wing groups. Lancellotti, who coordinates humanitarian aid for homeless populations in São Paulo, received authorization to return to digital platforms on November 8. He continues to lead initiatives such as the Padre Julio Lancellotti Law, which bans hostile architecture designed to displace vulnerable individuals.
More than 30,000 people gathered in Santa Cruz dos Milagres, Brazil, on Sunday, August 8, for the traditional Encontro dos Santos pilgrimage. The event, considered one of the state's largest religious manifestations, featured vigils, prayers, and a procession through the town's streets. Devotees traveled from various parts of Piaui to venerate a wooden cross and the image of Santa Cruz. The festival concludes the annual cycle of celebrations in the municipality, which has a population of approximately 3,500. Participants cited personal gratitude and renewed faith as primary motivations for their journey to the Vatican-recognized sanctuary.
The Parish of Póvoa de Santa Iria in Portugal is collaborating with the Nova Dimensão Association to collect food for needy families. The initiative was announced on October 25 during the 25th anniversary of the São José Parish Center. The parish will organize the collection, while the NGO handles distribution through its Emergency Food Service. Donations can be dropped off at the parish church. Maria Paula Laplante, the association's founder, emphasized their goal to serve the community. Pastor Luciano Vieira supported the partnership, noting it avoids duplicating existing effective services. The NGO identifies beneficiaries through local contacts and provides both prepared meals and grocery items.
Peruans are preparing to welcome Pope Leo XIV, formerly Bishop Robert Prevost, during his upcoming trip to South America. The Pope, who served in northern Peru for decades, is remembered for his hands-on charity work, including feeding families during the pandemic and aiding flood victims. He is scheduled to arrive on Wednesday after visiting Uruguay and Argentina. Local communities in regions like Chiclayo are renovating churches and organizing celebrations. The visit holds significance as the Pope, a former missionary, is viewed as a local figure who deeply connected with migrants and the poor, despite declining Catholic identification in the country.
Pope Leo XIV finished his first Latin American tour stop in Uruguay on November 8, 2026. During the three-day pastoral visit, he addressed issues like child hunger, urban violence, and secularization. He met residents in Montevideo’s Casavalle neighborhood and spoke at the Catholic University about prioritizing people over technology. The pontiff also visited Paysandú and Florida, urging faith transmission and social justice. He thanked local organizers and authorities for their hospitality. This trip followed recent lung surgery in Rome. He now proceeds to Argentina and Peru, ending his journey on November 17.
Manuel Castelo Branco, president of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and Peace in Coimbra, Portugal, argues that the housing crisis stems from deliberate political policies rather than migrants. He cites the 2010 gold visa program and urban rehabilitation laws as primary drivers of rising costs and speculation. While supporting the Church’s use of its property to help the needy, he insists the State must address its political responsibilities. He also condemns the intimidation of migrant protesters and discriminatory laws, emphasizing that Christian ethics must guide public policy. The interview was conducted by Renascença and Agência Ecclesia.
The Universal Church has operated in Italy for over three decades since opening its first temple in Rome in 1993. Bishop Jorge Silva notes that evangelization is difficult due to declining religious practice among older Italians and rising skepticism among youth. The congregation is now 60% foreign residents and 40% Italians, with many members serving the elderly amid a national brain drain. Despite having 15 churches, the ministry reports a shortage of workers, urging more volunteers to support the mission in a country with significant spiritual potential.
Cardinal Daniel Sturla, Archbishop of Montevideo, addressed approximately 70,000 faithful at the Centenario Stadium on Saturday, November 7. Speaking to Pope Leo XIV, Sturla described the pontiff's presence as a significant achievement, using football metaphors familiar to Uruguayan culture. He explained that the stadium symbolizes national identity and invited attendees to actively participate in their faith rather than remain passive observers. The Pope is currently in Uruguay as part of a trip that also includes Argentina and Peru. This event marks the first stop of his international journey.
Lisbon Patriarch D. Rui Valério addressed over 500 young participants of the Missão País initiative in Estoril, Portugal, on November 7, 2026. He urged them to demonstrate Christ through consistency between words and actions, stating that personal witness is the primary form of evangelization. The event, held at the Boa Nova auditorium, marked the official start of preparations for Missão País 2027. Valério emphasized that missionary identity stems from a divine calling rather than individual choice. He also highlighted the importance of inner life and faith, referencing recent storm damage, as essential for helping society rediscover what remains when material goods are lost. The gathering included leaders from university missions across northern, central, and southern regions.
Translated from Português
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