Sister Lucía López Álvarez-Ossorio, a member of the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, works with immigrant and marginalized youth in Malaga, Spain. She teaches at a local school where students come from diverse backgrounds, including Roma, Moroccan, Ukrainian, and Chinese families. The nun emphasizes presence and listening over traditional religious instruction. She believes that showing care and validating the worth of young people is the core of her mission. Her approach focuses on being a witness to love and hope in everyday interactions, rather than seeking perfection or prominence in her service.
Vatican News is releasing a daily video series titled “Pack Your Bags for Santiago” to showcase the Camino Primitivo pilgrimage route in Spain. The program follows young pilgrim Ái Ly as she walks from Oviedo to Santiago de Compostela. Starting October 1, 2026, the series highlights the spiritual significance of the journey, which UNESCO recognizes as a World Heritage site. According to the outlet, the route attracts over 530,000 pilgrims annually. The videos aim to help viewers understand the faith-based aspects of walking, prayer, and self-reflection along the historic Spanish trails.
Pope Leo XIV visited France in September 2026, drawing massive crowds in Paris, Lourdes, and Metz. The Vatican News outlet reports that the visit revitalized faith among French citizens, including many young people and new converts. Large gatherings occurred at the Stade de France and Champs-Élysées. The Pope encouraged families and youth to pursue holiness and share their faith. Even the French President attended the final Mass in Metz. The event marked a significant spiritual renewal in the country.
According to Médiamétrie data released on September 27, 2026, Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to France attracted significant television audiences. The youth vigil at Stade de France on September 25 drew nearly 2.4 million viewers on France 2. The Mass at Paris’s Concorde Square on September 26 reached approximately 3.6 million viewers across major channels. France Télévisions reported that special programs reached 11 million people that day. News channels also recorded high ratings, indicating broad public interest beyond the Catholic community in France.
According to Aleteia, Pope Leo XIV's apostolic journey to France in September 2026 generated widespread joy that extended beyond Catholic communities. Reports indicate that atheists, agnostics, and Muslims expressed positive emotions during the visit. Journalists and public figures noted that the atmosphere in Paris, particularly at the Stade de France and Place de la Concorde, fostered a sense of unity. These individuals stated that the visible happiness and respect shown during the event transcended religious boundaries. The visit concluded on September 28, 2026, leaving a lasting impression of shared humanity among diverse groups in the country.
Translated from Tiếng Việt
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Religious leaders gathered in Metz, France, alongside Pope Leo XIV to issue a joint appeal for building a culture of peace. The group highlighted rising global conflicts, inequality, and ecological crises as urgent challenges. They condemned violence, discrimination, and totalitarianism, emphasizing that religious traditions must protect human dignity. The leaders committed to fostering dialogue, educating youth, and promoting reconciliation. They stated that peace requires justice and solidarity, urging communities to reject hatred and work together for a non-violent society. This initiative aims to awaken consciences and strengthen social cohesion in a polarized world.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 2 outlets
Dominican nuns have been serving in Buryatia, Russia, since 2000, engaging in inter-cultural dialogue with local ethnic groups. Sister Bernadetta Gratkowska recalls initial challenges, including adapting to extreme Siberian cold and overcoming local curiosity. The community in Ulan-Ude integrates Buryat traditions, such as the khadak greeting, into their Catholic practice. Their mission focuses on helping poor children and the sick, which has sparked conversations about faith and human dignity. This approach has led to the formation of a Buryat Third Order of Dominic, emphasizing that every person is important within the region's diverse cultural mosaic.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 2 outlets
A photograph taken on the Champs-Elysees in France shows Pope Francis bending down to bless Marie-Garance, a disabled child. The image has spread widely on social media, with the Aleteia outlet comparing the scene to a Pietà. The child's adoptive mother, Clothilde Noel, described the moment as a gift from heaven that highlights the dignity of vulnerable lives. She stated that the encounter serves as a public witness for children often overlooked by society. The viral photo has touched many people, turning a private family experience into a symbol of love and care for the marginalized.
The Pope visited Lourdes, France, on September 27, meeting with patients and caregivers at the Accueil Notre-Dame facility. Bishop Jean-Marc Micas emphasized that the sick are central to the pilgrimage experience. A doctor shared testimony about the spiritual value of medical care, while patient Marguerite Hourt spoke of her journey from paralysis to working at the shrine. The Pope highlighted human dignity and the sacredness of vulnerability, noting that Mary’s gaze affirms every person’s worth. The event underscores the Church’s commitment to supporting those who suffer.
On September 26, Pope Francis visited the Catholic Institute of Paris in France. He met with the Paris Ecclesiastical Province Synod Council and new catechumens. The Pope praised the growing number of adults seeking baptism in a secular society. He urged the French Church to accompany these new believers with gentleness and patience. The Pope emphasized that formation must include liturgy and ongoing support to prevent a post-baptismal void. He called for a Church in a state of initiation, viewing new converts as an opportunity for renewal.
Church bells across France will ring for seven minutes on September 25, 2026, to welcome Pope Leo XIV. The announcement comes as preparations intensify for the papal visit, with artisans crafting vestments and furniture in regions like Anjou and Troyes. Bishop Étienne Guillet highlighted the event's interreligious dimension, noting invitations to Jewish, Muslim, and other faith communities. The Pope's itinerary includes meetings with President Emmanuel Macron, a youth vigil at Stade de France, and a Mass at Place de la Concorde. Locals hope the visit brings messages of peace and unity to the nation during difficult times.
Translated from Tiếng ViệtAlso reported by 1 other outlet
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
Families in Paris gathered along the streets to welcome Pope Leo XIV. Parents brought young children, some as young as three weeks old, to witness the papal visit. Many families stated that seeing the Pope in person is a significant opportunity to share faith with their children. Some parents even arranged for their children to miss school to attend. The event allowed families to experience the spiritual atmosphere together and hope for a blessing from the Pope. This gathering highlights the desire of French Catholics to connect with church leadership and pass on religious traditions to the next generation.
The Vatican's nuncio to France, Archbishop Migliore, states that preparations are complete for the Pope's upcoming visit. A joyful and hopeful atmosphere prevails among bishops, clergy, and 17,000 volunteers who have spent months organizing the event. The Pope will meet new Catholics at the Catholic Institute of Paris on September 26, 2026, noting a rise in adult conversions. He will also address UNESCO on September 25 regarding education and peace. Finally, a meeting in Metz on September 28 aims to promote European unity. The visit seeks to strengthen faith and encourage the Church's service to society.
Vatican News Vietnam reports on the Én Đồng Xanh group, a volunteer organization in Vietnam. The article describes how young volunteers, known as 'Én', engage in community service alongside teaching. Their activities include visiting the poor, distributing communion to isolated elderly people, cleaning canals, and organizing summer camps for children. The group emphasizes living simply together and fostering a supportive environment for kids. According to the outlet, participants use these experiences to grow personally, learn compassion, and heal their own lives while serving others. The initiative aims to inspire youth to become better individuals through humble, everyday actions.
Pope Francis issued a message urging the protection of human life from conception to natural death, delivered by Vatican Nuncio Archbishop Nicola Girasoli at the Life Walk in Bratislava, Slovakia, on September 20. The event, attended by over 30,000 people, advocates for legal protections for fetuses and support for struggling mothers. Slovak Bishops Conference Secretary Father Ivan Ružička emphasized that human life possesses inherent dignity and cannot be commodified, specifically addressing surrogate motherhood. The gathering aimed to foster a culture of care for the vulnerable and promote social solidarity among families and citizens. The Vatican News outlet reported these details regarding the pro-life demonstration.
A 101-year-old woman named Hayako Morimoto received the sacrament of Baptism in Brazil, specifically within the Diocese of Presidente Prudente. The event took place at a church recently elevated to the status of a diocesan shrine. The local parish community described her acceptance of faith as a powerful testimony of courage and trust in God. Bishop Benedito Gonçalves dos Santos emphasized the Church's mission to reach marginalized people during the shrine's consecration. This story follows another recent case of a centenarian being baptized in Brazil, highlighting that the call to faith remains open to people regardless of their age.
The Spanish organization Red Madre reports that it assisted over 60,000 pregnant women through 50 centers in 2025. According to the group, more than 50,000 women at risk of abortion decided to continue their pregnancies, representing 85.4 percent of those supported. The organization notes that many beneficiaries are unemployed foreigners aged 18 to 39. Director Amaya Azcona stated that public policies remain insufficient for vulnerable mothers. She urged authorities to implement more effective support measures. The network relies on 1,000 volunteers to provide counseling, financial aid, and practical assistance such as diapers and food.
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is observing National Migration Week from September 21 to 27, culminating in the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 27, 2026. Bishop Cahill highlighted the Church's long tradition of caring for migrant children, citing figures like Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini. He expressed gratitude to social workers and law enforcement but warned against declining protections, such as prolonged detention and reduced legal access. Emphasizing that human dignity is God-given and independent of immigration status, the bishops urged authorities to ensure care based on human worth. They invited parishes and schools to participate through prayer and educational programs.
Translated from Tiếng Việt
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