A charitable community has launched a campaign across numerous Italian cities to raise awareness about global hunger. The president explains that the initiative encourages sharing meals rather than just providing food, aiming to help families escape malnutrition. According to FAO data, hundreds of millions of people suffer from hunger worldwide. The project operates in various countries, including those in Africa and South America, as well as Italy, where it supports homeless individuals through soup kitchens. Participants receive puzzle pieces that form a larger artwork, symbolizing collective responsibility for justice and shared destiny.
Monsignor Oleksandr Yazlovetskyi, president of Caritas-Spes Ukraine, reports that daily life in Kyiv is paralyzed by relentless drone attacks and explosions. He states that while the world has grown tired of the conflict, Ukrainians continue to suffer, with recent strikes injuring 28 people and killing one woman. Yazlovetskyi notes that international solidarity is weakening due to reduced aid and hostile attitudes in host countries. He warns that the approaching winter will make conditions extremely difficult, particularly in eastern Ukraine. The bishop emphasizes that while people may become accustomed to war, they cannot accept it, urging continued global prayer for peace and an end to the violence.
On the first anniversary of the floods in Nepal, authorities report over a thousand deaths and thousands still missing. The disaster displaced thousands into overcrowded camps with poor sanitation. Aid workers warn that survivors face ongoing risks, including child marriage and housing insecurity. Organizations are launching emergency appeals to provide holistic support, addressing immediate needs and long-term psychosocial stability as international attention potentially wanes. The tragedy continues to impact communities severely, highlighting the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance in the affected regions.
Caritas Internationalis and Caritas Mona issued a joint statement in Amman, alleging that Israeli forces violated the ceasefire in Gaza for 337 consecutive days. The organizations urge UN leaders to address the severe humanitarian crisis, noting that most of Gaza's population remains displaced with limited aid. The declaration also cites UN reports regarding attacks on children and references Amnesty International's claims of ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. Additionally, Caritas highlighted military actions in Lebanon, Syria, and Iran, calling for an immediate ceasefire, unrestricted humanitarian access, and the deployment of UN peacekeepers to protect civilians across the region.
Caritas diocesan of Rome, Cgil, and Cisl launched a permanent network in Rome to tackle deep social inequalities. The initiative emerged from a seminar on September 24 at Campidoglio, where economist Salvatore Monni highlighted stark income gaps and precarious employment. Speakers, including Giustino Trincia and union leaders, emphasized that charity requires social justice. They proposed fiscal measures to address housing shortages and called for immediate political responses to poverty and vulnerability. The group aims to provide concrete data to policymakers to improve living conditions and workers' rights in the Italian capital.
The TV movie 'Il mio nome è Carlo' about Saint Carlo Acutis aired on Canale 5 in Italy on September 27. It attracted over 4 million viewers, achieving a 29.6 percent share and peaking at 40 percent. The program significantly outperformed competitors, particularly among viewers aged 15 to 34, who accounted for 32.6 percent of the audience. Professor Adriano Fabris from the University of Pisa attributes this success to the relatable nature of Acutis's daily holiness. The outlet reports that the film demonstrates a strong youth desire for positive moral models, challenging the media trend focused on sensationalism.
High tensions erupted in Drumcree, Northern Ireland, after a court ruling allowed a small Orange Order group to march down the Garvaghy Road, a predominantly nationalist and Catholic street in Portadown. Approximately two thousand residents formed human chains to block the parade, prompting a heavy police presence. Due to safety concerns, authorities postponed the event. The incident sparked political conflict between Sinn Féin and the Democratic Unionist Party. Catholic Archbishop Eamon Martin and Anglican Archbishop John McDowell issued a joint statement warning that the stakes are too high for the peace process built over the last thirty years, urging all parties to act with calm and respect for the rule of law.
Fulton John Sheen will be proclaimed blessed on September 24 in St. Louis, United States. Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle will preside over the ceremony at the Dome at America’s Center, representing Pope Leo XIV. Sheen was a pioneering television bishop whose program, Life is Worth Living, reached millions of viewers in the 1950s and won an Emmy. The Vatican recognized his heroic virtues and a miracle involving James Fulton Engstrom. Despite past conflicts with church authorities and controversies regarding priestly appointments, the Holy See has now approved the beatification. Sheen is remembered for using media to spread faith while maintaining a deep interior life.
Pope Leo XIV is visiting France, where Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris highlights a significant surge in adult baptisms among young people. The Church reports over 20,000 baptisms this Easter, marking a 20 percent increase. Ulrich states the Pope aims to listen to this new generation and victims of abuse. The visit includes meetings at the Catholic Institute of Paris, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and the Stade de France. The Pontiff seeks to foster reconciliation in a politically tense climate and show solidarity with migrants and the vulnerable, emphasizing pastoral accompaniment over political solutions.
Father Gabriel Romanelli, pastor of the Sacred Family parish in Gaza, reports that the first autumn rains have brought a brief sense of normalcy to the war-torn strip. However, he warns that tens of thousands of displaced people remain in vulnerable shelters, facing risks from damaged buildings. Despite these hardships, the local school has resumed classes for over 1,000 students, serving as a symbol of resilience for both Christian and Muslim children. Romanelli notes that while education offers hope, many children continue to suffer from trauma and grief due to the ongoing conflict.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke in Molfetta, Italy, about the crisis in the Holy Land. He urged people to be present and listen to pain, comparing the approach to that of Don Tonino Bello. The cardinal described Gaza as devastated, with destroyed infrastructure and deep distrust among residents. He emphasized that religious and political institutions are currently lacking, leaving local communities to fill the gap. Pizzaballa stated that trust is rebuilt through empathy and presence. Despite the trauma, he believes a new hope is emerging in the region, urging everyone to identify and nurture this seed of life amidst the ongoing suffering.
A new Waste Watcher International 2026 report reveals that Italian households discard five million tons of food annually, costing over seven billion euros. Lidia Borzì of Acli Rome explains that waste stems from poor planning and strict cosmetic standards in retail. To combat this, the organization runs the 'Il cibo che serve' project, recovering surplus food from events and supermarkets for Caritas canteens. Additionally, a 'Solidarity Pantry' will open in Rome on September 29 to collect and distribute donations. These efforts align with Italy’s anti-waste law, promoting an circular economy and supporting vulnerable populations through structured recovery initiatives.
Pope Leo XIV addressed Italian-speaking pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City, urging everyone to protect and assist migrant and refugee children. He highlighted their vulnerability to violence and exploitation during migration routes. The Pontiff also discussed the relationship between scientific progress and Christian faith, referencing Vatican II's Gaudium et spes. He argued that technical advancement must be guided by charity to uphold human dignity. This appeal coincides with the upcoming World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 27.
A Vatican bishop warns that Somalia is being forgotten amid severe drought, Al-Shabaab violence, and internal displacement. The Holy See highlighted the humanitarian crisis affecting women and children. Tensions between the federal government and regional states exacerbate instability. Malnutrition has risen significantly in various regions. Caritas Somalia seeks urgent funding for projects in multiple affected areas. Piracy in the Gulf of Aden is also increasing due to institutional weakness. The bishop calls for international coordination and greater solidarity to support the Somali population, emphasizing the urgent need for aid.
Two Terra Santa schools in villages within the Idlib governorate of Syria have reopened after nearly six decades of closure under the previous regime. Bishop Hanna Jallouf and Custodian Francesco Ielpo attended the inauguration, describing the event as a symbol of hope and national unity. The schools will initially host 80 Christian students, with plans to include pupils of other faiths in future academic years. Officials stated that restoring education helps families remain in their homeland and supports the broader reconstruction of communities devastated by years of conflict in the region.
Pope Leo XIV arrives in France on September 25, beginning an apostolic visit in Paris. Church bells will ring nationwide to mark the start of the trip. The Pope will travel by papamobile through Paris, visiting the Catholic Institute to meet catechumens and neophytes. He will also visit UNESCO and Metz, honoring Robert Schuman. Apostolic Nuncio Celestino Migliore says the visit aims to strengthen faith and promote peace. Polls show over 80 percent of French people view the Pope favorably. The journey seeks to address social difficulties with a message of hope and solidarity.
A parish priest in Gaza supports awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to local children, highlighting that over 20,000 have died and urging global attention to children in all conflicts. The parish school is set to reopen for approximately 1,000 students. Catholic leaders in the Holy Land emphasize that returning to education represents a vital sign of hope and a space for coexistence. This initiative aims to restore normalcy for children amidst the widespread destruction caused by the ongoing conflict, serving as a beacon of resilience for the community.
The Serafico di Assisi center in Italy celebrates its 155th anniversary, honoring its founding by Saint Ludovico da Casoria to support children with severe disabilities. President Francesca Di Maolo explains that the institution has evolved from educating blind and deaf students to providing high-intensity medical and rehabilitative care for youth with complex neurodevelopmental disorders. Today, the center accommodates 130 young people daily, offering residential and semi-residential services alongside therapeutic activities. The organization prioritizes families in isolation, ensuring dignity and support even for those with degenerative conditions, as reported by Agenzia SIR.
Approximately half a million Italians residing in France are eagerly awaiting Pope Leo XIV's upcoming visit to Paris. Father Barly Kiweme, rector of the Italian Catholic Mission, states that the community views the arrival as a moment of spiritual communion and hope. The visit coincides with debates over France's new end-of-life legislation, with the Pope's theme, 'That the world may have life,' seen as relevant to these social challenges. Organizers note increased participation from Italian families and emphasize that the Church transcends national borders, fostering unity among diverse cultural groups in the capital.
Translated from Italiano
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