Archbishop Timothy Broglio of the US Military Services has directed Catholic soldiers assigned to the firing squad for Nidal Malik Hasan to request exemption. Broglio stated that participating in the execution violates Church teachings, comparing the obligation to refusing abortion. Hasan was convicted of the Fort Hood mass shooting in Texas. President Donald Trump approved the death penalty, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the execution would be broadcast live. This decision drew condemnation from Archbishop Paul Coakley, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Pope Francis, who reiterated opposition to capital punishment. Broglio emphasized the moral harm to soldiers and the dignity of the human person.
Pope Leo XIV has expressed deep concern regarding recent attacks in the Gaza Strip that resulted in the deaths of five civilians, including two women from the local Christian community. The Pontiff prayed for the victims and issued an appeal for an end to the suffering endured by the population. This statement highlights the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region. The report, originally published by Cancao Nova Noticias, attributes these details to the Pope's recent public remarks and prayers concerning the violence affecting Gaza's residents.
Pope Leao XIV sent a message to Father Gabriel Romanelli expressing sorrow over the deaths of Maysa Khader Ibrahim Abu Daoud and her daughter Mary Hafez Michel Najjar. The two Greek Orthodox Christians were killed when an Israeli strike hit a residential building in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City on Saturday. The attack also injured five other civilians. The Pope asked, “Until when, Lord?” and offered prayers for the families. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa also offered condolences. The Israeli military stated the operation targeted Hamas, but civilians were affected. The situation in Gaza remains critical with severe humanitarian challenges.
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi concluded his third mission to Moscow on September 30, following previous trips in 2023 and 2024. The Vatican envoy visited a detention camp for Ukrainian prisoners of war in Lviv and met with Russian officials, including Yuri Ushakov and human rights commissioners. According to Vatican News, Zuppi emphasized the need to strengthen and speed up checks to ensure family reunifications and the repatriation of children. He was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Giovanni d’Aniello during the talks regarding military and civilian detainees.
In New York on September 28, Archbishop Christophe Z. El Kassis, the Holy See’s permanent observer to the United Nations, addressed a high-level meeting marking the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration. He stated that acts of Christianophobia must be recognized and denounced alongside Islamophobia and antisemitism. The delegation highlighted that the original declaration already expressed concern regarding intolerance against religious communities. El Kassis also referenced Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical, arguing that digital technologies must respect human dignity and the common good. He concluded by condemning nationalist ideologies that contradict universal human values and social justice.
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem, spoke at a Vatican congress in Rome about the role of Christians in the Middle East. He emphasized that a gentle force, rather than military power, is needed to preserve hope and community ties in Gaza and the West Bank. Despite the devastation, he noted that life persists, citing efforts to reopen schools even without supplies. The Cardinal highlighted the difficulty of maintaining unity among Christians divided by the conflict, asserting that the Church is not ethnic or national. He called for mutual support and daily resilience as forms of resistance against violence.
Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk of Kharkiv-Zaporizhzhia met with the Pope in Vatican City on Friday to express gratitude for papal prayers and diplomatic efforts to stop the conflict. Honcharuk described Kharkiv as an epicenter of violence, citing continuous attacks on civilians and infrastructure. He reiterated an invitation for the Pope to visit Ukraine, specifically Kharkiv, as a sign of solidarity. The bishop emphasized that the Holy See is using all available tools to promote peace, noting that recent visits by Vatican officials demonstrate global awareness of the aggression. He urged an end to the war, stating that spiritual and diplomatic work is crucial for the exhausted Ukrainian population.
Pavlo Honcharuk, the bishop of Kharkiv-Zaporizhia in Ukraine, met with Pope Leo XIV on Friday, November 11. According to Vatican News, Honcharuk described the audience as very warm and open-hearted. He thanked the Pope for his prayers and support for Ukraine, including efforts to free prisoners. The bishop highlighted that Kharkiv is an epicenter of the war, suffering continuous bombings. He stated that the Pope's words reassure Ukrainians that they are not alone and that the world recognizes the aggressor. Honcharuk emphasized that wars begin when people lose their hearts and dignity, urging for an end to the destruction through diplomacy and love.
Pope Leo XIV appealed for an end to hostilities in northern Ethiopia during his general audience. He emphasized that dialogue is essential for lasting peace, noting that armed conflict only brings destruction. The Vatican expressed deep concern as fighting resumed, breaking a four-year peace agreement. Reports indicate intense clashes between Ethiopian forces and local groups, causing hundreds of casualties and blocking humanitarian aid. The European Union described the situation as rapidly deteriorating, calling for immediate diplomatic and humanitarian measures to prevent further regional instability.
Catholic bishops in England have strongly criticized a new assisted dying bill set for debate in the UK House of Commons. Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool called the proposal dangerous and flawed, warning it lacks sufficient safeguards for vulnerable groups such as those with disabilities or domestic violence victims. Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth described the principle as abominable and feared mission creep similar to Canada. Bishop Stephen Wright of Hexham and Newcastle argued that life is a divine gift and the bill fails to protect society's most fragile members. Medical and psychiatric organizations share these concerns regarding patient safety and palliative care quality.
Bishop Pierre-André Dumas of Anse-à-Veau-Miragoâne in Haiti has expressed deep concern regarding the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian immigrants in the United States. The US Supreme Court and a federal court in Washington, D.C., recently upheld the cancellation, affecting approximately 331,000 beneficiaries. According to Vatican News, the US Department of Homeland Security argued that ending TPS aligns with national interest, despite ongoing crises in Haiti. The decision increases deportation risks, with reports indicating a surge in repatriation flights. An immigrant named Emma described the fear within her community, noting that families now face the threat of separation and detention by ICE agents, creating significant anxiety for children left behind.
Sister Liji Payyapilly, an Indian nun serving in Ukraine for nearly 25 years, shared her experiences with Vatican News ahead of Independence Day. Based in Pavshyno, Transcarpátia, she supports locals through spiritual counseling at her monastery. She recently visited frontline areas in Sumy and Zaporizhzhia, witnessing severe food shortages and civilian suffering. Despite daily missile threats, she emphasizes that bombs cannot destroy Ukrainian faith or freedom. Her ministry focuses on Eucharistic adoration and comforting those who have lost family members or homes due to the ongoing conflict. The outlet reports her reflections on resilience and the importance of prayer during this dangerous period.
The Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) and PUC-SP have launched an online extension course titled 'Fundamentals of Religious Freedom'. The initiative aims to train defenders of belief rights amid alarming global data showing nearly two-thirds of humanity lives in countries with religious violence. Valter Callegari, ACN Brazil's executive director and a course instructor, emphasizes sharing accumulated knowledge to empower society. The program covers geopolitical cases across continents, addressing extremism in Asia and Africa, restrictions in Western democracies, and the Latin American context. Classes run from September to November 2026, offering certification upon completion.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See, presided over a Mass in Catania, Italy, on August 17 to mark the ninth centenary of the translation of Saint Agatha's relics. During the homily, he urged the faithful to pray for Christians suffering persecution worldwide. Parolin emphasized that the Church relies on God's fidelity rather than human efficiency. He also highlighted the daily martyrdom of faithfulness in ordinary life, encouraging believers to overcome challenges through charity and truth rather than violence. The event concluded with a procession of the saint's relics through the historic center of the city.
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck northwest Colombia, causing significant damage and killing at least 20 people. The epicenter was near a town in the Chocó department. A major cathedral in a central city suffered visible damage, including the collapse of a side tower. Authorities reported structural failures in several urban areas. Emergency teams are assessing the destruction, and residents have been warned to remain alert for aftershocks. This event marks the strongest seismic activity in the country in the last decade.
Translated from Português
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