A global initiative supports persecuted Christians by illuminating churches and public buildings in red. A senior church leader encourages participation in Belgium, noting past involvement from major religious and political sites. The campaign features prayer vigils and letter-writing to raise awareness. In a previous year, a local diocese sent thousands of cards to imprisoned believers in various countries facing severe religious oppression. The effort aims to draw attention to those suffering for their faith, fostering solidarity and prayer for those in danger.
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Belgium marks the centenary of Mission Sunday, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926. Representatives from Missio Belgium and a West African nation highlighted the Pontifical Missionary Works' role. The initiative emphasizes prayer, solidarity, and evangelization across 140 countries. This year, a specific African nation is featured, focusing on interreligious harmony and church development. Funds support catechist training, seminary renovations, and a girls' shelter in a region of Mauritania, destroyed in 2024. Pope Leo XIV set the 2026 theme as unity in Christ for mission, reinforcing global Catholic outreach and support for persecuted communities.
Ahead of Pope Leo XIV's visit to France from September 25 to 28, Apostolic Nuncio Celestino Migliore describes widespread excitement beyond Catholic circles. The pontiff will visit Paris, UNESCO, and Metz. Migliore notes that French society seeks hope amid current difficulties. The trip includes meetings with catechumens, a speech at UNESCO on culture and peace, and a European unity address in Metz. The nuncio also praised the French Church's efforts regarding sexual abuse victims, noting new support structures have replaced previous ones. This marks the pope's fifth apostolic journey.
Caritas International launched a campaign in Belgium featuring a teddy bear with a QR code. The bear was placed in Brussels, with stops planned for Antwerp and Liège. Scanning the code reveals a short film titled 'Dans ses bras', produced by mothers and children at the Louvranges center near Wavre. Samuel Cogolati, the new director general, stated the initiative aims to counter dehumanizing migration debates by highlighting individual stories. The organization advocates for dignified reception and legal pathways, arguing that stable housing allows asylum seekers to integrate and contribute to society.
Hundreds of children will pray the rosary with Pope Leo XIV in a garden setting, launching a global week of prayer for peace. Organized by Aid to the Church in Need, the initiative runs for several days, coinciding with a major religious feast. Participants in various countries, including regions in Africa and South America, are invited to organize local prayers. The campaign, active for over twenty years, aims to foster unity and peace, with the theme drawn from a historic Marian message. The event involves schools, parishes, and families across multiple continents.
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Pope Leo XIV met with catechumens and neophytes at the Catholic Institute of Paris on Saturday. He expressed wonder at the rising number of adult baptisms in France, noting this trend contrasts with declining child baptisms in a secular society. The Pope urged the Church to welcome these new believers with compassion and provide solid theological and liturgical formation. He emphasized the importance of avoiding post-baptismal voids by guiding neophytes through a process of walking together. According to the report, he described these new members as a promise of fruitfulness for the Church in France and the universal Church.
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On September 19, the Notre-Dame de Val Duchesse pastoral unit in Auderghem, Belgium, held its first Bal du curé. The event drew over 500 attendees to the Saint-Julien church for a mass, followed by an outdoor barbecue, concerts, and a dance party. Organizers report that 200 volunteers served 850 sausages and distributed 1,000 loaves of bread. The initiative, inspired by similar events in Brussels, aimed to engage the local community beyond the church walls. Local municipalities supported the gathering, which exceeded attendance expectations, prompting plans for a second edition.
Belgian bishops have written to the federal government requesting a rapid solution for thirteen Palestinian students and researchers from Gaza. These individuals hold scholarships at Belgian universities but remain trapped in the enclave because they cannot travel to diplomatic posts to collect their visas. The letter, dated September 18, 2026, addresses Minister Anneleen Van Bossuyt and Vice-Prime Minister Maxime Prévot. While Prévot supports their arrival, Van Bossuyt fears a domino effect on asylum claims. The bishops argue that allowing these scholars to continue their studies respects human dignity and aids Gaza's future reconstruction.
Portuguese priest and DJ Padre Guilherme performed an electronic music set for more than 9,000 attendees at Maredsous Abbey in Belgium. The event featured techno music mixed with references to Pope Francis and Pope Leo, as well as Stromae. Benedictine monks and Abbot Father Lear joined him on stage, while Bishop Lejeusne attended the crowd. Organizers noted high attendance and long food queues, but the concert was widely praised by both Christian and secular audiences for its unique blend of faith and modern music.
Approximately 1,000 young people from across Europe will meet in Budapest, Hungary, from August 28 to 30 for the International Youth for Peace gathering. Organized by the Community of Sant'Egidio, the event aims to promote dialogue and solidarity amid global conflicts. The group says participants include 35 Belgians and 150 Ukrainians from cities like Kyiv and Lviv, who will share war experiences. The program features discussions on migration and climate change, a meeting with Sant'Egidio president Marco Impagliazzo, and a symbolic march on Margaret Island to condemn violence and racism. This initiative highlights the youth branch's year-round commitment to supporting vulnerable populations.
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Pope Leo XIV called for the protection of children and adolescents facing violence and exploitation along migration routes. He issued this appeal during his general audience on September 23 at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. The message precedes the 112th World Day of Migrant and Refugee on September 27. The Pope emphasized that every young person must be safeguarded, citing Gospel teachings. According to UNHCR data from June 2026, 45 million children were among the 117.8 million forcibly displaced people globally at the end of 2025. The Pontiff stressed the need to recognize the dignity and fundamental rights of these minors.
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The Sainte-Anne church in Auderghem, Belgium, has temporarily closed its doors to the public outside of scheduled mass times. This decision follows a series of repeated acts of vandalism and damage within the building located on the Chaussée de Tervueren. The notice was posted on the church facade and the website of the Notre-Dame-de-Val-Duchesse Pastoral Unit. Local authorities suspect the perpetrator is someone slightly unstable but familiar with the church. The closure aims to secure the site while investigations continue into the recent incidents.
The inaugural Maredsous Sound Festival takes place on August 28 and 29 at the Maredsous Abbey in Denée, Belgium. Organizers report the event is nearly sold out, with remaining tickets for Friday and Saturday. The program mixes contemporary Christian music, including a set by Portuguese priest-DJ Padre Guilherme, with spiritual activities and sports. All profits support the Basilica 2030 renovation project. The festival targets young adults and families, aiming to blend faith, culture, and community engagement in a historic setting.
World Youth Day is set to open in Seoul, South Korea, in less than a year. Belgian Francophone youth are organizing two travel routes to attend the event. According to Cathobel, there may be more candidates than available spots. To raise funds, young people in Châtelet, near Charleroi, are selling handmade soap, chocolate, candles, and beverages during theater performances. Additionally, a festival is being prepared in Chevetogne for those who remain in Belgium. The outlet notes that between 200 and 500 young people have expressed interest in participating.
Franciscan Father Ibrahim Faltas, director of the Custody of the Holy Land schools, told Vatican News that settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank has significantly increased. He cited daily harassment, home encirclements near Nablus, and arson attacks on olive groves. Faltas also highlighted the closure of Christian schools in Jerusalem due to denied teacher permits and the exodus of over 300 Christian families from Bethlehem since October 2023. Additionally, he described the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, including civilian deaths and the plight of orphans, urging international intervention for a two-state solution.
Monroe, a 17-year-old soprano who represented France at Eurovision, will sing at the World Youth Day vigil in France on September 25. The event takes place at the Stade de France during Pope Leo XIV's visit. The organization expects 80,000 attendees for the prayer night. Monroe stated that performing for the Pope fulfills a dream she expressed in June. Born to a French mother and American father, she previously won the Prodiges competition and placed 11th at Eurovision with her song Regarde. She has a background in sacred music and has previously performed at the Vatican.
Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David has established an independent commission to investigate extrajudicial killings during former President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs in the Philippines. The body held its first public hearing on Friday, August 14, aiming to uncover the truth behind the violence and provide a platform for victims' families. Human Rights Watch estimates that more than 12,000 people were executed without trial during this campaign. The initiative seeks to address the severe human rights concerns associated with the anti-drug operations. This effort marks a significant step toward accountability and transparency regarding the past administration's controversial tactics. The commission intends to document these events thoroughly to ensure justice for those affected.
The LifeRide Saint-Médard event will take place on October 3 in Jodoigne, Belgium. Organizers expect hundreds of young participants, including scouts and catechism groups, for the third edition of this activity. The day focuses on solidarity, personal development, and spirituality under the theme 'You are the light of the world.' Activities include a zip line, climbing wall, and a wooden chapel construction challenge. A spiritual village will feature stands from local church groups like the Beatitudes Community. Previous editions attracted over 600 attendees, and this year aims to engage youth through fun challenges and spiritual reflection.
In Belgium, young people are revitalizing abandoned chapels in Wallonia through volunteer efforts. In Hainaut, participants in the 'Été Solidaire' project cleaned and repaired shrines in A Bons Villers and Rèves, earning praise on social media. Additionally, students from Don Bosco Tournai reconstructed a chapel in Taintignies for the commune of Rumes, receiving official recognition. Meanwhile, a couple from Philippeville, Dalila and Tyron, launched 'Une Chapelle à la foi' to clean and dignify religious sites. Their videos, such as one for a chapel in Florennes, have garnered millions of views online, highlighting a growing movement to preserve local religious heritage.
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