On July 13, 2026, in Fatima, Portugal, Bishop Jose Ornelas addressed pilgrims during the international pilgrimage. He honored the victims of the June 24 earthquakes in Venezuela, which caused approximately 4,500 deaths, including 110 Portuguese citizens. The bishop called for solidarity and prayer for the deceased and their families. He also referenced the Pope's warnings regarding war and devastation. Additionally, he remembered victims of wildfires in Almeria, Spain, and heatwaves across Europe. Bishop Pedro Fernandes, who organized the event, was acknowledged for his leadership. The gathering emphasized hope and peace amidst global crises.
Teresa Tavares de Almeida, president of Caritas Diocese of Beja, told Agência Ecclesia that migration is stabilizing population numbers in Portugal’s Alentejo region. She noted that while emigration continues among youth, immigrants from Brazil and Senegal are filling labor shortages in agriculture. Her center, CLAIM, assisted 786 migrants this year. A new project called LIMA aims to improve working conditions for seasonal workers through digital platforms. The interview highlights the social and economic challenges faced by both migrants and local employers in combating exploitation and illegal trafficking.
Lisbon, Portugal (July 10, 2026) – The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Catholic Community of Sant'Egidio signed a protocol of understanding to enhance collaboration in peace processes and human rights defense. Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel emphasized the partnership's alignment with Portugal's upcoming non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council starting in January 2027. Community founder Andrea Riccardi highlighted shared values and past successes, such as the 1992 Mozambique peace agreement. The agreement formalizes regular information exchange and joint action in conflict zones, including Ukraine and Cuba, aiming to improve democratic stabilization and humanitarian aid efforts globally.
Caracas, Venezuela (July 10, 2026) – The Secretary of State for Portuguese Communities, Emídio Sousa, and the Portuguese ambassador visited the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference and Caritas in Caracas. The delegation met with church leaders to express solidarity following the June 24 earthquakes that killed at least 3,811 people, including 102 Portuguese nationals. According to the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, the visit highlights international cooperation to aid vulnerable communities. Portugal delivered 13.5 tons of humanitarian aid and deployed a joint operational force. The Venezuelan government also held talks with Sousa to assess bilateral assistance efforts for reconstruction.
Volunteers loaded a shipping container with medical equipment, computers, and household goods at a Consolata Missionaries facility in Portugal. The donation, organized by the IMC, is destined for a diocese in Mozambique. A bishop, a Consolata missionary, will receive the aid. The goods, donated by local companies and individuals, aim to support vulnerable populations in the region. The container is scheduled to depart from a port in Portugal soon. This effort highlights ongoing solidarity between Portuguese communities and the Catholic Church in Mozambique.
Teresa Tavares de Almeida, president of Caritas Diocese of Beja in Portugal, criticized populist rhetoric that fuels fear among immigrant communities. She emphasized that migrants are essential to combating rural depopulation in the Alentejo region and balancing local demographics. Since January, her center has assisted 786 individuals, primarily from Brazil and Senegal, who often face extreme economic hardship and housing crises. The organization advocates for dignified integration and transparency in labor contracts to protect seasonal workers from exploitation. This statement aligns with recent national statistics showing over 11 million residents, driven by significant immigration. The initiative seeks to ensure employer accountability and support vulnerable newcomers.
Five young people in Lisbon, Portugal, completed a 50-day missionary project called 'Missão Agora' in the Chelas neighborhood. Organized by the Patriarchate of Lisbon between Easter and Pentecost 2026, the initiative aimed to form disciples through prayer, community life, and service. Participants lived together and supported local institutions, including the Missionaries of Charity and a social store. Susana Ferreira stated the project responds to the post-World Youth Day 2023 call for ongoing formation. The group plans to open new registrations for a December Advent program, with further missions scheduled for 2027 in the archdiocese's peripheral areas.
Caritas Portugal announced it will distribute food, hygiene, and psychosocial support kits in four Venezuelan states—Aragua, Falcón, Miranda, and Carabobo—following two major earthquakes on June 24. The initiative, funded through the Camões Institute and Helpo Association, targets areas near the epicenter where over a million people were affected. According to the outlet, the disasters killed 3,811 people and injured 16,740, including 102 Portuguese citizens. Caritas Portugal President Rita Valadas and international representative Lara Azevedo emphasized the need for targeted aid based on local needs rather than sending unsolicited goods, coordinating with Caritas Venezuela and Caritas Internationalis to assist vulnerable families who have lost their homes and livelihoods.
Tony Pereira, a chef and volunteer at a church in Maiquetía, Venezuela, aims to reopen the parish's social dining hall following severe earthquakes that damaged the building. The tremors, which struck La Guaira state in late June, caused significant structural damage, including the collapse of part of the church's facade. According to the Portuguese secretariat of the Aid to the Church in Need foundation, Pereira insists on restoring the kitchen to support vulnerable community members. The organization has approved 100,000 euros in emergency aid. Official figures report thousands of deaths and injuries across the country, prompting ongoing relief efforts by local volunteers and international partners.
Sister Hanna Kiedrowska, a Palottine volunteer in Vatican City, shared her experiences assisting homeless individuals near St. Peter's Square. She reported that many vulnerable people suffer from extreme isolation and constant hostility, often weeping when addressed with respect. The facilities, located under Bernini's Colonnade and managed by the Apostolic Almonery since 2015, provide hygiene and food. However, Kiedrowska emphasized that emotional support and listening are crucial for restoring dignity. She noted that deep psychological wounds and addictions make reintegration difficult, suggesting that spiritual formation could significantly benefit this marginalized group.
Spiritans held their General Assembly in a city in Mozambique to evaluate their mission and set commitments for the coming years. The congregation has been present in the country since 1996, operating in various regions. The meeting highlighted the diverse international composition of the missionaries, with members from several African and European nations. A notable development was the ordination of the first Mozambican-born Spiritan priest. The group aims to support the local Church and contribute to a more fraternal and just society in Mozambique.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 1 other outlet
The Diocese of Funchal in Madeira, Portugal, has collected 70,000 euros to aid victims of the recent earthquakes in Venezuela, according to Bishop Nuno Brás. The funds will be transferred to Venezuelan Caritas by the end of the week. Bishop Brás expressed gratitude for the generosity of the diocese and noted that the amount could reach 100,000 euros with additional weekend collections. The earthquakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, struck Venezuela on June 24, causing 3,685 confirmed deaths. The Portuguese Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported 102 Portuguese and Lusophone casualties, with 57 citizens still uncontactable. This aid highlights the close ties between Madeira and Venezuela.
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 2 outlets
Recent data reveals a significant demographic shift in the Catholic Church, with priestly numbers in Africa rising sharply while declining elsewhere. Between 2013 and 2024, African priestly vocations increased by nearly thirty-six percent, contrasting with a global drop. This surge is driven by substantial decreases in Europe and North America, where deaths now outnumber new ordinations. In 2024, African candidates comprised thirty-five percent of worldwide seminary applicants. This trend highlights the Church's growing reliance on the vitality of the Global South, as European institutions struggle with shrinking ranks and aging clergy.
The Hospitable Youth Missionary Weeks in Portugal are inviting young people to engage in missionary experiences with psychiatric patients. These initiatives take place at the Telhal Health House, run by the Brothers of Saint John of God, and with the Hospitable Sisters in Idanha. The program aims to help participants connect with human fragility. Padre Alberto Mendes, a priest and brother of the Order of Hospitable Brothers of Saint John of God, and Beatriz Zacarias, a young volunteer, discuss the reasons behind the continued appeal of these missions to youth. The outlet reports on the ongoing efforts to involve young volunteers in this specific care context.
The Pontifical Foundation AIS reported raising 145.8 million euros in donations and bequests in 2025, funding 5,368 projects across 141 countries. The organization supported one in ten priests and one in eight seminarians globally, with India receiving the most aid, followed by Ukraine, Lebanon, and Syria. Regina Lynch, the executive president, credited donors for enabling the Church to remain a source of hope amid persecution and war. In Portugal, donations reached a record 4.268 million euros, an 8.7 percent increase, according to national director Catarina Martins de Bettencourt. The foundation prioritized Africa and the Middle East due to conflict and growth challenges.
Portuguese Catholic commissions issued a joint statement regarding the humanitarian crisis in a northern Mozambican region. The conflict has displaced over one million people and killed thousands, with many victims decapitated. Approximately 120 churches were destroyed. The groups criticize both insurgent violence and abuses by government military forces. Citing a local bishop, the statement urges authorities in Mozambique, Portugal, and Europe to prioritize civilian protection over economic interests. The commissions emphasize that religious extremism exploits poverty and call for collaboration with local Muslim communities to counter radicalization.
A Vatican publication criticized the international community's insufficient support for the humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The article highlights that only a fraction of required funds have been secured for relief efforts. This shortage leaves millions affected by an Ebola outbreak and conflict in the eastern provinces without vital aid. Data indicates the region faces one of the most neglected displacement crises recently. The publication warns that children are particularly vulnerable to malnutrition and armed group recruitment due to this structural abandonment, urging greater global attention and assistance for the displaced population.
Regina Lynch, president of the Aid to the Church in Need (AIS) International Foundation, is traveling to Caracas and La Guaira in Venezuela to show solidarity with local communities affected by recent earthquakes. The magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 tremors on June 24 killed 3,342 people, including 96 Portuguese citizens. Lynch aims to assess needs and deliver spiritual and material support. The foundation has approved an initial emergency aid package of 100,000 euros. Pope Leo XIV also remembered the victims during his Sunday Angelus prayer. The visit highlights the church's ongoing response to the disaster.
José Luis Azuaje, president of Caritas Venezuela, issued a message of solidarity to families affected by the June 24 earthquakes. The Catholic bishop emphasized that support extends beyond material goods to spiritual comfort for those grieving. He urged the public to maintain humanitarian assistance during the reconstruction phase. According to parliament speaker Jorge Rodríguez, the death toll has reached 3,342, with 16,740 injured. The twin quakes, measuring 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude, struck 200 kilometers from Caracas. Among the victims are at least 95 Portuguese nationals and 58 missing persons.
Translated from Português
Read more →
SermonWave writes its own short summaries and links to the original reporting. Every story belongs to the outlet that reported it. About World News · Our sources · RSS feed
