Caritas Diocesan of Beja in Portugal has reopened a solidarity space in the city center to support vulnerable populations. Teresa Tavares de Almeida, the institution's president, stated that the new 'Entrelaços' shop addresses urgent needs through immediate assistance and symbolic sales. The initiative responds to petitions from staff and residents amid rising mental health issues and unemployment in the Alentejo region. Bishop Fernando Maio de Paiva blessed the new location, which occupies former diocesan bookstore premises. The project promotes sustainability and recycling, aligning with the 2026 International Year of Volunteerism for Sustainable Development. It aims to foster community ties while providing essential goods to those in need.
In Portugal, Father Manuel Augusto, director of the Pontifical Missionary Works, highlighted Pope Leo XIV's appeal for unity during the World Mission Day centenary. The Pope urges the Church to overcome polarization and mutual distrust. Augusto noted that testimony loses strength without unity, citing tensions in local churches. The event, established by Pope Pius XI in 1926, is celebrated on October 18. The Pontifical Missionary Works in Portugal have released a mission guide for 2026-2027 to foster missionary spirit. The director emphasized that the day remains deeply felt in Portuguese dioceses, promoting a universal vision of evangelization.
Ahead of World Day of Migrants and Refugees on September 27, the Catholic Church highlights the Rosalia Rendu refectory in Campo Grande, Lisbon. Operated by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, this facility provides daily food and social support to migrants and Portuguese citizens facing illness or poverty. Sister Alzira Santos has worked there since 2018, coordinating volunteer food collections to ensure supplies for upcoming days. The center, established in 2005, remains open despite renovations, serving as a critical resource for those lacking means for dignified meals.
Pope Leo XIV sent a message to the National Scout Corps (CNE) pilgrimage in Fátima, Portugal, on September 27, 2026. He urged scouts to build peace within their families, schools, and neighborhoods through dialogue and sharing. The event, which ended after a ten-year hiatus, featured Mass led by Apostolic Nuncio Andrés Carrascosa Coso. The nuncio echoed the Pope’s call, rejecting social media vanity and emphasizing service without seeking applause. He stressed that true faith involves helping others, starting with one's own family, and living Christian values beyond ceremonial participation. The pilgrimage focused on the theme 'Do you feel capable?' and highlighted the scouts' century-long presence at the sanctuary.
Cátia Sousa, coordinator of the 'Sem Diferenças' project in Coimbra, Portugal, warned that recent changes to immigration laws are creating distrust among migrants. Speaking on World Migrante and Refugee Day 2026, she noted that stricter rules and AIMA constraints hinder family reunification. The project supports about 1,300 immigrants in Marinha das Ondas. Sousa highlighted psychological impacts on adults and 'invisible traumas' for children separated from parents. She also observed increased social resistance in Portugal but praised local schools for integration efforts. The Catholic Church, citing Pope Leo XIV, emphasizes protecting children from migration route atrocities.
A coalition of 81 Christian organizations released a letter urging European Union leaders to strengthen climate commitments during an upcoming international conference in a city in Turkey. The group, led by a European alliance, cites severe summer heatwaves and wildfires across multiple European nations as evidence of the intensifying climate crisis. The signatories demand accelerated fossil fuel phase-outs, just transition financing, increased support for vulnerable nations, and clear goals for agroecological food systems. They warn against weakening EU ambitions due to short-term global crises, emphasizing the need to protect future generations and marginalized communities. The letter is addressed to top EU officials and the European Parliament delegation.
The Diocese of Angra in Portugal is expanding its pastoral services for human mobility by establishing a reception residence for migrants, displaced persons, and refugees in the Azores. Father Duarte Melo announced the initiative during the 2026 World Day of Migrants and Refugees. The diocese currently provides psychological support and mediation for approximately 10,000 immigrants, mostly on São Miguel island. The new project, developed in partnership with Caritas and the Sanctuary of Senhor Santo Cristo dos Milagres, aims to ensure concrete integration and family reunification. This effort responds to labor needs while emphasizing cultural inclusion and protection for newcomers arriving in the Portuguese archipelago.
The Catholic Church in Portugal marks World Migrante and Refugee Day, highlighting the psychological impact of family separation on migrant children. Cátia Sousa, coordinator of the “Sem Diferenças” project in Coimbra, explains that prolonged physical distance creates barriers in parent-child relationships. Although reunions bring joy, children struggle with new disciplinary dynamics, leading to what she calls “invisible traumas.” The interview also notes that recent changes to immigration laws and delays by AIMA have increased administrative hurdles. This has fostered distrust among families and heightened social resistance, complicating integration efforts despite support from local schools and community centers.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on September 26, 2026, urging an immediate end to hostilities in Gaza and Ukraine. Speaking at the 81st session, he condemned attacks on civilian infrastructure as violations of international law. The Vatican delegation advocated for a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine to ensure lasting peace. Parolin also highlighted global religious persecution, particularly against Christians, and called for aid for Rohingya refugees, famine victims in Somalia, and civilians in Sudan. He addressed instability in Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, emphasizing human rights and dialogue. The speech occurred during the High-Level Week at the UN headquarters.
Pope Leo XIV visited the Maison Bakhita center in Paris on September 26, 2026, to denounce modern forms of economic and cultural slavery. Speaking at the diocesan shelter for excluded individuals, the pontiff urged solidarity projects to challenge prevailing systems and uphold human dignity. The event featured testimonies from refugees and people rescued from exploitation, including Meysam and Blessing. The Pope emphasized that true history is shaped by those who build peace rather than impose power. This visit marks the second day of his trip to France, preceding a mass in Paris and a journey to Lourdes.
Pedro Carvalho, director of the National Department for Youth Pastoral in Portugal, invited Portuguese young people to participate in the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, South Korea. Speaking in Coimbra on September 28, 2026, he emphasized that the event is a pilgrimage, not tourism, aimed at encountering Christ and global youth. Carvalho recently attended preparatory meetings in Seoul with a delegation including Cardinal Américo Aguiar. He expressed joy at the warm reception from the international community and highlighted the ongoing connection with the 2023 Lisbon event. The pilgrimage is scheduled for August 3-8, 2027, under the theme 'Be courageous: I have conquered the world!'.
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Illustrative photo, not from the original report · Photo by Nick Castelli on UnsplashGood news
Pope Leo XIV presided over an outdoor Mass at the Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, on September 26, 2026. The event drew approximately 800,000 people, who gathered to hear the pontiff challenge French Catholics to build a renewed nation based on Christian roots. During his homily, the Pope urged believers to share their faith and find meaning in Jesus rather than immediate worldly satisfactions. He also invoked historical Christian figures like Martin of Tours. Following the service, the Archbishop of Paris thanked the Pope and presented a replica of Notre-Dame’s rose window. The Pope then departed for Lourdes to lead a prayer vigil, concluding his second day in France. (Agencia Ecclesia)
Translated from PortuguêsAlso reported by 2 outlets
More than three thousand people gathered in Alfândega da Fé, Portugal, on September 26, 2026, for the first National Meeting of Digital Missionaries. The event marks the formal launch of a national network for online evangelization within the Diocese of Bragança-Miranda. Bishop D. Nuno Almeida emphasized the Church's need to engage authentically with digital spaces. Organized by local foundations and diocesan secretariats, the gathering features international speakers from Mexico and the Vatican. The initiative aims to connect existing digital workers rather than simply increasing follower counts, with proceeds supporting the renovation of the Cerejais Sanctuary. The program includes conferences, editorial meetings, and cultural activities.
Coimbra, Portugal (September 26, 2026) – Caritas Diocesana de Coimbra is hosting a five-kilometer solidarity walk titled 'Entre Pontes: Passos que Constroem o Futuro!' starting at 10:00. According to a statement sent to Agência Ecclesia, the event aims to collect new school materials for families supported by the Community Insertion Center (CCI). This initiative coincides with the CCI's 25th anniversary. Participants are invited to contribute items such as backpacks, notebooks, and pencils while enjoying a route between the city's bridges. Registration is free, either online or on-site, emphasizing community solidarity and physical activity to ensure no child starts the school year without necessary resources.
Caritas Internationalis and other Christian networks issued a joint declaration in Rome ahead of the 2026 World Day of Migrant and Refugee. The groups urge states to create safe, regular migration pathways for children and end policies that separate families. They warn that excessive security controls can expose minors to violence and rights violations. The statement calls for universal access to education and healthcare regardless of legal status. This appeal supports Pope Leo XIV’s message highlighting the vulnerability of children fleeing war, poverty, and environmental disasters. The organizations emphasize the need for better data collection to address the specific needs of young migrants.
The Ecclesia program highlighted Caritas Portugal's institutional cooperation efforts in a report by journalist Leonor João. On September 18, 2026, 180 participants attended a training session in Evora, Portugal. The event centered on the theme 'A synodal network that transforms,' examining how institutional support impacts vulnerable communities. The initiative aims to strengthen networks that assist those in need through structured cooperation and educational outreach within the region.
French President Emmanuel Macron received Pope Leo XIV at the Elysee Palace in Paris on September 25, 2026. Macron distinguished French secularism from the denial of religion, affirming the right to believe or not believe while respecting civil laws. He highlighted the need to protect places of worship from intolerance against Christians, Jews, and Muslims. The leaders also discussed regulating artificial intelligence, with Macron echoing the Pope's encyclical 'Magnificat Humanitas' to ensure technology serves humanity. They praised the reconstruction of Notre-Dame Cathedral and called for 'disarmed peace' to support vulnerable populations. The Pope's visit continues with stops at UNESCO, Lourdes, and Metz.
The Rosália Rendu refectory in Lisbon, run by the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul, provides daily meals to approximately 45 people facing poverty. Ivan, a Moldovan migrant living in Portugal for nearly 30 years, relies on the center after losing his ability to work due to health issues and lacking social support. Sister Alzira Santos notes that the facility offers more than food, providing dignity and consistent accompaniment to help individuals escape poverty. The initiative aligns with Pope Francis’s message for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, which emphasizes protecting human rights over merely managing migration flows. The refectory opened in 2005 and continues to serve those in need with the help of volunteers.
Eugénia Quaresma, director of the Portuguese Catholic Migration Office, called for the active integration of migrant and refugee children into local parishes ahead of the World Day of Migrant and Refugee. Speaking in Lisbon, she emphasized that welcoming these minors is a communal obligation, not just an institutional task. Quaresma highlighted the vulnerability of unaccompanied minors, referencing Pope Leo XIV’s message on protecting children from trafficking and violence. She noted that three Portuguese dioceses have specific programs for this day, urging parishes to ensure no child is left behind during catechesis and community activities.
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