Maddalena Boschetti, a lay missionary in Haiti since 2002, warns that armed gang violence continues to destabilize the country. Following the August 23-24 Kenscoff massacre, which killed 47 people, Pope Leo XIV called for immediate hostage releases and an end to violence. UN data from April to June 2026 shows over 1,400 deaths and 1.4 million displaced persons. Boschetti states that gangs control much of Port-au-Prince and impose checkpoints nationwide. She emphasizes that the Church remains a vital support structure and that missionaries must remain present to help the suffering population despite the extreme danger.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 4 outlets
Pope Leo XIV met with a delegation of 26 members from the US branch of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul on August 28 in the Vatican. Speaking in English, the Pope emphasized that prayer and social justice are inseparable. He stated that charitable service purifies the heart and helps believers recognize Christ in those in need. The Pontiff thanked the volunteers for their generous service and faithful witness, noting that such engagement is sustained only through a relationship with the Lord. He referenced his apostolic exhortation on loving the poor and asked the group to convey his greetings to their colleagues and the people they assist across the United States.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 5 outlets
The third edition of the Paris Églises Tour, known as Holy Games, will take place on Sunday, September 6, in Paris, France. Originally scheduled for May, the event was postponed by the Prefecture of Police. Organizers expect over 5,000 participants to join a 10 km run and a 5 km walk that pass through ten religious sites. The route concludes at the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur in Montmartre, where a mass will be held. The event aims to combine athletic challenge with spirituality, promoting solidarity and evangelization. It anticipates Pope Francis's upcoming visit to France in September 2026.
Pope Leo XIV offered prayers for those affected by devastating floods in a South Asian country and its neighboring regions following his Angelus address. He specifically mentioned the victims, injured, missing, and rescue workers. Rescue operations continue in the area as teams attempt to reach a tunnel where approximately one hundred workers remain trapped. Official reports indicate at least 750 deaths and over 3,000 missing across the affected nations. The Pope also highlighted the upcoming World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, urging solidarity and action to alleviate suffering in the disaster-stricken regions.
Following devastating floods in northern Nepal near the Chinese border, Caritas Nepal is providing emergency aid to displaced communities. The executive director reports that collapsed bridges and roads have hindered access to affected areas. The organization is distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies, particularly for pregnant women and mothers. Local authorities and the police are coordinating rescue efforts, while Caritas relies on its experience from the 2015 earthquake to manage the crisis. The group expresses gratitude for global support as it continues to assist over 430 people housed in schools.
Mgr Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s secretary for relations with states, visited the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, Russia. He was accompanied by Apostolic Nuncio Mgr Giovanni d’Aniello and welcomed by Igor Yakimchuk of the Russian Orthodox Church. This visit followed a meeting with Metropolitan Antonij on August 25. The delegation toured the historic building, which was originally built in the 19th century, destroyed by Soviet authorities in 1931, and rebuilt in the 1990s. According to the report, the archbishop viewed historical artifacts and prayed before the icon of the Virgin of Vladimir. The visit highlights ongoing diplomatic and religious engagement between the Holy See and the Russian Orthodox Church in the capital.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 4 outlets
Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church described July 2026 as the deadliest month of the ongoing war in Ukraine. He highlighted UN data showing hundreds of civilian deaths and thousands of injuries, attributing the surge to high-tech drone strikes targeting urban centers. Shevchuk argued that advanced technology makes civilian casualties intentional rather than accidental, violating international humanitarian law. Marking Ukraine’s 35th independence anniversary, he emphasized that freedom requires moral responsibility and prayer for peace. The Archbishop urged reflection on the value of liberty while condemning the ethical implications of modern warfare tactics used against civilians in cities like Kyiv and Kherson.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 6 outlets
A senior religious custodian described the situation in contested territories as dramatic and exhausting for local populations. Speaking to a major news outlet, he highlighted a severe economic crisis driving families to consider leaving the region. He emphasized that peace requires diplomacy and dialogue rather than violence, supporting calls for a two-state solution. He noted that Christians share the fate of other residents and urged people far from conflict zones to stay informed to avoid polarization and hatred.
The Catholic community in Songon Dagbe, Cote d'Ivoire, concluded a jubilee year celebrating a century of evangelization on August 23. Bishop Jean-Salomon Lezoutié consecrated the restored Saint-Étienne parish church during the solemnity. In his homily, the bishop urged believers to reflect on their Christian conduct and address the challenge of engaging youth in church life. Parish priest Habid Tondjui Danho emphasized the need to prepare future generations for ministry. Organizers described the event as a new chapter for mission, calling for peace and continued faithfulness to Christ in the region.
Sister Liji Payyapilly, an Indian nun serving in Ukraine, told Vatican News that Russian bombs have not shaken the Ukrainian people's faith or desire for freedom. Although originally from India, she has lived in the country for twenty-five years. She visited war-torn cities including Kherson, Dnipro, and Kharkiv to witness the suffering firsthand. She described scenes of hunger and destruction but also noted the resilience of civilians who remain grateful to God. The nun emphasized that Ukrainians are fighting only to live on their land and defend their dignity against aggression.
Pope Leo XIV met with representatives of the Marsodeto Federation in Vatican City to mark its 45th anniversary. The group, founded in Toledo, Spain, supports over 2,700 individuals with intellectual disabilities and cerebral palsy. The Pope praised the organization's dedication to human dignity and inclusion. He emphasized that caring for the vulnerable reveals Christ and strengthens faith. The Pontiff encouraged continued solidarity and charity, noting that such efforts help society grow. This meeting highlighted the Church's commitment to supporting families affected by disability through practical aid and spiritual encouragement.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 6 outlets
In Tanzania, the COLU sisters have launched Usambara Mountain TV in Lushoto to spread the Gospel via television and social media. Founded in July 2024, the channel aims to reach young people and broader audiences with educational and faith-based content. Sister Paulina T. Mshana, the director, states that digital platforms allow the congregation to share their message beyond immediate communities. Despite challenges like limited resources and internet access, the initiative seeks to inspire youth and provide spiritual guidance through modern media.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 11 outlets
Father Ibrahim Faltas, director of the Custody of the Holy Land schools, told Vatican News from Jerusalem that conditions in the West Bank and Gaza are deteriorating. He reported increased settler violence, including attacks on homes in Qusra, Jenin, and Hebron, and accusations that Israeli forces tolerate these acts. Faltas highlighted the urgent need for a two-state solution and criticized the E1 plan for isolating Palestinian cities. Additionally, he warned that 170 teachers from the West Bank lack permits to work in Jerusalem, threatening school reopenings. The priest also noted the exodus of Christian families and ongoing civilian deaths in Gaza.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 2 outlets
Pope Leo XIV called for international mobilization to combat the Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, particularly in the eastern region. Following the Angelus prayer, the Pontiff expressed solidarity with victims and urged global cooperation alongside local communities to prevent further spread. This appeal aligns with United Nations warnings regarding the virus's exponential growth in the Ituri province, where over 2,500 deaths have been recorded since early this year. Additionally, the Pope prayed for victims of a mine collapse in the Central African Republic and commemorated the tenth anniversary of the 2016 earthquake in central Italy.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 1 other outlet
Pope Leo XIV visited Rimini, Italy, on August 22, following a pastoral trip to San Marino. He addressed participants at the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples, an event organized by the Communion and Liberation movement. The Pope emphasized preserving unity and building a civilization of love amidst global crises. He encouraged young people to embrace true catholicity and reject narrow-mindedness. According to Vatican News, he highlighted that the Church grows through attraction rather than proselytism. The event, dedicated to Dante’s Divine Comedy, aims to foster dialogue and hope across different cultures and nations.
Church leaders and Sant'Egidio Community members gathered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, on August 19 to honor migrants who died seeking a better life in Europe. George Adon of Sant'Egidio stated the event aimed to break the silence surrounding these deaths. Bishop Jean-Pierre Tiémélé urged African leaders and families to address the root causes of irregular migration, such as social injustice. Meanwhile, Father Emmanuel Aka Amon highlighted efforts to support returning migrants through psychological and financial aid. The International Organization for Migration reports a sharp rise in migrant fatalities in the Mediterranean in 2026.
The first edition of the West African Catholic Youth Days will take place in a city in Ghana in 2026. Organized by the Episcopal Conference of West Africa, the event will bring together young people from sixteen countries in the region. A priest explains that the initiative aims to make youth agents of peace and hope amid regional instability. The theme focuses on courage and faith, encouraging participants to act as missionaries in their communities. This gathering seeks to foster dialogue, pastoral accompaniment, and active participation in church and society, serving as a prophetic sign for a resilient West Africa.
Pope Leon XIV will preside over an interreligious meeting in Metz, France, on the morning of September 28 during his upcoming apostolic journey. The Catholic Church views such dialogue as essential for fostering fraternity and peace, aiming to dismantle fear and exclusivism. Philosopher Ghaleb Bencheikh emphasizes that recognizing shared values like mercy and respect for life is crucial for building a pacified relationship between peoples. This event follows the tenth anniversary of the murder of Father Jacques Hamel in Saint-Etienne du Rouvray, serving as a reminder of the need to reject fanaticism and promote mutual enrichment among different faith traditions.
Jean-Charles Bitty, an Ivorian producer and screenwriter, is promoting Catholic evangelization through film in Côte d'Ivoire. His debut movie, 'Dans le viseur du diable,' explores spiritual struggles and moral temptations facing young people. The film features Father Abekan, an exorcist from the Archdiocese of Abidjan, and received support from Cardinal Ignace Bessi Dogbo. Bitty created the project using personal funds to address societal challenges and spread Christian values. This initiative aims to reach both believers and non-believers, positioning cinema as a vital tool for modern evangelization in Africa.
Translated from FrançaisAlso reported by 1 other outlet
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