Vatican & World News

-   US Vice-President Vance says the US and Iran are “very close” to a peace deal -   Romanian authorities say that Russia has struck an apartment building in eastern Romania, injuring two -   We speak to the Archbishop of New York about Pope Leo's recent encyclical letter on artificial intelligence

-   Pope Leo XIV upholds evangelisation as a witness that attracts others through the call to love and truth -   Cardinal Cupich reflects on the Pope’s just-released encyclical on AI, noting it offers a new lens for the Church’s Social Doctrine -   A landmark agreement between the Holy See and Italy sees concrete action putting the Vatican on the path to becoming the first state in the world to produce 100% clean energy

-   A top computer scientist reacts to Pope Leo’s encyclical Magnifica humanitas -   A Silicon Valley parish priest highlights the importance of dialogue between the Church and the tech world -   We look back at the first social doctrine encyclical in the history of the Church

-   Pope Leo XIV presents his first ever encyclical, “Maginifica Humanitas”, at the Synod Hall in Rome. -   A number of experts, professors, and clergy comment on the importance and meaning of this new encyclical on preserving human dignity in the time of artificial intelligence.

-   Pope Leo’s first encyclical will be published next week. -   Mary’s Meals’ Country Director in Malawi recounts the reality facing children in the country today and the opportunities the program continues to offer young girls and boys. -   The Pope praises the work of The Catholic Extension Society, encouraging their continued support for poor and isolated Catholic communities in the United States and abroad.

-   Pope Leo will travel to France from September 25-28 this year. -   One Pakistani bishop shares his hopes for the future and the hardships the Church faces in the country following the bishops’ ad limina visit with Pope Leo. -   Ahead of WYD 2027, volunteers in Seoul are creating a special 'Cross of Peace' made up of barbed wire from the demilitarized zone between North and South Korea.

-   The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issues a new warning to the Society of St. Pius X against carrying out episcopal ordinations without a pontifical mandate. -   At least 380 Lebanese have been killed in Israeli strikes despite an April 16 temporary cessation of hostilities agreed between the two countries. -   On the feast day of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Leo emphasizes how the Blessed Virgin Mary is the perfect model, member and mother of the Church.

-   Students of the Sapienza University of Rome are preparing to welcome Pope Leo on Thursday. -   Over 200 Ethiopians are reportedly at risk of being executed in Saudi Arabia. -   A look-back on the day, forty-five years ago, when Pope John Paul II was attacked in St. Peter’s Square.

-   Pope Leo calls religions to work together toward peace and warns against instrumentalising God for military, economic or political gain -   The Pope also appeals for renewed commitment to peace and development in the Sahel region -   Negotiations for an agreement between the U.S and Iran are at a standstill as both sides claim continuing clashes and violations in the Straight of Hormuz

-   Pope Leo begins his series of pastoral visits around Italy with a visit to Pompei and Naples -   On the first anniversary of the Pope’s election, we reflect on his appeals for peace and his dedication to the Second Vatican Council -   We speak to the President of St Jerome’s University in Ontario, Canada, which has just opened the world’s first Pope Francis Institute, about the continuity between the late Pope and his successor Leo XIV

-   The Holy See releases the schedule for Pope Leo XIV’s next international apostolic journey that will take him to Spain in June -   Israeli strikes in Lebanon continue to wreak death and devastation -   At the weekly General Audience, Pope Leo says the Church has a mission to speak out against all that mortifies life

-   The southern Italian city of Pompeii is preparing to welcome the Pope on Friday -   The U.S. military says it is escorting stranded cargo ships through the Strait of Hormuz -   Father Paolo Benanti, an expert on artificial intelligence, talks about the Church and Pope Leo’s contribution to this topic

-   Pope says care for the poor is an integral part of Christian life in a meeting with Catholic Charities USA -   A Palestinian Christian activist speaks about the escalating violence in the West Bank -   Church leaders in Mozambique condemn a new wave of violence after the destruction of a Catholic mission

-   The Pope encourages the Church in all countries to help one another and to bear witness to the truth in charity -   Christian leaders gather in Dubai to participate in the National Ecumenical Prayer for Peace -   During the month of May, Pope Leo urges Catholics to pray that everyone might have food

-   Pope Leo XIV and the Anglican Archbishop of Canterbury agree on the need to continue working to overcome differences -   The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem reflects on how Christians should respond to the ongoing conflict in the Israel-Palestine war -   The apostolic nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea looks back on the legacy of Pope Leo’s visit to the African nations

-   Pope Leo XIV travels to the city of Mongomo in Equatorial Guinea to celebrate Mass and visit a school -   On the eve of the last day of his apostolic journey to the African Continent, he also flies to the coastal city of Bata, where he spends time with prisoners, families and young people

In the headlines, this Tuesday, April 21st: - The Holy Father his begins Apostolic Journey to Equatorial Guinea - The Pope speaks to press on papal flight - Pope Leo remembers his predecessor the late Pope Francis, one year exactly since his passing

- On his third day in Angola, Pope Leo travels to the northeastern city of Saurimo, where he visits the elderly at a care home -  It’s also where he celebrates Mass for over 40,000 faithful, whom he encourages to move beyond divisions created by its war-scarred past - We look ahead to the Pope’s fourth and final leg of the visit as the people of Equatorial Guinea prepare to welcome him

-   Pope Leo appeals for dialogue to end wars in Ukraine and Middle East. -   The Pope encourages Angolans to go forward knowing Jesus is at their side during Mass in Luanda. -   The President of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon reflects on what happens after a Papal visit and the importance of taking action.

-   Pope Leo XIV wraps up the 2nd leg of his apostolic visit in Cameroon, celebrating Mass for some 200,000 faithful -   Our correspondent on the ground highlights some of the salient moments in the past three days -   As the Pope begins his three-day visit to Angola, we look to the hopes of a nation yearning for reconciliation and fraternity

- On the second day of his apostolic visit to Algeria, Pope Leo returns to the lands walked by his spiritual father, St Augustine - He calls for fraternity, reminding the faithful that God’s heart is torn apart by wars, injustice and lies - We look ahead to the second leg of the Pope’s African pilgrimage on the eve of his arrival in Cameroon