Pope Leo XIV will convene a meeting next October in Rome of the presidents of all the world’s Catholic bishops’ conferences to discuss family life.
In his March 19 letter, the pope said the event will provide an opportunity “to proceed, in mutual listening, to a synodal discernment on the steps to be taken in order to proclaim the Gospel to families today, in light of Amoris Laetitia and taking into account what is currently being done in the local Churches.”
Impacts of War, Calls for Peace Intensify
As war in the Middle East continued to intensify, Pope Leo appealed for a ceasefire and renewed diplomatic dialogue.
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin offered an answer to a hypothetical question of what he might say to U.S. President Donald Trump: “to put an end to (the conflict) as soon as possible, because the real danger is that an escalation is just around the corner. I would say: leave Lebanon alone…”
He also urged that Israeli leaders seek “peaceful paths of diplomacy and dialogue.”
Heavy bombing continued this week with air strikes causing energy prices to rise sharply around the world.
Lebanon continues to suffer from Israeli military operations, and the Holy See’s apostolic nuncio visited affected villages. A Franciscan brother in Lebanon offered a ground-level view of the war’s impacts, and the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem decried the conflict, saying, “God is with those who die in war, not with those who abuse His name.”
Meanwhile, the parish priest of the last Christian town on the West Bank of the Jordan River noted the community has come under renewed incursions and violent attacks by Israeli settlers.
Move From Fossil Fuels to Renewable Energy, Bishops Say
Catholic bishops from Africa, Asia, and Latin America have called on governments to adopt a global treaty to halt fossil fuel expansion and guide a just transition to renewable energy.
The bishops say their communities are already experiencing the consequences of climate change and unsustainable economic systems.
From Philadelphia to Rome: Liberty Medal for Pope Leo
The Holy Father will receive the Liberty Medal of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia for his lifelong work to promote religious liberty. He will address guests virtually at Independence Mall on July 3 during celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary. See more coverage on CatholicPhilly.
‘Moral Imperative’ of Universal Health Coverage
Noting what he called growing inequalities in health care, Pope Leo expressed his belief that “Universal health coverage is not merely a technical goal to be achieved; it is primarily a moral imperative for societies that wish to call themselves just,” but also to prevent injustice from becoming a cause of conflict.
Church Making Strides in Digital Space
The Vatican released the Synod’s report on the need for the Church to engage the digital environment as a vital space for evangelization, dialogue, and pastoral accompaniment.
A conference in Rome examined the growing phenomenon of digital evangelization, and how lay, clerical and religious influencers can better proclaim the Gospel in the digital culture that increasingly shapes human relationships and social life.
Separately, a panel in Rome on artificial intelligence highlighted the growing research collaboration of the Pontifical Antonianum University and Mississippi State University.
Lay People, Clergy Share in Christ’s Saving Mission, Pope Says
During his weekly audience, the pope again reflected on the Second Vatican Council’s document “Lumen gentium” which taught that the people of God receive from Christ and through the sacraments of baptism and confirmation their participation in the saving mission of Christ.
Every baptized person, the pope said, “is an active agent of evangelization, called to bear consistent witness to Christ” and it is this common mission that unites ordained ministers and the lay faithful.
Vatican Finances Case Declared a Mistrial by Appeals Court
The Vatican’s Court of Appeal declared a mistrial in an earlier trial concerning the management of the Holy See’s finances, ordering a reexamination of certain witnesses and evidence.
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