The Church in Italy

The Diocese of Cagliari held two days of celebrations at the Basilica of Saint Saturnino on Thursday, October 29, and Friday, October 30. The events marked the opening of the pastoral year and honored the city's patron saint.

The diocesan community gathered for the celebrations to renew its connection to the history and identity of the city.

The Diocese of Cremona has published a new edition of its monthly digital magazine, Riflessi Magazine.

Titled Artifici, this edition explores how human ingenuity and manual work have shaped territories and lifestyles through history.

The Diocese of Arezzo-Cortona-Sansepolcro has reported the death of Don Zeno Gori, who died on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the age of 88.

Born in Sestino on August 8, 1938, Gori was ordained a priest on June 29, 1963. He held several positions in the Valtiberina region, serving as a dean, the parish priest of San Paolo and Trebbio, and the chaplain of the hospital in Sansepolcro. He had been retired since July 7, 2024.

The funeral for Don Zeno Gori is scheduled for November 2, 2026, at 11:30 a.m. at the parish church of San Paolo in Sansepolcro.

The dioceses of Frosinone-Veroli-Ferentino and Anagni-Alatri held an interdiocesan Day for Creation on Sunday, October 25. The event took place at Volubro in Acuto to facilitate common prayer, reflection, and contemplation.

Organized by the offices for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue of both dioceses, the gathering included members of various Christian churches. For the first time, Father Vasile, the priest for the community in Frosinone, attended alongside representatives from the New Apostolic Church, Stefano Cacciatore and Ariel.

Other participants included the priest of Acuto, Pierluigi Nardi, the mayor of Acuto, Augusto Agostini, and Antonello Pacella, the director of the social pastoral office for the Diocese of Anagni-Alatri. Participants traveled from Acuto, Anagni, Fiuggi, Frosinone, and Rome.

The Archdiocese of Naples will hold liturgical celebrations for the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed.

Don Mimmo Battaglia will preside over a Mass at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, November 2, at the Chiesa Madre of the Poggioreale monumental cemetery.

Confraternities from the Diocese of Castellaneta gathered in Massafra on Friday, 30 October 2026, for the diocesan walk.

Members of the confraternities began the procession at the Antica Chiesa Madre, carrying a statue of the Madonna della Scala. The procession concluded at the San Lorenzo M. parish, where Mons. Sabino Iannuzzi presided over the Mass.

The Archdiocese of Cagliari opened the 2026-2027 pastoral year at the Cathedral during the liturgical memorial of St. Saturnine, the patron saint of the city.

The theme for the new year is "Rooted and built in Christ." The Archdiocese intends to use this period to renew community life through encounters with Christ and to improve how the Church communicates with the people.

The exhibition featuring the works and reflections of Father Costantino Ruggeri is nearing its conclusion at the Belluno-Feltre Diocesan Museum. The display has been open since August 4.

The Diocese of Trento will hold elections to renew its pastoral councils and parish committees on Sunday, November 22, 2026. The vote will include all pastoral zones in the diocese except for Vallagarina. Elections in Vallagarina are postponed to a later date because Archbishop Lauro Tisi is currently conducting a pastoral visit in that area.

The pastoral councils serve as consultative bodies for discernment and participation. These councils, composed of priests and laity, focus on inter-parish matters such as liturgy, charity, and the proclamation of the Gospel. The parish committees provide direct support for the life of individual parishes, particularly in areas where a single priest serves multiple locations.

The Diocese of Udine will host a conference on Friday, November 6, to mark the 350th anniversary of the birth of Gian Domenico Bertoli. The event, titled "The Rediscovery of Aquileia: Gian Domenico Bertoli and Antiquarian Culture in the Eighteenth Century," will take place in the Hall Scrosoppi at the Udine Seminary.

Monsignor Sandro Piussi, director of the diocesan office for cultural heritage, will open the proceedings with a presentation on Roman and Christian Aquileia. Massimo Lavarone will discuss Bertoli's role in the development of archaeological research in Aquileia, while Paolo Pastres will address antiquarian culture in Friuli during the first half of the 1700s. Roberto Feruglio and Alberto Vidon will present on Bertoli's place within the 18th-century intellectual community. Admission to the conference is free.

The Diocese of Aversa has released the project details and membership forms for the 2026-2027 school path of the sixteenth Festival of Peoples.

The program focuses on the theme of human dignity and follows a vision from Pope Leo XIV regarding the value of the human person. The educational initiative uses culture as a tool to promote social inclusion, peaceful coexistence, and the prevention of violence. The project includes workshops and moments of reflection designed for people of all ages to encourage solidarity with immigrant communities and promote a culture of welcome.

Archbishop Erio Castellucci ordained Sebastian Monteleone as a deacon on Saturday, 24 October, at the Abbey of Nonantola.

Monteleone, 26, is from Pavullo and serves in Cibeno di Carpi. During the ordination, Archbishop Castellucci told the new deacon that the commandment of love is the heart of the Gospel and the meaning of the diaconate. The Archbishop described the deacon as a servant of Christ for a Church that brings the love of God to the world and reaches the most fragile.

Monteleone previously told local media that he discovered his vocation at age 11 while serving at the altar and working with catechism students. He stated that he did not become a deacon for himself, but for the Church and the community.

Don Bruno D'Andrea, the parish priest of Attimis, Forame, and Subit, died Thursday, October 29, at a hospital in Udine. He would have turned 86 on December 8.

Archbishop Riccardo Lamba will preside over the funeral Mass on Tuesday, November 3, at 15:00 in the parish church of Attimis. The church will open at 09:00 that day for prayer. On Monday, November 2, the casket will be received at the church of Attimis at 16:00 for a Mass for the deceased, followed by the Rosary at 20:00.

Born in Campeglio in 1940, D'Andrea was ordained a priest in 1965 by Archbishop Giuseppe Zaffonato. After serving as a parochial vicar in Porpetto, he began missionary work in Araçuaì, Brazil, in 1966. He returned to Friuli in 1972 to serve as parish priest of Purgessimo for one year before returning to Brazil. His death follows the passing of Don Vittorino Ghenda on October 1.

Bishop Claudio will celebrate the Eucharist at the Cappella del Cimitero Maggiore in Padova on Monday, November 2, at 15.00.

A procession along the viali del Cimitero and the blessing of the tombs will occur after the celebration. The Diocese of Padova has invited presbiteri, diaconi, religiosi, religiosie, and the Christian communities of the city to attend.

Father Tiziano Molteni will begin his new assignment at the parishes of Isola and Roffia on Sunday, November 1. During an 11:00 a.m. Mass at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel in Roffia, Bishop Giovanni Paccosi will preside over the priest's formal entrance into these communities.

Father Molteni, a member of the Betharramite order, is moving after serving in Ponte a Elsa since 1981. He arrived there as an assistant priest and later became the pastor in 1990.

Bishop Claudio Palumbo presided over the closing Mass of Missionary October at Madonna Grande on October 29, 2026.

The event served as the diocesan missionary day for the Diocese of Termoli-Larino. During the solemn concelebration, Father Pietro Migliozzi, a Camillian who served as a missionary in Chile for 17 years, provided a testimony. The occasion included the presentation of the solidarity project in Tanzania titled One in Christ, United in Mission.

Fra Donato Sardella delivered a report during the 2026 conference for the Diocesan Path of Confraternities.

The Diocese of Ivrea family pastoral office will host a community program for families from November 27 to 29 at the Sacra Famiglia house in Challand-Saint-Anselme.

The event, titled Family Field: Relationships that Illuminate, is the first part of this pastoral year's community path dedicated to families. Participants will use specific tools and share family experiences to learn how to understand and direct their emotions toward the good of the family.

The program begins with dinner on Friday, November 27, and concludes after lunch on Sunday, November 29. A Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday in the house chapel. Registration is open via the QR code on the official flyer.

Luigino Bruni will speak at Palazzo Antaldi in Pesaro on Saturday, 7 novembre 2026. The economist and author will lead a discussion titled “Ricchezza, povertà e comunione alla luce del Vangelo.”

The event is organized by the Caritas Diocesana di Pesaro and is open to the public. It is scheduled to begin at 17.00 in the Auditorium di Palazzo Antaldi. The meeting intends to examine contemporary economic and social dynamics through a Gospel perspective to encourage reflections on solidarity and fraternity.

The Diocese of Cremona is converting donated fabrics into shopping bags to support La Borsa di sant'Omobono, a diocesan solidarity fund for the poor.

The Association of Artisans of the province of Cremona provides these fabrics annually during the patronal feast Mass on November 13 at the Cremona Cathedral. The bishop receives the offering to honor Saint Omobono, a local tailor. The proceeds from the bags will support the diocesan Caritas.

The Archdiocese of Lucca is hosting several events during the 60th anniversary of the Lucca Comics and Games festival, which runs from October 28 to November 1.

As part of the "Fede e Fumetto" initiative, the Archdiocese is presenting the "NAGASAKI ‘45" exhibition at the Church of San Cristoforo. In collaboration with the Comitato Amici di Takashi e Midori Nagai, the exhibition features the work of French comic artist Nathalie Fourmy regarding the faith of the Nagai couple following the atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945. The exhibition opened on Wednesday, October 28.

Other activities include the "Francigena: una via, mille racconti" exhibition at the Church of San Salvatore and a competition for young people based on the festival theme, "Legacy." The official festival program also includes an Islamic-Christian dialogue meeting to present the "40 Sufi Comics."

The Theological Institute of Basilicata "Mons. Giuseppe Vairo" will inaugurate its 2026/2027 academic year on Friday, November 6, 2026. The ceremony is scheduled for 18:00 at the Auditorium dell’Immacolata in Potenza. The institute is an academic institution of the Pontificia Facoltà Teologica dell’Italia Meridionale of Napoli.

Vito Mignozzi will deliver a lectio magistralis. Mignozzi is the Preside della Facoltà Teologica Pugliese, an Ordinario di Teologia Dogmatica, and a Consultore Teologo at the Dicastero per le Cause dei Santi. He was appointed by Pope Francis as an Esperto for the XVI Assemblea Generale Ordinaria del Sinodo dei Vescovi and is a member of the Presidenza del Cammino Sinodale delle Chiese in Italia.

The lecture will reflect on the contribution of Pope Francis to the change of the Church and its consequences in society. The presentation will address the effects on the Church and society in Basilicata. The event will include archbishops and bishops of Basilicata, directors, the corpo docente, students, and administrative collaborators.

The Note dei Santi event will take place at Ca’ Verta on Saturday, October 31. The evening begins with a potluck dinner, followed by music and adoration from 21:00 to 22:30.

Bishop Michele will preside over the funeral of Don Siro Zorzi on Tuesday, November 3, at 10:30 am at the parish church in Frescada. The body will be interred in the cemetery at Biancade.

The Diocese of Treviso has scheduled Rosary prayer services at the following times: Thursday, October 29, at 20:00 in the Norma Cossetto park in Dosson and at 20:30 in the parish church of Maerne; Friday, October 30, at 19:00 in Porcellengo; and Monday, November 2, at 20:30 at the parish church in Frescada.

Official figures report more than 1,450 deaths and over 5,500 missing people two months after a mudslide and flood devastated 42 kilometers of territory in Nepal. The disaster, which occurred on August 26, 2026, affected areas from the Tibet autonomous region border to the Dadhing district, destroying riverbeds in the Raswa and Nuwakot districts.

Caritas Italiana reports that the flood caused extensive damage to housing, infrastructure, and the local economy. Seven of the 14 hydroelectric plants in the region were completely destroyed. The disaster also impacted the trade route to China, which previously moved tons of goods daily through the affected area.

The riverbed has risen from 4 meters to 12 meters due to accumulated debris, making reconstruction difficult. While temporary bridges now allow access to remote areas and survivors have found shelter in reception centers or with relatives, the scale of the loss to commercial and government buildings remains significant.

Bishop Alfonso Raimo appointed Don Matteo Antonelli as Vicar General and moderator of the Curia for the Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia. The announcement was made on October 28 during a clergy assembly.

Don Matteo Antonelli served as diocesan administrator from April 20 to October 24, 2026. He is the parish priest of Nostra Signora di Fatima in Gabelletta and serves as episcopal vicar for the Apostolato dei Laici and episcopal vicar for the Diaconato e i Ministeri istituiti. He is also the assistant for Azione Cattolica diocesana e Giovani.

Born in Narni on October 10, 1976, Don Matteo was ordained a priest on December 8, 2009, in the Cattedrale di Terni by Bishop Vincenzo Paglia. He studied at the Liceo Classico di Terni and the Pontificio Seminario Regionale Umbro “Pio XI” of Assisi and the Istituto Teologico Assisi. He also attended the Istituto Patristico “Agostiniano” in Rome.

The Servizio Diocesano per l’Accoglienza dei Fedeli Separati (SDAFS) has been operating at the diocesan pastoral center in Trani since October 1.

To mark the ten years since its institution, the SDAFS released a new graphic design for its brochure. The document explains the goals, recipients, operating methods, and contacts for the service, which is available freely and without charge.

The Bishop of Albenga-Imperia has appointed several priests to new roles within the diocese.

Father Sandro Marsano has returned to the communities of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, San Bartolomeo, and Sant’Andrea in Conna to serve as parochial vicar following his studies in Rome. In Borgo Fondura, Father MarkAnthony Urubusi has arrived as the new parochial vicar of San Giuseppe, succeeding Father Ferruccio Zammattaro. Father Joseph Jude Kalathil will serve as the pastoral leader for Moltedo, Montegrazie, Cantalupo, and Caramagna.

Father Giuseppe Radice has been appointed pastor at Santa Maria Immacolata in Loano, with Father David Junior Tchamatou serving as parochial vicar. Father Raffaello Bertocci will also be present in the community.

Father Pawel Karol Chmiel has become parochial vicar of the Basilica of San Nicolò in Pietra Ligure. Father Enrico Giovannini succeeds Father Fabrizio Tonelli as the new spiritual assistant of the Movimento del Cursillo di Cristianità. Father Giacomo Porro will maintain his current duties while becoming the ecclesiastical assistant of the Agesci “Alpi Liguri” zone and the parish administrator of Sant’Agata in Imperia.

The Diocese of Como will hold a meeting for shrine rectors and all confessors on Tuesday, November 17, 2026, at the diocesan seminary.

The program includes the midday prayer and a greeting from the diocesan delegate. A presentation will address the spiritual life of the confessor to help discern the work of God and the action of the evil one in penitents.

Don Luigi Maria Epicoco will speak on the Eucharist at San Miniato Basso on Friday, October 30. The event, titled "Eucharist, Heart of the Church," is organized by the diocesan service for perpetual adoration and begins at 21.15.

Epicoco is a theologian, writer, and priest of the Archdiocese of L'Aquila. He serves as an ecclesiastical assistant for the Dicastery and is an editorialist for L'Osservatore Romano, appointments made by Pope Francis in June 2021. His recent work includes a book on the life of Saint Maximilian Kolbe. The meeting is intended to help the Christian community deepen its understanding of the Eucharistic mystery.

The Diocese of Verona has scheduled retreats for its priests and deacons for the 2026-2027 liturgical-pastoral year.

Unified retreats will be held on Thursday, February 11, 2027, at the Cathedral and on Thursday, June 3, 2027, at the Santuario Madonna della Corona.

Zone retreats are scheduled for Thursday, November 5, 2026; Thursday, December 3, 2026; Thursday, March 4, 2027; and Thursday, May 6, 2027, starting at 9.30.

The Diocese of Brescia scheduled a discussion on war for Wednesday, November 11, at 17:00 as part of Dialoghi in Biblioteca 2026 – Secondo ciclo.

Gabriele Scalmana will lead the session, which explores a history of violence and cooperation.

Bishop Michele Morandi will ordain seminarian Matteo Cattani as a deacon on Sunday, November 15, 2026, at 18.00 at the Faenza Cathedral Basilica.

A gathering will follow the ceremony at the Pio XII Seminary in Faenza.

Bishop Calogero Peri of Caltagirone has published a book titled "Francesco ipse Christus. Identità di un vero figlio di Dio" and will donate all sales proceeds to children in Gaza. The volume, published by Respiro Edizioni, features a preface by Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa.

The work examines the life of St. Francis of Assisi in light of the 800th anniversary of his death. Bishop Peri argues that Francis was not merely an imitator of Christ, but embodied a specific Christian identity.

The Diocese of Caltagirone will begin distributing the book during the Diocesan Pastoral Assembly at the Bishop's Seminary.

Bishop Daniele Salera will confer mandates to diocesan catechists during a Mass at the Cathedral on November 8, 2026. The event follows a formation meeting at the ex seminario minore.

The Archbishop of Bologna and Nello Scavo will hold a dialogue regarding a collection of writings by the Pope in collaboration with the Vatican Publishing House.

The Diocese of Aversa has published the transcript of a speech by Giuseppe Notarstefano and a worksheet for use in parishes. Notarstefano delivered the address on October 27, 2026, at the Cathedral Church during the assembly marking the start of the 2026–2027 pastoral year.

The worksheet provides topics for reflection intended for parish councils, associations, and assembly groups. Following these discussions, groups are asked to submit one or two brief, realistic proposals to the diocesan curia via email. The diocese plans to collect these summaries around January to prepare for a new diocesan assembly scheduled for the first half of next year.

The Diocese of Trento will hold a monthly prayer vigil for vocations on Thursday, November 5. The event, titled "With the Eyes of God," is open to all communities within the diocese.

The theme for this month's adoration is "Aspire to great things, to holiness, wherever you are." This theme uses words from Pope Leo XIV addressed to young people during the Jubilee of Youth.

Archbishop Lauro will attend the vigil at the parish church in Mori. This visit occurs during his pastoral visit to the Vallagarina area.

Lombardy recorded 99,898 hospitalizations of patients from other Italian regions in 2023, according to data from the Ministry of Health presented on October 26. These figures represent acute care admissions under ordinary regimes. During the same period, 46,120 residents from Lombardy were hospitalized in other regions, resulting in a net positive balance of 53,778 admissions for the region.

The data was presented at Palazzo Lombardia during a meeting titled "A New Model of Socio-Sanitary Reception – Project 3,000," organized by CasAmica ODV in collaboration with the Lombardy Region. The report notes that 71.1% of the healthcare attraction in Lombardy involves accredited private facilities, compared to a national average of 54.5%.

Financially, Lombardy earned 1.12 billion euros in credits for services provided to patients from other regions, while owing 476 million euros, leaving an active balance of 645.8 million euros. Nationally, hospitalizations outside a patient's home region totaled 691,640 in 2023, an increase from 7.2% in 2004 to 8.6% this year.

Archbishop Leonardo D’Ascenzo delivered a homily during the Puglia Choirs Festival in Barletta on October 25, 2026. The event was part of the Musica Divina 2026 festival, which brought together various choral groups from the Puglia region to perform sacred and liturgical music.

The Theological Training School of the Archdiocese of Fermo begins its educational program on Saturday, November 7, 2026.

The school offers a structured scientific curriculum for anyone wishing to study the reasons of the faith. While the program is open to all, parish priests may invite individuals to participate as part of training for various ecclesial ministries.

Bishop Antonio Napolioni began a pastoral visit to the various religious communities within the Diocese of Cremona on Thursday, October 29.

The visits take place during the 2026/27 pastoral year. The Diocese of Cremona stated that these meetings do not have administrative or legal authority, but serve as an opportunity for shared discernment regarding the condition of consecrated life.

The schedule for these visits was announced in September during a diocesan pilgrimage to the Sanctuary of Caravaggio.

Don Fulvio Bresciani will lead a meeting on the theme of sin for the Diocesan Seminary of New Life in the Spirit on Tuesday, November 3. The event begins at 21:00 at the Chiesa di Cristo Risorto in Pesaro.

The Archdiocese of Pesaro and the Rinnovamento nello Spirito Santo movement organized the seminar. Bresciani is a priest from the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia and a leader within the Rinnovamento nello Spirito Santo movement. The seminar is open to anyone seeking to renew their faith or discover divine grace.

Archbishop Lauro Tisi led a contemplative walk titled "Passi e Parola" through the countryside of Nogaredo and Villa Lagarina on Sunday, October 25. The walk was part of his pastoral visit to the Vallagarina region.

The group departed from Palazzo Libera and traveled through the agricultural landscape of the area. The itinerary included walking, listening to the Word of God, singing, and prayer. The walk focused on the connections between faith, nature, and human labor.

Participants visited several local sites, including the Madonna Mora shrine, to reflect on popular faith and its ties to farming life. The program used the account of the disciples on the road to Emmaus to frame the journey.

Pope Leo XIV will meet with Italian priests on December 11 and 12. The gathering is part of a program titled "A Fidelity that Generates the Future," organized by the Italian Episcopal Conference in collaboration with the Dicastery for the Clergy.

The program begins on Friday, December 11, at the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura. Participants will arrive at 17:00, and Mons. Giuseppe Baturi will preside at 18:00.

The meeting concludes on Saturday, December 12, with an audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Basilica di San Pietro. Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, stated that the event serves to provide mutual support and concrete fraternity for pastors.

The Censis institute will host a meeting on November 4 at 18:00 at the Accademia Nazionale di San Luca in Rome. The event marks 50 years since the 1976 ecclesial convention titled “Evangelizzazione e promozione umana.”

The meeting will examine the social contribution of the Catholic community and its presence in contemporary reality. Giuseppe De Rita stated that the Church must redesign its intellectual and political posture as a collective subject within a pluralistic and polycentric cultural and social framework.

Speakers include Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, archbishop of Bologna and president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, historian Andrea Riccardi, Massimo Franco, and Giuseppe De Rita.

The Diocese of Locri-Gerace-Santa Maria di Polsi has resumed vocational pastoral activities at the S. Luigi Seminary in Locri. The program includes several initiatives for priests, religious, and the lay faithful.

The S. Luigi Seminary and the diocesan vocation center will host Giovedì Vocazionali in Seminario to encourage prayer for vocations. These prayer sessions will be led by the various vicariates within the diocese. The diocese is also continuing its Weekend Vocazionali, now in its 6th year. These residential weekend retreats are open to men and women between the ages of 15 and 30 and include visits to local parishes.

The seminary will also hold its second edition of Venerdì culturali del Seminario to provide cultural formation for priests and others.

The Servizio Nazionale per l’insegnamento della religione cattolica will hold a training course for 120 teachers from all Italian regions from November 1 to 4 in Assisi. The program, organized in collaboration with the Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito, will take place at the Hotel Domus Pacis in Santa Maria degli Angeli.

The course focuses on the theological, educational, and didactic dimensions of poverty. Participants will engage in lectures and workshops to discuss how to communicate these themes to students. Father Roberto Pasolini, a preacher for the Casa Pontificia, is scheduled to speak on the beatitude of poverty during the opening sessions on November 2.

Don Alberto Gastaldi, head of the Servizio Nazionale per l’Irc, said the course allows teachers to study specific themes and exchange ideas. Other scheduled sessions include a lecture by Cristina Carnevale on autobiographical narrative in the teaching of Catholic religion.

Archbishop Riccardo Lamba will meet with the mayors of 124 municipalities within the Archdiocese of Udine on Thursday, November 5. The meeting will consist of a Holy Mass at the Oratorio della Purità in Piazza Duomo, Udine.

The Archbishop scheduled the gathering to coincide with the anniversary of the death of Giorgio La Pira, the former mayor of Florence. In an invitation to the mayors, Archbishop Lamba referenced Pope Leo XIV’s document *Magnifica humanitas*, noting that the memory of peacemakers demonstrates how grace generates a creative resistance to evil.

Archbishop Lamba will present his message for the 2026/2027 pastoral year, titled "Che cosa è mai l’uomo perché te ne curi?"

Archbishop Lauro Tisi led a diocesan missionary vigil on Friday, October 23, at the Sacra Famiglia church in Rovereto. The event marked the beginning of a journey toward the centenary of missionary pastoral work in the Diocese of Trento, which will conclude in November 2027.

The vigil followed the theme "One in Christ, united in mission." People walked from five different points in the city to the church, carrying symbols representing welcome, compassion, service, and sharing. Six testimonies were shared to represent different aspects of mission, including Ettore, a layperson; Marilena, a Caritas volunteer; Victorine, a migrant woman; fra Oscar, a missionary in Tanzania; Letizia, a member of Word listening groups; and the youth of Sermig of Mori.

Archbishop Tisi described the gathering as a strong moment and a sign of God's action. He noted that the diocese had not held such an intense missionary event in several years. The vigil also took place during the archbishop's pastoral visit to Vallagarina.

Bishop Raimo made a solemn entry into the Narni Co-cathedral on Sunday, October 25. Parish priest Sergio Rossini, Jeanpierre Kalongisa, and various faithful and association representatives met the bishop. The procession included the Terzieri and drummers from the Corsa All’anello historical parade.

Upon reaching the entrance of the ancient church, the bishop kissed the crucifix and was sprinkled with holy water by the faithful as he walked down the central nave.

During the entry, Bishop Raimo spoke of the historical continuity of the local Church. He noted the diverse realities of the communities across the territory, including those facing challenges such as population aging, migration, and changing labor conditions.

Bishop Erio Castellucci will preside over a thanksgiving Mass at the Carpi Cathedral on Saturday, November 14, at 18:00. The liturgy marks the 40th anniversary of Notizie, the weekly news publication of the Diocese of Carpi. The Corali Riunite of the Diocese of Carpi will provide the music for the celebration.

A concert titled Incoronati will take place at the cathedral on Saturday, November 21, at 21:00. The performance will feature more than one hundred singers, soloists, and musicians.

Caritas Italiana has listed various local activities organized by diocesan communities for the 2026 World Day of the Poor. The organization is updating the list of regional initiatives as they are reported.

In Lombardy, Bergamo will host a week for the poor featuring a photography exhibition and activities for people with disabilities, while Cremona will hold an event centered on food as a sign of charity. Lodi has scheduled several appointments for the day. In Livorno, activities include youth programs, a Mass, and a lunch on the cathedral square, while Pistoia will hold training sessions and a fraternity lunch.

Other regional programs include a day of fraternity for families and fragile persons in Frascati, Lazio. In Ancona-Osimo, Marche, the schedule includes animation tools for children, a prayer vigil, and a lunch with the poor. The Abruzzo-Molise, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia, Piemonte e Valle d’Aosta, Puglia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Triveneto, and Umbria regions also have scheduled moments of encounter and solidarity.

The Diocese of Aversa will begin the 2026-2027 pastoral year with a diocesan assembly at the Cathedral on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, at 19:00. Bishop Angelo Spinillo will preside over the meeting, which follows the biblical theme "Radicati e costruiti in Cristo."

Giuseppe Notarstefano, the national president of Azione Cattolica Italiana, will offer a reflection on the shared mission of laity and consecrated persons. The assembly includes priests, deacons, religious, representatives from parish pastoral councils, and synodal representatives from all communities in the diocese.

The upcoming year focuses on the formation of laity and the responsibility of the baptized within the people of God. This direction follows the post-synodal orientations of the Italian Church, specifically the documents "Lievito di pace e di speranza" and the guidelines "Radicati e costruiti in Cristo."

The Diocese of Carpi will host two special screenings of the documentary film "Carlo Acutis. The young saint" at Cinema Corso in Carpi. Organized by the diocesan social communications office and the weekly news outlet Notizie, the screenings are scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, at 19 and Wednesday, November 4, at 21.

Directed by Luca Salmaso, the film follows the life of Carlo Acutis, who was born in London on May 3, 1991, and died in Monza on October 12, 2006. The documentary portrays Acutis as a teenager interested in video games, computing, and internet programming while maintaining a strong spiritual vocation. The production features the direct participation of the Acutis family and includes private videos, photographs, and footage from his canonization in Piazza San Pietro.

Professor Roberto Rusconi will lead a discussion titled "San Francesco e il potere" on October 29 at 18:00 at the Museo diocesano – chiesa di Sant’Ignazio in Carpi. The event serves as a presentation for the volume "San Francesco. La vita" and is part of the exhibition "San Francesco ‘da Carpi’. 800 anni, 1000 volti, un legame."

During the meeting, Rusconi will examine the relationship between the saint and the political and religious power dynamics of his time. The exhibition marks the 800th anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi. The event is open to the public.

Rusconi is a founder of the «Rivista di Storia di cristianesimo» and previously served as an ordinary professor of Storia di cristianesimo e delle Chiese at Università Roma Tre.

Abbazia di Montecassino signed an agreement with CAI Spa F.lli Mantova on October 1, 2026, to develop and market the monastery's oil and wine products. The partnership aims to increase the value of the abbey's assets through new commercialization efforts.

Abbot Dom Luca Fallica stated that the agreement aligns with the theme of the upcoming year of light, which serves as a preparation for the 2029 jubilee celebrating the 1500th anniversary of the abbey's founding. Fallica noted that the collaboration with a local company that operates globally strengthens the historical connection between monastic life and the local territory. He also highlighted that the focus on olive groves and vineyards reflects the importance of work, a symbol associated with Saint Benedict.

The Diocese of Melfi–Rapolla–Venosa has published a guide to its diocesan curia to explain the roles and functions of the offices that assist the bishop.

The document describes the curia as a community of priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and lay faithful who collaborate with the bishop in his ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and guiding the people of God. According to the guide, the curia consists of the bodies and individuals that help the bishop govern the diocese by directing pastoral action, managing administration, and exercising judicial power.

The guide notes that the bishop coordinates the activity of the curia to ensure all offices work harmoniously for the good of the diocese. He may assign this coordination to a moderator of the curia or establish an episcopal council composed of vicars to promote unified pastoral action. The general vicar works across the entire territory, while episcopal vicars assist in specific sectors, zones, or for particular groups of the faithful.

The Vismara Foundation De Petri ETS organized the Vismara Talks 2026 on October 21 and 22 in Cremona. The conference, titled "Inhabiting the limit: the meaning of death between psychology, care, and humanity," took place at the Santa Monica Campus of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart.

The two day event included 16 hours of workshops and training sessions for 250 participants.

Bishop Nazzareno Marconi will celebrate Masses at 10:30 and 18:30 on November 21 during the Feast of the Madonna della Salute at the Church of San Giorgio in Macerata. The day includes rosaries and a 16:30 Mass for the anointing of the sick.

The Diocese of Lucera–Troia published the November 2026 issue of its monthly periodical, Sentieri, in PDF format.

The Istituto Pio Paschini will present a new book about the parish church of Santa Maria del Castello on Friday, October 30, at 17.30. The event will take place at the church in Udine.

The volume, titled *Santa Maria del castello. L’antica pieve di Udine*, was edited by Cesare Scalon and Gianpaolo Trevisan. It is the third publication in a series dedicated to the monuments of the Patriarchate of Aquileia. The book includes twelve contributions and a photographic collection by Luca Laureati.

Archbishop Riccardo Lamba, Luciano Nobile, and Cesare Scalon will open the presentation. Other speakers include Sandro Piussi, director of the diocesan office for cultural heritage and religious buildings; Luca Mor of the Istituto Pio Paschini; and Fabio Franz, curator of the Civic Museums of Udine. Anna Piuzzi will moderate the session, and the Schola Aquileiensis, directed by Claudio Zinutti, will perform music.

The presentation follows the reopening of the church for worship in October 2025, after a nine-year closure for restoration.

The Diocese of Rossano–Cariati reports that a prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit will be held at the Corigliano Rossano prison. The event is for inmates in the medium security circuit.

This prayer is part of the New Life Seminar project, which provides spiritual accompaniment and renewal.

The Umbrian Bishops' Conference assigned new pastoral roles and delegations during its ordinary session at the Pontifical Umbro Seminary "Pio XI" on October 26. These changes follow the appointments of Felice Accrocca as bishop of Assisi-Nocera Umbra-Gualdo Tadino and Alfonso Raimo as bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia.

Luciano Paolucci Bedini, bishop of Città di Castello and Gubbio, is the new secretary of the conference, succeeding Francesco Antonio Soddu, who was appointed by Pope Leo XIV to lead the Archdiocese of Sassari.

Bishop Accrocca is the new delegate for the pastoral area of Evangelization and Liturgy, which includes regional commissions for Catechesis, Liturgy, Missions, Ecumenism, and Interreligious Dialogue. Bishop Raimo is the new delegate for the pastoral area of Carità and Salute, which includes the Delegazione Caritas Umbria, the Fondazione Contro l’Usura, and the regional commissions for Salute and Sociale.

During the meeting, the bishops expressed solidarity with conference president Renato Boccardo following defamatory attacks against him on social media.

The Diocese of Trento will host a prayer and adoration vigil at San Vigilio Cathedral on Saturday, October 31. The event begins at 20.30 and includes Eucharistic adoration until approximately 23.00.

The vigil is part of a national prayer and evangelization initiative organized by the CHARIS Italia National Service of Communion. Local participation is organized by the Nuovi Orizzonti association and the groups Alleanza Dives in Misericordia, Rinnovamento nello Spirito Santo, and Via Pacis.

Don Giampaolo Tomasi, the ecclesiastical assistant for ADIM, will preside. The vigil is open to all.

The Bishop of Rimini issued a letter to the diocese regarding the 2026/2027 pastoral visit. In the letter, the bishop noted that the upcoming visit follows a previous encounter with Pope Leo XIV.

The bishop referenced the Pope's invitation for all baptized persons to practice honesty, benevolence, and solidarity. He stated that authority at every level of the Church, including the Pope, bishops, priests, and deacons, must be lived as service.

The letter connects the current pastoral visit to the renewal process of the universal Church. The bishop cited the teachings of Pope Francis in the encyclical *Evangelii Gaudium* and Pope Leo XIV in the encyclical *Magnifica Humanitas*. He noted these works, alongside the Second Vatican Council, align with the goals of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops regarding communion, participation, and mission.

The Vocational Office of the Diocese of Livorno has introduced Mettiti in Cammino, a new vocational pastoral program for young people.

Pope Leo XIV has declared Oreste Marengo venerable. Bishop Marco Brunetti of Alba received the news of the declaration, noting that Marengo was a native of Diano d’Alba.

Marengo began his Salesian missionary path at age 17. He moved to India in 1923, where he served as the titular bishop of Arsacal and the apostolic administrator of Tura. He died in Tura on July 30, 1998.

Conrad K. Sangma, head of the government of the state of Meghalaya, stated on X that the proclamation is a source of pride for the Garo Hills.

The Abruzzo-Molise regional catechetical formation conference took place in Termoli on Saturday, October 24, 2026, regarding the spirituality of the catechist.

Bishop Claudio Palumbo, the CEAM delegate, led a Lectio Divina during the opening. The morning sessions included presentations by theologian Rosalba Manes and professor Marco Tibaldi, who described catechesis as a living testimony and personal encounter.

After discussing youth language and the Emmaus scene in Caravaggio's painting, participants worked in subgroups to share their pastoral challenges and questions of faith. The conference ended with Vespers and the delivery of the Catechetical Mandate by the bishop, who tasked the participants with their service in their home parishes.

Bishop Domenico Pompili concluded the third edition of the Poeti sociali series in the Diocese of Verona on October 25. The event consisted of several meetings held from October 21 to October 25.

During the closing, Bishop Pompili stated that peace begins when an individual makes space within themselves to encounter others in their real history rather than an imagined one.

Bishop Alfonso Raimo entered the Co-cathedral of Santa Fermina in Amelia on the afternoon of October 25. The entrance ceremony began in Piazza Matteotti, where the mayor of Amelia, Avio Proietti Scorsoni, joined regional councilor Laura Pernazza, local mayors, civil and military authorities, and representatives of the local districts to welcome the bishop.

A procession carried the bishop to the co-cathedral. Upon arrival, Raimo kissed a crucifix held by Father Antonino De Santis, sprinkled the faithful with holy water, and prayed at the tomb of the Servant of God, Monsignor Vincenzo Lojali.

During the liturgy, Raimo stated that Amelia can maintain its history and identity while remaining a full part of the diocese. He noted that local traditions and the memory of its saints serve as a gift to the entire diocese. He specifically mentioned the legacy of Monsignor Lojali, a former bishop of Amelia whose remains are located in the co-cathedral. The celebration included priests from the Amelia and Valle Teverina vicariates and music from the Amelia and Valle Teverina choir.

Don Francisco Garzon Medina will serve as vicar for the parishes within the Manzano Pastoral Collaboration. The Archbishop of Udine assigned this first pastoral role to Garzon Medina, a Colombian priest ordained on October 4.

Garzon Medina will assist parish priest Giovanni “Nino” Rivetti in five parishes: Manzano, Case, Manzinello, Oleis, and San Lorenzo di Soleschiano. The territory also includes the Rosazzo Abbey. Don Lino Bressan, a Salesian, also serves as a pastoral collaborator in the area.

The priest, born in Pitalito, Colombia, moved to Friuli to attend the Castellerio Seminary after meeting Archbishop Andrea Bruno Mazzocato in 2019. He will be presented to the local communities during the 11:00 a.m. Mass at the church in Manzano on Sunday, November 8.

Archbishop Maurizio Aloise presided over Mass at the Sanctuary of St. Francis of Paola in Corigliano-Rossano on October 25, 2026. The celebration was part of the third Clementina Festival.

The liturgy included a solemn blessing of the fields. Attendees included local mayors, farmers, and members of the faithful.

The Bishop of Lucera-Troia presided over Mass at the Concattedrale Basilica in Troia on Sunday, October 25, 2026, to mark the 80th anniversary of the Madonna Incoronata statue's presence in the city. The statue from the Sanctuary of the Incoronata in Foggia remained in Troia from 1943 to 1946.

During the liturgy, the Bishop administered the sacrament of Baptism to a child. Parish priest Don Stefano Mercurio Tronco presented the Bishop with a Marian chasuble on behalf of the community to mark the Bishop's ten years of episcopal ministry in the diocese.

The Bishop noted that he had prayed before the statue of the Madonna Incoronata during his installation in the diocese on February 4, 2017.

Maria Grazia Ventura, president of Agropolis, and Davide Longhi, president of the Sol.Co consortium, discussed the role of networking in the third sector during an episode of the Torrazzo con vista video podcast.

Ventura leads Agropolis, which integrates agriculture and social inclusion in Cremona. Longhi represents Sol.Co, a consortium of local social cooperatives. The guests addressed how networking helps identify talents within vulnerable populations.

Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio, delivered the opening address for the 2026 Spirit of Assisi. During his speech, Riccardi called for a transition from an era of conflict to a period of dialogue.

Riccardi noted that the 2026 gathering commemorates the meeting of religious leaders held in Assisi on October 27, 1986. He observed that while the 1986 meeting occurred during a time when peace was a central political goal, modern history increasingly treats war as a natural occurrence.

The address referenced Pope John Paul II, who sought to establish the 1986 meeting as a day of peace. Riccardi cited the late pope's view that a religious attitude is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of peace. He stated that while peace is rooted in various religious traditions, it is often obscured by historical events.

Pope Leo XIV declared Alessandro Vitetti venerable on October 24, 2026. The Pope signed a decree recognizing the heroic virtue of Vitetti, a priest of the Archdiocese of Rossano-Cariati.

The decision followed an audience with Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints. This recognition is a step in the process toward potential canonization.

Don Raffaele Mennitti blessed a new vehicle for the Misericordia in Chianciano Terme. The blessing took place during a Mass at St. Anthony Church.

The priest Mennitti was joined by priest Carlo Sensani, the parish priest emeritus, and Mayor Grazia Torelli. Numerous volunteers attended the event.

The European Institute of Restoration has completed the restoration of 4 sacristies in Palazzolo Acreide. The project, titled "Restauro, Scienza e Comunità a Palazzolo Acreide – Patrimonio Unesco," began in February 2026 and involved the parishes of San Nicolò Vescovo – Chiesa Madre, the Basilica di San Paolo Apostolo, the Parrocchia di San Sebastiano Martire, and the Parrocchia di San Michele Arcangelo.

The work restored wooden furnishings to make the pieces legible again. The project included an international training program and specialist courses for young restorers from Italy, France, Spain, Slovakia, Romania, China, Guatemala, Chile, Argentina, and Australia.

The program also provided meetings for the citizenship and site visits for schools, residents, and tourists. The project was sponsored by the Touring Club Italiano, the Assessorato dei Beni Culturali e dell’Identità della Regione Siciliana, and the Comune di Palazzolo Acreide.

The bishop of Terni-Narni-Amelia celebrated the Eucharist at the Co-Cathedral of San Giovenale in Narni on October 25, 2026. This mass followed his solemn commencement of episcopal ministry at the Cathedral of Terni the previous evening.

During the liturgy, the bishop spoke of the history of the local Church and the legacy of Saint Giovenale, the first bishop of Narni. He noted that the faith of the diocese is rooted in the early centuries through the ministry of past pastors and the testimony of the people.

The Archdiocese of Ancona-Osimo held an oratory festival on Saturday, October 24, at the San Gaspare del Bufalo parish in Ancona. The event brought together children, young people, and educators from nine different oratories to promote friendship and cooperation among the various pastoral communities.

Participants from the following parishes attended the gathering: Maria SS. Madre di Dio in Torrette, Santa Maria della Misericordia in Ancona, Sant’Antonino Martire in Polverigi, San Biagio, San Nicolò di Bari in Gallignano, San Francesco alle Scale and Santi Cosma e Damiano, San Gaspare del Bufalo, Sacro Cuore di Gesù in via Maratta, and Santa Maria dei Servi.

During the celebration, each oratory contributed one kilogram of colored salt to a large transparent vessel placed before the altar during Holy Mass. The different colors represented the unique identities and histories of each community. The Archdiocese organized the event to encourage mutual acquaintance between parishes, including those that do not yet have a structured oratory.

Bishop Alfonso Raimo began his pastoral ministry in the Diocese of Terni-Narni-Amelia on the afternoon of October 24. During a liturgy at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Raimo took possession of the diocese and was installed at the cathedra.

The installation included the ritual kissing of the crucifix, prayer at the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, and the reading of the decree of appointment. Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, the Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and the Republic of San Marino, attended the ceremony. Raimo expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for the appointment and thanked diocesan administrator Matteo Antonelli for managing the diocese during the transition.

The Eucharistic celebration was concelebrated by several bishops, including Andrea Bellandi of Salerno, Marco Salvi of Civita Castellana, Ivan Maffeis of Perugia-Città della Pieve, Luciano Paolucci Bedini of Gubbio and Città di Castello, and Gualtiero Sigismondi of Orvieto-Todi. Approximately 90 priests and deacons also participated in the rite.

The Bishop's Seminary of Verona has proposed Sentiero 4, an initial vocational discernment program for young people aged 18 and older interested in the priesthood.

Educators from the seminary will lead the program through personal and group accompaniment. The itinerary uses the Word of God to help participants find tools for a greater understanding of themselves and their desires.

The Diocese of Cremona distributed thousands of copies of the Avvenire newspaper in its parishes on Sunday, October 25.

This annual event takes place on the last Sunday of October to promote the Italian Catholic newspaper throughout the diocese. The distribution included parishes across all five pastoral zones, ranging from the Mantovano area to the Bergamasca area.

The Diocese of Rossano–Cariati has begun a training course for extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. The program is currently being held at locations in Mirto and Corigliano Rossano.

The course provides candidates with human and spiritual tools to serve within the diocese's health ministry and its work with the most fragile members of the community.