The Church in Germany

Pope Leo XIV has selected the theme for the 101st World Mission Day. The Vatican agency for evangelization announced the motto, which is taken from the second letter of Paul: Christ's love sends us.

The international celebration is scheduled for Sunday, October 24, 2027.

Pope Leo XIV received a delegation of pilgrims from Villanova University and the University of Notre Dame at the Paul VI Audience Hall on October 31, 2026. The group included students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters. The Pope greeted Villanova President Father Peter Donohue and Notre Dame President Father Robert Dowd.

During the audience, the Pope spoke about the role of sports in academic communities and society. He noted that the basketball teams from both universities were scheduled to play each other the following day in Rome for the opening of university championships. He described sport as a concrete way to bring people together and a remedy for the distances created by technology. He stated that the Catholic Church promotes a vision of sport centered on human dignity, integral development, education, and relationships, which can promote fraternity, solidarity, and peace.

The Pope, who earned a degree in mathematics from Villanova University, noted that athletic activities can teach cooperation and mutual sharing. He encouraged athletes and fans to move beyond competition to respect and support one another.

Pope Leo XIV has applied to vote by mail in the upcoming United States midterm elections.

Kim Fladhammer, the chief of staff for the Will County secretary office, confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that the Pope is among those who requested mail-in ballots. The Will County office is located southwest of Chicago.

Reports do not specify which candidates the Pope intends to support.

The Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ) expressed understanding for nationwide demonstrations scheduled for Saturday regarding education, health, climate protection, and affordable living, but advised young people to verify information before protesting.

The Holy See has appointed Montserrat Alvarado as the new director of communications. In an interview with EWTN, the American appointee stated that the current period allows for the integration of digital and traditional communication methods.

The German Catholic Day donated approximately 16,000 euros to the Church climate collection to offset carbon dioxide emissions from its meeting in Würzburg. The funds will finance the construction of energy-efficient cookstoves in Kenya.

Pope Leo XIV called for prayer for peace during the midday prayer on Sunday in Rome. Speaking from St. Peter's Square, the Pope stated that wars cause not only death and destruction but also impoverish and damage the world.

The appeal comes as representatives of different religions meet in Assisi for an international peace summit scheduled to continue until Tuesday.

Pope Leo XIV expressed his condolences to the community in Jordan during the Angelus on Sunday, October 25, following an attack on the St. George church in Hammoud. The Pope described the incident as a terrorist attack.

The attack occurred in the Karak governorate on Friday, October 23, when armed men opened fire during a funeral. Eight people died during the shooting and a ninth person died from injuries on Saturday.

Jordanian Interior Minister Mazen al Faraya attributed the violence to an extremist group. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan stated the attack resulted from terrorist ideology and blind extremism. While a message on X attributed to the attackers claimed responsibility on behalf of the Islamic State, Jordanian authorities have not officially linked any specific organization to the attack. Security forces are continuing to search for the perpetrators.

Pope Leo XIV met with participants of an international congress on Friday, October 23, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Faculty of Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University. During a special audience in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope addressed professors, students, and Jesuits regarding the purpose of studying Church law.

The Pope noted that the faculty was established on August 16, 1876, by the mandate of Blessed Pius IX through the Congregation for Studies. He described the faculty's history as a continuation of the academic traditions of the Roman College and the Society of Jesus.

Pope Leo XIV stated that canon law should not be treated merely as a collection of rules to be memorized and applied. Instead, he described it as an essential tool for maintaining ecclesial communion and a means to serve the good of persons. He emphasized that the study of law must integrate justice with truth and mercy.

The Pope encouraged students to move beyond the accumulation of knowledge toward a deeper understanding of reality. He suggested that legal training should foster an ecclesial sense of justice by studying legal sources, traditions, and theological principles.

A group of 35 Brazilian bishops signed a letter published in the newspaper Folha de S. Paulo warning against presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro. The bishops stated that his election would threaten democracy, national sovereignty, and the common good. They also expressed concern that Brazil would become subordinate to the United States under his leadership.

The letter comes before the October 25 runoff election between Bolsonaro and the incumbent president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro, a candidate for the Liberal Party and son of former president Jair Bolsonaro, won the first round of the election with 47% of the vote.

The bishops expressed support for Lula da Silva, who represents the Workers Party. Bolsonaro has campaigned on reducing taxes and public spending, implementing tougher crime policies, and strengthening ties with Israel and the United States. Lula da Silva has proposed expanding welfare programs, increasing environmental protections, and increasing involvement with the global South.