The Church in Spain

Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves presided over a funeral Mass for victims of a train crash on October 31 at the Saint John the Baptist parish in Urda. The accident occurred on October 28 near the town.

During his homily, Archbishop Cerro Chaves asked society not to forget the tragedy and expressed hope that such events would not be repeated so that people might learn to care more for life. He also thanked the local communities of Urda and Los Yébenes for their service and stated that the Church stands with all victims and those affected by the accident.

The liturgy was concelebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Francisco-César García Magán, Bishop of Albacete Ángel Román Idígoras, and the priests of Urda and Los Yébenes, along with several other priests from the La Mancha episcopal vicariate. Civil and military authorities, including Emiliano García-Page, president of the Junta de Comunidades de Castilla-La Mancha, were also in attendance.

Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves presided over a funeral Mass on Saturday, October 31, for the victims of a train accident near Urda. The liturgy took place at 12:00 p.m. at the Saint John the Baptist parish church. The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, involved a collision between Iryo and Renfe high-speed trains and resulted in 69 deaths.

The Archbishop was accompanied by auxiliary bishop Francisco-César García Magán and the priest of Los Yébenes, Fernando Fernández de Bobadilla. The image of the Christ of the Vera-Cruz de Urda was moved in procession from its basilica to the parish church on Friday night to be present for the service. During the Mass, the Archbishop stated that the deceased have not disappeared into nothingness.

Father Fernando Fernández de Bobadilla, the parish priest of Los Yébenes, administered general absolution to victims following a high-speed train collision in Urda, Spain, on Wednesday, October 28.

The priest arrived at the scene before many emergency responders after being notified of the accident by a friend. Because he could not provide individual confessions to everyone in the immediate danger of death, he granted collective sacramental absolution. He stated he spoke loudly to those facing death to prepare them for the possibility of passing away.

The collision between two high-speed trains traveling from Madrid to Seville resulted in at least 68 or 69 deaths and 107 injuries. During his time at the site, Father Fernández de Bobadilla also assisted rescuers by moving the injured on stretchers and providing spiritual comfort to survivors.

The accident occurred in the Archdiocese of Toledo, approximately two hours from Madrid. Spain is observing three days of national mourning following the crash.

The Spanish Episcopal Conference presented the campaign for the 2026 Day of the Diocesan Church on Monday, October 26, at its headquarters. The event, led by Bishop Vicente Rebollo, head of the secretariat for the support of the Church, and director José María Albalad, introduced the theme "God counts on you" for the upcoming observance on Sunday, November 8.

The campaign uses messages from Pope Leo XIV's visit to Spain in June to encourage the baptized to participate in the mission of their local dioceses and parishes. The initiative seeks to increase awareness of Church activities across the country while reinforcing commitments to transparency and accountability.

According to the secretariat, the work of the Church relies on the time, skills, prayer, and financial support of millions of people. The campaign emphasizes that the life of dioceses depends on the responsible response of all members of the faithful according to their specific vocations.

Archbishop Enrique Benavent described Valencia as the city of the Holy Chalice during the closing Mass of the Jubilee Year. He stated that the relic serves as an emblem for the city, its culture, and the local Church.

The Valencia City Council received a replica of the Holy Chalice to recognize its role in the preparation and successful development of the Jubilee Year. Archbishop Benavent expressed gratitude to the mayor and the council for their involvement in the event.

The Archbishop noted that this third Jubilee Year was more established than the second, which faced restrictions due to the pandemic. He indicated that the significance of the relic is becoming more widely known throughout the world.

Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves will preside a funeral mass for the victims of the train accident that occurred on Wednesday at the Saint John the Baptist parish church in Urda. The service is scheduled for Saturday, October 31, at 12:00 p.m.

Archbishop Cerro Chaves will be accompanied by auxiliary bishop Francisco-César García Magán. Priests from the parishes of Urda and Los Yébenes will participate in the liturgy. As a sign of mourning, the Archbishop requested that all churches in the diocese ring their bells together at noon.

On Thursday, Archbishop Cerro Chaves visited the site of the accident to pray a responso for the deceased. He also visited the hospital to meet with the injured and the house of spirituality where families of those affected are staying.

The Solemnity of All Saints invites the faithful to remember those who have persevered in friendship with Christ and now contemplate God. While many saints are known and venerated by the Church, most lived their holiness in the silence and simplicity of daily life.

The celebration includes the tradition of visiting cemeteries and decorating the graves of ancestors as an act of family remembrance.

Bishop Robert Barron of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester criticized Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco regarding the mission of the Church to convert others. In a post on X, Barron described the claim that the Church is not there to convert as disconcerting. He stated that if he believed the Church did not exist to bring people to Christ, he would resign his office and seek honest work.

The criticism followed an interview with CathoBel, in which Cardinal Vesco said the Church should not be proselytizing but should instead participate in society through fraternity and coexistence.

Reports from CathoBel indicate that the statements used in the criticism were inaccurate. The outlet noted that the first quotation regarding the Church's call to conversion was taken out of context. Furthermore, a second quotation attributed to the cardinal was never spoken by him, but instead originated from a summary written by Ad Vaticanum.

Cardinal Ricardo Blázquez, archbishop emeritus of Valladolid and former president of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, said the Church likely arrived late in addressing sexual abuse. Speaking in a video podcast released on October 29 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, Blázquez noted that families and societies also arrived late to this issue.

Blázquez, who led the Spanish Episcopal Conference from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2014 to 2020, identified the February 2019 meeting in the Vatican, called by Pope Francis, as a significant moment of awareness. He stated that the meeting allowed leaders to speak freely about the inadequacy of previous responses to the crisis.

The cardinal noted that abuse extends beyond sexual misconduct to include abuses of authority, power, and conscience. He said the Spanish Episcopal Conference has since taken consistent steps toward addressing these issues, specifically through dialogue and personal meetings with victims.

Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo to express condolences following a train collision near Urda, Spain. The telegram, signed by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, stated the pope was deeply saddened by the accident and offered prayers for the deceased.

The pontiff extended his condolences to the families of the victims and expressed wishes for the recovery of the injured. He also encouraged rescue teams to persevere in their relief efforts and granted an apostolic blessing to all involved as a sign of hope.

The collision occurred on the morning of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, between Urda and Los Yébenes. Reports indicated 69 deaths and noted that 107 people required medical treatment at local hospitals. The Spanish Episcopal Conference also expressed its condolences and invited Christian communities to remember the victims in their prayers.

The Diocese of Savannah will beatify five Franciscan missionaries on Saturday, October 31, in Georgia. The ceremony is expected to draw 10,000 people to honor the friars who were martyred in 1597 while ministering to the Guale people.

The missionaries, who were from Spain, are Pedro de Corpa, Blas Rodríguez, Miguel de Añon, Antonio de Badajóz, and Francisco de Beraskola. The Vatican concluded last year that the five men were martyred for defending Christian values, making them eligible for the title of blessed.

Bishop Stephen D. Parkes said the friars settled into various missions and became part of the daily life of the native peoples they served. The missionaries were killed during an uprising nearly 430 years ago.

Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves has requested that all churches in the Archdiocese of Toledo toll their bells at noon on Thursday, October 29, to mourn the victims of a train accident. The accident occurred in Urda and Los Yébenes and has resulted in at least 64 deaths.

The Archbishop invited the faithful to pray the Angelus at the same time to ask for the eternal rest of those who died. He also asked for prayers for the injured, the families of the victims, and those providing medical care to the sick.

Bishop Antonio Valín Valdés blessed and inaugurated a Stella Maris center at the Port of Valencia. The center belongs to the Apostleship of the Sea and serves the Archdiocese of Valencia.

The inauguration took place during the 32nd National Assembly of the Stella Maris Apostleship, held in Valencia from October 26 to 29. Bishop Valín Valdés, the bishop of Tui-Vigo and the official responsible for the Apostleship of the Sea in the Spanish Episcopal Conference, performed the blessing.

The facility is intended to serve ship crews and others working in the maritime sector. Permanent deacon Antonio Moya, director of the Diocesan Secretariat of the Apostleship of the Sea for the Archdiocese of Valencia, said the center provides a place for sailors to rest, support their mental and physical health, pray, or address other needs while on land.

Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco stated that the Church is not a proselytizing institution focused on converting Muslims. In an interview with the Belgian Catholic media outlet CathoBel on October 23, Vesco said the Church aims to be a component of the people through coexistence and fraternity.

Vesco described certain forms of religious proselytism as harmful to relations between monotheistic religions. He argued that discrediting the beliefs of others hinders mutual recognition and dialogue. The cardinal also questioned efforts to return to old political models.

The Diocese of Vitoria will participate in the first Iberian Conference of Liturgical Musicians on October 29 and 30. José Santos de la Iglesia, the organist of the Vitoria Cathedral, will represent the diocese at the event.

The conference is organized by the University Institute of Sacred Music at the Pontifical University of Salamanca. Held at the university's headquarters, the meeting brings together performers, directors, composers, teachers, choir members, and musical pastoral leaders from Spain and Portugal. Composer Monsignor Marco Frisina is traveling from Rome to attend the gathering.

Participants will discuss the current state of sacred music in the Iberian Peninsula, including pastoral challenges and opportunities for renewal. The sessions aim to address the balance between historical musical heritage and contemporary styles while establishing standards for aesthetic and technical quality. Organizers also intend to promote the creation of a future Association of Liturgical Musicians and draft the Salamanca Declaration for the dignity of liturgical music.

The dioceses of Madrid, Ávila, Vitoria, Cáceres, Segovia, and Getafe have launched a prayer chain on Instagram for those affected by the train accident in Urda, Toledo.

The joint announcement invites the faithful to offer prayers for the eternal rest of the deceased, the recovery of the injured, and the consolation of their families. The prayer chain also includes emergency responders assisting at the scene. Participants can join the chain by leaving prayers in the comments or sharing the official posts.

The participating dioceses stated they are uniting in communion to accompany those affected by the tragedy through faith and prayer. The communities have entrusted these intentions to the Santísimo Cristo de Urda.

More than 140 participants, including cardinals, bishops, theologians, and academics, are attending an international congress in Almería to discuss the theological, philosophical, and human legacy of Pope Benedict XVI. Organized by the Asociación Providentia, the event concludes on Thursday, October 29. The congress serves as a preparatory event for the centennial of Joseph Ratzinger's birth on April 16, 2027.

The meeting, titled "Joseph Ratzinger: a pope for the history of the Church and the world," is held primarily at the Museo del Realismo Español Contemporáneo (MUREC). Discussions address topics from the Pontiff's intellectual and pastoral career, such as the relationship between faith and reason, the centrality of Jesus Christ, freedom, liturgy, and the role of the Church in modern society.

The congress began on Monday, October 26, with an inaugural lecture by Pablo Blanco Sarto, a professor of systematic theology at the University of Navarra and recipient of the 2023 Ratzinger Prize of Theology. Other participants include various clergy and representatives from academic and cultural sectors.

Bishops of the Ecclesiastical Province of Pamplona met on October 26 to discuss the recent visit of Pope Leo XIV to Spain, social issues including housing and immigration, and the training of seminarians.

The meeting included Archbishop Florencio Roselló Avellanas of Pamplona and Tudela, Bishop Fernando Prado Ayuso of San Sebastián, Bishop Santos Montoya Torres of Calahorra y La Calzada-Logroño, and Bishop Pedro Aguado Cuesta of Jaca. The bishops reviewed the current situation in their respective dioceses and addressed social challenges such as access to housing and the situation in Ceuta.

The bishops also discussed the training of future priests. The Diocesan Seminary of Pamplona currently hosts seminarians from Pamplona, Bilbao, and San Sebastián. Starting with the 2027-2028 academic year, seminarians from Logroño will also join the seminary in Pamplona. These students are currently completing their initial discernment and preparatory course at the Diocesan Seminary of the Holy Children Justo and Pastor in Alcalá de Henares.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller concluded the centenary celebrations of the Diocese of Łomża during a Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Cathedral on 25 October 2026.

During his homily, Müller stated that God reforms and renews people to make them good Christians. He said it is not the task of people to reform the Church of God, but rather to transform their own lives.

Pope Leo XIV will publish an encyclical titled Magnifica humanitas.

In the document, the Pope emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, and multilateral cooperation to prevent conflict and achieve peace. According to Vatican News, the text addresses aggressive rhetoric, international tensions, and new risks in cyberspace, noting that these issues require common rules.

The Pope highlights the role of international organizations, specifically the United Nations, and calls for reforms to return ethical values to relations between nations.

Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves visited Urda and Los Yébenes on Wednesday, October 28, to accompany the families and injured people following a train accident. The accident resulted in dozens of deaths and hundreds of people affected.

Cerro Chaves described the situation in the area as dantesque in an interview with COPE. He stated that he has spoken personally with some of the relatives and is attempting to offer support to those suffering the consequences of the tragedy. The Archbishop noted that the Archdiocese of Toledo issued a statement specifically for the affected families.

The Archbishop said he is providing prayer and personal accompaniment to those waiting for news about their loved ones or those directly impacted by the accident.

Bishops from the southern dioceses of Spain met in Córdoba on Monday, October 26, for the 163rd Ordinary Assembly. The assembly included representatives from the dioceses of Almería, Asidonia-Jerez, Cádiz and Ceuta, Córdoba, Granada, Guadix, Huelva, Jaén, Málaga, and Sevilla.

During the session, the bishops expressed concern regarding the situation in the autonomous city of Ceuta. They also discussed contemplative monasteries in Andalusian dioceses, describing them as a spiritual necessity and encouraging prayer for these vocations and support for the monasteries' needs.

The assembly received information on the application of the Ley de Patrimonio Cultural de Andalucía, passed by the Andalusian Parliament in March. The bishops are analyzing how the forthcoming regulations may affect the care of heritage within their dioceses. They also addressed the housing crisis and the assistance provided by Cáritas.

The bishops invited young people to attend the Segunda Peregrinación y Encuentro de Jóvenes del Sur de España, scheduled for November 6 to 8 at the Santuario de la Virgen de la Cabeza in Andújar, Jaén. The sanctuary is observing a Jubilee Year for the VIII Centenario of the Virgin's appearance.

The Catholic Church in Peru commemorates the Lord of Miracles, also known as the Cristo Moreno or Cristo de Pachacamilla, today, October 28. This central date of the October festivities includes a principal procession that draws millions of faithful in Lima and various cities throughout the country.

The devotion centers on an image of Jesus on Golgotha painted on an adobe wall by an enslaved person in the 17th century. According to ACI Prensa, a group of enslaved people from Angola formed a religious brotherhood in Pachacamilla, on the outskirts of colonial Lima, and built a simple structure of mud and cane for worship.

While the devotion continues throughout the month of October, the Church holds special commemorations on this day. Additional processions occur during the month, with a closing procession scheduled for November 1. Peruvian communities abroad also observe the tradition.

Bishop Fredrik Hansen of Oslo stated that his responsibility is to proclaim the faith of the Church rather than to question it. In an interview with journalist Petra Lorleberg for the German Catholic portal Kath.net, the 47-year-old bishop said that doubting Church teachings would be a failure in his role as a pastor and teacher.

Hansen noted that several people asked him if he believed in specific Church teachings during the first weeks following his appointment. He said that questioning or criticizing the faith would cause doubt and insecurity among the faithful.

The bishop stated that his conversion followed theological discussions regarding the Eucharist, ecclesiastical authority, and the role of bishops. He concluded that his understanding of the Eucharist and the nature of the Church aligned with doctrine.

The Venezuelan Episcopal Conference issued a pastoral exhortation calling for free, transparent elections and the repeal of laws that restrict the work of non-governmental organizations. In the document, titled "Lord, in your light we see light," the bishops requested an impartial National Electoral Council and an independent Supreme Court of Justice to ensure due process and respect for the political rights of all citizens.

The bishops stated that Venezuela is experiencing one of its most complex historical periods and requires a national agreement to address the humanitarian crisis. They reported that many citizens face institutional abandonment, human rights violations, and judicial delays regarding detained civilians and military personnel. The conference also called for a public audit of construction quality following the earthquakes that struck the country on June 24.

While the bishops noted some positive developments, such as reduced censorship of social media and the release of political prisoners, they urged the government to continue these measures so that no one is detained for their opinions. The exhortation follows a period of political transition after the January 2026 detention of Nicolás Maduro and the interim presidency of Delcy Rodríguez. Although Rodríguez has indicated that discussions regarding institutional reforms and future elections are underway, no specific electoral timetable has been established.

More than 100 people from Cáritas of the Archdiocese of Toledo attended the IX Regional Meeting of Cáritas Castilla-La Mancha on Saturday, October 24, at the Colegio Diocesano “Cardenal Cisneros” in Guadalajara. The event gathered more than 350 people from the Province of Toledo for a day of training and participation.

Participants from the vicariates of La Mancha, Toledo, Talavera, and La Sagra attended workshops on accompaniment and the care of people and the community. The program also included a training space for priests.

The meeting focused on innovation, participation, and the role of people in institutional life. Rosa García, president of Cáritas Regional; Luis Ayala, president of Cáritas Española; and Bishop Julián Ruiz of Sigüenza-Guadalajara spoke during the opening.

More than 800 school owners, management teams, teachers, and Christian school professionals gathered on Thursday, October 22, at the Palau Firal i de Congressos in Tarragona for the second Quòrum congress. Organized by the Fundació Escola Cristiana de Catalunya (FECC), the event provided educational resources and tools to address current and future challenges in schooling.

The congress presented the results of three years of work conducted by the FECC Grups d’Experts. Meritxell Ruiz, the general secretary of the FECC, stated that the goal was to turn reflections into proposals and tools to improve educational centers. The event included representatives from Christian schools within the territory of the Church of Urgell and the diocesan education delegate, Josep Chisvert.

Institutional openings were conducted by Cardinal Joan Josep Omella, the archbishop of Barcelona, and Esther Niubó. The program included a prayer inspired by the four cardinal stars proposed by Pope Leo XIV for the Jubilee of Education and a musical performance by students from the Col·legi Sant Pau Apòstol of Tarragona.

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published a document on October 22 titled "Venite ad Me: Considerations on the Transmission of the Faith in an Epochal Change." The text, approved by Pope Leo XIV on August 21, 2026, offers pastoral reflections to help dioceses address the challenges of transmitting the faith in a changing society.

The document suggests that the Church must move beyond pastoral models focused solely on the catechesis of children and adolescents to include the evangelization of adults. It proposes returning to the kerygma, or the essential proclamation of the Gospel, using accessible language supported by family, Christian community, liturgy, and personal testimony. The text notes that in many societies, the transmission of faith between generations has weakened due to cultural shifts and the influence of digital media.

The work consists of eight chapters and 144 numbers. It draws on the teachings of Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV, the Second Vatican Council, and contributions from various bishops' conferences. The Dicastery clarified that this text is a set of considerations intended to stimulate pastoral work rather than a formal doctrinal note. The final chapter includes 13 anonymous conversion testimonies from across five continents.

The document was signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery, and Archbishop Armando Matteo, secretary of the Doctrinal Section.

Pope Leo XIV remembered the 20 martyred priests of Ibiza during a general audience on Wednesday. The Pope noted that Juan Torres Torres and 19 other priests from the islands of Ibiza and Formentera were beatified on Saturday, October 17.

The Pope stated that these priests were killed due to religious persecution in the previous century. He said their testimony encourages people to offer their lives as an act of love to God and others. This audience marked the Pope's first return to regular activities following a surgical procedure and hospital discharge last week.

During the beatification Mass at the Cathedral of Ibiza, Cardinal Marcello Semeraro represented the Pope. The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints described the martyrs as witnesses who remained faithful to the Gospel even when faced with death.

Toledo Cathedral opened its first Holy Door on Sunday, October 25, marking the beginning of its first Jubilee Year. Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves presided over the opening rites and a Mass at the high altar during the Solemnity of the Dedication of the Cathedral.

Pope Leo XIV granted the Jubilee to the cathedral following a request from the archbishop to commemorate the 800th anniversary of the laying of the first stone of the temple on August 14, 1226. The Jubilee Year will continue until October 24, 2027, and includes the offering of a plenary indulgence.

During the ceremony, Archbishop Cerro Chaves crossed the door alone before other participants, including bishops, priests, members of the cathedral council, and seminarians, followed him through the Holy Door. The cathedral will host pilgrimages and various celebrations throughout the twelve-month period.

Peruvian artist Walter Huamán, known as Walt Wizard, has created a life-sized, hyperrealistic sculpture of Pope Leo XIV. The figure is on display in the center of Lima.

Huamán spent approximately 4 months on the work, including 2 months of research using photographs and references to replicate the Pope's facial features, body proportions, and vestments, including his ring, cross, and footwear. The artist used medical-grade silicone to imitate human skin texture, including details such as pores, wrinkles, and eyelashes.

The project began after Huamán met the Pope in St. Peter's Square last November to present a hyperrealistic sculpture of Jesus Christ. During that encounter, the artist observed the Pope's skin tone, hair, and gestures to inform the new work.

Cardinal Juan José Omella, the archbishop of Barcelona, issued a statement on Sunday calling for calm following riots in the city center. The unrest occurred Saturday night during a student protest organized through social media. According to reports, the disturbances resulted in 128 arrests, 56% of whom were minors, and left 14 agents injured, including four seriously.

Omella described the events as scenes of gratuitous violence, looting, and destruction that cause surprise and pain. He warned against a spiral of violence and confrontation, stating that such actions do not provide solutions but instead worsen existing problems. The cardinal noted that the riots raise questions regarding the underlying causes of such outbreaks.

The archbishop urged citizens to avoid polarizing language that presents people as irreconcilable enemies. He stated that the right to live in peace is achieved through respect for others and rules of coexistence. Omella also called for solidarity with the most vulnerable and invited people to pray for peace in the city and in their hearts.

Representatives of various religious traditions gathered at San Francisco el Grande in Madrid on Sunday, October 25, 2026, for the Interfaith Encounter for Peace in the Spirit of Assisi. The meeting brought together leaders to pray for peace and to seek the recovery of social bonds to overcome fear and rejection of others.

The gathering included auxiliary bishop of Madrid Vicente Martín Muñoz, Father Ciprian of the Orthodox Church, and Antonio Merino, secretary of the Violeta Friedman Foundation representing the Jewish community. Also present were Pastor Ramiro Arroyo of the Community Church of Madrid, Temirkhon Naziri, executive director of the Arco Forum association representing the Muslim community.

The event follows the tradition established by Saint John Paul II during the first Assisi meeting in 1986. Pope Leo XIV was invited to attend the closing of the meeting in Assisi, but doctors advised against his travel following a recent surgery.

HM Televisión released a documentary titled The Strength of Love: Jérôme Lejeune (1926-1994) on October 22. The film chronicles the life of the French physician and researcher to mark the centenary of his birth.

The documentary details Lejeune's 1958 discovery of Trisomy 21. It describes how his medical findings regarding the origins of Down syndrome were later used in debates over abortion laws in France to justify selective abortion. The film portrays Lejeune's subsequent commitment to defending human life and his personal and professional response to these developments.