The Church in the United Kingdom

Pope Leo XIV told athletes and university members that sports promote cooperation and mutual sharing in an age characterized by distance.

The Pope spoke to participants from the University of Notre Dame and Villanova University during their visit to Rome for a basketball game held on the Solemnity of All Saints. During his address, he also reminded the group of the call to holiness in daily life.

A candlelight prayer gathering takes place on the grounds of the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major in Rome. The event marks the end of October, a month traditionally dedicated to Marian prayer.

Participants will invoke Salus Populi Romani to ask for protection for those suffering from violence and division worldwide.

Pope Leo XIV cast a mail-in ballot for the United States midterm congressional elections. The Holy See Press Office confirmed the Pope sent his ballot to Chicago.

The Pope, formerly American citizen Francis Robert Prevost, stated his belief in the right and duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes. The Press Office noted he has exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen whenever the opportunity has arisen.

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado as the new prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, effective November 1, 2026. Alvarado previously served as the president and chief operating officer of EWTN News.

She succeeds Dr. Paolo Ruffini, who is concluding eight years of service as the first layperson to lead a department of the Roman Curia. In announcing the appointment, Pope Leo XIV thanked Ruffini for his leadership.

The dicastery oversees the media and communication work of the Holy See, including Vatican News, Vatican Media, Vatican Radio, L’Osservatore Romano, the Holy See Press Office, and the Vatican publishing house.

The embassies of Portugal and the Republic of Korea to the Holy See held a conference in Rome on October 30 to discuss the role of World Youth Day in promoting peace and dialogue. Held at the Portuguese Embassy as part of the Festival of Diplomacy, the event examined the transition from the 2023 World Youth Day in Lisbon to the 2027 event in Seoul.

Ambassador Paiva of Portugal noted that younger generations act concretely when they promote forgiveness in their communities and use social networks to counter hate speech. South Korean Ambassador Hyung-sik Shin stated that Seoul will serve as a platform to overcome divisions between religions, cultures, and generations. He described the 2027 gathering as a synodal journey, noting it will be the first international World Youth Day held in a country without a Catholic majority and with a non-European language.

The conference followed the theme of a courageous, respectful, and peaceful future. Ambassador Shin said the event would allow the world's youth to engage in sincere dialogue and prayer to become companions of peace.

The Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Office of Social Communications (FABC-OSC) has called on regional bishops' conferences to adopt safeguards for artificial intelligence and increase support for digital missionaries. Following a five-day meeting in Macau, the FABC-OSC issued a statement signed by chairman Bishop Marcelino Antonio Maralit Jr. requesting that episcopal conferences establish pastoral AI policies appropriate to their specific contexts.

The FABC-OSC urged the implementation of digital literacy programs and the creation of authentic Church resources in local languages. To support those working online, the bishops announced plans to form a regional committee to train and support digital missionaries. The OSC and Radio Veritas Asia also pledged to promote the Asian Catholic Digital Missionaries Network to integrate digital work into the evangelization mission of the Church.

The meeting coincided with the 450th anniversary of the Diocese of Macau. During the gathering, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, delivered a talk titled "Magnifica Humanitas: Synodal Ways for Evangelization in Asia" at Macau Cathedral. The FABC-OSC statement also identified digital threats such as deepfakes, cyber scams, online sexual exploitation, unequal technology access, and exploited labor.

A papal almoner delivered aid from Pope Leo XIV to 2,000 children and displaced persons in Ukraine. The distribution included food and visits to an underground school and clergy in Poltava.

The International Catholic Migration Commission will meet in Rome from November 10 to 12 to mark its 75th anniversary. Members representing episcopal conferences and local Church communities will elect a new president and approve a new organizational strategy during the meeting.

Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, the prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, visited Ukraine on October 28 to meet with people and organizations affected by the war. Traveling on behalf of Pope Leo XIV, the archbishop met with humanitarian centers and Church communities to offer support to families, children, older people, and soldiers.

During his visit to two cities, the archbishop met with volunteers and religious communities providing food, shelter, and psychological support. He observed students in classrooms and children waiting in lines for bread. Archbishop Marín de San Martín stated that the war, which began with the Russian invasion in February 2022, should not leave Christians indifferent.

The visit coincides with a Vatican effort to provide material aid. Vatican employees organized a collection of goods, including 600 boxes of food, blankets, and winter clothing, which were sent to Ukraine in several trucks.

Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to the international meeting "Unarmed and Disarming Peace" in Assisi, marking the 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace. The meeting, organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio from October 25 to 27, 2026, brought together patriarchs, religious leaders, and the Franciscan families.

In his message, the Pope stated that war can never be waged in the name of God and urged participants to rebuild peace everywhere rather than preparing for new wars. He described prayer as the humble strength of believers to counter a modern culture of power. The Pope noted that he could not attend the event in person at the tomb of Saint Francis due to medical advice following surgery to remove a lung adenocarcinoma.

The Pope recalled that Saint John Paul II initiated the original 1986 prayer day to highlight the link between religious attitude and a sense of peace. He extended greetings to Bishop Felice Accrocca of Assisi and thanked the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the Community of Sant’Egidio for continuing the work of his predecessors.

Pope Leo XIV will meet with victims of clergy and Church sexual abuse during his upcoming visit to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru from November 6 to 17. The Vatican press office confirmed in an October 27 statement that several meetings are planned with survivors. The Vatican stated these meetings are intended to express the pope's closeness to those who have suffered and to help ensure the Church is a safe and spiritually healthy place.

The announcement follows an open letter from Red de Sobrevivientes Peru (Survivors Network Peru), an advocacy group for victims of the now-suppressed lay movement Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. The group had expressed concern that the pope's schedule did not include meetings with survivors. Following the Vatican's clarification, the association stated it was pleased the meetings would occur, but cautioned that victims seek meaningful changes in the Church rather than photo opportunities.

The group was founded by José Enrique Escardó, who was the first member of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae to denounce abuse by the movement's late co-founder, Germán Doig. During his time as Bishop of Chiclayo, Pope Leo XIV supported victims and journalists investigating abuses within the movement.

The International Catholic Migration Commission will host a three-day event in Rome to mark 75 years since its establishment.

The event will examine practical ways faith communities and global civil society can work together to uphold the promises made in 1951.

Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram to Archbishop Francisco Cerro Chaves of Toledo to express condolences for the victims of a train accident in Urda, Spain. The message, signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, was released by the Holy See Press Office on October 29, 2026.

The accident occurred on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, in the province of Toledo and resulted in numerous deaths and injuries. In the telegram, the Pope offered prayers for the deceased and extended sympathy to their families. He also expressed wishes for the speedy recovery of those injured and encouraged rescue teams to persist in their relief and assistance work. The Pope concluded by imparting an apostolic blessing to those affected.

Archbishop Christophe Z. El-Kassis told the United Nations on October 28 that space exploration and its technologies must benefit all people to avoid creating new inequalities or forms of exclusion. Speaking at the UN headquarters in New York during the fourth committee of the 81st General Assembly, the permanent observer of the Holy See addressed the theme of international cooperation in the peaceful use of space.

The Archbishop stated that space technologies are valuable tools for addressing global challenges, including climate change, food insecurity, water scarcity, and natural disasters. To ensure developing nations benefit from these advancements, he called for strengthened international cooperation and the sharing of scientific knowledge.

He also urged a coordinated international response to protect the space environment from orbital crowding and the accumulation of space debris. He expressed the hope that space would remain an area of peace, stability, and cooperation.

Israeli election authorities have begun counting nearly half a million absentee ballots from the Tuesday election. These votes could affect the final outcome, as no party has yet secured a majority.

Pope Leo XIV told the faithful during a general audience on October 28, 2026, that Catholics must engage with modern culture rather than living in opposition or hostility toward it. Speaking in St. Peter’s Square, the pope stated that integrating faith and culture is necessary to live out the Christian vocation and share the Gospel.

During his catechesis on the Second Vatican Council's pastoral constitution, *Gaudium et Spes*, the pope explained that the relationship between faith and culture is rooted in the Incarnation. He said that because the Word became flesh, faith is an incarnate reality interwoven with the culture in which it is immersed. He noted that faith is called to become a culture itself, reaching people through their traditions, art, poetry, science, and thought.

The pope recalled that the Catholic Church has historically supported education, noting that many medieval universities arose from the Church. He encouraged Christians to deepen their scientific and cultural knowledge alongside their faith and emphasized the importance of expanding access to higher education, particularly for women.

Pope Leo XIV cited a 1982 statement by St. John Paul II, noting that faith which does not become culture is not fully accepted, thought out, or lived.

Pope Leo XIV will visit five parishes across the five pastoral sectors of the Diocese of Rome during Advent, according to the Roman Vicariate. The visits, which include meetings with parishioners and representatives of parish groups, will begin on November 27 and conclude on December 20.

The pope will visit Sant’Andrea delle Fratte on November 27, Saint Carlo da Sezze on November 29, Saint Eligius on December 6, Saint Lucy on December 13, and Saint Robert Bellarmine on December 20. During these visits, he will celebrate Mass and meet with local communities to encourage the evaluation of pastoral life and strengthen communion within the diocese.

The Vatican Museums opened an exhibition on October 28 tracing 100 years of papal vehicles. The display commemorates a century of cooperation between the Holy See and Mercedes-Benz.

The exhibition features eight historic Mercedes-Benz vehicles, beginning with a 1930 Nürnburg 460 dedicated to Pope Pius XI. The collection also includes the first automobile ever built and a modern Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The display tracks the evolution of these vehicles from ceremonial transport to modern platforms used for direct interaction between the pope and the faithful.

Pope Leo XIV has called for a rediscovery of Mary as a model of listening and hospitality to build dialogue and peace. In a message signed by Cardinal Pietro Parolin and sent on October 28, the Pope addressed participants of the conference "Mary, a Path of Dialogue and Peace for the Mediterranean."

The conference, held from October 27 to 29 in Perugia and Assisi, was organized by the Pontifical International Marian Academy and the Order of Friars Minor. The Pope described Mary as a model of faith and obedience whose example provides the pillars for authentic dialogue and the foundation for peace through fraternity.

The event included representatives from 12 Marian shrines worldwide, including the Santa Cruz shrine in Oran, Algeria; Garde shrine in Marseille, France; the Annunciation shrine in Nazareth; and the shrine in Harissa. Organizers stated that Mary of Nazareth can serve as a point of reference for different cultures and religions to work together for peace, particularly within the Mediterranean region.

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin warned that while historical totalitarian regimes have been defeated, the temptation to act like God remains. Speaking at the Pontifical Gregorian University on October 28, Parolin noted that some still seek to control how humanity lives and thinks or to impose specific ideological convictions.

Parolin delivered his opening address at an international academic conference titled "The Holy See and Totalitarian Systems in the 20th Century: New Perspectives and Research Approaches." He aligned his remarks with those of Pope Leo XIV, noting the ongoing tendency to place human beings in the position of God. The conference is scheduled to conclude on October 29.

Archbishop Andrew Fuanya Nkea of the Archdiocese of Bamenda called on nations to work to preserve peace in their countries and communities.

In a reflection on the effects of war, the Archbishop noted the devastation caused by the decade-long conflict in the English-speaking regions of Cameroon. He stated that peace is priceless.

Approximately 1,000 members of the Legion of Mary made a pilgrimage to Lewouran in East Flores, Indonesia, on 23 October. The members represented 21 Curiae from the Diocese of Larantuka.

The pilgrims gathered to pray before the relics of Saint Peter the Apostle. According to Vatican News, the gathering served as a moment for spiritual renewal and emphasized that devotion should lead to acts of charity, solidarity, and service to those in need.

Inmates at the Chorrillos Women’s Penitentiary in Lima, Peru, are making velvet dolls of Pope Leo XIV. The women also produce rosaries, necklaces, and other items to be sold outside the prison.

These activities are part of efforts to support the rehabilitation and social reintegration of the inmates.

The Holy Synod of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church called on the Ethiopian government to protect Orthodox Christians and bring perpetrators to justice following two attacks that killed at least 60 people. In a statement read October 26 at a plenary assembly in Addis Ababa, the bishops described the killings as an inhumane act that violates constitutional rights to life and freedom of religion.

The attacks occurred in rural farming communities within the Arsi Zone of the Oromia regional state, approximately 120 miles south of Addis Ababa. According to the Synod, 14 people were killed on October 20 in the Merti Woreda at a location known as Gora Silingo. A second attack on October 24 in the Sherka Woreda left 46 people dead in the Tereta Chole Birbo area. The Church reported that assailants burned 20 homes and left more than 20 people with serious injuries requiring hospital treatment.

Government officials have attributed the violence to the Alliance for Survival, a new rebel network that includes the Oromo Liberation Army. The Oromo Liberation Army has not commented on these specific attacks, though reports indicate the group has denied similar violence in the past.

Fr. Philip Larrey, Ph.D., told Vatican News that the conscientious use of artificial intelligence could provide practical benefits for certain tasks performed by religious brothers and sisters.

Speaking about the Cloistered Monasteries in the Age of Artificial Intelligence event in Rome, Larrey noted that such technology should be used in a way that does not interfere with the prayer life of monastic communities.

The Jordanian army conducted airstrikes against extremist positions in southern Syria on Monday, October 26, in response to a fatal attack on the Saint George Church of Hammoud in Karak.

The Jordanian military reported that 20 militants were killed during the operation. According to the Syrian state news agency, the strikes resulted in 7 deaths and 3 injuries, including children. Following the strikes, Damascus closed its primary border crossing with Jordan.

Pope Leo XIV has invited religions to rediscover their own roots as an antidote to hatred and violence. This call coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Day of Prayer for Peace, which Pope John Paul II convened on October 27, 1986.

The legacy of the Spirit of Assisi has continued through four pontificates. Pope Benedict XVI extended the dialogue to include non-believers, and Pope Francis has called for fraternity.

Pope Leo XIV will visit Cusco, Peru, as part of a trip to Latin America. The visit to the city, located at an altitude of 3,400 meters, is described as a brief but intense stop.

During his three hours in Cusco, the Pope is scheduled to participate in a meeting with representatives of confraternities that maintain local traditions of popular piety.

Father Walter Corsini, general vicar of the Missionaries Servos dos Pobres, stated that the Church has prepared extensively for the visit. He noted that the spirituality of the Cordillera often faces challenges from invasive tourism. Corsini, who has served in the region for 30 years, described the local rhythm as human and worth rediscovering.

The Archdiocese of New York has reached an $800 million settlement to resolve approximately 1,300 claims of sexual abuse involving clergy and staff. The claims were brought under lookback laws in New York state.

Attorney Jeff Anderson of Anderson & Associates stated on Oct. 25 that all survivors who filed claims against the archdiocese have agreed to the settlement plan. The agreement is scheduled to be signed during the week of Nov. 6.

In an email to priests on Oct. 24, Archbishop Ronald A. Hicks said the funds will conclude all outstanding claims against the archdiocese, its parishes, and affiliated agencies. He noted that the settlement would allow the archdiocese to return its attention to its mission of evangelization and works of mercy.

The settlement follows a five-year legal process during which the archdiocese sold property and engaged in litigation with the insurance company Chubb regarding coverage for the claims. Archbishop Hicks had previously announced the proposed settlement in May.

Pope Leo XIV welcomed executives from Mercedes-Benz to the Vatican on October 28 to attend an exhibition titled “A Century of the Popemobile.” The exhibition commemorates nearly 100 years of collaboration between the company and the Holy See, a relationship that began in 1930 when Pope Pius XI received the first Mercedes-Benz automobile.

In a message to the company leaders, the Pope expressed gratitude to the generations of designers, engineers, and workers who have maintained the partnership through successive pontificates. He noted that the popemobile has evolved from a simple means of transportation into an instrument of encounter, allowing the pope to draw closer to the faithful during pastoral visits and public celebrations.

The Pope referenced the first fully electric popemobile, which was presented to his predecessor, Pope Francis, in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee of Hope. He recalled Pope Francis's previous encouragement for the automotive sector to work toward making mobility sustainable and accessible. Pope Leo XIV encouraged the company to use technological innovation to serve human dignity, the protection of creation, and the common good.

The Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome will host a two-day international conference titled "The Holy See and Totalitarian Systems in the 20th Century: New Approaches and Research Perspectives" on October 28 and 29.

Scholars from various countries will examine the actions of the popes and the role of Vatican diplomacy when facing 20th-century totalitarian regimes. The event will analyze the limits of diplomatic influence and efforts to assist victims of persecution.

Pope Leo XIV will celebrate Mass for the deceased on November 2 at Verano Cemetery in Rome. The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff announced the schedule on October 27.

The Mass is scheduled for 4 p.m. at the cemetery near the Basilica of St. Lawrence Outside the Walls. Cardinal Baldo Reina, the vicariate cardinal, will concelebrate with vicegerent Renato Tarantelli Baccari and Father Emmanuel Maria, the parish priest of the basilica. Students from the Pontificio Seminario Romano Maggiore and the Seminario Redemptoris Mater will assist with the liturgical service. Access to the celebration is free until seating is filled.

The Pope will pray for the dead and give an apostolic blessing over the graves. Other scheduled liturgies include a Mass on November 5 at St. Peter’s Basilica for cardinals and bishops who died during the past year, and a Mass on November 18 at St. Peter’s Basilica for the 400th anniversary of the basilica's dedication.

Pope Leo XIV sent a telegram of condolences to Bishop Antonino Raspanti of Acireale following the death of Cardinal Paolo Romeo. The Pope addressed the message to the people of the Acireale diocese and the relatives of the deceased.

Cardinal Romeo, the Archbishop Emeritus of Palermo, died on Sunday at the age of 88. In his message, the Pope expressed affection for the cardinal, noting his generous service to the Gospel and the Church. Acireale was the cardinal's native diocese.

Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín is beginning a mission to Ukraine to deliver approximately 600 aid packages containing food, blankets, and winter clothing.

Chaldean Patriarch Paul III Nona of Baghdad stated that dialogue is the only option available for peace. He spoke during the final day of the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi.

The Patriarch said that looking to contemporary martyrs provides a way to think about unity and build peace.

A forum in Assisi brought together a Hiroshima atomic bomb survivor, the Catholic archbishop of Nagasaki, and a representative from a Nobel Peace Prize winning organization to discuss nuclear weapons.

The participants addressed the importance of placing the human person at the center of discussions regarding nuclear arms. The meeting focused on the theme that people can choose life in a world threatened by nuclear weapons.

A local ceasefire began on Tuesday, October 27, in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian city of Oleshky. The truce is intended to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid and the voluntary evacuation of the remaining civilian population.

Pope Leo XIV sought the humanitarian pause through telephone conversations with President Putin on October 16 and President Zelensky on October 19. The Pope requested that both parties cooperate to ensure the safe arrival of aid and the secure movement of residents in the Kherson region.

Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a localized ceasefire in the city of Oleshky. According to Vatican News, the agreement is intended to allow for the evacuation of civilians and the delivery of humanitarian aid.

The ceasefire follows previous calls for a truce from Pope Leo XIV. US First Lady Melania Trump also participated in the mediation process.

Pope Leo XIV received delegates from the elective General Chapter of the Sisters of Charity of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on October 26, 2026.

During the audience, the Pope greeted the newly elected superior general and the sisters appointed to advise and assist her. He noted that the delegates had engaged in communal discernment during their recent meetings.

The Pope referenced the life of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret, noting her respect for the successor of Peter despite facing misunderstandings and sacrifices for the unity of her congregation. The theme chosen for the chapter's work was "In Christ, the roots; in the world, the mission."

Pope Leo XIV received Slovenian President Nataša Pirc Musar for an audience on October 26, 2026. The President traveled to the Vatican to deliver a written invitation to the Pope to visit Slovenia.

Following the audience, President Pirc Musar met with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. During these talks at the Secretariat of State, the officials discussed bilateral relations and the relationship between the Church and the State. The meeting also addressed international issues, specifically the situation in the Western Balkans and the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.

According to the President's office, she exchanged official gifts with the Pope and expressed wishes for his recovery following a recent lung operation. The President's visit included scheduled stops at the Papeška akademija za družbene znanosti and the Fondazione Sanità e Ricerca hospice.

The Daughters of Charity in Bratislava serve people experiencing homelessness, the sick, the dying, and young people searching for meaning in life. According to Vatican News and TK KBS, the sisters encounter these groups daily through their ministry.

Sr. Jana Pavla Halčinová stated that this work demonstrates how evangelization can take the form of a simple, steadfast, and compassionate presence alongside those in need.

Yemen’s Information Ministry accused the Houthi group of firing three ballistic missiles at a camp for displaced people located west of Aden.

Pope Leo XIV received participants of the Jesus Youth International Conference 2026 in an audience at the Paul VI Hall on Saturday, October 24. The meeting included delegates from various global groups, bishops, priests, and consecrated men and women.

This was the first time the Jesus Youth movement met with the Pope. The participants gathered to reflect on the movement's direction forty years after its founding in Kerala, India. The Pope noted that the group has spent the last three years conducting a consultation in a synodal style to determine how to apply the results of their reflection to their future journey.

The movement began as part of the Charismatic Renewal through the spontaneous initiative of young people. The Pope encouraged the members to maintain their youthful freshness and enthusiasm for the faith to help others encounter the Lord.

The Catholic Church in Rwanda continues to work toward national reconciliation by rebuilding relationships and integrating former prisoners into society, according to Vatican News.

The Church's efforts include nurturing a new generation committed to peace, unity, and national development. These actions serve as part of a broader process of healing and national renewal for a country recovering from conflict and mass violence.

Archbishop Luis Marín de San Martín, prefect of the Dicastery for the Service of Charity, will lead a humanitarian mission to Ukraine from Oct. 27 to 30. The Archbishop will visit Kyiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, and Fastiv to convey the support of Pope Leo XIV to people affected by the ongoing conflict.

The mission, coordinated through the Apostolic Nunciature, includes meetings with Latin-rite and Greek Catholic communities. The visit comes ahead of a predicted harsh winter.

The mission coincides with a collection drive among Vatican employees and the Governorate of Vatican City State. Collected supplies include warm clothing, blankets, sheets, sleeping bags, and canned food. These items will be transported to Ukraine by road using the international TIR transit system.

Bishop Krzysztof Józef Nykiel, the Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, concluded a two-day formation seminar on the Sacrament of Reconciliation held October 23–24 at the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome. The 2026 seminar, titled "Contritio cordis: Biblical, Theological, and Spiritual Foundations," focused on the meaning of contrition.

Bishop Nykiel stated that confession should not be confused with psychotherapy. He described the confessor not as a judge of ruins, but as a servant of mercy. He further explained that contrition is not a price to be paid, but the beginning of a new creation in the Holy Spirit.

The seminar included four practical guidelines for the sacrament. Bishop Nykiel described the experience of confession as a house of joy and mercy rather than a place of judgment.

The Apostolic Penitentiary organized a seminar on the Sacrament of Reconciliation for more than 800 participants on October 23 and 24, 2026. Attendees participated both in person and online.

Bishop Krzysztof Nykiel, the Regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, stated that the seminar was created to meet requests from the faithful who wanted a deeper understanding of the sacrament. While the office has provided training courses for priests, this seminar was designed for laypeople.

The program aimed to help the faithful understand sincere repentance and overcome feelings of shame, fear, or the discouragement caused by repeated sins. Bishop Nykiel invited those who have distanced themselves from the sacrament to rediscover God's mercy.

Archbishop Christophe El-Kassis, the permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, called for redirecting funds used for weapons toward integral human development during a meeting on autonomous conventional weapons in New York.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, El-Kassis expressed concern regarding the proliferation of these weapons. He stated that large resources allocated to armaments hinder the pursuit of a just and lasting peace. He urged that investments be redirected to meet the needs of people living in poverty.

Pope Leo XIV attended the Psalms with John Paul II concert on October 22 at the Auditorium della Conciliazione in Rome. The event concluded the 45th anniversary celebrations of the John Paul II Vatican Foundation.

During a general audience on the Wednesday preceding the concert, Pope Leo XIV greeted the participants and expressed his wish that the music would encourage peace and reconciliation.

Pope Leo XIV addressed the faithful during the Angelus on October 25, 2026, reflecting on the commandment to love God and neighbor. Speaking from his study window in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Pope noted that love for God is a personal response to God's preceding love rather than a commanded obligation. He stated that this love must involve the whole person – heart, soul, and mind – and must overflow into love for others to overcome selfishness.

The Pope also raised concerns regarding the humanitarian situation in Yemen, specifically mentioning the lack of food, water, and medical supplies in Taiz. He called for an end to hostilities to ensure peace for the people of Yemen and the surrounding region.

Additionally, Pope Leo XIV expressed prayers for those injured or killed in a recent terrorist attack against the St. George Orthodox Church in Jordan. He concluded by noting the upcoming 40th anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace, which will be commemorated by religious leaders in Assisi on October 27.

Hala Alkarib, the regional director of the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, spoke at the International Meeting for Peace in Assisi.

Speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Alkarib addressed the necessity of converting words into concrete actions to achieve peace.

The Indonesian Catholic Society Forum has launched a five-year plan to integrate Catholic social teaching into public life. The plan uses civic education, policy advocacy, and leadership formation to help lay Catholics respond to the nation's multidimensional crisis.

Armed men killed at least 8 people and wounded many others during a funeral service at the Church of Saint George in the village of Hammoud, Jordan, on Friday, October 23.

The attackers opened fire on the congregation, leaving 8 dead and 40 injured, according to Jordanian authorities. Three of the wounded were treated at the Italian Hospital in Karak.

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem issued a statement calling for social cohesion and coexistence between the country's religious communities. Caritas Italiana also condemned the attack, stating that the violence violates the sanctity of a place of worship and the right to religious freedom.

Representatives of the local Christian communities stated that the attack would not jeopardize the coexistence between Christians and Muslims in Jordan. They said the unity of the people would reject extremism and attempts to create division.

The internationally recognized government of Yemen condemned Houthi fighters for launching a series of missile attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia and Aden, the seat of the government.

Pope Leo XIV has been named a Papal Confrater of St George’s Chapel, Windsor. This follows King Charles III accepting the title of Royal Confrater of the Papal Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls during his October 2025 visit to the Holy See.

Pope Leo XIV received Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk for an audience at the Apostolic Palace on Friday, October 23. The head of the Ukrainian Catholic Church presented the Pope with a prayer for Ukraine and a list of names of prisoners.

Archbishop Shevchuk expressed gratitude for the Pope's telephone calls to Putin and Zelensky. He also thanked the Pope for his attention to the tragedy in Oleshky, his public appeals, and the humanitarian mission of the Holy See to support children and prisoners.

The Archbishop noted the travels of Archbishop Gallagher and Cardinal Zuppi to Moscow and Kyiv, specifically mentioning the cardinal's visit to a Russian prison. As gifts, the Archbishop provided the Pope with books and stamps.

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe spoke at the International Congress for Pastoral Care in Schools and Universities at the Vatican regarding the development of faith and imagination in the digital age.

During the congress, Radcliffe suggested that educators and pastoral leaders encourage young people to ask questions to navigate the era of artificial intelligence. He noted that while young people seek security, they also desire adventure. He addressed how to inspire the imagination of the younger generation in a world characterized by digital distraction.