Establishment of the Official Annual Feast of the Latins of Cyprus

On Saturday, 24 January 2026, the Latin Church and Latin community in Cyprus celebrated the first official annual Feast of the Latins of Cyprus, established on the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul. The event highlighted the unity and presence of Latin Catholics, as well as their longstanding relations with other Christian Churches and civil authorities.

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the Mass at the Holy Cross Latin Church in Nicosia, concelebrated by His Eminence Monsignor Bruno Varriano, Patriarchal Vicar of Cyprus, along with Clergy from the Maronite Church.

According to the official press release from the Holy Cross Parish, the feast “marks a historical continuity following the episcopal ordination of the first Latin Catholic bishop in Cyprus after four hundred years, a landmark event of exceptional ecclesial, historical, and institutional significance for our country. Through this annual celebration, the Latins of Cyprus, together with distinguished guests, will pray for Cyprus, its people, and all its communities, for peace and coexistence, while honoring their centuries-old presence on the island.”

Regarding its latest news, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL) said on its Facebook Page:

"The congregations of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Beit Jala and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Beit Sahour held special Services and receptions to welcome Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad.

We give thanks for our Ecumenical partners, representatives of local government and institutions, and those from our congregations, schools, and scouts who joined us today."

During the Angelus, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV highlights the observance of Sunday of the Word of God, thanks those who care for those affected by leprosy, and reminds Christians of the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Sunday marked several significant observances, including Sunday of the Word of God, the World Day for those suffering from leprosy, and the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope recalled that “this Sunday, the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, is the Sunday of the Word of God.”

In his message for the 100th World Mission Day, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV writes that the Church’s identity is to be a community in mission, “at the service of fraternity among all human beings and harmony with all creation.”

In a world of ever-deepening conflict, the proclamation of the Gospel calls for peaceful hearts and reconciled spirits, able to nurture unity.

That’s the message that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV has shared ahead of the 100th World Mission Day, established a century ago by Pope Pius XI.

The World Day will be celebrated on October 18, under the theme "One in Christ, united in mission."

Episcopal Vicar Father Farid Boutros Decorated with the Pectoral Cross

On January 24, 2026, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), participated in the Holy Liturgy, at St. Theresa Chaldean Church in Bab Touma, Damascus.

His Excellency Chaldean Archbishop of Syria Monsignor Antoine Audo, celebrated the Holy Liturgy during which he decorated the Episcopal Vicar Father Farid Boutros with the Pectoral Cross as a token of appreciation for his services and ministry.

His Eminence Archbishop Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, accompanied His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II to the Liturgy.

On January 23, 2026, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), attended the Holy Liturgy on the occasion of the end of mission of His Excellency Cardinal Mario Zenari, Apostolic Nuncio in Damascus, at the Greek Catholic Melkite Cathedral of the Lady of Dormition in Bab Sharqi.

His Beatitude Patriarch Joseph Absi, Greek Melkite Catholic Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Alexandria and Jerusalem, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), celebrated the Divine Liturgy in the presence of the Hierarchs of the Churches in Damascus.

Their Eminences: Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs, and Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, accompanied His Holiness to the Retreat.

On January 23, 2026, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received a delegation from St. Ephrem Patriarchal Development Committee (EPDC), headed by His Eminence Mor Boutros Kassis, Archbishop of Aleppo and Environs and General Manager of EPDC, and Mr. Hisham Saad, Executive Director, at the Patriarchate Headquarters in Bab Touma, Damascus.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, Mor Andrawos Bahhi, Patriarchal Vicar for Youth Affairs and Christian Education, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present in the meeting.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, arrived at the Papal Residence in Cairo, on the evening of Saturday 24 January 2026, returning from Austria after completing a two-week medical follow-up visit, during which His Holiness underwent a successful surgical procedure.

Upon His Holiness’ arrival at the Papal Residence, members of the Holy Synod of the Church were present to welcome him. His Holiness exchanged greetings with them, after which they accompanied him to the reception hall amid an atmosphere filled with affection, love, and joy at the safety and recovery of the father and shepherd.

During the meeting, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II briefed the Hierarchs on the course of the medical follow-up, which required surgical intervention, offering thanks to God for His grace and accompaniment throughout every step.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, arrived to Cairo International Airport, on the evening of Saturday 24 January 2026, returning from the Austrian Capital, Vienna, following a two-week Pastoral visit for medical follow-up, during which His Holiness underwent a successful surgical procedure.

"We are one, let's make it visible"

On the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul, which marks the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV invites Christians to continue on their shared mission of spreading the Gospel to all.

By Isabella H. de Carvalho

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV emphasized how different Christian religions share the same faith and encouraged them to continue together the mission of spreading the Gospel throughout the world, on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at the conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.

“We are one!  We already are!  Let us recognize it, experience it and make it visible!” he said in his Homily during the celebration of Second Vespers on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, marking the end of the Week of Prayer.

His Eminence Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land (ELCJHL), and a delegation from the ELCJHL, visited the Armenian Patriarchate to exchange greetings on the occasion of Armenian Christmas. The assembled Bishops and Heads of Churches also offered congratulations to His Eminence Bishop Haddad on his recent installation as Bishop of the ELCJHL.

The National Evangelical Church of Beirut extends its heartfelt congratulations to His Eminence Bishop Dr. Imad Haddad and to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land on his installation as its Fifth Bishop.

The National Evangelical Church of Beirut stated on its Facebook Page:

"Bishop Haddad served in our Church during his years of study in Lebanon, a connection we remember with deep appreciation and fondness. Although we were unable to be present for the installation in Jerusalem, we are grateful that Reverend Dr. Rima Nasrallah was able to participate, alongside other international guests, in His Eminence’s first Liturgy as Bishop in Amman.

We thank God for this new calling entrusted to Bishop Imad and pray for wisdom and strength as he leads in these challenging times."

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace, especially in our time marked by a lack of respect for human dignity and heightened international tensions.

"Let us pray for peace at a moment in history that seems marked by a growing loss of respect for the value of human dignity and in which war has come back into fashion."

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV made this appeal during his General Audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Wednesday.

Greeting Portuguese-speaking faithful after delivering his catechesis, the Pope prayed, “May the humanity of Jesus, who reveals the Father, help us to find paths of justice and reconciliation.”

During his weekly General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ, as he continues his catechesis on the Dogmatic Constitution 'Dei Verbum' on Divine Revelation.

“Thanks to Jesus, Christians know God the Father and entrust themselves to Him with confidence.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV expressed this during his Wednesday General Audience, as he continued his catechesis series on the Second Vatican Council. He concentrated again this week on the Dogmatic Constitution Dei Verbum on Divine Revelation, which the Pope last week called “one of the most beautiful and important” documents of the Council.

The Christmas season has led us to celebrate and contemplate a God who comes.

The Word of God comes in the flesh of our poverty, enters into history, and takes the initiative to be with us and like us. 

But God does not come only at Christmas, nor does He come only at the moment of the Incarnation. 

On the contrary! The incarnation of the Word inaugurates a new time for humanity, a time in which God comes and continues to come. 

For this reason, it is very significant that among the first words we find in the Gospel of this first Sunday after the Baptism of the Lord (Jn 1:29–34) the verb “coming” (Jn 1:29): John the Baptist sees Jesus coming toward him…

With the simplicity of a shepherd who wishes to walk alongside his people, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, opened his Pastoral visits for the new year with a visit to the Parish of Jabal al-Hussein in the Jordanian capital, Amman. The visit, which began on Friday, 16 January 2026, unfolded over three days marked by Prayer and encounter.

At the entrance of the parish, His Beatitude was warmly received by Fr. Ibrahim Naffaʿ, parish priest of Jabal al-Hussein; Fr. Issam Zu’mot; Brothers Fadi and Julio of the De La Salle Brothers; Deacons Youssef Fattal and Ramzi Ghanem; along with the Parish Council and the various parish groups, whose joyful presence reflected the vitality of the community.

On January 20, 2026, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), received His Beatitude Patriarch Mor Ignatius Youssef III Younan, Syriac Catholic Patriarch of Antioch, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Beatitude was accompanied by Msgr. Chorepiscopus Habib Mrad, Patriarchal Secretary, and Member of the MECC Executive Committee.

As part of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, explores His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s invitation to walk the path of Ecumenism.

Christians are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity from Sunday, January 18, to Sunday, January 25.

Speaking to Vatican News, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity explored the meaning of our Christian mission to seek unity.

Asked about His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s call for efforts toward unity and commitment to world peace to go “hand in hand,” Cardinal Kurt Koch emphasized the role of Christian Churches.

“Ecumenism can assist society if it does not mirror society’s discord, but is rather itself a sign of unity,” the Cardinal explained.