By Mattias Söderberg

The UN climate summit, COP28, is just beginning. Over the next two weeks world leaders will take decisions which will affect our future. As Christians, we believe that we have duty to care for Creation as we should care for our neighbors and ensure that hope is kept alive. I do hope that world leaders share our concerns, and that they take responsibility for ensuring that we can manage the climate crisis we are facing.

However, world leaders will not be alone when they meet at the climate summit in Dubai. The joint ecumenical delegation, gathering members of the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation and ACT Alliance, stand united in a strong call for climate justice. More than 50 ecumenical delegates, including faith leaders, campaigners, activists, political advocates, and communicators will follow the meeting closely. We will raise our concerns, engage with decision makers, and share our calls for action.

The Holy See Press Office publishes the schedule of His Holiness Pope Francis' liturgical celebrations for this year's holiday season, including Christmas Mass During the Night and Mass with Baptisms in the Sistine Chapel.

By Vatican News

On Sunday, 24 December, His Holiness Pope Francis will preside over the Nativity of the Lord—Mass During the Night in St. Peter's Basilica at 7:30 PM.

The appointment is listed in the schedule of pontifical liturgical celebrations, published on Tuesday by the Holy See Press Office.

This year, too, the Pope is scheduled to maintain the early time that was inaugurated in 2020 due to Covid-19 restrictions, then confirmed in 2021 and 2022.

We might think of the disciple's journey as a journey of learning to see.

Today, in fact, is a day that speaks of fulfillment, of the end: a liturgical year comes to an end, but the reading of Matthew's Gospel also comes to an end. Within this Gospel, today we read the conclusion of the eschatological discourse, but it is also the conclusion of the part of Matthew's Gospel that precedes the Passion narrative.

And the parable that the Liturgy offers us today helps us to experience this turning point, because it is like a point of arrival, a synthesis; and it is also a new beginning.

We were saying that the disciple's whole journey can be understood as a journey of learning to see.

In fact, the heart of today's account is marked by amazement, for all recognize that they have not seen: when did we ever see you ... (Mt 25:37,38,39,44)?

The Director of the Holy See Press Office says His Holiness Pope Francis’ physicians have asked him not to undertake his scheduled journey to Dubai to participate in the COP28 Summit, and he has accepted their advice “with great regret.”

By Vatican News

A statement released on Tuesday evening by the Director of the Holy See Press Office said, “Even though the Holy Father’s general health situation has improved in relation to the flu and respiratory tract inflammation he has been suffering from, his doctors have asked the Pope not to undertake his scheduled visit to Dubai in the coming days, on the occasion of the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.”

On Sunday, November 19th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, presided over the Divine Liturgy at St. Illuminator's Cathedral in New York, conducted by the Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the USA, His Grace Bp. Torkom Donoyan. During the service, His Holiness delivered his Pontifical speech.

Heartfelt speeches were delivered by the Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the USA, His Eminence Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian, and Bp. Torkom Donoyan, followed by Pontifical message from His Holiness.

During his Pontifical visit to the United States, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, paid a visit to the Headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America on Friday, November 17th, 2023. During this visit, he was honored as the distinguished guest of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America.

His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros extended a heartfelt welcome to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his Pontifical delegation for their visit to the USA and the Archdiocesan headquarters. In his welcoming address, he remembered the Catholicos as a distinguished leader, especially in the ecumenical world, whose leadership and spiritual virtues he has personally known for years. On this occasion, His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros conveyed the fraternal greetings of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. Concluding his speech, he presented His Holiness with a pectoral Panagia.

JORDAN – On Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem arrived in Jordan and will be spending time with the faithful there for a week.

After he ended his first Pastoral visit as a Cardinal to Cyprus, the Cardinal saw fitting to also go and check on the Parish in Jordan, which was originally scheduled for Oct 26 and Oct 27. Yet all have been canceled due to the war, and no celebrations were held, he just plans on meeting with the Priests, Religious Sisters, and Parishioners to discuss Church matters, and the political situation in the area.

You can find below the letter of His Beatitude Theophilos the Third, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, to His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, Orthodox Patriarch of Russia, stressing the importance of Unity, and extending devotions on his Holiness’s Birthday at the Holy Tomb of Jesus Christ. You can find the full text of the letter.

In light of the ongoing violence in the Holy Land, Their Beatitudes the Patriarchs and Heads of the Churches in Jerusalem issue a Statement on November 18, 2023 concerning the recent events in the Armenian Quarter. You can find its full text.

Wadi al-Nasara, Syria, November 16, 2023

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, visited the Patriarchal Al-Hosn Hospital in Wadi al-Nasara, accompanied by the Abbot of the Monastery of Saint George al-Humaira, Archimandrite Gerasimos Kabbas.

Upon his arrival, His Beatitude Patriarch John X was received by the hospital director, Dr. Khaled Yazji, along with several doctors and medical staff.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, paid a Pontifical visit to the community of New Britain on Thursday, November 16th, 2023, following his visit to Troy.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and his Pontifical delegation were warmly welcomed at the entrance of Sourp Sdepanos Church (St. Stephen) by Parish Priests, members of the Board of Trustees, representatives of Diocesan Councils, and the Faithful.

After the Canonical Prayers, the Prelate, His Eminence Arch. Anoushavan Tanielian extended a heartfelt welcome on behalf of the community and invited His Holiness to deliver his message.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, proceeded with his Pontifical visit to the Eastern Prelacy, arriving in New Jersey on Tuesday, November 14th, 2023.

His Holiness Catholicos Aram I and the Pontifical delegation were warmly received in front of Sts. Vartanantz Church by Vicar General V. Rev. Fr. Sahag Yemishian, parish priests, church choirs, the Board of Trustees, and the Faithful.

His Holiness Pope Francis joins 1,200 guests in the Paul VI Hall to share Sunday19 November 2023 lunch with them on the occasion of World Day of the Poor.

By Vatican News

Awaiting His Holiness Pope Francis after he finished his Sunday Angelus, the guests gathered in the Paul VI Hall made up of the poor and their companions later greeted the Pope while enjoying a Sunday lunch. Over 1,200 people in all came for the lunch that transformed the Hall into a large and unique restaurant for the customary annual lunch with Pope Francis on the World Day of the Poor.

On Sunday, November 12th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia presided over the Divine Liturgy and delivered his pontifical address at Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church in Washington, DC. He was assisted by His Eminence Archbishop Papken Tcharian and His Grace Bishop Torkom Donoyan.

During his address, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I extended his pontifical greetings to the Prelate and the parish, centering his homily around Christ's quote, "I am the life." He emphasized the significance of leading a Christ-centered life, underscoring that without the presence of Christ in our lives, life loses its meaning.

On Saturday, November 11th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia and his pontifical delegation visited Sourp Khatch (Holy Cross) Church in Washington, D.C. During this visit, he addressed the faithful and later met with the youth.

Following the canonical prayers, the prelate of the Eastern Prelacy, His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan Tanielian, extended warm words of welcome to His Holiness and invited him to deliver his address.

Damascus, November 11, 2023

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, inaugurated the Annual Conference for the Orthodox Sunday Schools - Damascus Center, Syria, which was held in the halls of the Church of the Holy Cross in Damascus, in the presence of the Reverend Bishops, Priests, and Fadi Al-Ash, Responsible for the Center, with members of the different branches from the Parishes of Damascus and its Countryside.

On Friday, November 10th, 2023, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia offered a lecture on the geopolitics of religion in the Middle East, in George Washington University. During the lecture, he emphasized the message of peace and respect for human rights in the monotheistic religions.

First, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I provided a general introduction to the increasing role of religion in societal life and its impact on geopolitical relations, stating that religion has historically played a significant role in various aspects of nations’ lives and that one cannot separate religion from general societal dynamics.

On the evening of Thursday, November 9th, 2023, a meeting was held, presided over by His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, with the participation of the prelates of the Armenian Prelacies of the Eastern and Western United States, and the prelate of Canada, as well as the secretaries of the Executive Councils of these prelacies. Stepan Der Bedrossian, the co-chair of the Central Executive Council, was in attendance.

His Holiness Pope Francis will travel to the United Arab Emirates from 1 to 3 December to attend the United Nations Conference on Climate Change, where he will deliver a speech, hold private bilateral meetings, and inaugurate the "Faith Pavilion" at Dubai’s Expo City.

By Vatican News

A Holy See Press Office statement released on Thursday, 9 November, said His Holiness Pope Francis is scheduled to deliver a speech at the COP28 Summit taking place in Dubai, as well as engage in several bilateral meetings and inaugurate the "Faith Pavilion" at Expo City.

According to the official programme for the Pope's visit to Dubai from 1 to 3 December, it takes place on the occasion of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28).

Amman, November 9, 2023

His Beatitude John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, charged their Eminences Athanasios, Metropolitan of Latakia and its Dependencies, and Ephrem, Metropolitan of Aleppo and Alexandretta and their Dependencies of visiting Amman, the capital of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. They were to bring to the Church of Jerusalem a message of fraternal love and the return of ecclesiastical communion between the Patriarchate of Antioch and the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

His Eminence Bishop Christoforos received the two visiting hierarchs at the Archbishopric in Amman, welcoming their honorable presence. He expressed his personal joy and the relief and joy of His Beatitude Theophilos III, Patriarch of the Holy City, Patriarch of the Jerusalem Church and its Holy Synod, regarding the decision of the Synod of Antioch.