His Holiness Pope Leo XIV arrives in Assisi and pays a visit to the tomb of St Francis, saying his witness is especially important "at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”

By Benedetta Capelli - Assisi

“It is a blessing to be able to come here today to this sacred place. As we approach the 800th anniversary of St. Francis’s death, we have the opportunity to prepare to celebrate this great, humble, and poor Saint at a time when the world is searching for signs of hope.”

These were the first public words spoken by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV during his visit to Assisi, standing before the tomb of St. Francis.

It was the first stop on the Pope’s visit to the central Italian town, where he is meeting, on 20 November, with the Bishops of the Italian Episcopal Conference at the close of their 81st General Assembly.

On November 19, 2025, 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), presided over an online meeting of the General Secretariat of the Holy Synod.

Their Eminences, members of the General Secretariat: Mor Justinus Boulos Safar, Patriarchal Vicar in Zahleh and Beqaa, Mor Philoxenus Mattias Nayis, Patriarchal Vicar in Germany, Mor Dionysius John Kawak, Patriarchal Vicar in the Archdiocese of Eastern USA, Mor Nicodemus Daoud Sharaf, Archbishop of Mosul, Kirkuk, Kurdistan and Environs, Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, Archbishop of Homs, Hama, Tartous and Environs, Mor Joseph Bali, Patriarchal Assistant, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, participated in the meeting.

His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II opened the meeting with a Prayer and then he discussed with their Eminences different topics related to our Churches throughout the world.

Damascus, November 18, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, paid an inspection visit to St. Elias Church – Dweilaa to observe the reconstruction works completed after the terrorist.

The Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe, invites us to read a passage from the Passion of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke (Lk 23:35-43).

This passage can be divided into two parts.

In the first (Lk 23:35-38), we see the attitude of the different characters toward Jesus at the foot of the Cross, that of the people, the leaders, and the soldiers.
In the second part (Lk 23:39-43), our gaze lifts to see what takes place between Jesus and the two criminals crucified with him.

In both parts, there is a recurring refrain: the leaders of the people, the soldiers, and one of the two criminals ask Jesus to save himself, to come down from the Cross, to show his power.

The Gospel of Luke opens with the proclamation of salvation. This announcement first resounded in Mary's song, exulting in God her saviour (Lk 1:47).Then on the lips of Zechariah, who regained his voice upon seeing the wonders God had done in his life, after believing that God truly could free and save (Lk 2:71, 77). The proclamation of salvation also was also heard in Bethlehem, where the shepherds heard the angels announce the birth of a Savior (Lk 2:11).

It is an announcement that runs through the entire Gospel, entering the homes of the poor, and working wonders in the lives of so many people…

“It is imperative to give ample space to the youth in Armenian life"

During a youth gathering organized by the Eastern Prelacy, Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) emphasized that “It is imperative to give ample space to the youth in Armenian life.”

“I make this same suggestion with special emphasis whenever I have meetings with the responsible leaders of our community and with the youth during my Pontifical visits.

The Vatican Publishing House (LEV) releases His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s new book, entitled “The Power of the Gospel: Christian Faith in 10 Words.” Edited by Lorenzo Fazzini, the book is a collection of the Pope’s interventions and speeches, along with an unpublished introduction, which we publish in full below.

By His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

Ten words. Ten words are not many, but they can start a conversation on the richness of Christian life. Hence, in order to start it, I would like to choose three of these 10 words, as the beginning of an imaginary dialogue with those who will read these pages: Christ, communion, peace. At first glance, it may seem these terms are unrelated, and do not follow from one another. But this is not the case. They can be woven into a relationship that I would like to further deepen with you, dear readers, so that we can grasp its newness and significance together.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV announces the second edition of World Children’s Day, which will take place in Rome on September 25-27, 2026.

By Devin Watkins

At the Wednesday General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV blessed and signed a flag bearing the official logo of the 2026 World Children’s Day.

“My thoughts go to children, whom I will have the joy of encountering on the Day dedicated to them, which is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026,” he said as he greeted Italian-speaking pilgrims.

Afterwards, a 7-year-old boy from Gaza, Majd Bernard, presented the flag to the Pope, together with Fr. Enzo Fortunato, OFM Conv., President of the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day (WCD).

During his weekly General Audience, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reminds the faithful that God calls on us, as people of faith, to offer our voices to help those in need and to protect the environment.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

We are called "to reverse course," as Jesus asks us, and to "change history," His Holiness Pope Leo XIV insisted during his Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square, as he continued his catechesis series on "Jesus Christ, Our Hope."

The Holy Father began his remarks considering Christ’s Resurrection and its impact on the challenges of today’s world, pointing out that if we allow it, Christ’s salvific act can transform all our relationships, especially those with God, other people, and creation.  

The Gospel passage of today (Lk 21:5–19) is taken from chapter 21 of Luke, which recounts the so-called “eschatological discourse” of Jesus.

It all begins with a gaze — that of “some people” who speak admiringly of the beauty of the Temple and its ornaments (Lk 21:5).

And yet, of all this that they look upon with admiration, nothing will remain (Lk 21:6).

Jesus announces this, fully aware of the symbolic importance of that building: it was the heart of the people’s faith, the symbol of a nation and a religion.

The Temple will collapse, and with it a whole world will collapse — a religiosity, an era.

But Jesus continues his reflection and announces that there is something which, unlike the Temple, despite the great trials it will have to endure, will not pass away.

The trials are indeed countless and of every kind…

Dear Brothers,

I am pleased to greet you all here at the opening of 2025 annual Synod and would like to highlight the following important points related to the progress of our Chaldean Church and Iraqi Christians in general.

1. Leadership in the Church, is defined as spiritual stances, clear principles and values, as well as harmonic actions. Keeping in mind, that priesthood credibility should flow from our conscience; our ecclesial and moral responsibility; anticipations that Church has placed on us; and the public pledge we made on the day of our ordination. Therefore, I renew my call upon all fathers of the Synod to respect Synod’s decisions and find effective means to implement them in their dioceses as a sign of unity and episcopal collegiality.

2. The Synod is an Opportunity for Self-Examination, renewal, and strengthening of our affiliation with Christ and his Church, so that we may grow together. Hence, we dedicated the first morning of the Synod to prayer, reflection, and discernment…

The Eastern Prelacy hosted a celebratory event at St. Vartanants Church in New Jersey, marking the 30th anniversary of the election and consecration of Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC).

The event gathered clergy, diocesan representatives, and faithful from the New York and New Jersey area. Speakers, including V. Rev. Fr. Hrant Tahanian and V. Rev. Fr. Boghos Tinkjian, reflected on His Holiness’s decades of Ecumenical leadership and historic contributions to Armenian life.

Damascus, November 16, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC) for the Orthodox Family, expressed the Church of Antioch being proud in its charitable arm, the Department of Ecumenical Relations and Development, on the occasion of its annual feast. His Beatitude spoke during the Divine Liturgy celebrated for this occasion at the Mariamite Cathedral in Damascus, with the participation of the clergy and the presence of the department’s staff.

In his remarks, His Beatitude Patriarch John X highlighted the Department’s role and its activities across Syrian territory, even in the most difficult circumstances and without Religious discrimination. He called for standing together during these times where cooperation and solidarity are needed in in serving humankind and embodying the role and mission of the Church of Antioch.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sends a video message to the Bishops and Cardinals of the Global South participating in COP30 in Brazil, urging cooperation and stressing that it is not too late if we choose deeds over words.

By Francesca Merlo - Belém, Brazil 

COP30 has dedicated much of its discussion time to the global south, and the Catholic Church has been no exception, with meetings and symposiums in which Asia, Africa and Latin America and the Caribbean were all represented through their respective Cardinals.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, too, has demonstrated his closeness to the people of the Global South, sending a video message to all the Bishops participating in COP. 

On the morning of Friday, November 14, 2025, an Assembly of both celibate and married Priests serving in the Eastern Diocese was held with the participation of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC). His Eminence Archbishop Anoushavan, representing the clergy, warmly welcomed His Holiness and expressed gratitude for his gracious presence on the occasion of his 30th enthronement anniversary. The archbishop thanked His Holiness for his continual support, especially in providing young members of the Cilician Brotherhood to address the needs of the Prelacy.

The series of events celebrating the 30th anniversary of the enthronement His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), included a prestigious concert at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall, organized by the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America. The event featured internationally acclaimed soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, who performed a program of Armenian spiritual, ancient folk, and classical songs. The concert was received with great enthusiasm by the audience.

The concert was graced by the distinguished presence of His Eminence Archbishop Elpidophoros of America, Primate of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.

As a central part of his Pontifical visit to the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), conducted a series of visits to Armenian schools throughout California. During these visits, His Holiness presided over the foundation-laying ceremony for a new kindergarten and nursery school, in addition to new halls and various departments within the existing educational complexes.

His Holiness Pope Leo XIX encourages consecrated religious to build communities that respect the dignity of every person, in a message sent to a conference promoted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

By Devin Watkins

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sent a message on Monday to participants in a conference entitled “Building Communities that Safeguard Dignity,” promoted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

In his message, the Pope encouraged consecrated men and women attending the event to reflect on ways to build communities that respect the dignity of all people, especially the most vulnerable.

Meeting with the Catholic Biblical Federation, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV encourages Biblical Scholars and Pastoral Ministers to make the Word of God easily accessible to all people, especially in digital spaces so that younger generations can encounter Christ.

By Devin Watkins

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV met on Monday with the members of the Catholic Biblical Federation, expressing his gratitude for their service to the Word of God.

He reflected on the 60th anniversary of Dei Verbum, the Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, and the Second Vatican Council’s call for Sacred Scripture to be easily accessible and glorified everywhere.

The Armenian community of San Francisco hosted an official banquet on Saturday evening, November 8, 2025, in honor of His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Church, Holy See of Cilicia, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches (MECC), celebrating his Pontifical visit and the 30th anniversary of his enthronement.

The event gathered a distinguished assembly of spiritual and lay leaders, including the Prelate of the Western Diocese, His Eminence Archbishop Kegham Khatcherian; His Eminence Archbishop Torkom Donoyan; His Grace Bishop Dajad Ashekian; the Spiritual Pastor of the Church; Clergy of the Cilician Brotherhood; as well as Representatives from the ARF Bureau, the ARF Central Committee of the Region, the Diocesan Executive Council, and local community boards.

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, received at the Papal Residence in Cairo, on Monday 10 November 2025, His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews lll, Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India, together with the accompanying delegation.

During the reception, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II welcomed His Holiness the Catholicos and his companions, then accompanied him on a tour of the Papal Residence. The visit included the Church of Archangel Michael and the Gift Museum, before a joint session was held, presided over by both His Holiness Pope Tawadros and His Holiness the Catholicos, and attended by the delegations of both Churches.