On February 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), consecrated St. Mary Church in Dandenong - Melbourne.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary.

Sunday, February 15, 2026 is Judgment Sunday (Meatfare Sunday), followed by Forgiveness Sunday (Cheesefare Sunday) on February 22. Then, as Holy and Great Lent begins, we would do well to look to the guidance and insights of His All-Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I as to how best to observe this blessed period.

In his message for Holy and Great Lent 2025, His All-Holiness reminds us that this is a time of “fasting and repentance, of spiritual vigilance and journey with the Lord,” culminating in “the veneration of His splendid Resurrection.” This is because “the services and hymns of this season associate the spiritual struggle of the faithful with the expectation of the Lord’s Pascha, whereby the forty-day fast radiates the fragrance of the paschal joy.”

The goal for every Christian is to become “worthy of our own passage from earthly things to ‘that which no eyes have seen and no ears have heard and no human heart has ascended’ (1 Cor. 2.9).” The Christian must take hold of the opportunity that Holy and Great Lent offers to “become conscious of the depth and wealth of our faith as ‘a personal encounter with Christ’”…

In a message to the Theological-Pastoral Congress on the Guadalupan Event, held in Mexico City from 24 to 26 February 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV presents Our Lady of Guadalupe as a model of authentic inculturation and a lasting criterion for the Church’s Evangelizing mission.

The Theological-Pastoral Congress, promoted by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, the Mexican Episcopal Conference, the Knights of Columbus, and the Pontifical International Marian Academy, seeks to renew reflection on the Guadalupan event in preparation for the Jubilee of 2031, marking 500 years since the apparitions to Saint Juan Diego on Tepeyac Hill.

In his message, dated 5 February, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflects on the manner in which God reveals Himself in history, not as an abstract idea imposed from without, but by entering into human experience and engaging freedom. Evangelization, he explains, means making Jesus Christ present and fostering a living relationship with Him that shapes personal and communal life.

We publish the text of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s new introduction to the book “Peace Be with You!” published by HarperCollins and available in bookstores in the United States and English-speaking countries starting February 24, which is the English-language version of the volume “E pace sia!” published in August 2025 by the Vatican Publishing House.

By His Holiness Pope Leo XIV

Peace is one of the great issues of our time, and is both a gift and a commitment: a gift from God built by men and women throughout the ages.

We live in a world wounded by too many conflicts and struck by bloody hostilities. Bitter nationalism tramples on the rights of the weakest. Even before it is crushed on the battlefield, peace is defeated in the human heart when we give in to selfishness and greed and when we allow partisan interests to prevail instead of looking to the common good. Many writers have said that it is when we refuse to listen to other people’s stories that we begin to deprive them of their dignity. Depersonalizing others is the first step in any war. To know others, on the other hand, is a foretaste of peace. But in order to know, one must first know how to love. Saint Augustine said that “no one can be known except through friendship” (Eighty-three Different Questions, 71)…

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV writes a note to Bishops inviting them to embed Vatican News' new video widget in the web pages of Dioceses, Parishes, and organizations linked to the Catholic Church, which will be automatically updated with our latest news and videos.

“Dear brother, this initiative by Vatican News is a tool for evangelization; it offers an opportunity to create a network and exchange gifts between Rome and the Church in your country. It is a way for your parishes and communities to constantly obtain information from the primary source.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV wrote this in a message sent to Bishops around the world, inviting them to use Vatican News’ new video widget.

Dioceses, parishes, and Catholic associations and organizations will be able to embed this tool on their websites, in order to feature videos and news for free about the Pope and the Holy See.

After celebrating Mass at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Castro Pretorio neighborhood in Rome, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV met with members of the community founded by Saint John Bosco, to whom the parish is entrusted, expressing appreciation for their service towards young people, especially foreigners.

“As a young man, before entering the Augustinians, I also visited the Salesian community. You came in second place — I’m sorry!”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV’s “confession” to the members of the community founded by St. John Bosco was welcomed with laughter, as he addressed them during his visit to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the Castro Pretorio neighbourhood in Rome on Sunday, February 22.

He expressed his appreciation for their service in many parts of the world, “where there is war, where there is conflict, where there is poverty, where Jesus wants to be present.”

Is 52:13-15; 53:1-6; Mt 27:27-31 

Dear brothers and sisters,

The image of Christ crowned with thorns, the “Ecce Homo,” which we celebrate today, is one of the most difficult to understand, yet also one of the most significant in our tradition. It is not merely a moment of cruelty in the Passion, but the revelation of the face of both God and man.

The journey of the Old Testament is a journey toward a Face. The believer’s heart longs to see the face of God: “My soul thirsts for God, the living God: when shall I come and behold the face of God?” (Ps 42:3). Moses speaks with God “face to face” (Ex 33:11), but when he asks to see His Glory, the answer is clear: “You cannot see my face” (Ex 33:20). The face of God remains hidden. The face is too much. It is the excess of being, holiness, and love that fallen man cannot bear. The Law, the Prophets, and Wisdom are His blurred features. The face of God is the great desire of every human being, and the ancient plea remains: “Make Your face shine upon us, and we shall be saved” (Ps 80:4)…

Mt 4:1–11

The account of the first sin committed by Adam and Eve, which we read in chapter three of Genesis, tells us that evil occurs in the heart of Man when one forgets the Word with which God spoke to him/her, allowing oneself to be confused by other voices, which insinuate themselves and distract from the truth that has been already revealed.

Today’s Gospel passage (Mt 4:1–11) follows this exact pattern: at the Jordan river, Jesus received a word from the Father, a word that revealed to him his identity as the beloved Son.

Immediately after this, Jesus must face a trial, which consists precisely in a voice different from that of the Father, a voice that proposes a different path from the one inaugurated at his Baptism.

It does not only propose that he do things differently, but that he assumes an identity not his own: Jesus is the beloved Son, who can trust the Father in everything and live by his Word, without seeking to secure his identity through achievement…

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV visits the Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in the neighbourhood of Castro Pretorio in Rome, close to the Termini train station and meets the Parish community. In his homily, he invited them to be “the yeast of the Gospel in the dough" of an area marked by many difficulties.

The wire of a phone charger dangles from an outlet, between the wooden confessionals built in the time of St. John Bosco, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus in Castro Pretorio in central Rome on Sunday, February 22, 2026.

Kicked aside by hurried steps, it’s easily forgotten, leaving eyes to wander elsewhere, as they’re attracted by the electric current that runs through the central nave of the Parish run by the Salesian Order: His Holiness Pope Leo XIV is passing by, as part of his second of five visits to Parishes across the city in the time leading up to Easter.

After the Angelus Prayer, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV strongly renewed his appeal for the silencing of arms and the cessation of bombings. "Let an immediate ceasefire be reached, and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace," said the Pope, marking four years since the start of the war against Ukraine. Peace cannot be postponed, he emphasized: "Every war is truly a wound inflicted upon the entire human family; it leaves in its wake death, devastation and a trail of pain that marks generations."

"Let the weapons fall silent, let the bombings cease, let an immediate ceasefire be reached, and let dialogue be strengthened to pave the way toward peace."

Four years after the start of the war against Ukraine, the Pope’s heart went out to the people living through such suffering devastation, which His Holiness Pope Leo XIV recalled following the Angelus prayer from the Apostolic Palace window, a war that is "unfolding before the eyes of the whole world."

During his Sunday Angelus address on this first Sunday of Lent, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV says the Lenten season offers the faithful the opportunity to let the Lord cleanse them, cooperate better with God, and, in doing so, craft their lives as unique masterpieces.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Let the Lord cleanse you, purify you and transform you into a unique masterpiece, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV told the faithful on this first Sunday of Lent during his midday Angelus address in the Vatican.

In his address, the Pope recalled the day's Gospel reading according to St. Matthew, in which Jesus enters the desert and is tempted by the devil (cf. Mt 4:1–11). After fasting for forty days, the Pope noted that physically, through hunger, and morally, through the devil’s temptations, Christ feels the weight of his humanity.

On February 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), visited “Mor Gregorius Bar Ebroyo” School for Christian Education in Melbourne.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.

On February 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), met the Youth of St. Georges Church in Melbourne.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.

During the meeting, His Holiness listened to the youth and their challenges in the diaspora. He encouraged them to remain attached to their church and its traditions and to be active in offering witness to Christ in their society.

On Friday, 20 February 2026, 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), received a delegation from the Christian–Muslim Encounter “Together Around the Virgin Mary,” headed by its president, Naji Khoury. Notably, through the initiative’s sustained efforts, the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary was proclaimed a joint national holiday in Lebanon, celebrated by both Christians and Muslims.

During the meeting, the delegation presented a report to His Holiness Catholicos Aram I outlining its activities and ongoing initiatives. The Catholicos, commending the Encounter’s work and drawing on his extensive experience in interreligious dialogue, offered several recommendations to further strengthen Christian–Muslim cooperation.

On February 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), met the Clergy and Members of the Syriac Orthodox Youth Group Of Melbourne (SOYGOM).

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.

During the meeting, His Holiness spoke to the Priests and Committee Members about their ministry to the youth and challenges they are facing. He urged the Priests and Members of the Committee to help the youth remain attached to their Church and its traditions.

On February 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), met the Clergy and Councils of the Syriac Orthodox parishes in Melbourne - Australia.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.

During the meeting, His Holiness spoke to the priests and councils about their ministry to the faithful and encouraged them to further cooperate for the development and progress of the church and its people.

On February 22, 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), presided over the Evening Prayer (Ramsho) at St. Aphrem Church in Melbourne - Australia. He also prayed the Shubqono (Forgiveness) service which is celebrated at the beginning of the Great Lent.

Their Eminences Archbishops: Mor Malatius Malki Malki, Patriarchal Vicar of Australia and New Zealand, and Mor Augeen Al-Khoury Nemat, Patriarchal Secretary, were also present.

“Vartan Mamigonian was one who understood that one cannot serve two masters” (Matt. 6.24). On the occasion of Lebanon’s joint Armenian Evangelical Worship Service this year, the Sermon was given by Reverend Jirair Ghazarian on the topic “The Battle for Continuation of Life”. He exhorted the congregation, saying, “No one can rob you of your (spirit’s) harmony once you have offered it to Christ.”

The Armenian Evangelical Emmanuel Church hosted this Worship Service on the morning of 12 Feb. 2026, with the participation of several Armenian Evangelical Pastors.

During the Service Pastor George Sahili read a selection from “Vartan’s Exhortation”, 12th grade student Alice Arslanian from the Armenian Evangelical Central High School recited V. Tekeyan’s “Khorhourt Vartanants”, and that school’s music teacher, Mr. Ghazar Keoshkerian, sang “Lrets, Amberuh”.

As Lent begins, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV says that ashes remind us of “the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war.”

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV reflected on repentance, community, and death this evening, as he presided over Ash Wednesday Mass in Rome’s Basilica of Saint Sabina.

The ashes the attendees were about to receive on their forehands, he said, remind us of “the weight of a world that is ablaze, of entire cities destroyed by war.”

The state of the world, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV stressed, asks us on this Ash Wednesday “to call death for what it is, and to carry its marks within us”.