For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Leisure Read)
Pontiff On Iran: Peace Not Built With Mutual Threats Or Death-Dealing Arms
Pontiff Leo XIV appeals for nations to recall their moral responsibility to seek peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East after the US and Israel carry out airstrikes on Iran. By Devin Watkins
Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pontiff Leo XIV expressed “deep concern” over recent events in the Middle East and Iran.
“Stability and peace are not built with mutual threats, nor with weapons, which sow destruction, pain, and death, but only through a reasonable, authentic, and responsible dialogue,” he said.
The Pontiff warned of an immense tragedy if violence escalates out of control.
“Faced with the possibility of a tragedy of enormous proportions,” he said, “I address to the parties involved a heartfelt appeal to assume the moral responsibility to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss!”
Pontiff Leo prayed that nations may return to dialogue in order to seek peace.
“May diplomacy recover its role and may the good of peoples be promoted, peoples who long for peaceful coexistence founded on justice,” he said. “And let us continue to pray for peace.”
On Saturday, Israel and the United States began carrying out joint airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities.
Iran then responded with attacks on Israel and several Gulf countries which host American military bases.
Later, state-run news agencies announced the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who ruled Iran for nearly 37 years.
LISTEN HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Pontiff Prays For Peace, Dialogue Between Pakistan And Afghanistan
Pontiff Leo XIV appeals to Afghanistan and Pakistan to return to dialogue after recent clashes, and prays for victims of heavy flooding in Brazil. By Devin Watkins
Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan broke out earlier this week after Pakistan accused its neighbor of harboring insurgents, with both sides carrying out strikes inside each other’s territory.
Speaking at the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV urged both sides to urgently return to dialogue, expressing his concern.
He prayed for peace and concord in all conflicts of the world, including in the Middle East where Israel and the US have launched attacks on Iran, which has in turn struck nearby countries.
“Let us pray together that concord may prevail in all conflicts in the world,” said the Pontiff. “Only peace, a gift of God, can heal the wounds among peoples.”
Flooding in Brazil
Pontiff Leo also expressed his closeness to people in Brazil’s Minas Gerais State, which has endured violent flooding in recent days.
“I pray for the victims, for the families who have lost their homes, and for all those engaged in rescue operations,” he said.
At least 46 people were killed in the southeastern state, following torrential rain and heavy flooding.
Most of those killed were in the cities of Juiz de Fora and Uba, which lie about 300 kilometers north of Rio de Janeiro.
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Bishop Berardi: ‘We Must Pray Not To Be Swept Up In This Spiral’
Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, expresses his gratitude to Pontiff Leo XIV for his appeal for peace, as churches across the Arabian Peninsula remain closed amid the highly uncertain security situation. By Olivier Bonnel
Speaking from his vicariate house in Awali, Bahrain, Bishop Aldo Berardi, Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, does not hide his concern, as the war has crossed a new threshold in the region.
Israel and American have carried out bombardments in Iran, and the Islamic Republic has responded, launching missiles at several Gulf countries, where US military bases are also located.
On Saturday, February 28, the first day of the bombings, Bishop Berardi sent a communiqué to all priests and men and women religious of his vicariate, which covers four countries of the Arabian Peninsula—Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar.
He emphasized that this is “a time of uncertainty” and asked everyone to take shelter, remain united in prayer, and follow the security instructions of local authorities.
After Pontiff Leo XIV launched an appeal for peace at the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Bishop Berardi spoke to Vatican News in the following interview about the situation on the ground.
[Bishop Berardi:] We were, of course, expecting an intervention from the Pontiff this Sunday, because the situation is truly complicated. The region is already very complex because of geopolitics and its economic implications, and now, with this Israeli-American intervention, it has unleashed—I would not say hell—but something we were not expecting.
On the other hand, we were telling ourselves that Iran might respond in an unrestrained way, since it was struck at the heart of its society; this has unleashed even more hatred and vengeance. We are caught in a logic of “you strike me, I strike you; you attack me, I attack you.”
Q: Many Gulf cities have been hit by missiles in retaliation. What is the current situation where you are in Bahrain, and in the other countries of the region?
Just a little while ago, (around 1:00 p.m. Rome time, ed.), a missile passed over the Bishop’s residence here, and the debris were intercepted by Bahrain; they fell next to the cathedral. We had a fire not far from the building. That has really shaken us, especially since the cathedral is new.
There have been missile launches since yesterday. So, we have closed all the churches to avoid problems. It is not the churches themselves that are directly targeted, but debris and explosions can damage buildings and, above all, injure people. It is continuing: there are regular alarms, and so everyone remains at home. We do not go out for safety reasons. Life has slowed down in a certain way, and our churches are closed.
The priests celebrate Mass together in the evening for peace; this is what I requested in each parish, that all the priests together celebrate Mass for peace. This is being done by video, for Manama and for Kuwait. People asked to be able to participate, but we do not want to take the risk.
In Qatar, for example, the church was closed by the police; the entire religious compound was shut down—no one goes in, no one goes out—and there was also debris not far from the religious buildings. Everyone is praying, and we are waiting for things to calm down.
Q: The Pontiff spoke of the moral responsibility of leaders to stop the spiral of violence before it becomes “an irreparable abyss.” Is that a danger you feel where you are?
Yes, because, as you know, in this part of the world, grievances are deep-rooted and centuries old. So, when such great violence is accumulated, when the dignity and self-respect of peoples are struck, and when attacks are carried out violently, the response is equally violent.
Of course, we enter into an abyss and a spiral, and we do not know where it may lead us. There is a risk that we will be drawn into a spiral of vengeance and reciprocal violence that can sweep us away.
We must pray that peace may be restored and that we are not swept up in this spiral. If each side enters the battle because it feels attacked, there is a risk that the entire region will explode.
Fr. Faltas Laments The Din Of War That Drowns Out Sound Of Peace
Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, Head of Schools of the Custody of the Holy Land, laments the outbreak of further violence in the Middle East, saying children cannot understand the inhuman reasons we give for war. By Fr. Ibrahim Faltas*
In Jerusalem, fear is palpable and almost tangible. Empty streets, inaccessible places of worship, and closed shops of the Old City, and the wounded and destruction in so many cities of the Holy Land have once again become the images of the suffering of this martyred land. They are tangible scars and invisible wounds that reveal the pain and trauma of what has happened with the new and repeated outbreak of an endless war.
Near the Holy Places, we live an apparent normality because we believe, pray, and hope, but the deafening noise of war always brings us back to painful reality.
Children do not understand violence; they do not know the inhuman reasons for violence, and they continue to be the innocent victims of the absurdity of evil.
Children understand and recognize only goodness. In these moments they tremble, and it is evil that makes them tremble; it is the fear of something they do not know that extinguishes their smiles—the smiles of all the children who suffer and die in countries that are scenes of war. They die and suffer in Gaza, in Tehran, in Kyiv, in Tel Aviv.
They are frightened, they are sad, they suffer from hunger and from the cold, they are afraid under the shelter of wet tents, they are isolated in the darkness of shelters and bunkers, they are buried under the rubble of schools and homes, they do not play, and they do not use pens and colored pencils.
This is the inhuman result of war.
After October 7, 2023, there were many appeals and requests to the international community to become human again. Two Pontiffs appealed for peace with great intensity, as did civil and religious authorities, ordinary men and women, and prominent figures.
The answers have not come, and if they have come, they have so far produced no results and no solutions in Gaza, in the Holy Land, and in other areas afflicted by years of war and violence.
Who should have responded to the requests for peace? What humanity responds to wounded humanity?
These are questions that cannot find answers if, for years, the essential rights of the innocent continue to be trampled upon, and if the duties of the international community are managed according to the interests of a war economy and by indifference toward those who suffer.
In Gaza, children deprived of the right to serenity, instead of receiving assistance and education, are forced to search through the rubble for objects they can resell in exchange for food and blankets.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... Breaking the silence of a deserted city is the sound of sirens, which causes anguish while waiting for missiles that will bring yet more death and destruction. Fear returned with force, or perhaps it had never really disappeared, on Saturday morning—it was a Saturday like that tragic October 7, 2023.
Together with teachers and school staff, we managed to maintain the calm needed to reassure the children while waiting for their parents, who had only just left their children at the school entrance.
It was not easy for the teachers to hold back their tears as they reassured the children, who had just recited together the simple prayer of Saint Francis before entering the classroom.
I looked at the children, the hidden trauma in their sad eyes; I felt the awareness and responsibility of the adults, their suffering because the return of violence would bring a renewed distancing from the welcoming serenity of the school: these thoughts and these worries crowd my mind and heart.
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Religious women healing migrants’ wounds in Mexico
Violence, poverty and lack of opportunities force thousands of Latin Americans to migrate to the United States, triggering a migration crisis that consecrated religious face with professionalism and mercy.
By Rocío García Villegas
“On the migration journey, I have seen tired bodies, but especially wounded hearts; by healing those wounds we remind them that their life has value.”
That’s how Sister María Soledad Morales Ríos described the mission carried out by the Daughters of Mary of the Lord Saint Joseph through the House of Welcome, Formation and Empowerment for Women and Migrant and Refugee Families (CAFEMIN).
For more than 13 years, this place in Mexico City has accompanied more than 20,000 migrants from 70 countries, becoming a refuge of dignity. Inspired by the experience of the migrant Holy Family of Nazareth and in a reinterpretation of its charism, the Congregation offers a concrete response to human suffering.
That’s why in CAFEMIN, nothing is impossible: although its housing capacity is 100 people, in emergency situations, it has housed up to 800.
Read the full article HERE: Religious women healing migrants’ wounds in Mexico
Violence, poverty and lack of opportunities force thousands of Latin Americans to migrate to the United States, triggering a migration crisis that consecrated religious face with professionalism and mercy.
By Rocío García Villegas
“On the migration journey, I have seen tired bodies, but especially wounded hearts; by healing those wounds we remind them that their life has value.”
That’s how Sister María Soledad Morales Ríos described the mission carried out by the Daughters of Mary of the Lord Saint Joseph through the House of Welcome, Formation and Empowerment for Women and Migrant and Refugee Families (CAFEMIN).
For more than 13 years, this place in Mexico City has accompanied more than 20,000 migrants from 70 countries, becoming a refuge of dignity. Inspired by the experience of the migrant Holy Family of Nazareth and in a reinterpretation of its charism, the Congregation offers a concrete response to human suffering.
That’s why in CAFEMIN, nothing is impossible: although its housing capacity is 100 people, in emergency situations, it has housed up to 800.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Pontiff Leo XIV: Theology Serves To Move The Church's Mission Forward
Pope Leo XIV addresses Italian theologians from the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria and insists that theology must work to proclaim the Gospel, deepen the mystery of the faith, and resist the temptation to turn backward. By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”
Pontiff Leo XIV expressed this when meeting representatives of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria on Monday morning in the Vatican.
Offering reflections concerning the path of formation offered by the respective institutions, the Pontiff encouraged them to move forward and backward, and to do theology together.
Recalling that Puglia and Calabria lie along the sea, Pontiff Leo referred to when the late Pontiff Francis addressed the writers of La Civiltà Cattolica in 2017 and said, “Remain on the open sea. The Catholic must not be afraid of the open sea; he must not seek the shelter of safe harbors.”
Pontiff Leo said there is a great need for this attitude, especially in the contexts in which the faith must be proclaimed and inculturated today. "It is not a matter of acquiring notions in order to fulfill academic obligations," he said, "but of setting out on a courageous navigation, a crossing on the high seas."
Twofold Direction
This journey, the Pontiff said, moves in a twofold direction.
“On the one hand,” he said, “it is a path of descending into the depths, probing the abysses of the mystery of God and the various dimensions of the Christian faith.”
“On the other hand,” Pontiff Leo continued, “it is a putting out into the deep in order to go beyond, to explore other horizons and thus to find new forms and new languages in which to proclaim the Gospel in the different situations of history.”
The Pontiff said he wished to reiterate an "important point," namely that “theology serves the proclamation of the Gospel; therefore it is an integral and fundamental part of the Church’s mission.”
Deepening The Mystery Of The Faith
In this context, he reminded them that theological formation "is not a destiny for a few specialists," "but a call addressed to all," so that each one may deepen the mystery of the faith and receive the useful tools to carry forward with passion the persevering commitment of cultural and social mediation of the Gospel.
In this perspective, the Pontiff said he wished to recall the precious journey of unity that has begun in their regions, also by unifying realities, institutes and paths of formation that previously proceeded autonomously.
Pontiff Leo marveled that this is truly "an important synergy," marking "a genuine historical step of which they are becoming protagonists," one that promotes communion among the dioceses, encourages the overcoming of old local rivalries and, above all, fosters an ecclesial journey marked by unity and fraternity.
Going Forward, Not Backward
Along this road, the Pope said, it is possible to build a common horizon of thought and a convergence regarding pastoral challenges and the demands of evangelization.
Thus, he invited the theologians “to do theology together.” He stressed that a formation that serves the proclamation of the Gospel is possible only together, navigating “on the open sea” but not as solitary navigators.
This effort, the Pontiff encouraged, requires "leaving one’s safe harbor and going beyond one’s own territorial and ecclesial boundaries, in encounter and exchange, in mutual listening and in dialogue, in that communion among the Churches which connects resources, competencies and charisms."
By doing theology together, he reflected, intellectual, spiritual and pastoral horizons are broadened and intermingled, generating common perspectives and a more incarnate ecclesial commitment in the territory, offering the possibility of renewing the styles and languages of the faith in the real context in which they find themselves.
Pursuing Theology Together
Moreover, in doing theology together, he told them they will discover that they are a laboratory that prepares future presbyters and pastoral workers to live ecclesial relationships in the synodal style, in which the various ecclesial subjects, ministries and charisms complement one another, overcoming every form of closure, and will be better able to welcome the questions and challenges of the social and cultural context.
The Pontiff acknowledged that the region’s rich history and religiosity unfortunately do not erase the numerous social problems, stressing that the crisis of employment, the phenomenon of emigration, and all those forms of oppression, slavery and injustice call for a new conscience and a bold commitment on the part of all.
Don’t Be Seduced By The Temptation To Turn Back
Finally, the Holy Father stressed that theological formation contributes to generating a critical and prophetic thought, representing a cultural investment for the future capable of defusing the logic of resignation and indifference.
“I encourage you to carry forward this project with enthusiasm, with determination and without allowing yourselves to be seduced by the temptation to turn back.”
Pontiff Leo concluded by inviting those before him to dream of an academic community in which candidates for the ordained ministry, consecrated men and women, lay men and lay women are formed together, helping Christian communities become signs of the Gospel and workshops of hope.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20... ********
Christians And Muslims Join In Pakistan To Pray For Peace
An interreligious meeting in Lahore brings Christians and Muslims together during their seasons of Lent and Ramadan to pray for an end to the border violence between Pakistan and Afghanistan and renew their shared commitment to peace. By Kielce Gussie
As ongoing conflict and violence mark daily life at the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, an interreligious gathering at the “Peace Center” in Lahore, Pakistan, brought together representatives of Christian and Muslim communities at the Badshahi Mosque—the royal mosque of the city—to pray for peace.
Fr. Asif Sardar, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Lahore, explained that the meeting “is intended to be a sign of peace and unity, especially amid the war between Afghanistan and Pakistan.”
A shared commitment to peace
According to the Vatican’s Fides news agency, the Vicar General described the event as a “dream” as he was able to “witness interreligious harmony and peace between the two communities.” The gathering brought these Muslim and Christian leaders during the Lenten and Ramadan seasons and included an iftar, which is the meal to break the fast.
Fr. Sardar explained the event was dedicated to reaffirming the two communities' spiritual communion and “shared commitment to peace in this difficult time marked by the war that directly affects us.” Placing a focus on fasting, prayer, and charity, he noted, means sharing bread with those who have none, promoting justice, peace, and reconciliation.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... **********
Meeting with representatives of the Theological Faculty of Puglia and the Theological Institute of Calabria, Pope Leo recalled the words of his predecessor Pope Francis when he addressed the writers of La Civiltà Cattolica in 2017.
Pope Leo encouraged these theological groups to be courageous and to set “out on a courageous navigation, a crossing on the high seas.”:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/128277585374... ********
Nuncio to Kuwait: ‘A Long War Benefits No One In Region Already Under Strain’
Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, speaks to Vatican News about local Church’s desire to pray and fast for peace, as violence escalates in the Middle East. By Delphine Allaire
Five people have been killed in the Gulf since Saturday, February 28, all of them foreign nationals: one in Kuwait, three in the Emirates, and one in Bahrain.
On Monday, March 2, new explosions were heard in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Manama. In Kuwait, thick smoke rose from the US embassy.
Iranian strikes are shaking these states of the Arabian Peninsula, long considered havens of security.
In the following interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Eugene Nugent, Apostolic Nuncio to Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, describes the situation and the Church’s desire for peace.
Q: What is the current situation in Kuwait, where you are based?
The situation is dramatic and worsening day by day. We hardly slept at all last night because of a series of explosions heard from 2:00 AM onward, followed by incessant sirens. This morning, we learned that the American embassy here in Kuwait was attacked by a drone. Fortunately, there were no deaths, but there was damage, including a fire inside the embassy.
Again this morning, we learned that two American military aircraft were shot down near the US air base “Ali al Salem,” which I know quite well because I go there regularly to celebrate Mass. There is an Italian contingent right next to it.
We are trying to remain calm, of course, but it is somewhat frightening, it must be said. Around the nunciature, we have seen no damage. We are the only embassy in the Shaab district, a quiet part of the city.
The diplomatic district, which also houses the Iranian embassy, is fairly close, but our neighborhood is calm. Military bases and airports are the main targets, as well as Terminal 1 of Kuwait Airport, which was hit on the very first day by a drone.
Q: Bahrain and Kuwait are being affected by the war. How is it being experienced in states that ordinarily promote interreligious dialogue and peaceful coexistence?
We are all somewhat shocked by what is happening. We had hoped that the dialogue and negotiations underway would bear fruit. We were truly surprised when the war broke out on February 28.
Fortunately, the Holy Father’s message this Sunday at the Angelus, and his appeal for prayer for peace in this region, as well as for dialogue and negotiation, were well received here. We shared it widely.
The same is true of the message from the Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, inviting people to prayer and solidarity at this time, which was also well received.
Q: What voice can be raised at a time when attacks and reprisals are evolving minute by minute in every direction?
We remain in contact with the authorities and ambassadors, at least to encourage them to use every possible means to bring this war to an end. Sadly, once a war begins, no one ever knows when it will end.
Everything is accelerating, but we must still try every avenue. A long war benefits no one and will benefit no one, especially in a region already tried by many conflicts.
Q: How can diplomacy be renewed in the face of entrenched hostility?
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Synod Office Releases First Two Final Reports of The Study Groups
The General Secretariat of the Synod publishes the first two Final Reports of the Study Groups established by Pontiff Francis following the First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: that of Study Group No. 3 on 'The mission in the digital environment' and that of Study Group No. 4 on 'The revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis in a missionary synodal perspective.' By Vatican News
The General Secretariat of the Synod has today released the first two Final Reports of the Study Groups established by Pontiff Francis following the First Session of the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.
The reports published were that of Study Group No. 3 on 'The Mission in the Digital Environment' and Study Group No. 4 on 'The Revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis in a Missionary Synodal Perspective.'
Pontiff Leo XIV has directed the publication of these Final Reports to share with the entire People of God the fruits of the reflection and discernment undertaken during the Synod, in a spirit of transparency and accountability. The Final Reports are published in English and Italian, with an indication of the original language and the working translation.
A summary, available in various languages, accompanies each Report to facilitate access.With the presentation of their Final Reports, Study Groups No. 3 and No. 4 conclude their mandate and are therefore to be considered dissolved.
The General Secretariat will continue to release the Final Reports progressively, with the next publication scheduled for 10 March 2026.
Cardinal Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod, said that the Reports, “beyond the value of their content," "testify to the shared journey undertaken with the Dicasteries.
"It is not the first time that the Dicasteries have collaborated on a common project, but here," he added, "there is something more: an authentic exercise of shared listening, reflection, and discernment. It is synodality put into practice, not merely bureaucratic cooperation.”
The Mission in the Digital Environment
The Report of Study Group No. 3 addresses a central question that emerged during the XVI Assembly, namely how to live the Church’s mission within a culture increasingly shaped by the digital sphere.
The Group, drawing on a broad consultation involving pastoral workers, experts, and ecclesial realities from all continents, gathered experiences, analyzed challenges, and formulated concrete recommendations.
Key themes include the need to integrate digital mission into the Church’s ordinary structures, an in-depth analysis of territorial jurisdiction in light of online communities, and the formation of pastors and pastoral workers in digital culture.
The Report concludes with a series of operative proposals articulated at three levels: the Holy See, Episcopal Conferences, and dioceses. It also includes an extensive section on the methodology adopted and the entities consulted.
Formation to the Priesthood
Rather than proceeding with a revision of the Ratio Fundamentalis Institutionis Sacerdotalis (2016), which is still considered valid in its fundamental principles, Study Group No. 4 opted to elaborate a Proposal for a Guiding Document for its implementation in a missionary synodal key, in line with the Final Document of the XVI Assembly.
The document is structured in two parts. The Preamble offers an ecclesiological-pastoral framework and identifies a series of necessary conversions in priestly formation: relational, missionary, toward communion, toward service, and toward a synodal style. At its heart lies a central insight: the identity of the priest is formed “in and from” the People of God, not in separation from it.
The Guidelines in the second part translate these conversions into concrete operative pathways.
Some of the most significant proposals include alternating residence between the seminary and parish communities or other ecclesial contexts; shared formative experiences and moments with lay faithful, consecrated persons, and ordained ministers, starting from the propaedeutic stage; the inclusion of qualified and competent women as co-responsible at all levels of formation, including within formation teams; and the acquisition of skills for co-responsibility and communal discernment.
The Group also proposed a pathway for the dissemination and implementation of the operative directions offered.
Nature And Publication Of The Final Reports
Along with the Final Report of Study Group No. 3, the General Secretariat also published a Note outlining the origin and mandate of the Study Groups, the nature of the Reports, and the envisaged operational follow-up.
In the note, it highlights that the Final Reports are the fruit of a structured process: the listening to diverse competencies and professional expertise, the analysis of numerous contributions, academic research, dialogue with various ecclesial bodies, from Episcopal Conferences to Catholic universities, and, above all, discernment and prayer.
They are to be understood as working documents.
Pope Leo XIV, has directed that the Final Reports be published progressively, as they are presented to the General Secretariat of the Synod, in a spirit of transparency.
In order that the content that has emerged may be translated into concrete orientations, decisions and processes, the Holy Father has requested the competent Dicasteries and the General Secretariat of the Synod to draw up, on the basis of the Final Reports, operative proposals, also giving an account of the choices made and of any elements not received.
This joint effort, the General Secretariat's note continues, ensures coherence with the synodal dynamism and rootedness in the Church’s missionary perspective.
The operative proposals thus formulated will be submitted to the Holy Father, who will evaluate and may approve them.
With the submission of the Final Report to the General Secretariat of the Synod, the Study Groups that have delivered it conclude the mandate entrusted to them and are therefore to be considered dissolved.
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Cardinal Radcliffe: In Times Of War, Christians Are Called To Be People Of Hope
Dominican Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe speaks to Vatican News about his ongoing visit to Ukraine, and the importance of prayer and Christian hope in times of conflict. By Fr. Mariusz Krawiec, SSP
Dominican Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe is visiting war-torn Ukraine in order to express his support and solidarity to the local Church, and the communities of the Order of Preachers.
He arrived in the capital, Kyiv, on February 27, where he met the Bishop Vitalii Kryvytskyi of Kyiv-Zhytomyr, and visited a makeshift memorial for soldiers who have died during the war. He then preached a retreat from February 28 to March 1, and will spend the rest of his two-week trip visiting his Dominican brothers.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/... ********
Cardinal Parolin: May God Silence Weapons and Reconcile Humanity
The Secretary of State presides over Mass at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Military Ordinariate, established in 1926 to care for the religious life of soldiers. By Daniele Piccini
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin presided over a Mass at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome on March 3 as part of celebrations marking the centenary of the Military Ordinariate for Italy.
Founded in 1926, the Ordinariate was established to provide spiritual and religious assistance to Italian military personnel and their families. Members of the Carabinieri, the Italian Army, the Guardia di Finanza, the Air Force, and the Navy were present at the Mass.
In his homily, Cardinal Parolin petitioned for peace: “In this moment that we all know, we ask the Lord to silence the weapons and reconcile humanity.”
The Logic of Service And of The Cross
The Secretary of State reflected on the story of Jesus analyzing the behavior of the Pharisees in the Gospel of Matthew. It should serve as inspiration - explained the Cardinal - for the ministry of chaplains serving in military contexts.
“The stern word of the Gospel,” Cardinal Parolin added, “does not remain an indictment against ‘others,’ but becomes a standard of conduct for each of us. It calls us to humble consistency, to an authority expressed in service, to a presence that neither oppresses nor seeks attention, but accompanies and guides.”
Furthermore, the Cardinal emphasized, the Cross must be “the paradigm of every Christian authority.” Within this logic, he continued, the mission of the Ordinariate can also be understood in today’s international context, marked by ongoing conflicts and geopolitical tensions that make ethical discernment more complex.
He stressed that the Church “never ceases to promote a culture of peace, understood not as disarmed naivety, but as the patient construction of conditions of justice, dialogue, and the protection of rights.”
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Asian Bishops Call For Immediate Ceasefire in Middle East
Bishops across Asia are calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East, expressing their concern that escalating violence could trigger “incalculable human and economic consequences” worldwide. By LiCAS News
The Central Committee of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences (FABC) issued a statement from Bangkok, Thailand, on March 3, calling for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.
The Asian Bishops expressed “deep anguish and grave concern over the renewed escalation of violence in the Middle East,” citing recent cycles of bombardment and retaliation involving major global and regional powers.
“The recent cycles of bombardment and retaliation, involving major global and regional powers, risk plunging the region and the world into a conflict of incalculable human and economic consequences,” the statement said.
“As a continent, we are particularly concerned about this conflict,” the Bishops added.
The FABC echoed the appeal of Pope Leo XIV, stressing that “peace cannot be built on threats or weapons that sow destruction, pain, and death”.
“Stability cannot arise from fear, nor can justice be secured through violence. Only sincere, responsible, and sustained dialogue can open pathways toward a just and lasting peace,” the Bishops said.
Speaking from the context of Asia’s religious diversity and the daily struggles of the poor, the Bishops said that peace requires justice and trust among peoples.
“Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is the fruit of justice, the work of dialogue, and the patient building of trust among peoples,” they said.
They warned that war “disproportionately wounds the most vulnerable: the poor, the displaced, children, and future generations”.
The Bishops called “for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for all parties to exercise moral responsibility, resisting the spiral of escalation that leads only to deeper suffering and irreversible loss.” They also urged “the restoration of diplomacy as the primary instrument for resolving conflicts.”
“Dialogue, however difficult, remains the only path that respects the dignity of peoples and the sovereignty of nations,” the statement said.
The FABC further encouraged “interreligious solidarity, especially among leaders of the great religious traditions present in the region, to witness together to the sacredness of life” and renewed its “commitment to stand with the poor and the victims of war, whose cries often go unheard amid geopolitical calculations”.
“We earnestly invite all our local Churches across Asia in this season of Lent to intensify prayer, fasting, and concrete acts of solidarity for peace,” the Bishops said.
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Middle East Christian Communities Grapple With Anguish and Uncertainty
Christians in the Middle East share their experience of living through difficult days as bombardments against Iran continue, along with retaliatory strikes from Tehran. By Olivier Bonnel
As the war between Iran, Israel, and the United States continues, the shockwaves are spreading throughout the region. While US President Donald Trump promised four weeks of offensive action, Iran has responded with hundreds of retaliatory strikes.
This newly opened front has heightened fears of an uncontrollable escalation. On Sunday, March 1, at the Angelus, Pope Leo XIV urged leaders to stop “the spiral of violence before it becomes an irreparable abyss.” This concern is shared by many Christians in the Middle East, even though their living conditions differ.
“As these past hours have profoundly shaken the Middle East—in Iran, the Holy Land, Lebanon, Iraq, and throughout the region—L’Œuvre d’Orient expresses its deep concern over a new escalation of violence,” the association said in a statement on Monday.
“This morning, the Lebanese woke up in a climate of shock and dismay, but also fatigue and anger,” said Vincent Gelot, L’Œuvre d’Orient’s coordinator for Lebanon and Syria.
“People here know what a war with Israel is, and they feel like they are reliving what happened a year and a half ago, after the pager attacks and the death of Nasrallah,” he continued, referring to the October 17, 2024 attack carried out by Israel against Hezbollah members’ pagers and walkie-talkies.
“The war that followed displaced 1.2 million people in Lebanon and caused major destruction,” Mr. Gelot recalled.
Shock in Lebanon
On Monday morning, schools remained closed in Beirut after Israeli strikes targeted the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital. Thousands of people have also fled villages in southern Lebanon following evacuation calls issued by the Israeli army.
Tension is palpable everywhere. “One of our partners, a school run by the Daughters of Charity, already damaged last year, is living in fear,” Mr. Gelot highlighted.
Beyond Lebanon’s borders, fear has also intensified. “No one knows what will happen; there is great concern,” said Pascale Casati-Ollier, director of L’Œuvre d’Orient’s Iraq office in Erbil, along with her husband Jean.
“Our contacts are cautious and are staying at home, as the bombardments continue. It is total uncertainty," he said.
The capital of Iraqi Kurdistan, which hosts American troops, has in recent days been targeted by several Iranian missiles.
Although the situation remains highly volatile, it is still too early to draw conclusions about the future of Christians in the region. The strikes are not targeting civilians but rather strategic military objectives.
“This new war will undoubtedly not facilitate the reintegration of Christians in the region,” Mr. Casati-Ollier explained. “It is not impossible that this will encourage them to emigrate. For now, time stands still.”
Gulf Christians in lockdown
In the Gulf countries, which have been targeted by Iran’s retaliation, many Christian communities are now on lockdown. The small Catholic community in Bahrain is organizing as best it can to provide spiritual assistance to its 80,000 faithful.
For security reasons, they are currently forbidden from gathering for Mass or any other parish activity. Liturgies and catechism classes in various languages are being held online until further notice, according to a Facebook post by Sacred Heart Church in Manama, one of two parishes in Bahrain.
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AI companies aim ‘not to help workers, but to replace them'
William Jones of the Future of Life Institute speaks to Vatican News about the current state of AI development, the impact it is already having on human beings, and the role of religion in carving out a positive future for our species.
By Joseph Tulloch
For years, AI safety experts have been warning of a future moment where AI models become advanced enough to be able to improve themselves, producing more capable successors that would then repeat the cycle.
They warn that such a dynamic—referred to as ‘recursive self-improvement’—could potentially lead to exponential, uncontrollable improvement in AI capacities, posing a severe threat to humanity.
With the recent release of AI models with much-improved coding abilities, some of those experts are now asking if that moment has arrived.
Among them is William Jones, a Futures Program Associate at the Future of Life Institute in London, which works to steer new technologies away from such extreme risks. He spoke to Vatican News about the threats posed by AI, and the role of religion in safeguarding a positive future for humanity.
The following transcript has been lightly edited for style and brevity.:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2... ********
Holy See: Christians are most persecuted religious community in world
Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the UN in Geneva, highlights the persecution that Christians face across the world and emphasizes that nations must ensure religious freedom.
By Isabella H. de Carvalho
Nations bear the responsibility to protect, respect, and guarantee freedom of religion, said Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, at the event “Standing with Persecuted Christians: Defending the Faith and Christian Values” on March 3.
“Almost 400 million Christians worldwide face persecution or violence, making them the most persecuted religious community in the world. This means that one in seven Christians is affected,” Archbishop Balestrero said.
“Even worse, almost 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith in 2025, which equates to an average of 13 per day," he said.
The Archbishop explained that for Christians, those who are killed for their faith are “martyrs,” so “’witnesses’ to their creed who embody values that challenge the logic of power,” while from the perspective of international law, “they are victims of outrageous human rights violations.”
“Their testimony must not distract from the fundamental responsibility of States which should have protected them,” the Permanent Observer highlighted.
Freedom of religion is fundamental human right
“It is the State’s duty to protect freedom of religion or belief, which includes preventing third parties from violating this right,” he insisted. “This protection has to safeguard believers who are targeted, before, during, and after an attack. However, impunity remains one of the most serious issues in the global landscape of religious persecution.”
“A State should promote freedom of religion or belief, first and above all because it is a fundamental human right,” he underlined.
Read the full article HERE:
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city... ********
Webinar Highlights Social Media As Space of Mission For Vocation
Coping with the digital environment, a recent international webinar explored how social media can become an authentic space of witness, accompaniment, and community discernment.
By Fr Mark Robin Destura, RCJ
Today, being present online is no longer optional; it is a place of encounter. To be present on social media means to inhabit a space where young people search, question, and hope. It is there that they build relationships, express their doubts, and discover new horizons.
It is in this spirit that an international webinar entitled “Social Media and Vocational Promotion: Witness and Community in the Digital World” was organized by Multimedia International in collaboration with the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) and the Union of Superiors General (USG).
Held online on Friday, February 27, 2026, the event gathered approximately 548 participants from different parts of the world. It was offered especially for formators and communicators involved in vocation promotion.
The moderator of the webinar was Sr. Thérèse Raad, SDC, Communication Director of UISG.
“The Virtual Is Real”
The input on Social Media was delivered by Raffaele Buscemi, a professional journalist, Head of Communications at Opus Dei since 2017, and faculty member at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.
Buscemi began with three foundational premises: “The virtual is real. Beauty is real. What makes something real is not the tool, but the person and the intention behind it.”
Challenging the idea that digital encounters are less authentic than face-to-face ones, he insisted that reality is not determined by the medium, but by the authenticity of persons.
He urged religious communities to clarify their intentions before entering social media platforms: “Before opening accounts on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, or elsewhere, we must ask ourselves: What do I want to do online? What do I want to achieve? Who do I want to reach?”
He warned against generic goals such as “reaching everyone” or simply “evangelizing,” stressing the need to define a concrete audience and objective.
Buscemi also emphasized interaction as essential to social media: “Social media is not television.” If one publishes content without responding or engaging, he said, one risks “doing television on the Internet,” missing the dialogical potential of digital platforms.
Regarding vocations, he made a clear distinction: “I do not believe there are ‘digital-born’ vocations. A vocation comes from God. Social media can be the first contact, the first announcement. But the vocation matures in community.”
Social Media As a Place of Mission
Sr. Amélie Jarrousse, a religious of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, shared the experience of her province’s communications team (Belgium-France-Netherlands). Reflecting on their long discernment before entering social media, she said: “From the beginning we asked ourselves: What do we want, and what do we not want to live on these networks?”
She explained that they did not want “to fall into seduction,” nor to present an idealized or artificial image of their congregation. For them, social media is not self-promotion: “We insisted on one point: being on social media is not about selling ourselves; it is a place of mission.”
She noted that young people are already living their discernment questions online, and religious communities are called to accompany them there with authenticity.
An “Open Cloister” In the Digital Continent
Fray David Jesús Velásquez Cardona, OFM Conv., National Vocational Promoter in Colombia, described social media as an opportunity to extend Franciscan fraternity into the digital sphere.
He explained: “We want our presence online to be recognizable as the presence of brothers.”
He described digital platforms as “a kind of ‘open cloister’, a space where the joy of the Gospel can reach people who are searching for meaning, consolation, and fraternity.”
He emphasized that their communication is rooted in daily life: “We are not online to ‘be seen,’ but to serve.” Through Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp, they foster initial contact that can later lead to personal accompaniment and vocational journeys.
Community Discernment and Digital Prudence
Sr. Marta Arici and Sr. Anita Sberna of the Suore Operaie della Santa Casa di Nazareth shared their congregational approach.
They described their desire: “to stay close to people, to be part of what they live, and to share what is alive within us and ultimately to share the Gospel.”
They chose to operate through community pages rather than centering communication on one individual: “We do not want to become ‘TV on the internet,’ nor to build a story around a single personality.”
All content is discerned together before publication to maintain coherence and avoid unnecessary risks.
They also acknowledged the limits and dangers of social media: time consumption, overexposure, and the temptation to seek gratification through likes and visibility.
Authentic witness in the digital world
Throughout the webinar, a common thread emerged: social media must be a space of authenticity, credibility, and community..
As Buscemi affirmed: “Be present online. Be authentic. Be credible. Be dialogical. Be intentional.”
In a time of decreasing vocations, the Church is challenged not simply to occupy digital spaces, but to inhabit them as places of mission where the Gospel can be encountered, questions welcomed, and discernment gently accompanied.
WATCH HERE:
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Posted By: agnes levine
Thursday, March 5th 2026 at 3:27PM
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