HOW PONTIFF LEO URGES SILENT MAJORITY TO CHOOSE PEACE - STOP PLANNING WARS, APOSTOLIC JOURNEY TO FOUR AFRICA!
For Immediate Release From Vatican News!
(A Fifteen-Minute Read)
Pope Leo at Prayer Vigil For Peace: Stop Planning Arms And Death
During Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Vigil for Peace in the world, the Pope appeals to leaders of nations to stop and sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, "not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!" He also insists that the Church will always advance in calling for peace "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn," and will always instil "obedience to God rather than any human authority." By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"I receive countless letters from children in areas of conflict. In reading them, one perceives, through the lens of innocence, all the horror and inhumanity of actions that some adults boast of with pride."
Pope Leo XIV gave this chilling reminder during the Prayer Vigil for Peace he led on Saturday evening in the Vatican, as he urged, "Let us listen to the voices of children!"
READ HERE POPE LEO'S FULL REFLECTION
The Prayer Vigil, which Pope Leo announced during his Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi address to the city of Rome and the world, was celebrated in St Peter's Basilica at 6 p.m. Rome time, and everyone, both in person and following from home, was invited to join. No tickets were required. Around ten thousand faithful gathered in the Basilica and outside in Saint Peter's Square.
Prayer Can Move Mountains
People around the world joined the Holy Father in praying the Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, in person and remotely, with meditations from various Church Fathers, including St. Augustine of Hippo, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Ambrose of Milan. During the Rosary, faithful from different continents lit candles with the flame from the Lamp of Peace in Assisi, which burns perpetually at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Pope thanked all those present and all those praying from afar for praying for peace, noting that their prayer is an expression of that faith which, as Jesus reminded, moves mountains. He began by recalling that: "War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens."
Yet, he reassured, "all it takes is a little faith, a mere 'crumb' of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity." He emphasized that prayer is not "a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice," but rather is "the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death."
Nothing Can Confine Us To A Predetermined Fate
In this context, he argued, "Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy."
Pope Leo remembered Saint Pope John Paul II's adamant appeals for "no more war" and his insistence on our responsibility to do everything possible to counter it.
As we pursue peace, the Holy Father marveled how prayer teaches us how to act.
"In prayer," Pope Leo marveled, "our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God." Moreover, he reflected, thoughts, words and deeds then "break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness."
True Strength Comes From Serving Life, Not From Displays Of Power
The Pope warned likewise against the idolatry of self and money.
"Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength," rather he said, "is shown in serving life."
Thus the Pope encouraged, let us "unite the moral and spiritual strength of the millions and billions of men and women, young and old, who today choose to believe in peace, caring for the wounds and repairing the damage left behind by the madness of war."
In this context, he recalled the traumatic effects on innocent children who suffer the terror of war, and called on humanity to hear their cry and protect them.
Appeal to the leaders of nations to pursue dialogue and mediation
The Pope reaffirmed the "certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations."
"To them we cry out," Pope Leo said, "Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!"
Yet, he noted, an equally significant responsibility falls to all of us men and women from all over the world, to reject war, not only in word, but in deed.
Prayer calls us to leave behind whatever violence remains in our hearts and minds. Let us turn to a Kingdom of peace that is built up day by day — in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and civil and religious communities.
Such a Kingdom, he added, is to counter polemics and resignation through friendship and a culture of encounter.
Let Us Believe Again In Moderation And Good Politics
"Let us believe once again in love, moderation and good politics. We must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!"
He went on to observe that the Rosary, like other ancient forms of prayer, united the faithful this evening in its steady rhythm built on repetition, pointing out that peace gains ground in the same way, "word by word, deed by deed, just as a rock is hollowed out drop by drop, or fabric woven stitch by stitch."
The Holy Father reminded that these are the slow rhythms of life, a sign of God’s patience.
"We must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the pace of a world that does not know what it is chasing. Rather," he suggested, "we must return to serving the rhythm of life, the harmony of creation and healing its wounds."
Church Instills Obedience To God Rather Than Any Human Authority
The Pope therefore said we are to all return home having made a commitment to pray without ceasing and without growing weary, and to a profound conversion of heart.
Recalling the Church as a great people at the service of reconciliation and peace, the Pope pointed out that She advances without hesitation, "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn."
Moreover, he upheld, "She proclaims the Gospel of peace and instills obedience to God rather than any human authority, especially when the inherent dignity of other human beings is threatened by continuous violations of international law."
Thus, the Pope expressed his hope that throughout the world, every community become a ‘house of peace,’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished. Now more than ever, he recognized, we must show that peace is not a utopia.
A Prayer To The Lord Who Conquered Death Without Weapons Or Violence
The Pope said that all brothers and sisters of every language, people and nation are one family that weeps, hopes and rises again, and thus, he again called on that family to embrace the appeal of his predecessor Pope, Saint John Paul II, to declare together, “No more war, a journey with no return; no more war, a vicious cycle of grief and violence.”
Pope Leo concluded wishing that the peace of the Risen Christ, the fruit of His sacrifice of love on the Cross, be with all people, and inviting everyone to join him in reciting the prayer for peace below:
Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!
Prior to the start of the Vigil for Peace, Pope Leo greeted the faithful in St. Peter’s Square and thanked them for their presence, for choosing to respond to “this call," "this invitation to unite all of us with our voices, with our hearts, with our lives in praying for peace.”
Peace, he acknowledged, is something we all carry in our hearts.
“May peace truly reign throughout the world, and may we be the bearers of this message.”
The Pope reminded them that God listens to us and accompanies us, recalling that Jesus told us, “Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present with us.”
In these days of the Octave of Easter, Pope Leo said, we deeply believe in the presence of the Risen Jesus among us and, united in the prayer of the Holy Rosary, asking for the intercession of our Mother Mary, “we want to tell the whole world that it is possible to build peace—a new peace that can be lived together with all peoples, of all religions and of all races—that we want to be disciples of Jesus Christ, united as brothers and sisters, all united in a world of peace.
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Pope: Easter Joy Is A Music That Overcomes Resignation And Spiritual Mediocrity
Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, reads a message from the Pope on the occasion of the fourth edition of the “Festival of the Resurrection” in Plaza Cibeles, Madrid. The Pontiff’s greeting and blessing upon the event: “How I wish that the very lives of Christians might become a concert” By Daniele Piccini
Just as, immediately after the Resurrection of the Lord more than two thousand years ago, “many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,” came out of their tombs and “entered” Jerusalem, so too today Easter does not “remain sealed in the tomb,” but “breaks into the city and enters everyday life through the lives of men and women.”
This is a passage from a message of Pope Leo XIV, read this evening, 11 April, by Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, on the occasion of the fourth edition of the “Festival of the Resurrection,” held in Plaza Cibeles, one of the most iconic squares in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The event, attended by over 60,000 people, featured performances by artists such as the band Hakuna, the Andalusian group Gypsy Kings, and the Jamaican singer Liz Mitchell.
Christ Becomes Present In The Saints Of Today
In his message for the Easter celebration, the Pontiff blesses this musical form of expressing joy at Christ’s Resurrection.
It is therefore fitting that you have gathered to celebrate, and that you have done so now for the fourth consecutive year. It is good and necessary that Easter should also find expression in music, in encounter, and in shared joy. Faith in Jesus Christ gives meaning to human joy: it purifies it, elevates it, and brings it to fulfilment.
Easter comes forth from the tomb and transforms cities and history also through the lives of the saints, “martyrs and witnesses of Jesus.” They are a model from whom Christians today can also draw inspiration: by imitating them, Christ once again “walks along your streets,” becoming present “here and now.”
The world needs to hear about Christ and to see Him in the actions of Christians who live out the newness of baptism. What is needed are young people who are not ashamed of the Gospel, communities that radiate hope, witnesses capable of making the Lord present in every sphere, lives set ablaze that make the beauty of faith visible.
The Joy Of Easter Bursts Forth In Music And Song
The musical celebration in Plaza Cibeles thus becomes, in the Bishop of Rome’s message of greeting and blessing, a striking expression of Easter joy—an uncontainable happiness that finds outward expression in song and music, and in the coming together of so many people in harmony. It is a form of expression that Leo XIV feels he can share personally and deeply.
How I wish there were celebration throughout the whole world! How I wish that everywhere Easter joy might find voices, faces, and songs! But even more: how I wish that the very lives of Christians might become a concert, a great harmony of faith, unity, communion, and charity, capable of proclaiming to the world that Christ lives! May the flame of the Easter candle go forth from your churches. May it burn away all inner lukewarmness, all resignation, all spiritual mediocrity.
“We will see each other in June”
Leo XIV invites everyone to bring this music of joy into their own lives, making “your lives a new song, one that renews the Church and brings the light of the Risen One to the world.” Finally, he assures the faithful in Spain of his prayers and blessing, and looks ahead to their next meeting, which will take place during his apostolic journey to the Iberian Peninsula: “God willing, we will see each other in June.”
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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Cardinal Parolin on Pope’s Africa Visit: Catholics Should Promote Change
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to make an Apostolic Journey to four African nations, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, tells Vatican News about the Pope’s desire to show his closeness to existential peripheries and to carry the hope of Christ. By Massimiliano Menichetti
Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea await Pope Leo XIV’s arrival, as he will embark on an Apostolic Journey to these four African countries from April 13 to 23.
During the first leg of his journey, the Holy Father will travel to Annaba, ancient Hippo. It is “not a purely commemorative gesture,” emphasized the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, “but an act of profound identity and, above all, spiritual coherence.”
In the four countries, final preparations are underway, and there is great anticipation for the words the Pope will share. As highlighted by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, during the meeting with journalists to present the Pope’s third Apostolic Journey, he will address themes including peace, dialogue, care for creation, migration, and the family.
In contrast to the predatory dynamics that often mark the African continent—fostering poverty, corruption, and violence—Cardinal Parolin expressed his hope that Catholics will be builders of justice, peace, and solidarity.
Q: The Holy Father will be in Africa from April 13 to 23, and will strengthen the Catholic communities in their faith. He will visit four countries with a very intense schedule that includes institutional meetings, encounters with local communities, and liturgical celebrations. What is the common feature that unites such a diverse itinerary?
Cardinal Parolin: The common thread of this Apostolic Journey lies in the Holy Father’s choice to bring the presence of the Church to places where human suffering is most acute.
Four countries, different in history, social context, and political challenges, yet united by an underlying reality marked by both light and shadow: vibrant and deeply rooted Catholic communities, but also poverty, fragility, inequality, and unresolved tensions.
Pope Leo XIV travels to Africa to be close to those living on the existential peripheries.
Q: The first stop is Algeria. Leo XIV will visit the Great Mosque in Algiers and, in Annaba—ancient Hippo—he will celebrate Holy Mass. What significance does this return to the places of Saint Augustine hold for a Pope who is his spiritual son? And how might this impact Islamic-Christian dialogue in a Muslim-majority country?
As a spiritual son of Saint Augustine, and the first Pope belonging to the Augustinian Order, traveling to Annaba is not merely a commemorative gesture, but an act of profound identity and, above all, spiritual coherence.
Pope Leo knows this land and has visited it several times as Prior General of the Order. In this context, Saint Augustine represents an element of dialogue: he constitutes a natural meeting point between the Christian tradition and the Islamic world.
The visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers fully fits within this perspective, as a natural continuation of the path of interreligious dialogue already undertaken in Türkiye and Lebanon—a dialogue that the Holy Father intends to pursue with patience and determination.
Q: In Cameroon, the Holy Father will visit three cities: Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. His visit will include significant moments such as the meeting for peace in Bamenda and the visit to an orphanage. In light of the tensions present in some regions of the country, what role can this visit play in promoting reconciliation and peace among the communities?
For several years now, a crisis has been ongoing in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, which has caused many casualties. The inhabitants of Bamenda are experiencing this firsthand.
Therefore, in the context of the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation, the visit of the Successor of Peter demonstrates the attention and care that the universal Shepherd of the Church has for his flock, as he strives to understand their difficulties firsthand and walk alongside them.
The stop in Bamenda is that of a shepherd who identifies with his flock. More generally, the Holy Father travels to the country as a bearer of hope—especially for young people—of reconciliation and peace. His message is an invitation to dialogue and mutual respect.
Q: The third stop is Angola, where the Pope will visit, other than the capital Luanda, symbolic places such as Muxima and Saurimo, where he will meet ecclesial communities and local realities. What message does the Holy Father intend to bring to a country marked by great resources but also by deep social inequalities?
The three places that the Holy Father will visit in Angola, in a certain sense, symbolize the challenges and hopes the country is currently experiencing.
Luanda and Saurimo represent the country’s wealth. The capital has become an oasis of prosperity that attracts foreign investment and migration from rural areas. Saurimo is a center known for its mining activities, especially diamonds.
While the exploitation of natural resources has brought prosperity, some of its negative consequences cannot be overlooked, such as the exploitation of workers, the widening socio-economic gap, and the environmental impact.
Then, the visit to the Marian shrine of Muxima represents the vitality of faith that has helped the Angolan people overcome the various difficult moments of their history.
I would also like to add that I myself was able to experience the vibrancy of the local Church when I went for the episcopal consecration of Archbishop Germano Penemote, the first Apostolic Nuncio of Angolan origin.
Q: The last country the Pope will travel to will be Equatorial Guinea, where he will visit Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata, and will meet with young people, families, the cultural world, and also prisoners. What is the significance of this particular attention to young people and families in a country where the Church has a deeply rooted presence in society?
Equatorial Guinea is among the most Catholic countries in Africa, with about 80% of the population adhering to the Catholic faith.
Following in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II, who visited the country in 1982, this visit takes place in the context of the 170th anniversary of the beginning of evangelization in the country (1855–2025), with the motto “Christ, light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope.”
With this Apostolic Journey, the people of Equatorial Guinea can recall the past with trust, while walking a path of faith and hope toward the future.
The Pope’s visit and his meetings—especially with young people and families—will rekindle the flame of their faith, encouraging them to cultivate and persevere in Christian values.
It is a loving and fatherly invitation to reconciliation, justice, and perseverance in faith, as well as a hope for a positive impact on society.
Q: Your Eminence, how important is this visit to Africa also from a diplomatic standpoint?
Every Apostolic Journey inherently carries a diplomatic dimension, as it represents an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between the Holy See and the countries visited by the Pope.
It gives him the opportunity to meet with authorities and discuss issues of common interest at the national, regional, and international levels. In Africa, this takes on particular significance, as the continent is marked by immense potential but also by major challenges.
As is well known, papal diplomacy has clear objectives: to safeguard fundamental freedoms, especially religious freedom, promote peace, encourage dialogue, including interreligious dialogue, defend the dignity of every person, and foster the integral development of peoples.
From this perspective, each stage of the upcoming Apostolic Journey, which includes both the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, becomes an opportunity to reaffirm the Church’s commitment, alongside civil and religious institutions, in favor of peaceful coexistence among different faiths and ethnic groups, social justice, the fight against poverty, and the protection of human dignity.
Ultimately, it is in support of a more just, peaceful, and united Africa.
Q: Africa is often subject to predatory dynamics and is frequently marked by poverty, corruption, and violence. How can these cycles be broken, and how important is the role of Catholics in these processes?
Africa is a continent rich in human, cultural, and natural resources, yet it is too often subject to dynamics that hinder its development: poverty, corruption, violence, and forms of exploitation that are also external and impoverish already vulnerable populations.
Breaking these mechanisms requires commitment and perseverance. The Catholic Church is present in Africa through schools, hospitals, welcome centers, and charitable works, which often provide a concrete response to people’s basic needs.
But the Church’s response does not end with charitable action; it also passes through the formation of consciences and the education of young people in the values of dignity, justice, and solidarity.
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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Bishops of Equatorial Guinea: Pope Leo's Visit Is 'A Hug From God'
The bishops of Equatorial Guinea invite everyone to welcome Pope Leo's journey to the country as a “time of grace” that fosters conversion, unity, and hope. They call for strengthening spiritual life in the face of current challenges. By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari
Just under two weeks before Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Equatorial Guinea—scheduled from April 21 to 23, 2026, as the conclusion of his visit to Africa—the local Church is intensifying its spiritual preparation with a two-fold call: to renew the priestly ministry and rekindle the faith of the People of God.
“Strengthening and renewing the foundations of our life and priestly ministry” is the central invitation that the Episcopal Conference is extending to the priests of Equatorial Guinea. In a message signed by Bishop Juan Domingo-Beká Esono Ayang of Mongomo and President of the Conference, the Church gives thanks to God for the “inestimable gift of the priestly vocation,” understood as a mystery of love in service to the Church.
The text reminds the faithful that the essential mission of the Church is “to restore the communion of men with God” and emphasizes the priest’s identity as alter Christus (another Christ), called to make visible the saving action of Christ.
In this context, the bishops insist on the care of interior life: prayer and spiritual life are “pillars of a credible priesthood.” Without a daily relationship with God, they warn, pastoral action loses its power. Against the temptations of activism or superficiality, all apostolic work must flow from a deep inner life: “We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may be clear that the power comes from God.”
At the same time, the letter highlights that the experience of priestly fraternity remains “an unfinished task despite being fundamental to the spiritual and pastoral well-being of priests.” In this regard, it underscores the urgency to “be both closer to God and to men, cultivating silence, for God speaks in silence.”
A “time of grace” for the entire people
This exhortation to the clergy is part of a broader message directed to the whole People of God, signed by the bishops in February under the theme of Pope Leo’s journey to the country: “Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope.”
The upcoming papal visit is presented not only as a historic event but as a true kairós: a time of grace to reexamine one’s history, renew faith, and open oneself to the future with hope. In this sense, the priests invite the faithful to rediscover the core of the Christian life: a personal encounter with Christ, the light that guides and transforms life.
“We are called to shine,” they say, quoting the Gospel. It is not enough to profess the faith. It must be lived through concrete works of justice, service, and charity in everyday life.
Memory And Challenges Of Faith
The bishops’ message also recalls the historic visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1982, which was considered a “miracle visit” that helped the country recover from years of crisis. However, the bishops acknowledge that, decades later, the faith faces new challenges.
They speak of a Christian experience marked by “lukewarmness and coldness,” evident in the loss of the sense of the sacred, the decline in sacramental practice, the rise of religious syncretism, and divisions caused by fundamentalist interpretations.
There is also the breakdown in the transmission of faith from parents to children; the superficiality in parish groups and associations; the lack of role models or social institutions that inspire young people with good manners and the commitment to grow in noble ideals and aspirations. These are compounded by social phenomena such as corruption, the fragility of the family, and the growing alienation of young people from the Church.
Far from a pessimistic outlook, this situation is interpreted as an opportunity for renewal. Just like a tree that appears dry but strengthens its roots, the Church is called to deepen its faith to bear new fruits.
Conversion, Reconciliation, And Hope
In this context, the bishops propose a clear path of preparation for the papal visit: intense prayer, sincere conversion, and communal reconciliation.
Pope Leo’s arrival, they recall, will be an opportunity to “receive God’s embrace” and also to rebuild relationships among Equatoguineans. The fundamental question is direct and challenges all sectors of society: Will our relationships be better after this visit?
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/...
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Major Archbishop Shevchuk: Ukrainians United With Pope Leo In Praying For Peace
In an interview with Vatican News, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said that Ukrainians will join the prayer vigil for peace led by Pope Leo at St. Peter’s on the eve of Eastern Easter. He expressed the hope for a world without war and for Ukraine to enjoy a genuine, just, and lasting peace. By Svitlana Dukhovych
“Human fragility in the context of war has become the fragility of Christ himself.” But the testimonies of Ukrainian children who were kidnapped and then released “show that fragility is revealing a strength of the Lord present among us.”
In an interview with Vatican News, the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said this as he reflected on the fifth Easter that Ukraine will experience under a state of war on Sunday, April 12.
He also reiterated the message of Pope Leo XIV, who will preside over the Prayer Vigil for Peace at St. Peter’s Basilica this evening: “War will not prevail. Children have the right to an authentic, just, and lasting peace.”
Your Beatitude, what thoughts would you like to share on the occasion of the celebration of Eastern Easter in the context of the large-scale war in Ukraine, which has now lasted more than four years?
Yes, indeed, this is already the fifth Easter celebration during the large-scale war. Our central thought, our central prayer, is the invocation for peace for Ukraine. During Holy Week, in these spiritually most intense moments of the liturgical year, we contemplate Christ: condemned Christ, tortured Christ, crucified Christ, buried Christ, but also risen Christ. These moments of Christ’s passion resonate in a very special way in the hearts of Ukrainians because we know that we are walking the same Way of the Cross together with our Lord Jesus Christ. When we contemplate Jesus Christ condemned, we know that this is our land, our people, who have been condemned to death. When we listened to the testimony of our freed prisoners: the silence of the prisoner in the face of those who condemn and torture him. Many of them perceived it as the silence of Christ before the Sanhedrin. When we heard the testimonies of Ukrainian children who were kidnapped and then released, these children shared with us their feeling of being unable to defend themselves, of being defenseless before the armed oppressor. And this human fragility in the context of war has become the fragility of Christ himself. But these children say that fragility is revealing a strength of the Lord present among us. And when we listened to the testimony of our volunteers who lost their homes, lost everything, and became war-displaced, but did not lose the ability to empathize, the ability to be sensitive to those in need. They became volunteers who save lives and are a living representation of Simon of Cyrene, capable of helping those who fall powerless under their cross.
Pope Leo XIV invited everyone to join him in the vigil for peace tonight at 6 PM. How is this initiative being received in Ukraine?
Obviously, Ukrainians will pray together with the Holy Father and keep vigil for peace. It is a prayer that is not imposed but comes from our hearts. In Ukraine, we will keep vigil at the tomb of Jesus in hope of the Resurrection, because this Saturday in Ukraine is the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Therefore, we are grateful to the Holy Father for this initiative because human consciences need to be sensitized, invited, and sometimes stirred to pray for peace. And we hope that just as Christ rose, being stronger than death, so too the peace of Christ will triumph over war in today’s world.
What message, Your Beatitude, would you like to leave to Christians in different countries of the world?
That the war ends, that children return home, that our soldiers, our defenders, boys and girls, may return safely to their families. That tortured prisoners of war may finally be freed. That Easter truly be a new beginning for a world without wars. An interesting testimony comes from a Ukrainian child from Mariupol who was taken to Russia. His mother is still in a Russian prison, but he was freed thanks to the mediation of the Holy See. He expressed, in a very clear way, the message of peace from Ukrainian children: he said that we do not want the death of the enemy, but only that no child in the world should suffer or go through the suffering that Ukrainian children are now enduring. This testimony was shared during an event: Ukrainian Post issued a stamp dedicated to Pope Leo, and precisely on Holy Thursday, it was presented. This stamp echoed the message of the Holy Father, who said: “War will not prevail. And children have the right to an authentic, just, and lasting peace.” In my view, the words of this child are also the greatest message of peace, carried by the suffering children of Ukraine.
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Cardinal Hollerich: Big Steps Are Being Taken Regarding Role Of Women In The Church
The publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation, according to Cardinal Hollerich, marks a “big step” toward greater inclusion in the Church. He stresses, however, that any possible development in women’s access to ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus to preserve unity. By Gudrun Sailer and Linda Bordoni
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Relator for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (the Synod on Synodality), has described the publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation as an important step forward, while stressing that any future development in ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus.
The report, produced by Study Group No. 5 on “Women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Church,” was recently issued by the General Secretariat of the Synod as part of the post-synodal reflection process.
Context Of A Contested Quotation
Speaking previously at the University of Bonn, Hollerich was quoted as saying: “I cannot imagine, in the long term, how a Church can survive, if half of the People of God suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.”
In an interview with Vatican News, the Cardinal clarified that the remark referred specifically to discussion on the possible ordination of women as deacons and to a long-term perspective.
He expressed his belief that such questions require a broad consensus across the Church to avoid division. He pointed to tensions within the Anglican Communion as an example of how disputes over ministry can lead to fragmentation.
Communion in the Catholic Church, he noted, is profound, making unilateral decisions particularly difficult, repeating that the issue in question “is about deacons‘ ordination and the action is long-term.“
Study Group 5: “a big step”
Cardinal Hollerich described the report of Study Group No. 5, established by Pope Francis, as a significant development: “It is a big step,” he said.
He added that “It is so important that women feel that they are welcome in the church, not just for filling up the benches in the church, but to fully participate in the life of the Church, to fully participate in the mission of the Church.”
The Cardinal affirmed that the discussion remains open and that the identification of issues itself is an important part of the synodal process.
Paths To Leadership
Pope Francis and Pope Leo, the Cardinal continued, are “showing the way to do it” and pointed to recent appointments of women to senior positions in the Roman Curia by both pontiffs as evidence of gradual change.
He also highlighted developments in his own archdiocese, where, he said, women serve as episcopal delegates responsible for key pastoral areas, including social ministry and formation, as well as in teams accompanying seminarians.
Unity And Diversity In Practice
Cardinal Hollerich said that while different pastoral approaches may exist in local churches, particularly in non-ordained ministries, any developments must remain in communion with the universal Church.
“It should always be done in dialogue with the Bishop of Rome, who is in charge of unity, and it should be well thought out. It should not be rushed just for doing it,” he said.
And he acknowledged the fact that there can be “different speeds in the local churches, because it's part of the culture and the place women have in that culture.”
He distinguished this from ordained ministry, which he said requires universal consensus to avoid division.
Finally, reflecting on pastoral concerns expressed by younger generations, he said, “I feel that, not just women who have studied theology, but when I am with young people, I can feel that many of the girls of our youth are sad because they feel that they are not completely recognised by the Church. “
“And that,” he concluded, “makes me sad as a pastor.”
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Pope to Chaldean Church: Never Be On Side Of Those Who Wield Weapons
Meeting with members of the Chaldean Church during their Synod to elect a new Patriarch, Pope Leo XIV challenges the Chaldean Catholic Church to stay true to their long and storied mission of peace, especially “in a world marked by absurd and inhumane violence, which, in these times, is driven by greed and hatred.” By Kielce Gussie
As they visit Rome for the election of their new Patriarch, members of the Chaldean Church of Baghdad met with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace on Friday morning.
The Holy Father expressed his pleasure at being present with them during this “time of precious ecclesial discernment," and he extended his greeting to the clergy, religious men and women, seminarians, and the entire faith community of the Chaldean Church around the world.
Pope Leo acknowledged the spiritual solidarity of people globally in “this moment, participating intensely through prayer.”
Rooted In The Apostles
In his greeting to the Chaldean Church, the Pope recognized the apostolic roots of the Chaldean Church, which represents “an ancient and fruitful tradition, which is intimately linked to the places of salvation’s origin."
It is a historic tradition that brought the Gospel message beyond the borders of the Roman Empire and around the globe.
He highlighted their role as guardians of a living memory that has been passed down throughout the centuries.
“Your history is glorious,” the Holy Father noted. But it has not been an easy road. There have been “wars, persecutions, and tribulations that have affected your communities and scattered many faithful throughout the world.”
Yet, these trials have shone the light of the witnesses of faith in different moments of history.
A Choice In A Complex Time
Meeting during the octave of Easter, Pope Leo offered this liturgical time as an invitation to reject the fear of facing new and unexpected challenges and losing heart. He turned to their Synod meeting—the context in which they will elect a new Patriarch.
This election is taking place in a “delicate and complex phase." The Pope urged the members to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit and choose someone living “most in accordance with the heart of Christ.”
“The new Patriarch should be, above all, a father in faith and a sign of communion with all and among all,” the Holy Father stressed. Though a life lived according to the Gospel is “countercultural and sometimes even counterproductive," he argued in reality this way of life is the wisest. That is, “because love is the only force that conquers evil and defeats death.”
The future Patriarch is called to a daily holiness, “made of honesty, mercy, and purity of heart," rather than making extraordinary gestures. His is a mission of listening and accompanying because “authority in the Church is always service and never hegemony.” He challenged the members not to be deceived by the world.
Moreover, Pope Leo pointed out that the Patriarch should be an authentic guide who is close to the people he serves. He must be a man of prayer and one that is able to bear challenges with hope and realism.
“I am with you”
Over the last years, the Chaldean Church in Baghdad has faced a number of challenges, including mass migration of Christians from Iraq, attacks from the so-called Islamic State, and the revocation of legal recognition of the Patriarch’s role. In light of these and other events, the Pope expressed his solidarity with “the responsibility of the moment” they are living through.
He stressed that he is with them during these trials that call them to “offer a response enlightened by faith and inspired by communion, even toward Christians of other denominations," which the Pope said is good to have good relationships of true sharing.
Never Be On The Side Of Those Who Wield Weapons
Recognizing the contributions of the different previous Patriarchs to the Chaldean Church, Pope Leo specifically noted the most recent Patriarch, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, who served from 2013 until his resignation in March 2026. The Holy Father reiterated that this time is one of spiritual renewal.
Be attentive and transparent in managing the Church’s assets; take to heart the formation of priests and support them; preserve the ineffable gifts of obedience and chastity; and accompany the lay faithful, urged the Pope.
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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Pope Leo at Prayer Vigil For Peace: Stop Planning Arms And Death
During Pope Leo XIV's Prayer Vigil for Peace in the world, the Pope appeals to leaders of nations to stop and sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, "not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!" He also insists that the Church will always advance in calling for peace "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn," and will always instil "obedience to God rather than any human authority." By Deborah Castellano Lubov
"I receive countless letters from children in areas of conflict. In reading them, one perceives, through the lens of innocence, all the horror and inhumanity of actions that some adults boast of with pride."
Pope Leo XIV gave this chilling reminder during the Prayer Vigil for Peace he led on Saturday evening in the Vatican, as he urged, "Let us listen to the voices of children!"
READ HERE POPE LEO'S FULL REFLECTION
The Prayer Vigil, which Pope Leo announced during his Easter Sunday Urbi et Orbi address to the city of Rome and the world, was celebrated in St Peter's Basilica at 6 p.m. Rome time, and everyone, both in person and following from home, was invited to join. No tickets were required. Around ten thousand faithful gathered in the Basilica and outside in Saint Peter's Square.
Prayer Can Move Mountains
People around the world joined the Holy Father in praying the Glorious mysteries of the Rosary, in person and remotely, with meditations from various Church Fathers, including St. Augustine of Hippo, St. John Chrysostom, and St. Ambrose of Milan. During the Rosary, faithful from different continents lit candles with the flame from the Lamp of Peace in Assisi, which burns perpetually at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi.
The Pope thanked all those present and all those praying from afar for praying for peace, noting that their prayer is an expression of that faith which, as Jesus reminded, moves mountains. He began by recalling that: "War divides; hope unites. Arrogance tramples upon others; love lifts up. Idolatry blinds us; the living God enlightens."
Yet, he reassured, "all it takes is a little faith, a mere 'crumb' of faith, in order to face this dramatic hour in history together — as humanity and alongside humanity." He emphasized that prayer is not "a refuge in which to hide from our responsibilities, nor an anesthetic to numb the pain provoked by so much injustice," but rather is "the most selfless, universal and transformative response to death."
Nothing Can Confine Us To A Predetermined Fate
In this context, he argued, "Nothing can confine us to a predetermined fate, not even in this world where there never seem to be enough graves, for people continue to crucify one another and eliminate life, with no regard to justice and mercy."
Pope Leo remembered Saint Pope John Paul II's adamant appeals for "no more war" and his insistence on our responsibility to do everything possible to counter it.
As we pursue peace, the Holy Father marveled how prayer teaches us how to act.
"In prayer," Pope Leo marveled, "our limited human possibilities are joined to the infinite possibilities of God." Moreover, he reflected, thoughts, words and deeds then "break the demonic cycle of evil and are placed at the service of the Kingdom of God. A Kingdom in which there is no sword, no drone, no vengeance, no trivialization of evil, no unjust profit, but only dignity, understanding and forgiveness."
True Strength Comes From Serving Life, Not From Displays Of Power
The Pope warned likewise against the idolatry of self and money.
"Enough of the display of power! Enough of war! True strength," rather he said, "is shown in serving life."
Thus the Pope encouraged, let us "unite the moral and spiritual strength of the millions and billions of men and women, young and old, who today choose to believe in peace, caring for the wounds and repairing the damage left behind by the madness of war."
In this context, he recalled the traumatic effects on innocent children who suffer the terror of war, and called on humanity to hear their cry and protect them.
Appeal to the leaders of nations to pursue dialogue and mediation
The Pope reaffirmed the "certainly binding responsibilities that fall to the leaders of nations."
"To them we cry out," Pope Leo said, "Stop! It is time for peace! Sit at the table of dialogue and mediation, not at the table where rearmament is planned and deadly actions are decided!"
Yet, he noted, an equally significant responsibility falls to all of us men and women from all over the world, to reject war, not only in word, but in deed.
Prayer calls us to leave behind whatever violence remains in our hearts and minds. Let us turn to a Kingdom of peace that is built up day by day — in our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and civil and religious communities.
Such a Kingdom, he added, is to counter polemics and resignation through friendship and a culture of encounter.
Let Us Believe Again In Moderation And Good Politics
"Let us believe once again in love, moderation and good politics. We must form ourselves and get personally involved, each following our own calling. Everyone has a place in the mosaic of peace!"
He went on to observe that the Rosary, like other ancient forms of prayer, united the faithful this evening in its steady rhythm built on repetition, pointing out that peace gains ground in the same way, "word by word, deed by deed, just as a rock is hollowed out drop by drop, or fabric woven stitch by stitch."
The Holy Father reminded that these are the slow rhythms of life, a sign of God’s patience.
"We must not allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the pace of a world that does not know what it is chasing. Rather," he suggested, "we must return to serving the rhythm of life, the harmony of creation and healing its wounds."
Church Instills Obedience To God Rather Than Any Human Authority
The Pope therefore said we are to all return home having made a commitment to pray without ceasing and without growing weary, and to a profound conversion of heart.
Recalling the Church as a great people at the service of reconciliation and peace, the Pope pointed out that She advances without hesitation, "even when rejecting the logic of war may lead to misunderstanding and scorn."
Moreover, he upheld, "She proclaims the Gospel of peace and instills obedience to God rather than any human authority, especially when the inherent dignity of other human beings is threatened by continuous violations of international law."
Thus, the Pope expressed his hope that throughout the world, every community become a ‘house of peace,’ where one learns how to defuse hostility through dialogue, where justice is practiced and forgiveness is cherished. Now more than ever, he recognized, we must show that peace is not a utopia.
A Prayer To The Lord Who Conquered Death Without Weapons Or Violence
The Pope said that all brothers and sisters of every language, people and nation are one family that weeps, hopes and rises again, and thus, he again called on that family to embrace the appeal of his predecessor Pope, Saint John Paul II, to declare together, “No more war, a journey with no return; no more war, a vicious cycle of grief and violence.”
Pope Leo concluded wishing that the peace of the Risen Christ, the fruit of His sacrifice of love on the Cross, be with all people, and inviting everyone to join him in reciting the prayer for peace below:
Lord Jesus,
you conquered death without weapons or violence:
you shattered its power with the strength of peace.
Grant us your peace,
as you did to the women filled with doubt on Easter morning,
as you did to the disciples who were hiding in fear.
Send forth your Spirit,
the breath that gives life and reconciles,
that turns adversaries and enemies into brothers and sisters.
Inspire in us to trust in Mary, your mother,
who stood at the foot of your cross with a broken heart,
firm in the faith that you would rise again.
May the madness of war cease
and the Earth be cared for and cultivated by those who still
know how to bring forth, protect and love life.
Hear us, Lord of life!
Prior to the start of the Vigil for Peace, Pope Leo greeted the faithful in St. Peter’s Square and thanked them for their presence, for choosing to respond to “this call," "this invitation to unite all of us with our voices, with our hearts, with our lives in praying for peace.”
Peace, he acknowledged, is something we all carry in our hearts.
“May peace truly reign throughout the world, and may we be the bearers of this message.”
The Pope reminded them that God listens to us and accompanies us, recalling that Jesus told us, “Where two or three are gathered in His name, He is present with us.”
In these days of the Octave of Easter, Pope Leo said, we deeply believe in the presence of the Risen Jesus among us and, united in the prayer of the Holy Rosary, asking for the intercession of our Mother Mary, “we want to tell the whole world that it is possible to build peace—a new peace that can be lived together with all peoples, of all religions and of all races—that we want to be disciples of Jesus Christ, united as brothers and sisters, all united in a world of peace.
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Pope: Easter Joy Is A Music That Overcomes Resignation And Spiritual Mediocrity
Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, reads a message from the Pope on the occasion of the fourth edition of the “Festival of the Resurrection” in Plaza Cibeles, Madrid. The Pontiff’s greeting and blessing upon the event: “How I wish that the very lives of Christians might become a concert” By Daniele Piccini
Just as, immediately after the Resurrection of the Lord more than two thousand years ago, “many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised,” came out of their tombs and “entered” Jerusalem, so too today Easter does not “remain sealed in the tomb,” but “breaks into the city and enters everyday life through the lives of men and women.”
This is a passage from a message of Pope Leo XIV, read this evening, 11 April, by Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Apostolic Nuncio to Spain and Andorra, on the occasion of the fourth edition of the “Festival of the Resurrection,” held in Plaza Cibeles, one of the most iconic squares in Madrid, the capital of Spain. The event, attended by over 60,000 people, featured performances by artists such as the band Hakuna, the Andalusian group Gypsy Kings, and the Jamaican singer Liz Mitchell.
Christ Becomes Present In The Saints Of Today
In his message for the Easter celebration, the Pontiff blesses this musical form of expressing joy at Christ’s Resurrection.
It is therefore fitting that you have gathered to celebrate, and that you have done so now for the fourth consecutive year. It is good and necessary that Easter should also find expression in music, in encounter, and in shared joy. Faith in Jesus Christ gives meaning to human joy: it purifies it, elevates it, and brings it to fulfilment.
Easter comes forth from the tomb and transforms cities and history also through the lives of the saints, “martyrs and witnesses of Jesus.” They are a model from whom Christians today can also draw inspiration: by imitating them, Christ once again “walks along your streets,” becoming present “here and now.”
The world needs to hear about Christ and to see Him in the actions of Christians who live out the newness of baptism. What is needed are young people who are not ashamed of the Gospel, communities that radiate hope, witnesses capable of making the Lord present in every sphere, lives set ablaze that make the beauty of faith visible.
The Joy Of Easter Bursts Forth In Music And Song
The musical celebration in Plaza Cibeles thus becomes, in the Bishop of Rome’s message of greeting and blessing, a striking expression of Easter joy—an uncontainable happiness that finds outward expression in song and music, and in the coming together of so many people in harmony. It is a form of expression that Leo XIV feels he can share personally and deeply.
How I wish there were celebration throughout the whole world! How I wish that everywhere Easter joy might find voices, faces, and songs! But even more: how I wish that the very lives of Christians might become a concert, a great harmony of faith, unity, communion, and charity, capable of proclaiming to the world that Christ lives! May the flame of the Easter candle go forth from your churches. May it burn away all inner lukewarmness, all resignation, all spiritual mediocrity.
“We will see each other in June”
Leo XIV invites everyone to bring this music of joy into their own lives, making “your lives a new song, one that renews the Church and brings the light of the Risen One to the world.” Finally, he assures the faithful in Spain of his prayers and blessing, and looks ahead to their next meeting, which will take place during his apostolic journey to the Iberian Peninsula: “God willing, we will see each other in June.”
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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Cardinal Parolin on Pope’s Africa Visit: Catholics Should Promote Change
As Pope Leo XIV prepares to make an Apostolic Journey to four African nations, Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, tells Vatican News about the Pope’s desire to show his closeness to existential peripheries and to carry the hope of Christ. By Massimiliano Menichetti
Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea await Pope Leo XIV’s arrival, as he will embark on an Apostolic Journey to these four African countries from April 13 to 23.
During the first leg of his journey, the Holy Father will travel to Annaba, ancient Hippo. It is “not a purely commemorative gesture,” emphasized the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, “but an act of profound identity and, above all, spiritual coherence.”
In the four countries, final preparations are underway, and there is great anticipation for the words the Pope will share. As highlighted by the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, during the meeting with journalists to present the Pope’s third Apostolic Journey, he will address themes including peace, dialogue, care for creation, migration, and the family.
In contrast to the predatory dynamics that often mark the African continent—fostering poverty, corruption, and violence—Cardinal Parolin expressed his hope that Catholics will be builders of justice, peace, and solidarity.
Q: The Holy Father will be in Africa from April 13 to 23, and will strengthen the Catholic communities in their faith. He will visit four countries with a very intense schedule that includes institutional meetings, encounters with local communities, and liturgical celebrations. What is the common feature that unites such a diverse itinerary?
Cardinal Parolin: The common thread of this Apostolic Journey lies in the Holy Father’s choice to bring the presence of the Church to places where human suffering is most acute.
Four countries, different in history, social context, and political challenges, yet united by an underlying reality marked by both light and shadow: vibrant and deeply rooted Catholic communities, but also poverty, fragility, inequality, and unresolved tensions.
Pope Leo XIV travels to Africa to be close to those living on the existential peripheries.
Q: The first stop is Algeria. Leo XIV will visit the Great Mosque in Algiers and, in Annaba—ancient Hippo—he will celebrate Holy Mass. What significance does this return to the places of Saint Augustine hold for a Pope who is his spiritual son? And how might this impact Islamic-Christian dialogue in a Muslim-majority country?
As a spiritual son of Saint Augustine, and the first Pope belonging to the Augustinian Order, traveling to Annaba is not merely a commemorative gesture, but an act of profound identity and, above all, spiritual coherence.
Pope Leo knows this land and has visited it several times as Prior General of the Order. In this context, Saint Augustine represents an element of dialogue: he constitutes a natural meeting point between the Christian tradition and the Islamic world.
The visit to the Great Mosque of Algiers fully fits within this perspective, as a natural continuation of the path of interreligious dialogue already undertaken in Türkiye and Lebanon—a dialogue that the Holy Father intends to pursue with patience and determination.
Q: In Cameroon, the Holy Father will visit three cities: Yaoundé, Bamenda, and Douala. His visit will include significant moments such as the meeting for peace in Bamenda and the visit to an orphanage. In light of the tensions present in some regions of the country, what role can this visit play in promoting reconciliation and peace among the communities?
For several years now, a crisis has been ongoing in the Anglophone regions of Cameroon, which has caused many casualties. The inhabitants of Bamenda are experiencing this firsthand.
Therefore, in the context of the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation, the visit of the Successor of Peter demonstrates the attention and care that the universal Shepherd of the Church has for his flock, as he strives to understand their difficulties firsthand and walk alongside them.
The stop in Bamenda is that of a shepherd who identifies with his flock. More generally, the Holy Father travels to the country as a bearer of hope—especially for young people—of reconciliation and peace. His message is an invitation to dialogue and mutual respect.
Q: The third stop is Angola, where the Pope will visit, other than the capital Luanda, symbolic places such as Muxima and Saurimo, where he will meet ecclesial communities and local realities. What message does the Holy Father intend to bring to a country marked by great resources but also by deep social inequalities?
The three places that the Holy Father will visit in Angola, in a certain sense, symbolize the challenges and hopes the country is currently experiencing.
Luanda and Saurimo represent the country’s wealth. The capital has become an oasis of prosperity that attracts foreign investment and migration from rural areas. Saurimo is a center known for its mining activities, especially diamonds.
While the exploitation of natural resources has brought prosperity, some of its negative consequences cannot be overlooked, such as the exploitation of workers, the widening socio-economic gap, and the environmental impact.
Then, the visit to the Marian shrine of Muxima represents the vitality of faith that has helped the Angolan people overcome the various difficult moments of their history.
I would also like to add that I myself was able to experience the vibrancy of the local Church when I went for the episcopal consecration of Archbishop Germano Penemote, the first Apostolic Nuncio of Angolan origin.
Q: The last country the Pope will travel to will be Equatorial Guinea, where he will visit Malabo, Mongomo, and Bata, and will meet with young people, families, the cultural world, and also prisoners. What is the significance of this particular attention to young people and families in a country where the Church has a deeply rooted presence in society?
Equatorial Guinea is among the most Catholic countries in Africa, with about 80% of the population adhering to the Catholic faith.
Following in the footsteps of Saint John Paul II, who visited the country in 1982, this visit takes place in the context of the 170th anniversary of the beginning of evangelization in the country (1855–2025), with the motto “Christ, light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope.”
With this Apostolic Journey, the people of Equatorial Guinea can recall the past with trust, while walking a path of faith and hope toward the future.
The Pope’s visit and his meetings—especially with young people and families—will rekindle the flame of their faith, encouraging them to cultivate and persevere in Christian values.
It is a loving and fatherly invitation to reconciliation, justice, and perseverance in faith, as well as a hope for a positive impact on society.
Q: Your Eminence, how important is this visit to Africa also from a diplomatic standpoint?
Every Apostolic Journey inherently carries a diplomatic dimension, as it represents an opportunity to strengthen bilateral relations between the Holy See and the countries visited by the Pope.
It gives him the opportunity to meet with authorities and discuss issues of common interest at the national, regional, and international levels. In Africa, this takes on particular significance, as the continent is marked by immense potential but also by major challenges.
As is well known, papal diplomacy has clear objectives: to safeguard fundamental freedoms, especially religious freedom, promote peace, encourage dialogue, including interreligious dialogue, defend the dignity of every person, and foster the integral development of peoples.
From this perspective, each stage of the upcoming Apostolic Journey, which includes both the Maghreb and sub-Saharan Africa, becomes an opportunity to reaffirm the Church’s commitment, alongside civil and religious institutions, in favor of peaceful coexistence among different faiths and ethnic groups, social justice, the fight against poverty, and the protection of human dignity.
Ultimately, it is in support of a more just, peaceful, and united Africa.
Q: Africa is often subject to predatory dynamics and is frequently marked by poverty, corruption, and violence. How can these cycles be broken, and how important is the role of Catholics in these processes?
Africa is a continent rich in human, cultural, and natural resources, yet it is too often subject to dynamics that hinder its development: poverty, corruption, violence, and forms of exploitation that are also external and impoverish already vulnerable populations.
Breaking these mechanisms requires commitment and perseverance. The Catholic Church is present in Africa through schools, hospitals, welcome centers, and charitable works, which often provide a concrete response to people’s basic needs.
But the Church’s response does not end with charitable action; it also passes through the formation of consciences and the education of young people in the values of dignity, justice, and solidarity.
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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Bishops of Equatorial Guinea: Pope Leo's Visit Is 'A Hug From God'
The bishops of Equatorial Guinea invite everyone to welcome Pope Leo's journey to the country as a “time of grace” that fosters conversion, unity, and hope. They call for strengthening spiritual life in the face of current challenges. By Sebastián Sansón Ferrari
Just under two weeks before Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic visit to Equatorial Guinea—scheduled from April 21 to 23, 2026, as the conclusion of his visit to Africa—the local Church is intensifying its spiritual preparation with a two-fold call: to renew the priestly ministry and rekindle the faith of the People of God.
“Strengthening and renewing the foundations of our life and priestly ministry” is the central invitation that the Episcopal Conference is extending to the priests of Equatorial Guinea. In a message signed by Bishop Juan Domingo-Beká Esono Ayang of Mongomo and President of the Conference, the Church gives thanks to God for the “inestimable gift of the priestly vocation,” understood as a mystery of love in service to the Church.
The text reminds the faithful that the essential mission of the Church is “to restore the communion of men with God” and emphasizes the priest’s identity as alter Christus (another Christ), called to make visible the saving action of Christ.
In this context, the bishops insist on the care of interior life: prayer and spiritual life are “pillars of a credible priesthood.” Without a daily relationship with God, they warn, pastoral action loses its power. Against the temptations of activism or superficiality, all apostolic work must flow from a deep inner life: “We carry this treasure in earthen vessels, so that it may be clear that the power comes from God.”
At the same time, the letter highlights that the experience of priestly fraternity remains “an unfinished task despite being fundamental to the spiritual and pastoral well-being of priests.” In this regard, it underscores the urgency to “be both closer to God and to men, cultivating silence, for God speaks in silence.”
A “time of grace” for the entire people
This exhortation to the clergy is part of a broader message directed to the whole People of God, signed by the bishops in February under the theme of Pope Leo’s journey to the country: “Christ, Light of Equatorial Guinea, towards a future of hope.”
The upcoming papal visit is presented not only as a historic event but as a true kairós: a time of grace to reexamine one’s history, renew faith, and open oneself to the future with hope. In this sense, the priests invite the faithful to rediscover the core of the Christian life: a personal encounter with Christ, the light that guides and transforms life.
“We are called to shine,” they say, quoting the Gospel. It is not enough to profess the faith. It must be lived through concrete works of justice, service, and charity in everyday life.
Memory And Challenges Of Faith
The bishops’ message also recalls the historic visit of Pope St. John Paul II in 1982, which was considered a “miracle visit” that helped the country recover from years of crisis. However, the bishops acknowledge that, decades later, the faith faces new challenges.
They speak of a Christian experience marked by “lukewarmness and coldness,” evident in the loss of the sense of the sacred, the decline in sacramental practice, the rise of religious syncretism, and divisions caused by fundamentalist interpretations.
There is also the breakdown in the transmission of faith from parents to children; the superficiality in parish groups and associations; the lack of role models or social institutions that inspire young people with good manners and the commitment to grow in noble ideals and aspirations. These are compounded by social phenomena such as corruption, the fragility of the family, and the growing alienation of young people from the Church.
Far from a pessimistic outlook, this situation is interpreted as an opportunity for renewal. Just like a tree that appears dry but strengthens its roots, the Church is called to deepen its faith to bear new fruits.
Conversion, Reconciliation, And Hope
In this context, the bishops propose a clear path of preparation for the papal visit: intense prayer, sincere conversion, and communal reconciliation.
Pope Leo’s arrival, they recall, will be an opportunity to “receive God’s embrace” and also to rebuild relationships among Equatoguineans. The fundamental question is direct and challenges all sectors of society: Will our relationships be better after this visit?
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/...
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Major Archbishop Shevchuk: Ukrainians United With Pope Leo In Praying For Peace
In an interview with Vatican News, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said that Ukrainians will join the prayer vigil for peace led by Pope Leo at St. Peter’s on the eve of Eastern Easter. He expressed the hope for a world without war and for Ukraine to enjoy a genuine, just, and lasting peace. By Svitlana Dukhovych
“Human fragility in the context of war has become the fragility of Christ himself.” But the testimonies of Ukrainian children who were kidnapped and then released “show that fragility is revealing a strength of the Lord present among us.”
In an interview with Vatican News, the Major Archbishop of Kyiv-Halyč and head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, His Beatitude Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said this as he reflected on the fifth Easter that Ukraine will experience under a state of war on Sunday, April 12.
He also reiterated the message of Pope Leo XIV, who will preside over the Prayer Vigil for Peace at St. Peter’s Basilica this evening: “War will not prevail. Children have the right to an authentic, just, and lasting peace.”
Your Beatitude, what thoughts would you like to share on the occasion of the celebration of Eastern Easter in the context of the large-scale war in Ukraine, which has now lasted more than four years?
Yes, indeed, this is already the fifth Easter celebration during the large-scale war. Our central thought, our central prayer, is the invocation for peace for Ukraine. During Holy Week, in these spiritually most intense moments of the liturgical year, we contemplate Christ: condemned Christ, tortured Christ, crucified Christ, buried Christ, but also risen Christ. These moments of Christ’s passion resonate in a very special way in the hearts of Ukrainians because we know that we are walking the same Way of the Cross together with our Lord Jesus Christ. When we contemplate Jesus Christ condemned, we know that this is our land, our people, who have been condemned to death. When we listened to the testimony of our freed prisoners: the silence of the prisoner in the face of those who condemn and torture him. Many of them perceived it as the silence of Christ before the Sanhedrin. When we heard the testimonies of Ukrainian children who were kidnapped and then released, these children shared with us their feeling of being unable to defend themselves, of being defenseless before the armed oppressor. And this human fragility in the context of war has become the fragility of Christ himself. But these children say that fragility is revealing a strength of the Lord present among us. And when we listened to the testimony of our volunteers who lost their homes, lost everything, and became war-displaced, but did not lose the ability to empathize, the ability to be sensitive to those in need. They became volunteers who save lives and are a living representation of Simon of Cyrene, capable of helping those who fall powerless under their cross.
Pope Leo XIV invited everyone to join him in the vigil for peace tonight at 6 PM. How is this initiative being received in Ukraine?
Obviously, Ukrainians will pray together with the Holy Father and keep vigil for peace. It is a prayer that is not imposed but comes from our hearts. In Ukraine, we will keep vigil at the tomb of Jesus in hope of the Resurrection, because this Saturday in Ukraine is the Saturday before Easter Sunday. Therefore, we are grateful to the Holy Father for this initiative because human consciences need to be sensitized, invited, and sometimes stirred to pray for peace. And we hope that just as Christ rose, being stronger than death, so too the peace of Christ will triumph over war in today’s world.
What message, Your Beatitude, would you like to leave to Christians in different countries of the world?
That the war ends, that children return home, that our soldiers, our defenders, boys and girls, may return safely to their families. That tortured prisoners of war may finally be freed. That Easter truly be a new beginning for a world without wars. An interesting testimony comes from a Ukrainian child from Mariupol who was taken to Russia. His mother is still in a Russian prison, but he was freed thanks to the mediation of the Holy See. He expressed, in a very clear way, the message of peace from Ukrainian children: he said that we do not want the death of the enemy, but only that no child in the world should suffer or go through the suffering that Ukrainian children are now enduring. This testimony was shared during an event: Ukrainian Post issued a stamp dedicated to Pope Leo, and precisely on Holy Thursday, it was presented. This stamp echoed the message of the Holy Father, who said: “War will not prevail. And children have the right to an authentic, just, and lasting peace.” In my view, the words of this child are also the greatest message of peace, carried by the suffering children of Ukraine.
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Cardinal Hollerich: Big Steps Are Being Taken Regarding Role Of Women In The Church
The publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation, according to Cardinal Hollerich, marks a “big step” toward greater inclusion in the Church. He stresses, however, that any possible development in women’s access to ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus to preserve unity. By Gudrun Sailer and Linda Bordoni
Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, S.J., Archbishop of Luxembourg and General Relator for the XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (the Synod on Synodality), has described the publication of the Synod Study Group report on women’s participation as an important step forward, while stressing that any future development in ordained ministry requires broad ecclesial consensus.
The report, produced by Study Group No. 5 on “Women’s participation in the life and leadership of the Church,” was recently issued by the General Secretariat of the Synod as part of the post-synodal reflection process.
Context Of A Contested Quotation
Speaking previously at the University of Bonn, Hollerich was quoted as saying: “I cannot imagine, in the long term, how a Church can survive, if half of the People of God suffer because they have no access to ordained ministry.”
In an interview with Vatican News, the Cardinal clarified that the remark referred specifically to discussion on the possible ordination of women as deacons and to a long-term perspective.
He expressed his belief that such questions require a broad consensus across the Church to avoid division. He pointed to tensions within the Anglican Communion as an example of how disputes over ministry can lead to fragmentation.
Communion in the Catholic Church, he noted, is profound, making unilateral decisions particularly difficult, repeating that the issue in question “is about deacons‘ ordination and the action is long-term.“
Study Group 5: “a big step”
Cardinal Hollerich described the report of Study Group No. 5, established by Pope Francis, as a significant development: “It is a big step,” he said.
He added that “It is so important that women feel that they are welcome in the church, not just for filling up the benches in the church, but to fully participate in the life of the Church, to fully participate in the mission of the Church.”
The Cardinal affirmed that the discussion remains open and that the identification of issues itself is an important part of the synodal process.
Paths To Leadership
Pope Francis and Pope Leo, the Cardinal continued, are “showing the way to do it” and pointed to recent appointments of women to senior positions in the Roman Curia by both pontiffs as evidence of gradual change.
He also highlighted developments in his own archdiocese, where, he said, women serve as episcopal delegates responsible for key pastoral areas, including social ministry and formation, as well as in teams accompanying seminarians.
Unity And Diversity In Practice
Cardinal Hollerich said that while different pastoral approaches may exist in local churches, particularly in non-ordained ministries, any developments must remain in communion with the universal Church.
“It should always be done in dialogue with the Bishop of Rome, who is in charge of unity, and it should be well thought out. It should not be rushed just for doing it,” he said.
And he acknowledged the fact that there can be “different speeds in the local churches, because it's part of the culture and the place women have in that culture.”
He distinguished this from ordained ministry, which he said requires universal consensus to avoid division.
Finally, reflecting on pastoral concerns expressed by younger generations, he said, “I feel that, not just women who have studied theology, but when I am with young people, I can feel that many of the girls of our youth are sad because they feel that they are not completely recognised by the Church. “
“And that,” he concluded, “makes me sad as a pastor.”
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Pope to Chaldean Church: Never Be On Side Of Those Who Wield Weapons
Meeting with members of the Chaldean Church during their Synod to elect a new Patriarch, Pope Leo XIV challenges the Chaldean Catholic Church to stay true to their long and storied mission of peace, especially “in a world marked by absurd and inhumane violence, which, in these times, is driven by greed and hatred.” By Kielce Gussie
As they visit Rome for the election of their new Patriarch, members of the Chaldean Church of Baghdad met with Pope Leo XIV in the Apostolic Palace on Friday morning.
The Holy Father expressed his pleasure at being present with them during this “time of precious ecclesial discernment," and he extended his greeting to the clergy, religious men and women, seminarians, and the entire faith community of the Chaldean Church around the world.
Pope Leo acknowledged the spiritual solidarity of people globally in “this moment, participating intensely through prayer.”
Rooted In The Apostles
In his greeting to the Chaldean Church, the Pope recognized the apostolic roots of the Chaldean Church, which represents “an ancient and fruitful tradition, which is intimately linked to the places of salvation’s origin."
It is a historic tradition that brought the Gospel message beyond the borders of the Roman Empire and around the globe.
He highlighted their role as guardians of a living memory that has been passed down throughout the centuries.
“Your history is glorious,” the Holy Father noted. But it has not been an easy road. There have been “wars, persecutions, and tribulations that have affected your communities and scattered many faithful throughout the world.”
Yet, these trials have shone the light of the witnesses of faith in different moments of history.
A Choice In A Complex Time
Meeting during the octave of Easter, Pope Leo offered this liturgical time as an invitation to reject the fear of facing new and unexpected challenges and losing heart. He turned to their Synod meeting—the context in which they will elect a new Patriarch.
This election is taking place in a “delicate and complex phase." The Pope urged the members to let themselves be guided by the Holy Spirit and choose someone living “most in accordance with the heart of Christ.”
“The new Patriarch should be, above all, a father in faith and a sign of communion with all and among all,” the Holy Father stressed. Though a life lived according to the Gospel is “countercultural and sometimes even counterproductive," he argued in reality this way of life is the wisest. That is, “because love is the only force that conquers evil and defeats death.”
The future Patriarch is called to a daily holiness, “made of honesty, mercy, and purity of heart," rather than making extraordinary gestures. His is a mission of listening and accompanying because “authority in the Church is always service and never hegemony.” He challenged the members not to be deceived by the world.
Moreover, Pope Leo pointed out that the Patriarch should be an authentic guide who is close to the people he serves. He must be a man of prayer and one that is able to bear challenges with hope and realism.
“I am with you”
Over the last years, the Chaldean Church in Baghdad has faced a number of challenges, including mass migration of Christians from Iraq, attacks from the so-called Islamic State, and the revocation of legal recognition of the Patriarch’s role. In light of these and other events, the Pope expressed his solidarity with “the responsibility of the moment” they are living through.
He stressed that he is with them during these trials that call them to “offer a response enlightened by faith and inspired by communion, even toward Christians of other denominations," which the Pope said is good to have good relationships of true sharing.
Never Be On The Side Of Those Who Wield Weapons
Recognizing the contributions of the different previous Patriarchs to the Chaldean Church, Pope Leo specifically noted the most recent Patriarch, Cardinal Louis Raphaël I Sako, who served from 2013 until his resignation in March 2026. The Holy Father reiterated that this time is one of spiritual renewal.
Be attentive and transparent in managing the Church’s assets; take to heart the formation of priests and support them; preserve the ineffable gifts of obedience and chastity; and accompany the lay faithful, urged the Pope.
Read the full article HERE: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/20...
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