Rome Reports

The Vatican has released the itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s first trip to South America, which will take him to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru. The pope’s first Mass on the continent will be in the Uruguayan city of Paysandú on Saturday, November 7. He will celebrate it in honor of Blessed Jacinto Vera, with Argentines and Brazilians expected to attend. The theme of the trip, featured in its logo, is “I bring you news of great joy.” On Saturday, Leo will visit Church projects and lead a Vigil a

It’s no secret that Pope Leo XIV is a big sports fan. In the year and a half since becoming pope, he has already welcomed tennis stars like Jannik Sinner. Cyclists from the Giro d’Italia. And the squads from Inter Milan and Napoli. Now, following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV met with Italian athletes from Special Olympics, which promotes sports for people with intellectual disabilities. LEO XIV Taking part in sports means making a real commitment and

Daniel del Castillo González Leo XIV received the Federation of Capuchin Poor Clare Nuns of Italy at the Vatican, at a time when female religious communities face one of their greatest challenges: a decline in vocations. The federation brings together monasteries across several regions of Italy, as well as affiliated communities in Brazil, Mozambique and Benin. Its history began precisely because monasteries needed to overcome their isolation. Today, the challenge is different. LEO XIV

Daniel del Castillo González During the Angelus prayer, Pope Leo XIV appealed for action as Somalia’s humanitarian crisis deepens. Behind his message, figures show the need for urgency. In Somalia, about 6 million people, one in three residents, are facing critical levels of hunger. And about 1.9 million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition. Rainfall has been far below average. At the same time, insecurity is making it harder to reach markets, essentia

Santi Taboada The Vatican Museums house more than 70,000 works of art, spread across galleries stretching for several miles. Every day, 25,000 visitors walk their halls. Those thousands of tourists pay an average admission fee of 20 euros. That means the museums bring in between 200,000 and 300,000 euros a day, or roughly 100 million euros a year. That enormous sum accounts for half of the Vatican City State’s revenue. But the Vatican Museums don't keep the money they generate. Instead,

Daniel del Castillo González A boy raised by nuns grows up to be a bullfighter. This story might sound like a movie. But for Jordi Perez this is real life. Jordi is a 26-year-old bullfighter. When he was 12, began living with The Mothers of the Forsaken at the San José de la Montaña shelter. THE CONVENT KID Bullfighter Due to certain circumstances, my parents couldn’t take care of us at that time. And well, with all the pain in their hearts and all their regret, they had to make w

Two months before Pope Leo’s trip to Uruguay, the country’s bishops have arrived in Rome for their ad limina visit, bringing him two special gifts. One is a book featuring all of Uruguay’s churches. The other is a two-volume collection of messages people have written to Leo, including drawings and letters from children saying they are looking forward to his visit in November. In return, Leo gave the bishops a rosary and a pectoral cross like the one he wears. Uruguay will be the pope’s

Daniel del Castillo González Pope Leo XIV has received members of the International Center for Studies Leo XIV, an initiative of the Order of St. Augustine that is just one year old. The center studies major social and political changes through the lens of Catholic social teaching. Over two days, researchers and experts met in Rome to discuss the new frontiers of poverty. The center includes two well-known figures: Joseph Farrell, the Augustinian prior general and one of the driving

Santi Taboada Every Wednesday, Pope Leo gives an audience to the civilians that congregate in St. Peter’s Square. At this gathering of the pope with his people, there is time for catechesis, greetings, and dancing as well. This group is from Calabria and they give it their all when showing Pope Leo XIV their traditional dances. MARIA ROSALE ROCCO President Gruppo Fantasie Popolari We have gathered here specifically to present our tradition to the Pope. The high temperatures did

Santi Taboada Dr. Alessandro de Franciscis, Sandro to his friends, describes himself as the world's most useless doctor. Patients walk into his office yelling, “I'm cured!” For 17 years, he had been the head of the medical office responsible for evaluating the alleged miraculous healing cases at Lourdes. He also serves as the shrine's resident physician. That's how he got the nickname, “Miracle Doctor,” although he clarifies that performing miracles isn't his job. ALESSANDRO DE FRANC

James Haupt Two New York City firefighters are being honoured for risking their lives to save the Blessed Sacrament. In 1997, St Philip Neri Church faced the second massive fire in its history. FDNY Lt. Michael Healey and firefighter Donald Regan made the brave choice to carry the tabernacle through the flames, despite the danger. Lt. Mickey Conboy witnessed the rescue firsthand as part of the responding team. MICKEY CONBOY, Former FDNY LieutenantDonnie Regan and Michael Healey reall

Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado What was Paris in the 1900s like? France began the 20th century in an environment that was increasingly hostile to the Church. They wanted to establish themselves as a model of a secular state at the forefront of Europe, and the laws, both national or local, were meant to support that goal. In less than a decade, the Third Republic took radical measures: it severed ties with the Vatican, banned processions, closed more than 3,000 Catholic schools, confiscated Church

Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado After a year and a half, a familiar scene repeats. This is how the pope arrived in Genazzano, home to the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel — a Marian devotion closely tied to both Prevost and Pope Leo XIV. The pontiff has turned to Mary in prayer at key moments in his life. For example, after he was elected prior of the Augustinians. It was also the destination of his first surprise outing as pope. This time, he came to celebrate the Mass for the Nativity of Mary.

Cardinal Joseph Zen is not giving up on his legal battle, despite having lost an appeal in Hong Kong. Zen, 94, along with a pop singer, a lawyer, and an LGBT activist, was sentenced to pay 4,000 Hong Kong dollars. The Court of Appeal has upheld the sentence he received in 2022 for failing to register the 612 Humanitarian Aid Fund as a society. But what was the 612 Fund, and why did Cardinal Zen end up in court? The fund was established in June 2019, during the protests against a bill

With the new school year just around the corner, Pope Leo XIV spoke at the Vatican Families celebration, where the children of Vatican City employees were the stars of the show. There, he shared a math lesson that quickly went viral. LEO XIV Over the summer, I had the opportunity to meet many children. I’m very happy to see you here. You’ve all learned a little math: how much is six plus seven… six plus seven? It’s 13. Very good! A little later, some teenagers taught him the expressi

Carmen Álvarez Cuadrado These cloistered nuns keep watch around the clock, taking shifts in adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. Known as Perpetual Adorers, they follow the Rule of St. Augustine and came to see the pope. LEO XIVThat constant search for the face of God, which particularly characterizes monastic life, takes on a special character in the vocation you have received: it is expressed in a life completely devoted to the continuous and silent adoration of a God who has become

Daniel del Castillo González Ukraine has once again come under a new wave of attacks targeting cities and civilian infrastructure. In just one night, from Saturday into Sunday, Russia launched 108 drones at Ukraine. At least nine people were killed and 68 injured. The attack did not go unnoticed by the Holy See. POPE LEO XIV With a sorrowful heart, I have followed the news of the latest violent attacks that have recently struck several cities and civilian infrastructures in Ukrain

On May 24, 1993, Cardinal Juan Jesús Posadas Ocampo was killed outside Guadalajara International Airport amid Mexico’s cartel violence.  Discover the story behind the controversial death of this archbishop in the latest episode of Relic Hunter with our host, Kate Stevenson.

Santi Taboada In 1526, Dominican friar Francisco de Vitoria was appointed as chair of the theology department at the University of Salamanca. That was the beginning of the legendary School of Salamanca. Five centuries later, its central idea still resonates: power and morality go hand in hand. But who were the thinkers behind it? FR.SANTIAGO GARCÍA JALÓN DE LA LAMA Rector of the Pontifical University of Salamanca The most common definition is... well, it's about the intellectual w

Carolina Bellocq These were the sights and sounds that welcomed the faithful for Mass at the church by the lake in Castel Gandolfo. This was no ordinary Sunday celebration. It was the annual gathering of the motorcycle ministry, led by Father Tadeusz Rozmus, also known as Don Biker. DANILO MALTONI, Organizing Committee:This Mass began several years ago. Basically, Don Biker, who is the parish priest here in Castel Gandolfo, and also a motorcyclist, created this event, with a special Mass f