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Thousands of pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square today, to pray the Angelus with Pope Leo. This was his first scheduled public event since leaving Rome's Gemelli Hospital in the evening yesterday. The Holy Father underwent surgery on one lung last Tuesday. Doctors say he is making a good recovery. In his reflection ahead of the Angelus, Pope Leo commented on "one of Jesus' best known sayings... Read More

Gospel of 18 October 2026 Matthew 22:15-21 At that time: The Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle Jesus in his words. And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, 'Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone's opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to p... Read More

Pope Leo XIV was discharged from Gemelli Hospital today, and has returned to his residence in the Vatican. Before leaving, the Holy Father thanked Professor Stefano Margaritora, who performed the operation on his lung, together with the medical and nursing team. He also greeted Professor Elena Beccalli, Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, and the leadership of the Agostino Gemel... Read More

Representatives from the major world religions gathered in Westminster Cathedral Hall in London today, Saturday, 17 October, to meet with the head of the Vatican's Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, to sign a pledge to work together for peace, underpinned by a shared recognition of the dignity of every human person. Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Dicastery, took part in the e... Read More

Twenty Ninth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year A What do you think Paul means when he writes to the Thessalonians this comment about the preaching and teaching of the Gospel? 'For our gospel did not come to you in word alone, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with much conviction'. (I Thessalonians 1:5b) Personally I would not go too far down any route of imputing the gift of power and th... Read More

Gospel of 17 October 2026 John 12:24-26 At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my ser... Read More

Bishop Paul Swarbrick, Lead Bishop for Africa for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales, has expressed great concern at the renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region and growing tensions between Ethiopia and Eritrea. "I visited the region of Tigray in 2025 and had the opportunity to meet people who had been displaced by the war and had suffered grave atrocities. I was struck by ... Read More

The Holy See Press Office released a statement this afternoon, (Friday 16 October), saying that Pope Leo XIV had spoken by telephone with Vladimir Putin, President of the Russian Federation. During the conversation, the Holy Father expressed his deep concern about the grave humanitarian situation in the city of Oleshky, in the Kherson region. Oleshky lies along the frontline of the Russian-occupie... Read More

This afternoon, the Holy See Press Office released a statement from Pope Leo XIV's doctors, who said his postoperative recovery continues with steady improvement. Dr Luigi Carbone and Professor Stefano Margaritora said the Pope "underwent blood tests and a chest X-ray this morning, which confirmed the steady improvement in his overall condition." They added that "respiratory physiotherapy session... Read More

Parents in Aberdeen are once again calling on the City Council to seriously consider the viability of establishing a Catholic secondary school. The city currently has three Catholic primary schools but no Catholic secondary provision. The campaign is being led by parents' groups, including the Parent Councils of Aberdeen's Catholic primary schools, and has the backing of the Bishops' Conference of... Read More

Israeli settlers are reported to have begun vandalising olive trees during the annual olive harvest season in the West Bank, according to a Catholic parish priest in the Christian town of Taybeh. Fr Bashar Fawadleh leads a parish less than ten miles from Jerusalem, where Christian Palestinians are facing continuing attacks. He's written a letter describing the situation and appealing for help. May... Read More

A gardener cycling from London to Jerusalem has returned to the shrine that inspired his pilgrimage, describing it as one of the ride's most significant moments as he enters what he expects to be the most challenging stage of his journey. Andrew Foote, 32, said his return to the House of the Virgin Mary (Meryemana Evi) near Ephesus strengthened his resolve to continue the journey and deepened his ... Read More

Gospel of 16 October 2026 Luke 12:1-7 At that time: When so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, Jesus began to say to his disciples first, 'Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. 'Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in t... Read More

On Thursday afternoon, Dr Luigi Carbone and Prof Stefano Margaritora provided an update on Pope Leo XIV's postoperative recovery. "This morning, the Holy Father underwent routine checks, which yielded normal results," they said. "The chest X-ray showed good recovery of the lung that underwent surgery." The Pope's doctors said he "carried out his daily activities independently," adding that "his ph... Read More