Vatican & World News

- Bishops' conferences and councils from Asia, Africa and Latin America appeal for ecological conversion - The UN Secretary General expresses dismay as the latest strike in Gaza and new Israeli evacuation orders continue to kill, maim and displace civilians - Farmers from across the globe gather to raise their voices for justice in agricultural policy, an end to toxic pesticide exports and greater protection for traditional seed systems

- In a message to the Food and Agriculture Organization, Pope Leo says hunger must not be used as a weapon - A South Sudanese bishop sees signs of hope and deep concern ahead of 2026 elections - Sr Emanjuela tells Vatican Radio about how faith is helping Ukrainians faced with the horrors of war

- Pope Leo XIV expresses closeness to war-struck Ukrainians, reminding them that life will triumph over death - Civilian casualties mount in Ukraine, where dozens have been injured and 2 killed overnight in a Russian drone attack - The Pope receives leaders of the Council of European Bishops’ Conferences and encourages the body to persevere in working for peace and diplomacy

In the headlines, this Tuesday, June 24th: - Pope Leo XIV invites seminarians to be passionate about priestly life - He thanks the Order of Malta for witnessing God's love - The Holy Father decries the attack on a Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus

- At least twenty people were killed during a terrorist bombing of a church in Damascus - Iran threatens a “decisive response” after the United States bombed its nuclear facilities on Sunday - Pope Leo celebrates Mass for Corpus Christi and leads a Eucharistic Procession through the streets of Rome

- During the Jubilee of Governments, Pope Leo XIV greets legislators from various nations, reminding them that politics has rightly been defined as the highest form of charity - A Vatican-led initiative aims to address the burden of debt in developing nations - US Bishops inaugurate their annual Religious Freedom Week

- Pope Leo pays visit to the Vatican’s shortwave transmission centre at Santa Maria di Galeria - Iranian missiles, launched in retaliation for attacks on its nuclear program, strike targets in Israel - Russia continues to launch devastating attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine, including in Kyiv

- As humanity teeters on the brink of widening armed confrontation, Pope Leo reminds world leaders that war is always a defeat - Amid a deteriorating situation in the Middle East, Caritas Jerusalem continues to provide aid and food in the West Bank and Gaza - The President of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops offers his solidarity to migrants in America subjected to the largest mass deportation programme in history

- Pope Leo will resume the 400-year-old tradition of spending parts of the summer at Castel Gandolfo. - The US Bishops call on their own country and the wider international community to engage in diplomatic efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. - The Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Mandalay, Myanmar praises the Pope’s support for peace as civilians suffer from the ongoing war.