With just one year to go before 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, its official theme song is announced: Confidite, Ego Vici Mundum, or “Take courage! I have overcome the world”.

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WASHINGTON - “I call for intense prayers for the success of these negotiations,” said Bishop A. Elias Zaidan, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on International Justice and Peace, on the news of an agreement between the U.S.-led Gaza Board of Peace and Hamas.

Bishop Zaidan’s statement follows:

“I am heartened by news of an agreement which aims at the disarmament of Hamas and Israel’s military withdrawal from the Strip, and I call for intense prayers for the success of these negotiations. This agreement’s successful implementation, as its principles statement says, has the potential of finally providing the Palestinian people with a ‘credible political path that achieves self-determination and Statehood.’ This would be a major milestone.

“As I previously articulated, as ‘people of faith who deeply care for all our brothers and sisters who live in the land of Christ’s life, death, and glorious resurrection, we cannot lose this opportunity for peace.’ To further strengthen this advance, I call on the United States, Israel, and the international community to facilitate greater amounts of humanitarian and development assistance to the Strip. This should include restoring educational opportunities for children and youths, jobs, and clean water. Alleviating the suffering of the Gazan people is not only a vital moral imperative but is also necessary for the consolidation of peace in the Holy Land and the entire region.

“Conscious of the extreme challenges inherent in this ongoing peace process, let us entrust the hearts and minds of the negotiators to the maternal care of Our Lady of Wisdom, that she may illumine and enliven their efforts to finally achieve peace in those sacred lands.” 

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The Order of the Most Holy Trinity and of the Captives mark a century of missionary presence in Madagascar, it gives thanks for generations of missionaries whose service has strengthened the local Church, fostered vocations, and carried the Gospel to the country’s most remote communities. The centenary also renews the order’s commitment to bring hope and redemption to the new frontiers of today's world.

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Lydia Purpuraria (1st century) was born at Thyatira (Ak-Hissar), a town in Asia Minor, famous for its dye works, (hence, her name which means purple seller). She became Paul's first convert at Philippi. She was baptized with her household, and Paul stayed at her home there. Her feast date is August 3.

Around 200 participants gathered for the first Catholic Sisters in the Legal Profession Network Conference in Nairobi, Kenya. Among them are canon lawyers, civil lawyers, major superiors, safeguarding professionals, researchers, and other Church leaders. Under the theme, "Prophetic Witness, Safeguarding as an Expression of the Gospel," participants reflected on strengthening safeguarding, justice, and accountability in religious life.

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Pope Leo XIV will visit Assisi on 6 August to meet thousands of young Europeans and encourage them, in the spirit of Saint Francis, to dream boldly and embrace a life of faith, purpose and service.

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Church leaders, safeguarding experts, and Deaf advocates gather in Panama City to promote listening, accessibility, and protection for survivors of abuse.

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In a video message for Ecuador's 7th National Youth Day, Pope Leo XIV invites young people to follow Christ, allow the joy of encountering Him to transform their lives and inspire others to seek Him, and to let the Blessed Mother's example inspire them to embrace God's plan for their lives.

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Christians who breathed a sigh of relief when Constantine proclaimed Christianity the state religion, believing this would end the bloodshed and martyrdom. But it was all too short a time until they were facing persecution once more -- from others who claimed to be Christian. When Christianity became the state religion, many people adopted it for political reasons. Others adopted it without truly understanding it. Under these circumstances heresy found fertile ground. One of the most ...

After leading the recitation of the midday Angelus prayer on Sunday in the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV expresses concern over the serious migration crisis unfolding in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta. He prays for an end to wars across the globe and recalls the spiritual gift of the Pardon of Assisi that can be obtained this weekend.

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