Welcome to this week’s Vaticano Updates, bringing you the most important news from Pope Leo XIV and the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV Calls for Daily Rosary in October for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has invited Catholics worldwide to pray the Rosary daily throughout October for the gift of peace. As part of the Jubilee of Mary and Spirituality, the Holy Father will personally lead a special Rosary in St. Peter’s Square on October 11.
He urged the faithful to pray individually, with families, or in communities, calling prayer the surest path to invoking God’s peace in a time of global uncertainty.
Concern Over U.S. Defense Department Statements
In remarks addressing international tensions, Pope Leo XIV expressed concern over the latest statements from the U.S. Department of Defense. Secretary Pete Hexit has suggested renaming the department to the Department of War and emphasized military “lethality” as a priority.
The Pope called these developments “worrying” and stressed the Church’s commitment to protecting human life and dignity.
World Day of Social Communications: Risks of AI and Fake News
Looking ahead to the 60th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Leo XIV has chosen the theme “Preserving Human Voices and Faces.”
He warned of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence, especially the spread of misleading or harmful information. The Holy Father encouraged Catholics to strengthen media and AI literacy in order to meet the ethical and spiritual challenges of the digital age.
Arnold Schwarzenegger Praises the Catholic Church’s Climate Role
Ahead of the Raising Hope for Climate Justice Conference, actor and former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger praised the Catholic Church’s global influence in environmental leadership.
He highlighted the potential of the Church’s 1.4 billion members to bring about meaningful change in protecting creation. The conference, attended by Pope Leo XIV, also marks the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’.
October Prayer Intention: Interreligious Collaboration
For the Pope’s October prayer intention, Pope Leo XIV has asked the faithful to pray for collaboration among different religious traditions.
He expressed hope that living examples of peace, justice, and fraternity among religions will inspire humanity to work together beyond differences, building a world of greater unity.
New Catechists Entrusted with Mission at St. Peter’s
During the Jubilee of the Catechist in St. Peter’s Square, Pope Leo XIV formally entrusted the ministry of catechist to 39 men and women from around the world.
Among them was Katherine Miles Flynn, an American mother of eight who has served as a catechist in the United Arab Emirates for two decades. She also serves as Director of Information for the Vicariate of the Southern Arabian Peninsula and shared her experiences in a press briefing with the EWTN Vatican Bureau.
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Andreas Thonhauser is EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief. He holds an MBA from WU Executive Academy and a Master’s in German Philology and Americanistics from the University of Vienna. He previously worked in media and as Director of External Affairs for a global human rights organization, and for several media outlets in Vienna, Austria.
