The most important news from the Holy Father and the Vatican.
On July 21st, Pope Leo XIV received a call from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank. The Pope renewed his urgent plea for the protection of civilians and sacred sites, calling for full respect of international humanitarian law and an end to force displacement. He assured his prayers and the church's support for those most affected by the conflict, especially Christian communities.
Pope Leo XIV returned to the Vatican on July 22nd after a two-week summer holiday at Castel Gandolfo, reviving the tradition paused by Pope Francis. During his stay, he led the Angelus from Liberty Square for the first time in over a decade, visited local parishes, and made history by celebrating an outdoor Mass for the Mass of Care of Creation. He also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.
On July 24th, Pope Leo XIV welcomed Algerian President Tebboune to the Apostolic Palace, and their conversation focused on the life of the Catholic Church in Algeria, the need for interreligious dialogue, and ways to strengthen cultural cooperation. The Pope encouraged peacebuilding efforts and emphasized the importance of shared values between faith communities.
Marking the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, Pope Leo XIV visited the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo and spoke via video call with astronaut Buzz Aldrin. They reflected on humanity's exploration of space and the wonder of creation, with the Pope sharing a meditation inspired by Psalm 8. He thanked Aldrin for his contribution to science and history.
Rome is preparing to welcome over 500,000 young Catholics starting July 28th for the Jubilee of Youth, part of the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope. Archbishop Rino Fisichella calls the event a global embrace of hope and peace, comparing it to a World Youth Day. Pilgrims will be hosted across schools, parishes, and open spaces throughout the city.
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Rudolf Gehrig has been working for EWTN since 2013, among other things as a reporter, TV presenter, and producer. From 2019 to 2022 he was chief correspondent for German-speaking Europe at CNA Deutsch before moving to the Italian capital as a Rome correspondent and has since reported for EWTN Vatican and CNA Deutsch directly from the heart of the universal Church.
