Vatican

OSV News/Guglielmo Mangiapane, Reuters

Vatican City

Pope Leo warns of ‘irreparable abyss,’ if diplomacy doesn’t take over violence in Iran, Middle East

Pope Leo XIV issued a fervent appeal for return of diplomacy in “these dramatic hours” in the Middle East and Iran, condemning use of weapons that cause “destruction, pain, and death.”

• Dare to be free, join exodus from stagnation, pope says on Ash Wednesday

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published February 18, 2026

  Pope Leo XIV marked the beginning of Lent with the traditional procession on Rome’s Aventine Hill on Ash Wednesday.

• All Christians must humbly, joyfully invite others to trust in God, pope says

  

  By CAROL GLATZ, Catholic News Service
  Published January 26, 2026

  All Christians are called to invite everyone to trust in Christ, who enlightens and consoles, Pope Leo XIV said as he closed the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Jan. 25

• Vatican approved new Liturgy of the Hours edition for 2027 

  

  By LAURETTA BROWN
  Published January 26, 2026

  The faithful can expect a new edition of the Liturgy of the Hours by Easter 2027, according to Bishop Steven J. Lopes, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Committee on Divine Worship.