Resurrection of the Lord Catholic Church

A group of Palestinian students from Gaza are in Rome and able to start rebuilding their future thanks to a joint initiative of the Sapienza University, the Diocese of Rome and the Community of Sant’Egidio. On the day of Pope Leo XIV’s visit to the historic institution, they share their stories of war, displacement and hope.

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An exhibition in Rome tells the story of the war on Gaza through the eyes of children with a selection of photographs, poetry and video installations. An immersive journey that reflects on past and present amid fragility, memory and the longing for a future.

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On the first day of the ecumenical, global prayer movement, “Thy Kingdom Come”, Pope Leo sends a video message to participants, encouraging them in their mission of sharing the Gospel as it “is not something about which we can keep silent.”

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Pope Leo XIV sends a message to the Turin International Book Fair, taking place this week in the northern Italian city, reiterating that literature must promote human dignity, peace and fraternity, and stressing that children, especially amid 'the horror of war' and 'chill of indifference,' offer the world hope.

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Pope Leo XIV makes a special visit to Sapienza University of Rome, urging young people to reject resignation, become “artisans of true peace,” and warning against rising military spending and the dangers of artificial intelligence in war.

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In a letter commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Bolivian Catholic University “San Pablo,” Pope Leo reminds the academic institution that truth finds its identity in the person of Jesus Christ, and reiterates that 'Veritas in Caritate' continues to serve as a criterion for academic and pastoral discernment.

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In collaboration with the “Selfiestreet” digital platform, the Dicastery for Communication is set to broadcast official Vatican images and multimedia content on giant digital screens in prominent locations across Rome and Milan.

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Following two years of service as representatives to the Holy See, a group of ambassadors receives one of the Vatican's highest diplomatic honours.

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The Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan in Nigeria announces the release of Fr Nathaniel Asuwaye, who was abducted on 7 February 2026 from his parish residence in Kaduna State.

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VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Marking the anniversary of the attempted assassination of St. John Paul II and the feast of Our Lady of Fatima, Pope Leo XIV said Mary is the “perfect model” of what the Church is called to be and urged Catholics to imitate her “humility, active faith and obedience.”

During his May 13 general audience in St. Peter’s Square, the pope dedicated his catechesis to Mary, reflecting on her role as “model,” “mother” and “pre-eminent member” of the Church through the teaching of the Second Vatican Council’s dogmatic constitution "Lumen Gentium."

The date marked 45 years since St. John Paul was shot and seriously wounded in St. Peter’s Square during a general audience in 1981. The Polish pope was struck twice while passing through the square in his open popemobile. He was rushed to the hospital, where it was discovered that no vital organ was pierced. He later credited his survival to the protection of the Virgin Mary and maintained a lifelong devotion to Our Lady of Fatima.

The shooter, Mehmet Ali Ağca, was apprehended immediately and later visited by the pope who forgave him and called for his pardon. After serving 20 years in an Italian prison, he was deported to his country of Turkey in 2000. 

The pope was shot May 13, 1981, the anniversary of the first of the Fatima apparitions, and the feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Three children were tending sheep May 13, 1917, when they had a vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The apparitions continued once a month until Oct. 13, 1917. The children said Mary asked them to promote devotion to her Immaculate Heart and to pray the rosary daily to bring peace to the world. 

In greeting the Portuguese speakers, Pope Leo said that the Church turns its gaze to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima today, where Mary delivered a message of peace.

"In that place, so dear to Christianity, numerous pilgrims from the five continents gather today: their presence is a sign of the need for consolation, unity, and hope of the people of our time," he said in Italian. 

Pope Leo said Mary is the model of what the "Church is meant to be," because her "unconditional 'yes' shows us how to be members of the Church."

"Let us be challenged by Mary’s example of humility, active faith and obedience," he said to English speakers following his address. "Let us generously respond in love, magnifying God in our hearts, and receiving strength from the sacraments."

He called Mary an “icon of the Mystery,” saying that in her, God’s plan of salvation is revealed through both divine grace and her free acceptance of God’s will.

Continuing his catechetical series on the Second Vatican Council, the pope quoted "Lumen Gentium," saying the council’s teaching on Mary helps the faithful "love the Church and to serve within her the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God."

The Church contemplates the mystery of Mary, not only because of her faith, her charity and the fact that she is the mother of Jesus, but also because, above all, she fulfilled all that she was called to be through the Lord.

Pope Leo called on the faithful to ask for Mary to help through her intercession, saying that everyone can learn from her example of humble and active faith, ending his address by saying, "Let us ask the Virgin to obtain this gift for us: that love for the Holy Mother Church may grow in all of us."

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