The latest news from Rome and the Vatican:
A Franciscan Jubilee and a Call for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has inaugurated a special Franciscan Year, marking the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi. The jubilee will run until January 2027 and offers the faithful the possibility of receiving a plenary indulgence through pilgrimage, participation in the sacraments, and prayer.
In launching the commemorative year, the Holy Father emphasized the enduring witness of St. Francis as a man of peace, proposing the saint’s example as a response to a world increasingly marked by conflict, division, and violence.
“State of the World” Address
In one of the longest speeches of his pontificate, Pope Leo XIV addressed ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, warning that war is once again becoming a normalized instrument of international relations. He criticized the erosion of multilateral diplomacy and urged nations to return to dialogue, respect for human rights, and adherence to humanitarian law. The Pope also drew attention to ongoing global crises, from Venezuela to regions suffering religious persecution, calling for renewed commitment to peace rooted in truth and justice.
Faith Passed On: Baptisms in the Sistine Chapel
In a cherished annual tradition, Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 infants, all children of Vatican employees, beneath Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. During his homily, the Pope reminded parents that faith is not optional but essential—comparing it to the basic care every child needs to live and grow.
He encouraged families to embrace their role as the first educators in the faith, helping their children grow in the light of Christ through daily witness, prayer, and love.
Collegial Governance and a New Papal Mosaic
The Vatican also announced that Pope Leo XIV will convene his next consistory of cardinals on June 27–28, near the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The Holy Father has expressed his desire to hold such gatherings annually, fostering deeper consultation, fraternity, and shared responsibility in the governance of the Church.
Cardinals have welcomed the initiative, describing recent consistories as enriching opportunities to listen to one another and discern together. The Pope has also reminded them that these meetings are not occasions to advance personal or group agendas, but moments of genuine service to the universal Church.
Finally, the Vatican Mosaic Studio unveiled a new mosaic portrait of Pope Leo XIV, crafted from thousands of glass and gold tesserae. Measuring 137 centimeters in diameter, the medallion will be installed alongside those of previous pontiffs in the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls. Continuing a centuries-old tradition, the Pope viewed the completed artwork shortly before his Wednesday General Audience.
