Pope Francis releases Hope, his first autobiography; Don Giovanni Merlini is beatified; Sister Clare Crockett’s sainthood cause begins; Biden honors the pope; Jubilee audiences inspire hope in pilgrims.

Catholic leaders in the Holy Land expressed cautious optimism this week that pilgrims will be able to return to the region amid a new ceasefire and hostage release agreement in Gaza, which went into effect on Sunday.

Pope Francis criticized potential plans for mass deportations in the United States under President-elect Donald Trump during a wide-ranging Italian television interview on Sunday.

Pope Francis on Sunday thanked the mediators who brokered the latest cease-fire deal in Gaza which came into effect on Jan. 19.

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, believes the ceasefire agreement reached by Israel and Hamas was “absolutely necessary” and called for immediate attention to be given to food, health, and educational needs.

Cuba’s release of 553 prisoners is seen by analysts and opposition as a “swap” to gain U.S. economic benefits, including removal from the terrorism sponsor list.

As millions of pilgrims are expected for the jubilee year in Rome, Pope Francis praised the patient service of the Swiss Guard and support for their families on Saturday.

Italian farmers, who are among this year’s pilgrims of hope for the 2025 Jubilee, brought their animals to the Vatican on Friday to be blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti on the feast of St. Anthony the Abbot.

Franciscan friar Paolo Benanti, an expert in artificial intelligence (AI), warned of its ethical risks during a colloquium organized by the Paul VI Foundation in Madrid.

A musical that tells the story of St. Bernadette, visionary of Our Lady of Lourdes, made its debut in Rome on Jan. 14. The premiere was reserved for a select group of guests: 1,600 people from low-income families.

Pope Francis baptized 21 babies in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel on Sunday, continuing a cherished tradition.

Pope Francis opened his annual meeting with Holy See diplomats by calling for unity. A meeting both formal and familial, the Pope urged nations to focus on shared bonds over divisions.

After a remarkable 44 years of preaching done by Raniero Cantalamessa, last December Father Roberto Pasolini was appointed as the new Preacher of the Papal Household.

In 1225, ailing and nearly blind, St. Francis of Assisi composed the timeless Canticle of the Creatures, celebrating creation's beauty and life's mystery.

The pursuit of Christian unity has been a central mission of the Church, since the Second Vatican Council. Now, in the Jubilee Year of Hope, this mission takes centre stage in Rome.

The Vatican’s top diplomat has called the gradual release of 553 prisoners in Cuba “a sign of great hope” at the beginning of the Catholic Church’s jubilee year.

The Vatican said Thursday that Pope Francis had suffered a “contusion” on his right forearm after falling at his residence that same morning.

Israel and Hamas forces have agreed to a ceasefire deal that will pause fighting in Gaza and facilitate a hostage exchange, according to several news reports on Wednesday afternoon. 

At Pope Francis’ request, the Vatican will now pay a monthly bonus of 300 euros (around $309) per family to employees of the city-state who have three or more children, giving credibility to his frequent warnings about countries’ low fertility rates.

On Jan. 25, the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, Pope Francis will conclude this week of prayer with vespers in St. Paul Outside the Walls Basilica at 5:30 p.m. Rome time.

Pope Francis on Wednesday called for a global commitment to eradicate child labor, saying injustices committed against “the invisible little ones” are a gross violation against God’s commandments.

The Cuban government announced the release of 553 prisoners through the mediation of Pope Francis “in the spirit of the Ordinary Jubilee of 2025.”

The Vatican City State’s first decree regulating the use of artificial intelligence quietly came into effect this month prohibiting discriminatory uses of AI.

The Vatican City State has toughened sanctions for those who try to illegally enter its territory in areas where free access is not allowed.