This week in the Vatican, several developments highlighted the Church’s message of peace, pastoral closeness, and human dignity. From reflections during the Lenten season to international appeals for religious freedom, the Holy Father and Vatican representatives addressed some of the most pressing issues facing the Church and the world today.

A Lenten Reflection on Peace and Conversion

In the first Lenten sermon delivered for Pope Leo XIV, the Roman Curia, and Vatican employees, Capuchin friar Father Roberto Pasolini reflected on humility as the true path toward conversion and lasting peace.

Speaking in the context of ongoing global conflicts, Father Pasolini emphasized that authentic peace begins within the human heart. As he explained, “Peace does not come primarily from political or military strategies, but from men and women who have the courage to step back, renounce violence, and choose dialogue.”

Drawing inspiration from the conversion of St. Francis of Assisi, he described conversion not simply as a human effort but as God’s initiative. According to Father Pasolini, it is God who awakens the divine image within the human heart and reshapes the way people understand and desire the good.

Pope Leo XIV Visits a Parish on Rome’s Periphery

Pope Leo XIV also continued his pastoral visits to parishes on the outskirts of Rome. This week, he visited the Parish of Santa Maria della Presentazione in the Torrevecchia neighborhood.

During the visit, the Holy Father addressed families, young people, and members of the local community, encouraging parishes to reflect the caring presence of the Church in society. He emphasized the importance of closeness, charity, and concrete service, urging parish communities to become places of hope—especially in neighborhoods marked by poverty and social hardship.

Before celebrating Mass with the faithful, the pope also took time to meet with the sick and people with disabilities, offering words of encouragement and prayer.

A Call to End Violence Against Women

In a message published for International Women’s Day, Pope Leo XIV strongly condemned violence against women, describing it as a source of profound suffering.

Responding to a letter from a reader, the pope stressed that education, respect, and love—especially among young people—are essential to preventing abuse and femicide. He warned against what he called a culture of possession and urged collaboration among the Church, schools, and families to promote a culture rooted in dignity, freedom, and mutual respect.

Vatican Warns of Global Persecution of Christians

Meanwhile, at a United Nations conference in Geneva, the Holy See’s Permanent Observer, Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, raised concerns about the global persecution of Christians.

Citing recent data, the archbishop noted that nearly 400 million Christians worldwide face persecution or violence, with thousands killed for their faith in recent years. He called on governments and international institutions to uphold religious freedom and to end what he described as a culture of impunity surrounding anti-Christian violence.

The Role of Journalism in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Finally, marking the 150th anniversary of the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Pope Leo XIV addressed the challenges facing journalism in the era of artificial intelligence.

In a letter to the newspaper’s editor, the pope encouraged journalists to safeguard transparency and uphold the dignity of their readers. While acknowledging the rapid development of technology, he emphasized that responsible human judgment and the human dimension of storytelling remain irreplaceable.

As the media landscape continues to evolve, the pope reminded journalists of their responsibility to pursue truth and serve the common good.