Franco Pisano

The logo illustrates the theme “Mary arose and went with haste” (Lk, 1,39) chosen by Pope Francis. The passage is the theme of the WYD Lisbon 2023 and indicates that Mary was ready to live according to God’s will to serve Elizabeth. This highlights the call to young people to renew their vitality, dreams, enthusiasm, optimism and generosity (Christus Vivit 20).

Catholics number 1.328.993.000, 17.73 % of the global population. Archbishop Rugambwa: "The mission touches and transforms all sectors and areas of life in order to save humanity and creation". Msgr. Dal Toso: the fund to help local Churches cope with this period of pandemic to date has financed 250 projects for a total of 1, 299, 700 US Dollars and 473,410 Euros.

"Today, it is especially necessary to create broader opportunities for a more incisive female presence in the Church. And we must emphasize the feminine lay presence because women tend to be left aside."

University student says that at the age of 7 she had to hide in the jungle. “Being a Christian in the region is a great challenge. Thanks to my strong faith I have not forgotten God despite the threat to my life ".

Francis urges faithful to respect the measures adopted against coronavirus contagion. "I would like to, as I usually do, walk among you and greet you, but with the new measures, it is better to keep our distance. You are at a prudent distance, as should be done". And reiterating the importance of using all the precautions, which allow us to move forward with the audiences ", he concluded by reiterating that "if we all, as good citizens, comply with the measures enacted by the authorities, we will help to end this pandemic".

A letter from the president of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences to the bishops and churches of Asia. Will Asia choose individual greed or will it strive for the common good? Much depends on how we rebuild society after the coronavirus".

According to an Indian Bahá’í leader, in his encyclical, “Pope Francis diagnoses the multiple illnesses of present-day planetary society and offers not only hope but numerous practical solutions stemming from his associations with the peoples of the world, be they heads of religious communities, heads of governments or states or simply ordinary folks, believer or non-believer.”

Bishop Ha said that the anniversary celebration is also a time to be grateful to God for offering priests, bishops and lay leaders, and to be joyful for future Church leaders who are now receiving training. He also urged those in attendance to pray for a deeper faith so that we can meet the current challenges in Hong Kong.

Fifteen-year-old Carlo Acutis, beatified yesterday, "shows today's young people that true happiness is found by putting God first and serving Him in one's brothers and sisters, especially the least". Pope Francis also calls for a resumption of the truce between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

According to government data, the number of suicides in August increased by 15.4 per cent to 1,854. Despite a lower rate, the number of women who commit suicide has increased by about 40 per cent. The number of students, from elementary to high school, taking their own lives has more than doubled compared to the same period last year.

In an audience with the Committee of Experts of the Council of Europe (Moneyval), Francis reiterates that the worship of the ancient golden calf (cf. Ex 32:1-35) has returned in a new and ruthless guise in the idolatry of money and the dictatorship of an impersonal economy lacking a truly human purpose".

General audience returns, after months, to the Paul VI hall. Prayer "is not a private session with the Lord to give your soul a makeover: no, this is not prayer. This is pretend prayer. Prayer is a confrontation with God and allowing ourselves to be sent to serve others. The test of prayer is concrete love for one's neighbour. And vice versa".