POPE AT AUDIENCE: WE MUST LEND OUR VOICE TO THOSE WHO HAVE NONE
During his weekly general audience, Pope Leo XIV reminded the faithful that God calls on us, as people of faith, to offer our voices to help those in need and to protect the environment.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov (Vatican News)
We are called “to reverse course,” as Jesus asks us, and to “change history,” Pope Leo XIV insisted during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square, as he continued his catechesis series on “Jesus Christ, Our Hope.”
The Holy Father began his remarks considering Christ’s Resurrection and its impact on the challenges of today’s world, pointing out that if we allow it, Christ’s salvific act can transform all our relationships, especially those with God, other people, and creation.
Pope Leo said that as Mary Magdalene on Easter morning turned around to look at Jesus, “we too must allow the seed of Christian hope to bear fruit, convert our hearts, and influence the ways we respond to the issues that we face.”
He recalled how St. John the Evangelist draws to our attention a detail not found in the other Gospels, namely that as Mary Magdalene was weeping near the empty tomb, she did not immediately recognize the Risen Jesus, but thought He was the gardener. The Pope observed that she “was not entirely mistaken then, believing she had encountered the gardener!” “Indeed,” he said, “she had to hear her own name again and understand her task from the new Man, the one who in another text of John says: “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).” Pope at Audience: We must lend our voice to those who have none – Vatican News
POPE LEO XIV ANNOUNCES SECOND WORLD CHILDREN’S DAY IN 2026
Pope Leo XIV announced the second edition of World Children’s Day, which will take place in Rome on September 25-27, 2026.
By Devin Watkins (Vatican News)
At the Wednesday general audience, Pope Leo XIV blessed and signed a flag bearing the official logo of the 2026 World Children’s Day.
“My thoughts go to children, whom I will have the joy of encountering on the Day dedicated to them, which is scheduled for September 25-27, 2026,” he said as he greeted Italian-speaking pilgrims.
Afterwards, a 7-year-old boy from Gaza, Majd Bernard, presented the flag to the Pope, together with Fr. Enzo Fortunato, OFM Conv., President of the Pontifical Committee for World Children’s Day (WCD).
According to a press release from the Committee, World Children’s Day will be “a moment of encounter, prayer, and celebration involving children and their families from all over the world.”
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Prefect of the Dicastery for Laity, Family, and Life, said the Church wishes to pay attention to children and families. “Children must be shown the beauty of peace—peace lived first of all within their families, in the places they frequent, and in the whole world,” said the Cardinal. “Children understand well the value of peace and suffer greatly when they sense tension and conflict around them, starting with their parents or in their surroundings.” Pope Leo XIV announces Second World Children’s Day in 2026 – Vatican News
Joan's Rome 