VATICAN INSIDER: AMERICAN COUPLE MOVE TO ROME FOR A YEAR, SIGN UP AS JUBILEE VOLUNTEERS

JEWELS FROM JOAN: Remember, it’s not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts!

VATICAN INSIDER: AMERICAN COUPLE MOVE TO ROME FOR A YEAR, SIGN UP AS JUBILEE VOLUNTEERS

Welcome to Vatican Insider on this first weekend of our brand NewYear! We can look back to 2025 to a world that was extremely difficult in so many ways but now we must look forward to a year that will (we hope) bring peace to many regions of the world and hope to so many people who currently live in war-torn areas, or where there is violence, famine, hunger and poverty.

And here, in the Vatican, so many events last year and two history making moments in particular: the illness and death of Pope Francis and the election of a new Pope, Pope Leo, the first ever Augustinian elected to the papacy and the first ever American, a native of Chicago! Leo XIV just celebrated his first Christmas season liturgies and, looking, the first week of 2026 is proving to be very busy, including the closing of the Holy Door on St. Peter’s Basilica on January 6.

My guests in the interview segment this weekend can tell you all you need to know about that door ad many other things linked to the 2025 Jubilee of Hope because they spent this past year in Rome. I’m talking about Craig and Laura Schlattmann, an American couple who came to Italy for a year as volunteers for the Jubilee of Hope and who are also active parishioners of St. Patrick’s, the Catholic American community in Rome. They tell us how they learned they could become volunteers (wait till you head that story!), how to apply to the Vatican, what their duties are as volunteer, and explain their uniforms, housing offered to volunteers, etc. The also offer some of the highlights, unusual moments, touching moments of the Jubilee experience, of their time in Italy, Rome and at St. Patrick’s and what they will bring home from this Jubilee. Part I this weekend.

Craig and Laura are two wonderful people but what you will mainly take away from our conversation is their deep faith.  God bless you both!  I am happy the Lord placed you in my life!

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DICASTERY PUBLISHES TRANSLATIONS OF “ONE FLESH,” DOCUMENT ON MONOGAMY – POPE PRAYS FOR VICTIMS OF CRANS-MONTANA FIRE – POPE TO US YOUTH: BE OPEN TO WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU!

DICASTERY PUBLISHES TRANSLATIONS OF “ONE FLESH,” DOCUMENT ON MONOGAMY

The Vatican has released several language translations of “One Flesh,” the November 25, 2025 document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on monogamy. It is titled “’Una caro’ In Praise of Monogamy, A Doctrinal Note on the Value of Matrimony as an Exclusive Union and Mutual Belonging.” It was signed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect, and Msgr. Armando Matteo, Secretary for the Doctrinal Section of the dicastery. Above the signatures, one reads: “The Supreme Pontiff Leo XIV, on 21 November 2025, the Liturgical Memorial of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, approved the present Note, decided upon in the Ordinary Session of this Dicastery on 19 November 2025, and he ordered its publication.”

“Una Caro” (One Flesh) has 156 paragraphs and 256 footnotes. The link to English: Monogamy. Doctrinal Note on the Value of Matrimony as an Exclusive Union and Mutual Belonging (25 November 2025)

It was also translated into Spanish, French and Portuguese.

POPE PRAYS FOR VICTIMS OF CRANS-MONTANA FIRE

Pope Leo XIV expresses his closeness to the victims and their loved ones of the January 1 fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, that caused around 40 deaths and over 110 injured.   By Isabella H. de Carvalho (Vatican News)

In a telegram, Pope Leo XIV joined in mourning the victims of a fire on January 1 at an Alpine bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, which killed around 40 people and injured more than 110. In the telegram — written in French and signed by Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin — the Pope expresses his compassion and concern to those close to the victims.”

Pope Leo “prays to the Lord to welcome the deceased into his dwelling of peace and light, and to support the courage of those who suffer in their hearts or in their bodies.” “May the Mother of God, in her tenderness, bring the comfort of faith to all those affected by this tragedy and keep them in hope,” concludes the statement, addressed to Bishop Jean-Marie Lovey, of the Diocese of Sion, where the tragedy took place.

Around 40 people died and another roughly 115 were injured after a fire erupted at a New Year’s party in an Alpine bar, Le Constellation, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Authorities estimate that the fire broke out less than two hours after midnight and the causes are still under investigation. Several victims, which include also Italian and French nationals, are still unaccounted for and some are as young as 16-years-old. Pope prays for victims of Crans-Montana fire – Vatican News

POPE TO US YOUTH: BE OPEN TO WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU!

In a video-message to participants in the SEEK youth conference in the United States, Pope Leo invites young people to spend time with Jesus, whether they are meeting Him for the first time or deepening their relationship with him, and to always be open “to what the Lord has in store”.  By Christopher Wells (Vatican News)

“What do you seek?” Jesus’ question to the first disciples shows that he knew what was in their hearts, that they were “restless, but in a good way.” They were open to God and longing to find meaning in their lives.

In a video-message for young people participating in the annual “SEEK” Youth Conference in the United States, Pope Leo says Jesus is asking each of us that same question today. “The answer,” the Pope said, “is found in a person: The Lord Jesus alone brings us true peace and joy, and fulfils every one of our deepest desires.” Pope to US youth: Be open to what God has in store for you! – Vatican News