Vatican News

The 49th Social Week of Italian Catholics kicks off in the southern city of Taranto on 21 October dedicated to the theme: "The planet we hope for - environment, work, future. #tuttoèconnesso (everything is linked)”. Drawing inspiration from Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', discussions will also focus on virtuous realities that adopt a vision for an integral ecology in entrepreneurial, administrative, community and personal realms.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin delivers a video message on behalf of Pope Francis to participants at the Women’s Forum G20 Italy discussing the theme “A She-covery for all, Uniting Power with purpose for a new Inclusive Leadership.”

In a video message, Pope Francis invites participants in the IV World Meeting of Popular Movements to dream and work together through solidarity and subsidiarity in order to build a better society and emerge better from the Covid-19 pandemic.

In a message to the Director General of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, Pope Francis says we must adopt “innovative solutions” to transform the way we produce and consume food “for the well-being of people and of the planet.”

Pope Francis authorizes the promulgation of a Decree advancing the cause for the beatification of Pope John Paul I. The heroic virtues of other holy men and women were also recognized as were the martyrdoms of two Argentinean priests.

Pope Francis says that, freed by grace and love, Christianity is able to welcome every people and culture, and in turn opens peoples and cultures to greater freedom.

Pope Francis celebrated Mass at St Peter’s Basilica for the solemn opening of the Synod of Bishops, which will take place in three stages over the next two years.

Pope Francis leads a moment of reflection in the Vatican, ahead of the solemn inauguration of the Synod on Sunday with a Holy Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.