reflections, updates and homilies from Deacon Mike Talbot inspired by the following words from my ordination: Receive the Gospel of Christ whose herald you have become. Believe what you read, teach what you believe and practice what you teach...
Pope calls for renewed negotiations for a just peace in the Middle East
During the Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, Pope Leo XIV appeals for an end to violence in the Holy Land and the Middle East, urging dialogue, diplomacy, and prayers for peace.
By Linda Bordoni
Pope Leo XIV on Sunday renewed his urgent appeals for peace in the Holy Land and across the Middle East during his Angelus address in Castel Gandolfo, expressing deep concern over the escalating violence and calling for an immediate return to dialogue.
Concern for civilians in West Bank and Gaza
"I continue to follow with deep concern the ongoing and escalating violence in the Holy Land," the Pope said, noting that "many civilians have recently fallen victim, both in the West Bank and in Gaza."
He called for "a return to negotiations aimed at achieving a just political solution, founded on the equal dignity and equal rights of every human person, and for the rejection of further military actions and unilateral decisions, particularly those that violate the respect due to and the status quo of the holy sites of every religious faith."
Appeal for diplomacy
Pope Leo also renewed his appeal regarding the situation throughout the Middle East, where, he said, "the intensification of military operations has once again brought violence and destruction, placing the lives of countless civilians in grave danger and worsening the shortages of drinking water and electricity.”
“I urge all parties involved to suspend their attacks and urgently reopen avenues of dialogue and diplomacy, so that the peace so greatly desired by the entire region may be achieved without delay,” Pope Leo said.
Prayers for peoples throughout the world affected by war
Pope Leo XIV encouraged everyone to continue praying for all peoples throughout the world who are suffering because of war.
“May the Lord touch hearts and enlighten the minds of those in positions of responsibility, so that reconciliation and peace may soon prevail,” he said.
Pope Leo to Rome's Sapienza University: ‘Be artisans of true peace’
Pope Leo XIV makes a special visit to Sapienza University of Rome, urging young people to reject resignation, become “artisans of true peace,” and warning against rising military spending and the dangers of artificial intelligence in war.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Be artisans of true peace: an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering, working for harmony among peoples and for the care of the Earth.”
Pope Leo XIV expressed this during his address to the Sapienza University of Rome on Thursday, May 14.
Prior to delivering his remarks, the Holy Father paused in prayer and greeted members of the university community before proceeding to the rectorate and the Aula Magna for his address.
In his speech, Pope Leo said he accepted “with great joy” the invitation to meet the university community, praising the university as a center of excellence in many disciplines, while also recognizing its commitment to ensuring access to education for those with fewer economic resources, people with disabilities, prisoners, and refugees fleeing war zones.
In a particular way, the Holy Father expressed appreciation for the agreement signed between the Diocese of Rome and Sapienza to open a university humanitarian corridor from the Gaza Strip.
Pope Leo noted that, having served as Bishop of Rome for just over a year, he especially desired to meet the university community and, “with a pastor’s heart,” wished to address first the students and then the professors.
Young people and the search for truth
Reflecting on his arrival at the university, the Pope said the avenues of the campus are crossed every day by many young people and marked by “contrasting emotions."
While he acknowledged they likely have some carefree and joyful moments, he recognized that they undoubtedly are likewise troubled by the great injustices around the world.
Amid this reality, the Holy Father said studies, friendships, and encounters with “masters of thought” can transform people for the better even before changing the world around them.
“When the desire for truth becomes a search,” he continued, “our boldness in study bears witness to the hope of a new world.”
St. Augustine made serious mistakes, but never lost his passion for wisdom
Pope Leo reminded the students of his spiritual connection to Saint Augustine, his spiritual father, whom he recalled was as “a restless young man” who made serious mistakes, but never lost his passion for beauty and wisdom.
The Pope said he was pleased to receive hundreds of questions from students ahead of the encounter. Lamenting that it would be impossible for him to answer them all, he reminded the students that university chaplaincies exist for this very reason, as places “where faith encounters your questions.”
Pope Leo greeting students (@Vatican Media)
‘We are not an algorithm’
Turning to the struggles faced by many young people today, Pope Leo said “We must not hide from the fact that many young people are suffering.”
The Pope pointed to the “blackmail of expectations” and pressure to perform, calling it “the pervasive lie of a distorted system that reduces people to numbers, exacerbating competitiveness and abandoning us to spirals of anxiety.”
“This spiritual malaise,” he continued, “reminds us that we are not the sum of what we possess, nor matter randomly assembled in a mute cosmos.”
The Holy Father went on to remind the students they are not algorithms and that they possess a special dignity.
Becoming ourselves
Addressing young people directly, Pope Leo said modern malaise asks the question: “Who are you?” and said this question is one "we silently pose to God.”
“Becoming ourselves,” he observed, “is the characteristic task of every man’s and every woman’s life.”
““It is the question to which only we ourselves can respond,” he continued, “yet one that we can never answer alone,” stressing that human beings are shaped by our relationships.
‘What kind of world are we leaving behind?’
Turning to older generations, the Pope said the malaise of youth also asks: “What kind of world are we leaving behind?”
The Holy Father lamented that today’s world is “disfigured by wars and by words of war,” describing this as “a pollution of reason” that invades social relationships from the geopolitical level downward.
Pope Leo XIV at the Sapienza University of Rome (@Vatican Media)
The Pope warned that the simplification that “constructs enemies” must be corrected, especially in universities, through “care for complexity and the wise exercise of memory.”
“In particular,” he added, “the tragedy of the twentieth century must not be forgotten.”
Warnings against military spending and rearmament
“The cry ‘never again war!’ of my predecessors,” Pope Leo said, “urges us toward a spiritual alliance with the sense of justice dwelling in the hearts of the young.”
The Holy Father noted that military spending around the world, especially in Europe, has grown enormously over the past year.
“Let us not call ‘defense’ a rearmament that increases tensions and insecurity, impoverishes investment in education and health, denies trust in diplomacy, and enriches elites that care nothing for the common good,” he warned.
Moreover, Pope Leo insisted that society must remain vigilant regarding the development and application of artificial intelligence in both military and civilian spheres.
“This is particularly important,” he said, “so that it does not strip human choices of responsibility and worsen the tragedy of conflicts.”
Warning against a 'spiral of annihilation'
The Pope pointed specifically to Ukraine, Gaza and the Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Iran as examples of what he called “the inhuman evolution of the relationship between war and new technologies in a spiral of annihilation.”
“Let study, research, and investment move in the opposite direction,” the Holy Father urged.
“Let them be a radical ‘yes,’" he said, "to life — yes to innocent life, yes to young life, yes to the life of peoples crying out for peace and justice.”
Safeguarding creation
A second area of common commitment, Pope Leo said, concerns ecology.
Recalling Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment Laudato si’, the Holy Father cited the warning that “we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system.”
More than a decade later, Pope Leo observed, “beyond good intentions and some efforts directed toward this goal, the situation does not seem to have improved.”
In this context, the Pope encouraged young people not to surrender to resignation but instead “to transform restlessness into prophecy.”
The insight of those who believe
“Those who believe,” he continued, “know in a special way that history does not helplessly collapse into the hands of death.”
Rather, he said, history is always safeguarded by “a God who creates life from nothing, who gives without taking, who shares without consuming.”
“Today,” the Holy Father declared, “the implosion of a possessive and consumerist paradigm clears the ground for the new that is already sprouting forth: study, cultivate, safeguard justice!”
Pope Leo then invited students and professors alike to join him in pursuing peace.
“Be artisans of true peace: an unarmed and disarming peace, humble and persevering, working for harmony among peoples and for the care of the Earth,” he said.
Your intelligence and boldness are needed, the Pope said.
Pope Leo at the Sapienza University of Rome (@Vatican Media)
‘Believe in your students’
Turning specifically to professors, Pope Leo described Sapienza as “a place of study and a center of experimentation” that for centuries has formed minds in critical thought.
In this context, he reminded professors they have the responsibility and privilege of cultivating “fruitful contact with the minds and hearts of young people.”
“It is of the utmost importance to believe in your students,” the Pope stressed.
“Therefore, ask yourselves often: do I trust them?” he said.
Teaching as a form of charity
The Pope also described teaching as “a form of charity,” comparing it to “rescuing a migrant at sea, a poor person on the street, or a despairing conscience.”
Teaching, he continued, “means loving human life always and in every circumstance, esteeming its possibilities.”
Pope Leo said education should speak “to the hearts of young people” and not focus solely on intellectual knowledge.
The Pope went on to ask what would be the point of forming researchers or professionals who fail to cultivate conscience, justice, and respect for what “can neither nor should be dominated.”
A new educational alliance
“Knowledge,” he said, “serves not only to achieve professional goals, but to discern who one is.”
Through lectures, internships, interaction with the city, theses, and doctoral studies, he reminded that students can continually discover new motivations and learn to bring order “between study and life, between means and ends.”
Finally, Pope Leo XIV reminded that his visit was intended to serve as “a sign of a new educational alliance” between the Church in Rome and the university community, before assuring those present of his prayers and imparting his Apostolic Blessing.
Cardinal Parolin responded to questions on the sidelines of the event marking the 25th anniversary of the Osservatorio for Independent Thinking in Rome
Cardinal Parolin: Tensions between US and Europe worsen international climate
Speaking to journalists, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin touches on the tensions between the United States and Europe, saying it is essential “to discuss the controversial issues, but without engaging in polemics and without creating further tensions.”
By Daniele Piccini
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, spoke to journalists about tensions between the United States and Europe on January 21 on the sidelines of the event entitled, ‘An International Dialogue to Connect Young People to the Future’ in Rome.
He stressed that “tensions are not healthy and create a climate that worsens an international situation that is already serious. I believe the important thing would be to eliminate tensions, to discuss the controversial points, but without entering into polemics and without fueling tensions.”
The event held at the Auditorium Antonianum marked the 25th anniversary of the Observatory for Independent Thinking.
Invitation to the Board of Peace on Gaza
Turning to the topic of the Board of Peace for Gaza, the Cardinal reflected on how President Trump is inviting a number of countries to participate.
“I believe I read in the newspaper this morning that Italy, too, is considering whether or not to join,” he continued, “We also received the invitation to the Board of Peace for Gaza; the Pope has received it, and we are considering what to do.”
He argued, “It is an issue that requires some time to be properly assessed and to provide a response.”
Speaking about the Board of Peace for Gaza, the Cardinal said that the Holy See would not take part financially, noting, “We are not even in a position to do so.”
However, he pointed out that the Vatican is in a different situation from other countries, and therefore the analysis will be different. But, the Cardinal said, “I believe the request will not be for economic participation.”
Respect for international law
Commenting on the US President’s statement in Davos that he loves Europe but does not like the direction it is taking, the Vatican Secretary of State said: “That is his point of view. What matters is respect for international law. I believe this is the essential point, beyond personal feelings, which are legitimate, but what is important is respect for the rules of the international community.”
Freedom of the press and trust in journalism
When asked about freedom of the press, the Cardinal said that “trust in the media is extremely important.”
But, he said, it is equally important to ensure “responsible use of the press. I think that is the key: a responsible use of the media that seeks to build up rather than polarize or destroy.”
Venezuela, a beautiful country
“Venezuela is a beautiful country—I enjoyed it during the four years I served as Apostolic Nuncio in Caracas. It was an unforgettable experience,” Cardinal Parolin said, answering questions from journalists during the event at the Auditorium Antonianum.
Between 2009 and 2023, the Cardinal added, “there were major political difficulties. When I arrived, there was tension between the bishops and Chávez, because the bishop's voiced criticism of the President’s political direction; then things got worse. Now we find ourselves in this new situation of enormous uncertainty, and it is hard to predict how it will develop. What matters is to respond to the needs of the people, who are living through a profound crisis,” he concluded.
Iran and a “Third World War fought piecemeal”
The Secretary of State then recalled the Church’s perspective in conflicts.
“A crisis brings unspeakable suffering for the population. This is the Holy See’s lens. First and foremost, our attention is on people—we must not think in terms of numbers, but of faces,” he said in response to a question about the protests in Iran.
He acknowledged that the expression Pope Francis used to describe the international situation— “a Third World War fought piecemeal”—has become a “reality.”
Yet, he added, slogans do not always capture complexity. “I’m sorry,” he continued, “that these phrases then become slogans with no impact on reality and without solutions being found. This is a great limitation of our world.”
Answering a question about the nuclear threat, the Cardinal reiterated that “the Holy See has always worked for disarmament. We must reduce armaments, because once they exist, they are used. The Holy See,” he stressed, “upholds the immorality not only of the use but also of the possession of nuclear weapons.”
The Israeli Palestinian conflict
Cardinal Parolin said he was convinced that the resolution of the conflict between Israel and Palestine is the key to peace throughout the Middle East.
“Once that is resolved,” he commented, “the others will be resolved as well. For ten years now, the Holy See has recognized the State of Palestine.”
Finally, the Secretary of State reiterated what he called the “still viable” two-state solution supported by the Holy See.
“We still consider the formula of two peoples in two states feasible, but the important thing is to reach an agreement and offer hope to the Palestinian people," he said. "We will see what happens with the Board of Peace on Gaza. What is needed is creativity—to find an approach that ensures Palestinians the right to live in peace in their own land.”
Holy Land Co-ordination: Stand with people of Holy Land, help foster dialogue
At the end of their annual pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land release a statement calling for the recognition of human dignity, praying that peace may prevail over violence.
Vatican News
“The people of the Holy Land cry out for our help and prayers; they long for an end to their suffering. Stand with them. Recognize their plea for dignity. Help foster genuine dialogue between communities.”
This is the appeal launched by the Co-ordination of Bishops' Conferences in Support of the Church in the Holy Land, better known as the Holy Land Co-ordination (HLC), in a communiqué released on Thursday, January 22.
The HLC was created in the 1990s and is organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW). It brings together bishops from across Europe, North America, and South Africa to express closeness, solidarity, and pastoral and spiritual support to Christian communities in the Holy Land.
Every year they embark on an annual pilgrimage to the region, with the 2026 edition taking place from January 17 to 21.
Thirteen bishops participated, representing the Bishops’ conferences from Switzerland, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Germany, England and Wales, Canada, Scotland, Spain, the United States, France, Ireland, and Italy.
In their final statement at the end of their journey, the HLC also invited Christians to “heed the call of Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, to come on pilgrimage as a sign of our love, support, and solidarity” with the people of the Holy Land.
A struggling land
The HLC explained in their communiqué that their pilgrimage was “to a Land where people are suffering trauma,” and in the 12 months that have passed since their last visit, “the Land of Promise is being diminished and challenged.”
They said they visited Bedouin communities living in the Occupied West Bank who shared “their experiences of a life on the periphery, being observed but often not encountered, their movement heavily restricted by rapidly expanding settlements encircling them on the surrounding hills.”
The HLC also “heard stories about Israeli settler attacks and their continual violence and intimidation, theft of livestock and demolition of property, leaving many unable to sleep at night for fear of further violence.”
“When we asked them who sees their struggles and their cry to live in peace with their neighbors, they replied, ‘Nobody sees us’,” the statement continued.
During the pilgrimage, the HLC also participated in a Mass with the only completely Christian town in Palestine, and the inhabitants also shared stories about their suffering.
"Endless attacks from extremist settlers, uprooting of their olive trees, the seizure of their land and intimidatory acts that make their daily life unbearable, driving many into mass emigration.”
Efforts for peace should prevail over violence
“Gaza remains a catastrophic humanitarian crisis. The people of the West Bank we encountered are demoralized and fearful,” the statement highlighted.
“The courageous Israeli voices which speak out for human and civil rights are increasingly threatened; advocating for marginalized voices is a costly solidarity. We fear that soon; they too will be silenced.”
The bishops underlined how as Christians it is “our calling and duty to give a voice to the voiceless” and to share their suffering and promote human dignity so that the world can work for justice and compassion.
They wrote that the “settlements in the West Bank, illegal under international law, continue to expand by commandeering the land of others” and insisted that the universality of human rights should apply to all, but instead “it is relentlessly replaced by a system where dignity and protection depend on one’s civil status.”
“We affirm Israel’s right to exist and for Israelis to live in peace and security; equally, we call for these same rights to be upheld for all those rooted in this land. We hope that efforts for peace will prevail over violence, and that there will be no more acts of terrorism and war,” the HLC said.
“We also urge our governments to exert pressure on Israel to uphold the rules-based international order and to revive meaningful negotiations toward a two-state solution for the benefit and security of all.”
Resilience of local communities
The HLC also emphasized that they were “deeply moved by the faith and steadfastness of local Christians and also by people of other faiths who work to sustain the hope of their communities.”
Their efforts serve as a reminder “that it is our shared vocation to be ‘salt of the earth’ and ‘light of the world’ and to strive for peaceful coexistence and security across the Holy Land.”
“We also witnessed the courage of those Jewish and Palestinian voices who, despite immense challenges and their own trauma, continue to advocate for justice, dialogue, and reconciliation,” the HLC said.
“Hearing from parents who have lost a child to conflict and can still find a way to forgive offers a powerful witness to the possibility of peace and reconciliation. Few experiences are more devastating. When such a mother or father pleads for an end to violence, the world must listen—and act,” the statement stressed.
The bishops concluded the communiqué by stating that they end this pilgrimage with their “hearts full of compassion for those who are suffering and inspired by those who, by their pursuit of justice, keep the hope of peace alive.”
