Vatican City 

New data from the Annuario Pontificio 2026 and Annuarium Statisticum Ecclesiae 2024 highlight trends in baptized populations across the five continents, with a remarkable increase in the number of Catholics in Africa

The Pontifical Academy for Life launched “Scientists for peace”, an international appeal to all scientists, researchers, and academics to focus on peace and enact activities across the world, as current violence also limits scientific research

Pope Leo underlined that an era without conflict is feasible and that praying together from different religious traditions can change history; the message was delivered to the International Encounter for Peace and Reconciliation in his home city Chicago

Celebrations for the 400th anniversary of the dedication of St. Peter's Basilica begin today and will end on 18 November; initiatives will include a multilingual platform for pilgrims, access to previously inaccessible areas, the new ‘Michelangelus’ font

Pope Leo XIV appealed for respect for ancient tradition of the Olympic truce, as the Milano-Cortina Winter Games get underway; at the Angelus Pope said the Olympics and Paralympics represent a message of fraternity and hope for a peaceful world

The Holy Door of St. Peter's, that Pope Leo closed last of four at the major papal basilicas, was sealed in a solemn rite presided over by Archpriest of St. Peter and the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations marking the last of the Jubilee rites

Cardinal Tagle, Pro-Prefect of Dicastery for Evangelization, visited the Apostolic Vicariate of Southern Arabia, in a short but highly meaningful journey, a tangible sign of Pope’s closeness to a community of migrants in a complex interreligious context

The Pontifical Swiss Guard has launched an internal review following a reported dispute at one of the service posts at the entrances to Vatican City, in which “elements interpreted as having antisemitic connotations” were allegedly observed

Recalling the words of Pope Leo XIV during a video call with astronaut Buzz Aldrin earlier this year, the Holy See has taken a definite position on space-based weaponry saying it poses ‘genuine and grave’ threat

Pope Leo XIV participated in various events with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, including an ecumenical prayer in the Sistine Chapel a historic moment as the last time English sovereigns prayed with a Pope was 500 years ago