By Bishop of Geraldton, Michael Morrissey “Peace be with you all!” With these words, Pope Leo XIV greeted the world after his election in 2025 and went on to say,“these are the first words spoken by the risen Christ, the Good Shepherd, who laid down His life for God’s flock…a peace that is unarmed and disarming, humble and persevering. A peace that comes from God, the God who loves us al...

As the conflict in the Middle East intensifies, Caritas Australia has said it is receiving increasingly grave reports from its partners across the region. In a recent update, Caritas Australia said Caritas Middle East and North Africa had expressed deep concern over the devastating humanitarian consequences for civilians, noting that communities already living in fragile conditions are now ...

By Junno Arocho Esteves , OSV News Pope Leo XIV has called for an end to the war in Iran and warned that the conflict could drag more countries in the Middle East into instability. Speaking to pilgrims after praying the Angelus prayer on March 8, Pope Leo said developing news from Iran and from across the Middle East has caused “deep dismay.” “Amid episodes of violence and devastation...

Pope Leo XIV has proclaimed a special Jubilee Year marking the 800th anniversary of the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, highlighting the saint’s enduring message of peace, holiness, and care for creation. In a decree issued by the Apostolic Penitentiary and announced by the Franciscan Friars, the Vatican declared a Year of St Francis that runs from 10 January 2026 to 10 January 2027. P...

Echoing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council’s theme, ‘Sent forth in strength and hope,’ the week emphasises unity and reconciliation through mutual respect and deep listening to First Nations peoples.

Speaking in an opinion column published in The Australian this week, Perth Archbishop Timothy Costelloe SDB highlighted that the fragile ceasefire of Israel and Hamas offers some hope that the worst of the violence might be behind us, but the repercussions from the horrors of 7 October will continue to play out for many years.

As the Israel-Hamas war edges toward the one-year mark, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem is calling on the faithful to pray for peace while observing the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Aug. 15.

In his speech, the Holy Father underlined the importance of compassion and he encouraged everyone “to make this spirituality of fraternity grow, and to promote, through your diplomatic action, the role of multilateral bodies.”

The Australian Catholic Bishops have this week expressed their concern for the conflict in the Holy Land.

“We believe that a just ceasefire with the release of all hostages and unhindered access for desperately needed aid are essential at this time. We support global efforts to negotiate a lasting peace.”

Pope Francis said that the power of St John’s preaching is linked to the silence he experienced in the desert, which allowed him to listen to the Holy Spirit.