Universal Church

From October 24–26, 2025, the “Jubilee of Synodal Teams” took place in Rome, gathering over 2,000 participants from around the world. Representing the Saint James Vicariate were Fr. Piotr, Habib, and Rivka, who joined this inspiring event as part of our local synodal team.

The Bishops Conference of Arab Region (CELRA) had its annual meeting in Amman (Jordan) on 21-23 of October. Fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James is a member of the Conference.

Taking up Pope Francis’ desire “that all Christians come to appreciate the close connection between Christ’s love and His summons to care for the poor,” Pope Leo XIV issues his first Apostolic Exhortation, “Dilexi te,” as a call to Christ’s disciples “to recognize him in the poor and the suffering.”

During the Mass for the Jubilee of Young People at Tor Vergata, Pope Leo XIV reminds the young people that Jesus is our hope and urges them to "adventure with the Lord toward eternity" as the Lord is "gently knocking" at the window of their soul.

On Sunday (18.05.25) Pope Leo XIV presided the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry in Saint Peter’s Square in Rome and invited the Church to walk together along the path of God's love and remain united in one family.

On Saturday (10.05.25) in St. Peter's Monastery in Jaffa, the Vicar of St. James celebrated Eucharist of thanksgiving for the election of the new Pope.

Annuntio Vobis Gaudium Magnum; Habemus Papam! - I announce to you a great joy; We have a pope! - with these words the election of His Holiness Pope Leo XIV was today (08.05) communicated to the world.

The 133 cardinal-electors have entered the Sistine Chapel in solemn procession, beginning the conclave that will elect the next and 267th pope.

Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta.

The hospitalization of Pope Francis touches the hearts of millions of Catholics around the world. We join the prayer for his fast healing.

Pope Francis addressed members of the Latin Episcopal Conference of the Arabic Regions during their plenary meeting in Rome, appealing to them to "keep the hope alive" amidst escalating tension in the Middle East and asking them to continue their mission of peace and reconciliation. Fr. Piotr, the Vicar of St. James took part in the meeting.

Pope Francis sends Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Charity, to Ukraine for the eighth time, to deliver a third ambulance and medicine to help the suffering population.

The following is the text of the Message of the Holy Father Francis for Lent 2024, on the theme: “Through the desert God leads us to freedom”. We publish the entire text after the Vatican News.

Pope Francis condemns hatred and violence on Holocaust Remembrance Day, emphasizing the importance of remembrance in constructing a peaceful future.

Appealing for peace in the Holy Land, Pope Francis expresses concern for the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling on all parties to lay down their weapons and all Christians to pray and fast on 27 October for peace.

Pope Francis calls for attacks to cease as he prays for peace in Israel and Palestine. “Please stop the attacks and the weapons,” Pope Francis pleaded on Sunday, “and understand that terrorism and war do not lead to any solution, but only to the death and suffering of so many innocent people.”

In his homily during the Consistory for the creation of 21 new Cardinals, Pope Francis reflects on unity and diversity in the Church, highlighting the importance of synodality under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the “master of walking together.”

Pope Francis renews his call for the international community to help the people of Libya, who have been devastated by violent rains that have caused flooding, resulting in more than 5,000 deaths and widespread destruction.

Pope Francis recalls the beatification of the 9 members of the Ulma family in Poland and praises their heroism for giving their lives to save Jews during World War II.

Presiding over an ecumenical and interreligious event in Mongolia, Pope Francis insists that religions have a great responsibility, and encourages religious leaders to pursue dialogue and harmony while avoiding scandal.