Edition of Wednesday, September 9

The Holy See Press Office will host a press conference on September 10, 2026, to present the symposium titled "The 21st Century: A New Era of Martyrs?"

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, will speak at the event alongside Monsignor Fabio Fabene, secretary and president of the Commission of New Martyrs. Professor Andrea Riccardi, vice president of the commission, will also participate.

The conference is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at the Holy See Press Office on Via della Conciliazione. Vatican News will broadcast the session live on its YouTube channel.

The Holy See Press Office will host a press conference on Thursday, September 10, 2026, to present the upcoming conference titled "The 21st century: a new time of martyrs?" scheduled for September 15. The event begins at 10:30 a.m. at the press office on Via della Conciliazione 54.

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, will join Archbishop Fabio Fabene, secretary and president of the Commission for New Martyrs – Witnesses of the Faith, and Professor Andrea Riccardi, vice president of the same commission, as speakers.

Media operators and journalists can watch the event via a livestream on the Vatican News YouTube channel. Those wishing to participate remotely must apply through the Holy See Press Office online accreditation system at least two hours before the start of the conference. Admitted remote participants will receive a link to a virtual platform where they can ask questions.

Pope Leo XIV met with a group of bishops who are friends of the Focolare Movement at the Vatican Apostolic Palace on September 9, 2026. The bishops gathered for a spiritual meeting and congress centered on the theme of giving witness to unity.

During his address, the Pope thanked the bishops for their visit and their prayers. He noted that the movement, founded by Chiara Lubich, focuses on the sense and service of unity. He stated that witnessing to unity is an urgent task for the current age, which he described as being marked by increasing polarization and difficult social divisions in various countries.

Pope Francis addressed bishops who are friends of the Focolare Movement during a spiritual meeting on September 9, 2026. The Pope welcomed the group, noting that the bishops gathered from various countries and backgrounds under the Work of Mary.

The Pope spoke about the congress theme, "giving witness to unity," which he identified as a central element of the movement founded by Chiara Lubich. He stated that the task of witnessing to unity is even more urgent today.

Francis noted that many bishops face difficult social situations in their countries, including prejudice, racism, religious intolerance, and violence. He also mentioned that in the West, individualism is causing the fragmentation of networks of family, friendship, and community.

Pope Leo XIV addressed bishops who are friends of the Focolari Movement during a spiritual meeting on September 9, 2026. The Pope welcomed the group, noting they arrived from different countries and social contexts to gather under the patronage of Mary.

The Pope spoke about the congress theme, "Witnessing to Unity," which he identified as a central element of the movement founded by Chiara Lubich. He stated that the mission of witnessing to unity is urgent today due to increasing polarization.

Pope Leo XIV sent a video message to participants of the first West Africa Youth Day, held from September 7 to 12, 2026.

The Pope praised the Episcopal Conferences of the region for making young people a central pastoral priority through this new event. He stated that spending time together in these ways helps youth grow in faith and learn the values of meeting and being open to others.

In his message, the Pope encouraged young people to move forward without losing hope despite various crises. He acknowledged that doubt, uncertainty, and insecurity can weigh heavily on them and disrupt their future plans.

The Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus reported on deaths occurring along Europe's land borders.

The Diocese of Port of Spain shared a reflection on September 10, 2026, regarding the Gospel passage from Luke 6:27-38, noting that the Caribbean cultural instinct to retaliate against those who cause hurt contradicts the command to love enemies.

The Diocese of Bilbao will host the 38th edition of the Ziortzako Kontzertuak concert series at the Zenarruza collegiate church this weekend. The series features six free concerts showcasing the oldest organ in Euskadi.

The Catholic Diocese of Cairns has announced a new chapter for one of its key pastoral departments.

The Diocese of Karwar held a formation program for 71 priests and religious members to discuss the spirituality and implementation of synodality. The session took place on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, in the Honavar Zone.

The program covered the three deaneries of Bhatkal, Honavar, and Kumta. Ambrose Lopes and Gracy D’Silva participated in the session, which ran from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus has released the liturgical materials for the 24th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A, scheduled for September 13, 2026.