Sydney bishops discuss plans for Eucharistic Congress with Pope Leo, with dates set

Sydney will host the 54th International Eucharistic Congress from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1, 2028. Auxiliary Bishop Richard Umbers, the event's secretary general, announced the dates following a meeting at the Vatican on Oct. 8 with Pope Leo XIV and Archbishop Anthony Fisher.

The congress, titled Eucharist28, will follow a theological symposium scheduled for Sept. 20–22. Bishop Umbers described the symposium as a way for participants to study the Blessed Sacrament in depth. Pope Leo XIV selected the theme "This is My Body, Given for You" for the event.

During the meeting, Archbishop Fisher sought feedback from the pope to help finalize the plans for the congress. While the Vatican has not officially confirmed if the pope will attend, Archbishop Fisher noted that the pope previously told him in February that he intended to be there. This marks the third time Australia has hosted the international event, following previous congresses in Sydney in 1928 and Melbourne in 1973.