Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Pope Leo XIV reflected at length on Christian formation in an address to the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life.

On February 8, the memorial of St. Josephine Bakhita (c. 1869-1947), the Church commemorates the 12th World Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking. Pope Leo XIV’s message for the day, dated January 29 and released on February 6, is entitled “Peace begins with dignity: a global call to end human trafficking.”

Cardinal Anthony Poola of Hyderabad has been elected president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI), the conference announced today.

Archbishop Ettore Balestrero, apostolic nuncio and Permanent Observer to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, Switzerland, said recently that “alongside professional mental health care and support, spiritual assistance has the potential to provide a profound sense of belonging, a vital sense of purpose and a compelling narrative of hope, amidst the difficulties of life.”

“When young people realize that they are not accidental by-products of the universe but are created in the image and likeness of God and loved and willed by Him, life acquires meaning, even amidst pain and suffering,” the prelate added.