Saint Joseph Catholic Church

Six Franciscan leaders have published “A Seed for Eternal Life,” a joint letter on St. Francis of Assisi and his spiritual legacy.

“In a particular way, I pray for children born into difficult circumstances, whether due to health conditions or external dangers,” he continued. “May the grace of Baptism, which unites them to the Paschal Mystery of Christ, bear fruit in their lives and in the lives of their families.”

Before extending his greetings to pilgrims, Pope Leo offered prayers for the Middle East and Ukraine:

My thoughts turn to the situation currently unfolding in the Middle East, especially in Iran and Syria, where ongoing tensions continue to claim many lives. I hope and pray that dialogue and peace may be patiently nurtured in pursuit of the common good of the whole of society.

In Ukraine, new attacks—particularly severe ones aimed at energy infrastructure as the cold weather grows harsher—are taking a heavy toll on the civilian population. I pray for those who suffer and renew my appeal for an end to the violence and for renewed efforts to achieve peace.

In today’s Sunday Angelus address (video), Pope Leo XIV reflected on the Sacrament of Baptism and described it as “light,” “reconciliation,” and “the gateway to heaven.”

Pope Leo XIV celebrated the Mass of the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord this morning in the Sistine Chapel and baptized 20 children of Vatican employees (booklet, video).

Father Meli was among the Church officials who spoke with journalists and pilgrims about the Latin Patriarchate’s aid to the Church in Gaza.

“There are no sewers, there is no electricity grid, workplaces are destroyed,” Vatican News reported. “There are no more bombings, but about two million people are homeless, without essential services and live in a portion of land reduced by almost half due to the borders imposed by the ceasefire of October.”

Ambassador Georgios Poulides, the ambassador of Cyprus to the Holy See, recalled the jubilee year, the death of Pope Francis, the election of Pope Leo, and the papal visit to Turkey and Lebanon.

Highlighting Pope Leo’s commitment to peace, brotherhood, human dignity, and human development, Ambassador Poulides described the Pope’s appeals for peace as “the path that every man and woman is called to follow.”

“In them resonates the calm and powerful inevitability of a reconciled world,” the diplomat said. “This is where the profound meaning of the diplomatic mission lies: resolving conflicts with the strength of reason and the constant determination towards the common good.”