Here are some of the stories to be on the lookout for in the coming week: 

Pope Leo announces August prayer intention

A new month brings a new prayer intention from Pope Leo XIV. For August, the Holy Father has asked Catholics to pray for those living in cities and for the evangelisation of urban communities.

“Let us pray that in large cities often marked by anonymity and loneliness we find new ways to proclaim the Gospel, discovering creative paths to build community,” Pope Leo said.

Pope Leo’s summer break has now concluded. He will resume his Wednesday General Audiences at the Vatican on August 5 before travelling to Assisi the following day to address participants in the “Go! Franciscan Youth Meeting 2026”.

Assisted suicide debate continues in the UK

The debate over assisted suicide in the United Kingdom continues to gather momentum ahead of the Second Reading of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on September 11.

Last week, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he wanted to see improvements in palliative care before any introduction of assisted suicide, a move that has slowed momentum behind the legislation.

Several Catholic bishops welcomed the intervention, including Archbishop John Sherrington of Liverpool and Bishop John Keenan of Paisley. Bishop Keenan described the Prime Minister’s comments as “welcome and timely”.

As debate over the Bill continues, further interventions from Church leaders are expected in the weeks leading up to the September vote.

Catholic ministries secure temporary reprieve in New York

Physician-assisted suicide becomes legal in New York on August 5, although several Catholic healthcare providers and religious sisters have secured temporary relief from the law while their legal challenge proceeds.

The plaintiffs, who include several Religious congregations, the Diocese of Rockville Centre and Bishop John Barres, obtained a temporary restraining order preventing the law from being enforced against them until a federal court considers their request for a preliminary injunction.

They argue that the law's existing religious exemption does not sufficiently protect their rights because it would still require them to participate indirectly in assisted suicide contrary to their religious beliefs.

Investigation continues after Medjugorje desecration

Attention remains focused on Medjugorje as investigators continue to examine the desecration of a statue of Our Lady and the outdoor altar at the Church of St James the Greater.

The statue's hands and face were painted black, while graffiti reading “Devil in a skirt” was found nearby. A banner describing the Medjugorje visionaries as “fraudsters” was also discovered.

Video footage appears to show the outdoor altar being deliberately set alight before flames spread rapidly through the seating area. A man has been arrested, although no motive has yet been established.

Papa Stronsay situation appears to stabilise

The dispute surrounding the monastery on Papa Stronsay appears to have entered a new phase following developments over the past fortnight.

Bishop Hugh Gilbert of Aberdeen said the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (FSSR), through their adoption of sedevacantism and the illicit episcopal consecration of their founder, had exposed “those involved to ecclesiastical penalties and, unless repudiated, separates them from the communion of the Catholic Church”.

It is expected that Bishop Michael Mary, who was illicitly consecrated on July 25, will leave Papa Stronsay for New Zealand.

Questions remain, however, about the future of the island monastery after the community stated that it had been “made free from the hostage situations that we have survived these past several years”.

World Youth Day song to be released

In brighter news, the official song for World Youth Day 2027 is due to be released today, Monday, exactly one year before the opening of the gathering.

World Youth Day will take place in Seoul, South Korea, from August 3 to August 8, 2027. It will be the first World Youth Day held in a country where Christians are a minority and only the second to take place in Asia.

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