Vatican Dispatch

Leo urges unity, obedience opening a consistory stripped of key issues

With discussion of the liturgy and Just War Doctrine absent from the agenda, Leo XIV used the opening of the Extraordinary Consistory to reaffirm his commitment to synodality and ecclesial communion

Rome rejects German bishops’ proposal for lay preaching at Mass

The Vatican has formally rejected a proposal from Germany’s bishops that would have allowed lay people to deliver homilies during Mass, reaffirming existing liturgical law

Controlled consistory looms as Leo’s quip highlights Vatican’s disparity

A papal appeal for ecclesial unity, fresh details of the consistory and confirmation of a Peruvian journey have dominated the Vatican week

Pope Leo breaks silence on SSPX consecrations

Pope Leo XIV has publicly addressed the SSPX consecrations for the first time, identifying the Society’s rejection of elements of Vatican II as the principal obstacle to reconciliation

Leo XIV’s Spanish voyage exceeds expectations

From vast Corpus Christi crowds in Madrid to meetings with migrants in the Canary Islands, Leo XIV used his visit to Spain to articulate a vision of faith, society and human dignity

Bishop Schneider: SSPX dispute centres on truth, not liturgy

The cleric argues that the Society of St Pius X’s concerns focus on unresolved doctrinal questions surrounding Vatican II rather than solely on the traditional Mass

Leo heads to Spain as Vatican communications enters a new era

As Pope Leo XIV begins a week-long visit to Spain, debate continues over pastoral priorities, while a significant appointment signals a new direction for Vatican communications

EWTN’s president Alvarado appointed to head Vatican communications

Pope Leo XIV has appointed EWTN president Maria Montserrat Alvarado as prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, marking a significant shift in the Vatican’s public-facing leadership

The real message of Magnifica Humanitas

Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical is framed by artificial intelligence, but its deeper concern is the spiritual condition of modern society

Pope Leo turns to AI while synodality returns to centre stage

As anticipation builds around Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical on artificial intelligence, the Vatican also presses ahead with a renewed synodal process and prepares for the Pontiff’s first visit to France