Doubling down on the centrality of synodality in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said that it is now up to local churches to accept and implement proposals from the final document approved the Synod of Bishops on synodality.

The situation in Ukraine is very "worrisome" and could spiral out of control, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state.

Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read for week 23: Sunday, November 24, to Saturday, November 30, 2024.

Pope Francis announced that he will canonize Blesseds Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati next year and that the Vatican will host a world meeting on the rights of the child Feb. 3.

With Ukraine's first lady seated in the front row, Pope Francis told people at his general audience that it is "a shameful tragedy for all humanity" that Russia's war on Ukraine has lasted more than 1,000 days.

Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read for week 22: Sunday, November 17 to Saturday, November 23, 2024.

Pope Francis met with a group of Israelis and their family members who were freed after being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas and other Palestinian militants.

Situated on the outskirts of ancient Rome along the still-visible Aurelian Walls is the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the cathedral of Rome. The site of the pope's residence for nearly 1,000 years, five of the church's ecumenical councils, and the signing of a pivotal 1929 treaty between Italy and the Holy See, St. John Lateran is celebrated by the whole church annually with the Nov. 9 feast of its dedication.

Pope Francis appointed a new preacher of the papal household: a 53-year-old Italian Capuchin priest who studied computer science and mathematics and discovered his vocation while reading a free copy of St. Matthew's Gospel on the subway.

Bible Book(s)/Chapter(s) to read for week 21: Sunday, November 10 to Saturday, November 16, 2024.