The Vatican’s news cycle in recent hours has been dominated by an intense agenda focused on international diplomacy, social action in response to the crises of contemporary society, and preparations for upcoming major liturgical celebrations. Through his public addresses, telegrams, and audiences granted at the Holy See, Pope Leo XIV has clearly defined the guiding principle of his pontificate: to remind the international community that the integral well-being of the individual and the family can never be subordinated to private interests.

Mourning in Europe: Condolence telegram to Norway

After learning of the death of King Harald V of Norway at the age of 89, the Pope sent an official telegram of condolences addressed to his son and successor, King Haakon VIII.

In his message, Pope Leo XIV expressed his deepest condolences to the royal family and the Norwegian people, offering his prayers for the eternal rest of the late monarch. The Holy Father gratefully acknowledged the many years of dedicated service to the kingdom rendered by King Harald V and invoked God’s blessing of comfort and peace for the entire nation in this time of mourning.

In one of his most forceful statements, the Pope warned against the risk of the economy, global policies, or the interests of small groups taking precedence over human dignity. In this context, the common good must act as the insurmountable limit to any pursuit of private profit.

This same line of thought marked his intervention during a meeting on addictions in Latin America, where he analyzed the root causes of dependencies that particularly affect young people. The Pope emphasized that addiction is frequently a symptom of an existential void and of a dehumanized society that neglects to accompany and provide comprehensive care to the vulnerable.

During his speech, he made a key statement about prevention:

“There is no better prevention against drugs than a good family.”

The Pope called for a renewed appreciation of the family —defined in Church doctrine as the “domestic Church”— as the fundamental nucleus where values ​​are taught, life is protected, and true affective and spiritual refuge is offered, protecting new generations from false shortcuts.

Prayer and social justice: an inseparable link

The social dimension of faith was once again the focus during the audience granted in the Consistory Hall to a delegation of 26 members of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul from the United States.

Addressing representatives of this charitable organization, Pope Leo XIV praised their commitment to the most needy and emphasized that  prayer and social justice are inseparable . Helping one’s neighbor, the Holy Father explained, cannot be reduced to mere functional or philanthropic assistance; it must be constantly nourished by an encounter with God through prayer in order to become a genuine promotion of human dignity and justice in society.

Full schedule of celebrations presided over by Pope Leo XIV (September and October)

The Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Pope has published the calendar of official engagements that the Holy Father will preside over during the months of September and October, a period in which his apostolic journey to France and the major events in the Vatican stand out:

September

• Sunday, September 6:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Sunday, September 13:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Sunday, September 20:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September (Apostolic Journey to the Sanctuary of Lourdes, France):
  • Saturday 26 (7:05 pm):  Arrival at the «Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrénées» international airport.
  • Saturday 26 (7:40 pm):  Prayer at the Grotto of the Apparitions.
  • Sunday 27 (09:00 h):  Meeting with the bishops of the Episcopal Conference of France and speech by the Holy Father ( Saint Bernadette Hemicycle ).
  • Sunday 27 (11:00 am):  Sunday Mass in the Sanctuary Meadow, followed by the Angelus prayer.
  • Sunday 27 (3:30 pm):  Meeting with the hospital staff and the sick at the “Accueil Notre-Dame” and speech by the Holy Father.
  • Sunday 27 (4:45 pm):  Private meeting with the contemplative nuns ( Monastery of the Carmel of Lourdes ).
  • Sunday 27 (9:00 pm):  Recitation of the Holy Rosary and Marian procession with torches, with a speech by the Pope.

October

• Sunday, October 4:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Sunday, October 11:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Sunday, October 18:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).
• Sunday, October 25:  Sunday Angelus prayer ( St. Peter’s Square ).