By Matthew Trojacek with Grzegorz Galazka photos
Cardinal Tagle Visits Catholic Community in Azerbaijan
On October 18, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Evangelization, visited Azerbaijan at the invitation of Bishop Vladimir Fekete and stopped at the construction site of the Saint John Paul II Church in Baku.
The plot of land for what will become Baku’s second Catholic church was granted by a special decree from Azerbaijan’s President, Ilham Aliyev.
While in Baku, Cardinal Tagle also met with Ramin Mammadov, Chairman of the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Work with Religious Associations.
He expressed appreciation for the country’s climate of interreligious relations and thanked the government and public for the conditions that enable the Catholic community to carry out its mission. (VaticanNews)
King Charles Receives Royal Confrater Title as Sign of Hope with Anglican Communion
Ut unum sint—“That they may be one.” A horizon of hope for the future characterized the atmosphere in the Papal Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls during the ceremony conferring the title of Royal Confrater on King Charles III of England on October 23. The ecumenical celebration was presided over by Abbot Donato Ogliari, in the presence of Cardinal Archpriest of the Papal Basilica James Michael Harvey; the Archbishop of York and Primate of England, Stephen Cottrell; and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rosie Frew.
After the introductory rites, Cardinal Harvey took the floor, recalling the strong historical ties that unite the Papal Basilica with the kingdom of England. This dialogue reached a decisive stage in the 1966 meeting between Paul VI and the Archbishop of Canterbury Michael Ramsey, which led to official dialogue between the two communions “for the first time since the Reformation.” On that occasion, the Pontiff memorably placed his episcopal ring on the archbishop’s finger.
The honorary title of Royal Confrater of the basilica and abbey—offered with the approval of Pope Leo XIV—is therefore a sign of “hope”, explained the cardinal, and a gesture of welcome not only to a sovereign but to a “brother.” (VaticanNews)
What to Make of the Italian Bishops Document on Homosexual and Transgender Lifestyles
Continuing months of controversy, the Italian bishops have overwhelmingly approved a document that many argue expresses official support for homosexuality and transgender lifestyles. Much like the Synod on Synodality, the Italian Bishops’ Conference’s multi-year synodal assembly has been marked by controversy over LGBT-related issues.
The four-year synodal process convened by the bishops’ conference (known in Italian as the CEI) culminated in a late October vote to overwhelmingly approve the final document. The CEI is led by Cardinal Matteo Zuppi.
That vote, originally scheduled for the spring, was delayed until 25 October due to dissatisfaction among the bishops over passages concerning women, LGBT issues, and the handling of abuse. Some bishops argued the draft was not permissive enough on these points.
The text has now been approved by the majority of the episcopate, both as a whole and on each individual paragraph, as is customary. Among these, paragraph 30, sections C and D, have drawn particular attention for their apparent promotion of homosexuality:
“C: That local Churches, overcoming the discriminatory attitude sometimes prevalent in ecclesial circles and in society, commit themselves to promoting the recognition and accompaniment of homoaffective and transgender persons, as well as their parents, who already belong to the Christian community.
D: That the CEI support with prayer and reflection the ‘days’ promoted by civil society to combat all forms of violence and show closeness to those who are hurt and discriminated against (days against gender violence and discrimination, paedophilia, bullying, femicide, homophobia, and transphobia, etc.).”
The controversy is clear: section 30C of the CEI’s newly approved text appears to lend official support to both homosexual and transgender lifestyles. Section 30D, meanwhile, seems to endorse secular events such as Pride celebrations.
In contrast, the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that “‘homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered.’ They are contrary to the natural law.”
Similarly, regarding transgender ideology and lifestyles, the Church draws directly from Scripture: “God created man to his own image: to the image of God he created him: male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:27). (CatholicHerald)
197-Inch Sculpture Dedicated to Pope Leo XIV in his Former Diocese
The city of Chiclayo readies itself for an event unlike any other in its recent history: the November unveiling of a monumental five-meter statue honoring Pope Leo XIV, the first large-scale sculpture dedicated to the pontiff whose pastoral journey once intertwined deeply with this very land.
The statue, towering and radiant under the Lambayeque sun, captures the Pope in a gesture of blessing—right hand extended, a serene smile illuminating his face. For many in Chiclayo, this image transcends artistry. It is a gesture of gratitude. “This monument expresses the love and appreciation of the people of Lambayeque for a pastor who walked among them long before he became the Bishop of Rome,” said Félix Mío Sánchez, regional head of Tourism and Foreign Trade. “With his open smile, Pope Leo XIV will welcome travelers who come to discover our culture, our cuisine, and the spirit of our people.”
Its creator, Juan Carlos Ñañake, a respected local sculptor known for his ability to blend religious symbolism with contemporary aesthetics, led a team of six artists through months of design and construction. “It has been one of the greatest challenges of my career,” Ñañake said. As Ñañake’s sculpture nears its unveiling, local families gather to watch workers polish the statue’s final details, its tranquil face beginning to gleam in the afternoon light. (Zenit)
Appointment of Vice Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household
On November 10, The Holy Father appointed Father Edward Daniang Daleng, O.S.A., former general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine, as Vice-Regent of the Prefecture of the Papal Household.
Father Edward Daniang Daleng was born on 4 April 1977 in Yitla’ar, Kwalla, Plateau State, Nigeria. He gave his first vows in the Order of Saint Augustine on 9 November 2001 and his solemn vows on 13 November 2004. He was ordained a priest on 10 September 2005. He was awarded a doctorate in moral theology at the Alphonsian Academy in 2012. He has served as general counsellor and procurator general of the Order of Saint Augustine. (Vatican.va)
Church Steps Forward at COP30 to Demand Climate Justice
For the first time in the history of United Nations Climate Conferences, the Catholic Church took a leadership role at COP30, as cardinals and bishops from Africa, Asia, and Latin America united to demand urgent and just climate action.
The November 17 session, hosted by the Catholic Church, with support from the Claretian Missionaries and other faith networks, gathered leaders and representatives of regional bishops’ conference federations from Asia, Africa, and Latin America in one of the first such meetings.
The bishops issued a joint message titled: “A Call for Climate Justice and the Common Home: Ecological Conversion, Transformation, and Resistance to False Solutions,” urging governments to take action on the moral obligation of climate justice.
Cardinal Filipe Neri Ferrão, chair of the Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences; Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, president of SECAM, or the forum of bishops’ conferences in Africa and Madagascar; and Cardinal Jaime Spengler, who heads CELAM, the forum of bishops’ conferences from Latin America and the Caribbean, led the sessions. (UCANews)
Bible Described as the “Mona Lisa of Illuminated Manuscripts” Goes on Display in Rome
A 15th-century Bible which is considered one of the most spectacular examples of Renaissance illuminated manuscripts went on display in Rome on November 13 as part of the Vatican’s Holy Year celebrations.
The two-volume Borso D’Este Bible, which is known for its opulent miniature paintings in gold and Afghan lapis lazuli, was unveiled in the Italian Senate, where it will remain on display until January.
The Bible is usually kept in a safe at a library in Modena and is rarely seen in public. It was transported to Rome under heavy security and its arrival in the Senate was televised, as workers hauled two big red crates from an unmarked van and then extracted the volumes, which were covered in bubble wrap.
The Bible, commissioned by Duke Borso D’Este, was created between 1455 and 1461 by calligrapher Pietro Paolo Marone and illustrators Taddeo Crivelli and Franco dei Russi. The Italian Culture Ministry considers it one of the highest expressions of miniature art “that unites sacred value, historic relevance, precious materials and refined aesthetics.” (NCReporter)
Asia’s Global Catholic Assembly Begins with Enthusiasm, Fraternity
One of Asia’s largest international Catholic gatherings in nearly two decades opened in Malaysia’s Penang state on November 27, drawing about 800 delegates from 32 countries for four days of prayer, discussion and cultural celebration.
The event began with a lively opening procession led by the Saint Xavier Institution School band, which escorted dignitaries and participants to the hotel’s Grand Ballroom amid loud applause.
Cardinal Sebastian Francis of Penang, whose diocese is hosting the meeting, welcomed participants and invited them to experience Malaysia’s “rich culture and hospitality.”
“The Catholic Church of Asia is a church on pilgrimage… We are here not as strangers, but humble pilgrims, always endeavoring to be instruments of hope in Asia,” he said, calling the gathering a historic moment for the Malaysian Church. (UCANews)
Pope Leo Receives Cans of “Da Pope” Beer Brewed in his Honor
Chicago-based brewery Burning Bush debuted a beer named “Da Pope” a few weeks after Pope Leo XIV was elected. The name is a reference to a 1991 ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketch.
Illinois Governor Jay Pritzker made a very special delivery to the Vatican on November 19: He gave cans of “Da Pope” beer to Pope Leo XIV.
“We bring good tidings from Chicago,” said Pritzker during the meeting.
In addition to the cans of Da Pope beer, Pritzker invited Pope Leo to visit Chicago, noting that it has been “in a positive way, mayhem” since the Pope’s election.
Pritzker joked Leo could either “enjoy or at least display” the four-pack of Da Pope beer, and Pope Leo replied that “we’ll put these in the fridge.” (Aleteia)
Man who Shot Pope John Paul II Removed from Turkish Town ahead of Leo’s Visit
A man who attacked Pope John Paul II in 1981 was escorted from the Turkish town of Iznik on November 27 ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s visit there, Turkish media reported.
In May 1981, Turkish national Mehmet Ali Agca fired several shots at Pope John Paul in the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Square, severely injuring the pontiff.
Turkish media quoted him as saying he hoped to meet Leo “for two or three minutes.”
Following his attack on John Paul, Agca was handed a life sentence in Italy, which he ended up serving in Turkey’s capital Ankara. He was released in January 2010 after 29 years in jail.
John Paul visited him in prison in December 1983, where he repented for the crime but did not specify his motives. (UCANews)
