Pope Leo addressing 80,000 French youth in Paris urged them to practice spiritual combat -- “avoiding evil and striving for good involves fighting” He stated: “In this regard, the Apostle gives us a third verb: to fight. Indeed, avoiding evil and striving for good involves fighting. To fight, yes, just as Saint Paul did – often depicted with a sword in his hand, a symbol of the Word of God, “the sword of the Spirit” (Eph 6:17). This verb resonates powerfully here in France, the land of Saint Joan of Arc, a young woman who knew how to fight with courage. But take note: both the verb and the image are now clear to us – the battle to which we are called is that of faith, that is, the commitment to live according to the Gospel as disciples of Jesus, the Son of God who makes us brothers and sisters. It is in his name that we receive the strength of the righteous to resist temptation. It is in his name that we receive the perseverance of the meek, to devote ourselves to doing good. Our battle is not a battle against others; it does not employ the weapons of violence, contempt, or oppression. Our only weapon is that of love, which gives itself”

The infamous rainbow vestments used at Notre Dame's reopening have been ditched for Pope Leo's visit today. Leo XIV is presiding over Vespers in the rebuilt cathedral, before later participating in a prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France

NEW: Pope Leo to UNESCO in Paris hits back against euthanasia -- “The human being is certainly one who is born, but also one who dies. Our dignity is not destroyed by illness or suffering, nor is it dependent upon our abilities. Rather, it calls for loving care at every stage of life”

Now –– Archbishop Fulton Sheen is proclaimed a Blessed Bishop Louis Tylka, of Sheen's home diocese of Peoria, reads the English translation of the formal decree which Cardinal Tagle had just pronounced in Latin.

JUST IN: After banning the 2026 Latin Mass pilgrimage from saying Mass in the Vatican – authorities have approved a conference to take place at the same time & at the same altar the pilgrimage would have used. Details @CatholicHerald

Hungary's new Prime Minister Péter Magyar met Pope Leo XIV today Vatican noted it as “cordial” & Magyar called it “open and friendly” Magyar said Leo is “well-informed about the situation in Central and Eastern Europe” He invited Leo to Hungary & also said the govt' is looking at reworking the Orban government's Hungary Helps programme (for persecuted Christians) after a full audit

NEW: Jimmy Lai's son Sebastian urges Pope Leo to say Jimmy Lai’s name – adding that Jimmy Lai would be “incredibly grateful to know that the Pope is praying for him… & wants him to be freed” Comes ahead of Trump's mtg with Xi Jinping this wk Sebastian Lai to @NEWSMAX Sep 23

Germany's Papal Nuncio told the German bishops conference this wk that “tension” over the Synodal Path is found throughout the entire Catholic Church. He stated: “When word got out in Africa that I was going to Germany, there were many reactions from priests, but also from laypeople. They said, in essence: ‘Oh, you’re going to Germany. Be careful! They want a church that simply cannot exist.’’’ On @CatholicHerald

The 5 alleged Rupnik victims wrote they have “lost all trace of justice” “A trial held in obscurity offers no guarantees to anyone – neither to the defendant nor to the victims – and is incompatible with the very concepts of law, truth, justice, fairness, and mercy that you, Your Holiness, have always held dear.”

JUST IN: Alleged Rupnik victims pen open letter to Pope Leo They argue “it is useless to report abuse to church authorities, because nothing will happen anyway, no one will be held accountable, and the victims will never see justice” Call for transparency & impartiality so that Rupnik's trial “remain free of any shadow of doubt.” They note they only heard his trial was underway from media reports – Vatican has been silent On @CatholicHerald

JUST IN: French President Emmanuel Macron will not attend any of Pope Leo's Masses or liturgies in France this wknd. He will only meet Leo at the formal welcome, the private 1-1 mtg, & for the conference in Metz on Monday Macron to be represented by his spouse Brigitte & the French Prime Minister at Pope Leo's Mass in Paris on Friday Background below

NEW: The 2026 winner of the Ratzinger Prize – Prof John Cavadini – argued in 2022 that Summorum Pontificum was a mistake: “In normalizing the Tridentine Mass, Benedict undermined the principle by which, as he himself insists, Vatican II must be interpreted: a hermeneutic of continuity” Full analysis @CatholicHerald

Cardinal Müller –– “Today, the world is trying to redefine masculinity. We are often led to believe that strength means domination and that success is solely a matter of bank balance. Our martyrs show us a very different example.”

Cardinal Marx –– “I had promised Pope Francis at the time that I would personally advocate for the Synodal Path in Germany to align with the synodal process of the universal Church. And I see that this can be achieved.”

NEW: Pope Francis' synodality is “irreversible” Cardinal Hollerich has argued Re demise of practice of faith, he said it is a “process of decline that is also a process of healing.” On @CatholicHerald

Pope Leo will host betw 700 - 1000 children to pray the Rosary for peace in the Vatican Gardens on Oct 1 Comes as part of the @acn_int campaign to have 1 million children praying for peace in 1st wk of October

Vatican has released detailed itinerary for Pope Leo's South America trip Includes: 9 public Masses 14 flights including his flights leaving & returning to Rome -- 11 full days of the voyage, arriving back to Rome on the 12th 3 prayer vigils A mtg with missionaries & representatives of Amazon people

NEW: Pope Leo wrote to Latin American bishops today, urging them to deliver clear teaching –– “At a time when so many voices claim authority over the consciences of the faithful, it is the bishop’s duty to offer a clear teaching that is patient and rooted in this communion, in order to help his people recognize the voice of the one Shepherd”

No Response to Traditional Pilgrimage’s Papal Audience Request edwardpentin.substack.com/p/…

Vatican week in review for @CatholicHerald “Ecumenical dialogue has greatly increased in the past 60 years, but Vatican’s own stats document the steady decline of the Faith in many formerly Christian nations where dialogue is given priority over simple defence of the Faith”