Pope Francis Declares October 27 as a Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Penance

Image source: Vatican Media

Pope Francis recognized Friday, 27 October as a Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Penance for Peace, in the context of the violence unfolding in the Holy Land.

That evening, His Holiness presided at the Prayer for Peace in St. Peter's Basilica, where he led prayers to Mary to "intercede for our world, in such turmoil and great danger." 

"Teach us to cherish and care for life – each and every human life! – and to repudiate the folly of war, which sows death and eliminates the future." 

–His Holiness Pope Francis, Prayer at the Conclusion of the Pacem in Terris Holy Hour, 27 October 2023
 

Read the Full Prayer for Peace Here

Pope Francis Publishes Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum Addressing the Climate Crisis

Image source: Vatican Media

On 4 October 2023, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, His Holiness Pope Francis published a new apostolic exhortation Laudate Deum, or "Praise God," which focuses on the recent climate crises. The signs of "the silent disease" that is climate change, the Holy Father writes in the exhortation, "are here and increasingly evident." His Holiness identified climate change as one of the "principal challenges facing society and the global community," the effects of which are borne by the most vulnerable people. He expressed concern that the international community has not adequately responded to this multifaceted challenge, "while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point." 

The apostolic exhortation continues the themes of His Holiness's second Enclyclical Letter, Laudato si’, which was published in 2015 and focuses on care for the natural environment and all people. 

"I ask everyone to accompany this pilgrimage of reconciliation with the world that is our home and to help make it more beautiful, because that commitment has to do with our personal dignity and highest values. At the same time, I cannot deny that it is necessary to be honest and recognize that the most effective solutions will not come from individual efforts alone, but above all from major political decisions on the national and international level."
 

–Pope Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Laudate Deum 

Read the Full Text of Laudate Deum Here

Synod on Synodality Publishes  Synthesis Report

Image source: Synod.Va

On October 28, 2023, the members of the 16th General Assembly of the Synod on Synodality adopted their Synthesis Report after four weeks of work in Rome.

Learn more about the Synod 21-24 on the official website. 

Read the Full Text of the Synthesis Report Here

Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement to Security Council on "The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question"

On October 24, 2023, Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, issued a statement during the Open Debate in the Security Council on “The Situation in the Middle East, Including the Palestinian Question.” 

Archbishop Caccia began the statement by highlighting the distressing escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, resulting in deplorable levels of suffering. In this regard, the Holy See Delegation makes three points, he said. 

First, he conveyed the Holy See’s absolute and unequivocal condemnation of the terrorist attack carried out by Hamas and other armed groups on 7 October against the population of Israel. 

Second, criminal responsibility for terrorist acts can never be attributed to an entire nation or people, he said. 

Third, he relayed the Holy See’s grave concern for the unfolding humanitarian disaster in Gaza, where thousands have died and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. 

Amidst the escalating violence, Archbishop Caccia called on the authorities of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine to renew their commitment toward peace, reiterating the Holy See’s support for a two-State solution. 

"Amidst the escalating violence, it is imperative for the authorities of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine to demonstrate audacity to renew their commitment toward a peace based on justice and respect for the legitimate aspirations of both sides."

–Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, at the Security Council Open Debate on the Situation in the Middle East, October 24, 2023

Read the Full Statement Here

Other Holy See Statements at the United Nations

Click the title to read the full statement. 

• Holy See Statement to 6th Committee on Settlement Of Disputes To Which International Organizations Are Parties And Prevention And Repression Of Piracy

• Archbishop Caccia's Statement to the 3rd Committee on Elimination of Racism

• Holy See Statement to 6th Committee on General Principles of Law and Sea-Level Rise

• Holy See Statement to the Fourth Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space

• Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement to First Committee on Other Disarmament Measures

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to First Committee on Conventional Weapons

• Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement to First Committee on Disarmament of Outer Space

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to the 6th Committee on the Rule of Law

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to the 3rd Committee on Human Rights

• Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement During First Committee Thematic Discussion on Nuclear Weapons

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to the Fourth Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to Sixth Committee on Crimes against Humanity

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to the Second Committee about Eradication of Poverty

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia at the General Debate of the First Committee

• Statement by Archbishop Caccia to Second Committee on Education for Sustainable Development

• Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement on the Rights on the Indigenous People

• Holy See Statement on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Children

• Holy See Statement on Groups of Countries in Special Situations

• Statement by the Holy See to the Third Committee on the Advancement of Women

• Holy See Statement to Second Committee on Sustainable Recovery

• Statement by the Holy See to the Sixth Committee on Eliminating International Terrorism

• Holy See Statements to Third Committee about Criminal Justice and ICTs

Life of the Mission

October Birthdays

The Mission celebrated three birthdays in October: Monsignor Giuseppe Quirighetti, Ms. Owan Duangmala, and Father Mark Knestout. Happy Birthday!

Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has had 162 interns from 37 countries.

The internship program provides the opportunity for bright, Catholic, English-speaking college graduates or graduate students to gain experience assisting the Holy See in its multilateral work at the UN, seeking to bring the light of Catholic Social Teaching to the debates of the international community.
Our interns are integral to the work of the Holy See at the United Nations. They attend various UN meetings, conferences, and debates, and then prepare reports that, once reviewed, are sent to the Holy See’s central offices in the Vatican. Our interns also assist with the Mission’s conferences, receptions, and cultural events.

There are three internship cycles each year: Fall, Spring, and Summer, and eight internship positions are available per cycle. The Mission is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2024 session, which will run from May through August 2024. 

Click Here to Apply