Save the Date
Path to Peace Gala on 18 May 2026
Apostolic Exhortation
Dilexi te
of the Holy Father Leo XIV
on Love for the Poor
On Saturday morning, 4 October, the Holy Father Pope Leo XIV signed his first Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi.
It highlights the powerful bond between the love of Christ and His call for us to draw near to the poor. “Love for the Lord… is one with love for the poor,” writes Pope Leo. They are therefore inseparable: Jesus says, “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me”. Hence, the Pope continues, “this is not a matter of mere human kindness but a revelation: contact with those who are lowly and powerless is a fundamental way of encountering the Lord of history.”
Apostolic Letter
DRAWING NEW MAPS OF HOPE
of Pope Leo XIV on the occasion
of the 60th Anniversary of the Conciliar Declaration
Gravissimum educationis
As part of the Jubilee of the World of Education, Pope Leo XIV signed an Apostolic Letter, written to commemorate the sixtieth anniversary of Gravissimum Educationis, and to reflect on the current relevance of the Conciliar Declaration and on the challenges that education has to face today, in particular for Catholic schools and universities.
Pope Leo laments that in the modern world, humanity has become “experts in the smallest details of reality” yet struggles to recover an overall vision - one that unites knowledge with meaning. Against this fragmentation, he invited scholars to rediscover the harmony between intellect and spirit, a unity embodied by saints such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Teresa of Ávila, and Edith Stein.
“The Church needs this unified perspective for both today and tomorrow,” he continued, encouraging students and professors alike to ensure that their academic work does not remain “an abstract intellectual exercise,” but rather that it become a force that transforms life, deepens faith, and strengthens witness to the Gospel.
“Walking Together in Hope”
A celebration of 60 years of “Nostra aetate”
The Second Vatican Council’s Declaration on Interreligious Dialogue
Pope Leo XIV Marks 60th Anniversary of Nostra Aetate with Call to Renew Interreligious Dialogue
In a moving address at the Paul VI Hall, Pope Leo XIV commemorated the 60th anniversary of Nostra aetate, the Second Vatican Council’s landmark declaration on the Church’s relationship with non-Christian religions. Speaking to religious leaders, diplomats, and Vatican officials, the Holy Father described the document as a “seed of hope” that has grown into a “mighty tree” bearing the fruits of understanding, friendship, and peace.
He emphasized that dialogue is not merely a strategy but a way of life rooted in conviction, not compromise. Reflecting on the theme “Walking Together in Hope,” the Pope called for renewed multilateral commitment to interreligious cooperation, especially in a world often tempted by division and despair.
Pope Leo honored those who gave their lives for the cause of dialogue, referring to them as “martyrs for dialogue,” and reaffirmed the enduring relevance of Nostra aetate, particularly its teachings on the unity of the human family and the Church’s respect for what is true and holy in other religions.
He concluded by urging religious leaders to embrace their sacred responsibility: to guide their communities beyond prejudice and selfishness, and to become voices of peace and healing. Quoting Pope Saint John Paul II, he reminded all present that “the world cannot do without prayer,” and invited them to join in silent invocation: “May peace come down upon us and fill our hearts.”
Holy See Statements
at the United Nations
Statement by H.E. Archbishop Caccia
at the Fourth Committee of the 80th session of the united Nations General assembly, Agenda item 48: International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space
30 October 2025
30 October 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement in the Fourth Committee of the 80th Session of the UN General Assembly under agenda item 48: International cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.
As a common good of all humanity, Archbishop Caccia emphasized that outer space must be governed by principles of cooperation, solidarity, and peace. He called for renewed multilateral commitment to ensure that space exploration serves the integral development of all peoples and remains free from militarization.
Highlighting the key role of the 1967 Outer Space Treaty, he also encouraged a strengthening of dialogue within the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS) to ensure peace, stability and shared progress for future generations.
Other Holy See Statements
at the United Nations
On 27 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Thematic Discussion on Outer Space in the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
On 24 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Thematic Discussion on Conventional Weapons in the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
On 22 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers Statement at UNGA 80 – 4th Committee Agenda item 48: Effects of atomic radiation
On 21 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Thematic Discussion on Nuclear Weapons in the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
On 17 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers Statement at the General Debate of the First Committee of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
On 14 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at UNGA 80 – Sixth Committee, Agenda item 80: Crimes against humanity
On 13 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Second Committee Debate on Item 18: Sustainable Development
On 10 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers statement at the Second Committee Debate on Item 20: Countries in Special Situations
On 10 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia Delivers Statement at the General Debate of the Second Committee “Five years to 2030 – Multilateral solutions for sustainable development”
On 8 October 2025: Archbishop Caccia delivers Statement at UNGA 80 – Third Committee General discussion on all agenda items
Life at the Mission
This October, we had the joy of celebrating the birthdays of three cherished members of our Mission family.
To our interns, Giulia Spano and Matteo Reed, we send our heartfelt wishes and hope their time at the Holy See Mission continues to be a source of spiritual growth and professional enrichment.
We also celebrated the birthday of our dear Owan Duangmala, whose presence brings warmth and joy to us all. We are deeply grateful for her many years of dedicated service—and for the delicious dishes she lovingly prepares, which never fail to lift our spirits.
May each of them be blessed abundantly in the year ahead!
Interns' Experience
Voices from Within
As part of their journey at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, James and Francis shared personal insights into what this unique experience means to them:
James Haddad
My time at the HSM has taught me the importance of incorporating our Catholic faith into our daily lives and the work we do. Having Mass and morning prayer as a staff has been integral to starting my day off by reminding me that I must offer each and every moment to Christ and make Him the center of my work. Even in parts of my day at the UN when I wouldn’t think Jesus would be on my mind, I have found myself learning to encounter Him, and I hope to bring this grace with me, even after my time as an intern at the HSM.
Francis Louis
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time so far on the mission, working alongside the amazing staff and interns here. I’ve covered many Security Council meetings, which have exposed me to situations related to peace and security. It taught me that solving conflict through diplomacy with dialogue is needed. The mission also offers fantastic lunches that are a 10/10!
Summer Internship
Interested in joining the Mission as an intern? Summer 2026 internship applications are now open.
Summer 2026 Internship
Applications are Open
Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has welcomed 229 interns from 40 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 nine internship positions are available per cycle. The Mission is currently accepting applications for the Summer 2026 session, which will run from June through August 2026.