Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2026
Pope Leo XIV’s 2026 Lenten Message invites Christians to embrace Lent as a time of renewed listening, conversion, and compassion. He highlights listening to God’s word as the starting point for any true change of heart, urging believers to attune themselves to the cries of the poor and suffering. Fasting, he explains, is not merely a physical discipline but a way to clarify our deepest desires, awaken our hunger for justice, and free us from complacency. When practiced with humility and communion with the Lord, fasting becomes a path that purifies and reorders our priorities toward God and good works.
A central theme of the message is the Pope’s call for a lesser‑known but deeply needed form of abstinence: refraining from harsh words, rash judgment, and speech that harms others. He encourages Christians to “disarm our language” in families, workplaces, social media, and public life, allowing words of hope and peace to replace words of anger. Lent, he says, is also a communal journey lived in parishes, families, and religious communities, where listening and self‑denial help form consciences and strengthen relationships. Pope Leo concludes by urging Christian communities to become places of welcome for those who suffer, asking God for the strength to fast not only from food but also from hurtful speech, so that space may be made for the voices of others.
Read the Full address of Pope Leo XIV
6 February 2026
On Friday, 6 February 2026, His Holiness Pope Leo XIV issued a letter just before the starting of the Olympic Winter Games in northern Italy, in Milano - Cortina. In his letter, he reflects on the profound human and spiritual value of sport, praising its ability to foster fraternity, personal growth, and the pursuit of what is good. The Pope strongly reaffirms the importance of the Olympic Truce, urging nations to honor this symbol of peace at a time when the world is marked by violence and conflict. He emphasizes that aggression and war are always a defeat for humanity and calls the Truce an instrument of hope for a reconciled world.
The letter also highlights the Church’s pastoral role in the world of sport, encouraging a presence that offers accompaniment, discernment, and hope at both elite and grassroots levels. Pope Leo points to Athletica Vaticana as an example of sport lived as an ecclesial service and warns against reducing sport to mere spectacle or political or commercial exploitation. Instead, he calls for safeguarding sport’s true mission: serving the common good, nurturing human dignity, and becoming a “school of life” rooted in respect, sharing, and the joy of walking together.
Read the Full address of Pope Leo XIV
Holy See Statements at the United Nations
Statement of the Holy See at the 64th Commission for Social Development
By H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia
New York, 4 February 2026
New York, 4th February 2026, H.E. Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, delivered a statement at the 64th Commission for Social Development.
The Permanent Observer emphasised the need for coordinated equitable and inclusive policies that place the human person at the centre. Stressing that genuine social development necessitates meeting fundamental needs while upholding subsidiarity and engaging communities, including faith-based organisations, Archbishop Caccia reaffirmed the pivotal role of the family as the 'natural and fundamental social unit', urging for policies that bolster its purpose and stability. Quoting Pope Leo XIV, he emphasised the urgency of addressing the structural causes of poverty, noting that deprivation is not only material, but also spiritual and moral.
Archbishop Caccia praised the work of faith-based organisations in providing hope and support to the most vulnerable people and reaffirmed the Holy See’s commitment to promoting social justice and the integral development of the human person.
Save the Date
Path to Peace Gala on 18 May 2026
Life at the Mission
Celebrating February Birthdays
The Holy See Mission Goes Skating
With the beautiful visit to the Residence
Interns' Experience
Voices from Within
As part of their journey at the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations, Elizabeth and James share personal insights into what this unique experience has meant to them:
Elizabeth Rengifo-Vega
The internship at the Holy See Mission has been lovely. We begin the day together with mass and morning prayer, which helps to ground the work and interactions we have during the rest of the day. On Ash Wednesday, I had the opportunity to attend a Security Council meeting while wearing the cross-shaped ashes. Seeing other people in the room with them also reminded me of the great responsibility the Mission carries of being able to represent the members of the Catholic Church at the UN. I see many of the values we were trained upon during the orientation week lived out in the familial environment and committed work ethic of the Mission. I particularly like when we celebrate birthdays, because it is an opportunity for us all to come together to make someone feel cared for and appreciated. Seeing the depth of attention and collaboration that goes into planning them, including the heartfelt messages written in cards, the commitment to finding the perfect cake flavor, and the birthday toast speech, is emblematic of the work that is done at the Mission. It has been a unique experience to witness the interaction of diplomacy and our faith from up close. I hope that other young people who are interested in learning about how to live out their faith in the international sphere are able to experience it too.
James Travers
After two months, I have discovered at the Mission a place where one learns and grows in many ways.
The pastoral and spiritual dimension is where we demonstrate that our faith and love for Jesus Christ are at the center of every activity, every task, and every encounter with others. Praying the Liturgy of the Hours in community, celebrating the Eucharist, adoration, and prayer before the Tabernacle are the source of strength that inspires us to give our best and to become ever more fully human.
In the professional dimension, which occupies a large part of our day, we place our talents at the service of the Mission. Attending meetings, drafting reports, participating in training, discussions, and conferences each day helps us build our professional lives, gaining experience and developing diplomatic skills.
In the human dimension, we share the joy of being a community. Over these two months, I can say that daily interactions, sharing meals and coffee, and engaging in extracurricular activities such as going to the cinema or playing sports have made the experience even more rewarding.
Fall Internship
We are glad to announce that the fall 2026 internship applications are now open.
Fall 2026 Internship
Applications are Open
Since 2015, the Holy See Mission has welcomed 238 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 Fall 2026 session, which will run from September through December 2026.