Vatican & World News 15.09.2026

Laudato a Jesus Christus, Vatican and World News.

Today, Tuesday, September 15th, is the Feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, and these are today's headlines.

Pope Leo's reflections on the legacy of St. Augustine, delivered when he was head of the Augustinians,

have been published in a new book today. The Holy See's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations calls for the responsible use of nuclear technology.

And the East Asian Pastoral Institute, committed to offering ongoing formation in pastoral ministry,

celebrates its 60th anniversary. In the Vatican, I'm Christopher Wells.

Pope Leo XIV's book, Freedom Under Grace, hit bookshelves across English-speaking countries today.

Originally published in Italian, the book brings together the Pope's reflections during his time as Augustinian Prior General on the legacy of St.

Augustine that has shaped his spirituality. Devin Watkins has the story.

The English version of Pope Leo XIV's book went on sale on Tuesday in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and across the Commonwealth.

Freedom Under Grace, Reflections on the Spiritual Tradition that Formed Me, brings together the Holy Father's reflections on the legacy of St.

Augustine that have shaped his spirituality and his vision for the world.

In addition to being the first ever pope from the Order of St. Augustine, this book is of special interest to English-language readers.

It brings to life the unique insights and perspective of the Church's first American Pope, whose mother tongue is English.

According to a press release from Penguin Random House, the book contains addresses, homilies, and personal writings from Fr.

Robert Prevost's time as Prior General of the Order of St. Augustine, revealing the why behind his contemplative responses.

The future Pope Leo XIV invites readers to sit

at the table as if in real time, responding to the aftermath of 9-11, emerging political ideologies, and the Church's response to poverty and human rights conflicts.

Drawing from the work of St. Augustine, whom he calls his spiritual father, notes the press release, Pope Leo advances a vision for life rooted in community, solidarity, and service to marginalized communities.

The English version of Freedom Under Grace is published by Image Books, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Christian Publishing Group.

The original Italian was published by the Vatican Publishing House under the title Liberi sotto la Grazia.

The audiobook edition will feature opening homilies and addresses read by Emmy Award-winning comedian and devout Catholic Stephen Colbert,

and the main text will be narrated by award-winning narrator and Grammy nominee Scott Brick. I'm Devin Watkins.

In remarks at the 70th General Conference of

the International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, currently underway in Vienna,

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher has called for the responsible use of nuclear technology,

which he said is inseparable from the commitments and responsibilities that accompany it.

The Holy See Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations also expressed concern regarding the protection of nuclear facilities in situations of armed conflict.

Kelsey Gussie tells us more. In his speech

during the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic

Energy Agency or the IAEA, Archbishop

Gallagher highlighted how peaceful use of nuclear technology is possible and it can be a significant example of how scientific progress can be harnessed for the benefit of humanity.

However, he stressed, this is not always the case.

It is therefore crucial to remember that the responsible use

of such tools comes with non-negotiable commitments and

responsibilities, which include ensuring that development programs do not lead to the acquisition of nuclear weapons, protecting facilities in wartime,

and applying artificial intelligence with an awareness of the associated risks and sound safety standards.

As one of the IAEA's original signatories 70

years ago, Archbishop Gallagher recalled the Holy See's

long-standing commitment based on the conviction that

a technology with such vast potential as nuclear energy

must be guided by sound ethical principles, be used at the service of peace and integral human development, and be protected from any destructive use.

Although geopolitical realities and the technology itself have evolved, the Vatican's perspective remains unchanged.

The peaceful use of atomic energy must continue to be guided by those same enduring ethical principles.

The Archbishop then emphasized the value of the peaceful use of nuclear technology as an application of scientific innovations in service of the common good.