Vatican & World News 04.10.2026

Laudato a Jesus Christus, Vatican and World News.

draws to a close with a call to carry care for our common home into everyday life.

In the Vatican, I'm Francesca Merlo.

Pope Leo says God never discards our lives and that even violence and rejection cannot thwart his saving love.

Speaking at the Angelus this Sunday, the Pope reflected on the gospel parable of the vineyard, recalling how Christ, rejected by those he came to save, becomes the cornerstone on which we build our lives.

On the eighth centenary of the death of St. Francis of Assisi, Publio also highlighted the saint's witness of faith and fraternal love, through which he helped repair the church and heal divisions.

The Pope invited the faithful to follow his example, praying perseveringly for peace and committing themselves to building harmony among peoples.

Thaddeus Jones reports. Addressing those gathered in St. Peter's Square, the Pope reflected on the gospel parable of the vineyard, which sheds light on Jesus' life and mission.

He also recalled St. Francis of Assisi on the eighth centenary of his death, holding up his witness of faith and fraternal love as a path towards renewing the church and building peace.

Jesus, the Pope explained, is the Son of God sent into the world, yet rejected by the very people who should have welcomed him with open arms.

The one who came to bring salvation is condemned, the Pope said, and the one who wishes to give life is put to death.

While this rejection invites us to reflect on the many cruelties that afflict the world and the history of peoples,

the Pope said Christ's teaching reveals the still greater mercy of the Father. He said violence does not have the final word.

In his infinite justice, God transforms evil into redemption, as expressed in the words recalled by Jesus.

The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.

And what was cast aside, Pope Leo noted, becomes the very foundation that sustains everything.

In this way, God guides history and comes to our aid whenever we fall.

Turning to the image of the vineyard, the Pope explained that it represents the church, which our choices can either build up or damage.

On the eighth centenary of St. Francis' death, he recalled the saint as a laborer who worked fruitfully in the Lord's vineyard, responding to Jesus' call to repair his church.

Inspired by the crucified one, Francis began by building his own life on Christ, sharing in his poverty, joy, and sufferings, even to the point of receiving the stigmata.

His fervent prayer and charity towards all made him an example for the first friars, the Pope noted,

who shared his asceticism as an authentic condition for reforming the Church.

St. Francis repaired the Church by virtue of his faith in the Lord Jesus, the Pope said, healing the rifts of discord through the witness of fraternal love.

Eight centuries later, St. Francis' charism continues to bear fruit, Pope Leo continued,

and this is evident both in the great and vibrant Franciscan family and the many gifts his spiritual legacy offers to the people of God.

As the Church celebrates the Franciscan Jubilee year, the Pope invited the faithful to perseveringly ask for the gift of peace and sincerely commit ourselves to building harmony among peoples.

He concluded by entrusting his work to the intercession of Mary before praying the Angelus in spiritual union with the faithful gathered at the Shrine of Pompeii

for the supplication to the Virgin of the Holy Rosary. Adelestions.

Pope Leo has renewed his appeal for an end to war, urging the faithful to pray the Rosary for peace and unity throughout the world.

Speaking after the Angelus prayer on Sunday, the Pope repeated the invitation he made during his recent visit to Lourdes in France,

in which he encouraged everyone to follow the example of children taking part in One Million Children Praying the Rolly Rosary, an initiative organized by aid to the Church in Need.

The Pope thanked the boys and girls joining the prayer around the world and called on everyone to invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary so that peoples may be freed from what he called the scourge of war.

In particular, he said, let us pray for the Holy Land and for the innocent victims of violence.

The campaign began at the start of October, with the Pope joining children in the Vatican Gardens,