Catholic News

When Pope Leo XIV warned in both May and June about the growing loneliness and abandonment experienced by the elderly, he highlighted a challenge confronting much of the modern world. In Lithuania, the Catholic Church has already been responding to this problem.

One year ago, Caritas Lithuania launched "Caritas Listens," a free emotional support hotline aimed at combating loneliness among older adults. Staffed by trained volunteers, the helpline offers a compassionate listening ear, a need many callers say they lack.

While the initiative was started in Lithuania, its significance reaches far beyond the Baltic nation. Across Eastern Europe, declining birth rates, rising life expectancy, and decades of emigration by younger generations to Western Europe have left many elderly people living alone.

Similar demographic pressures are also reshaping societies in countries such as Japan, South Korea, and China, raising concerns not only about healthcare and pensions but also about social isolation and mental well-being.

For the Catholic Church, Caritas Lithuania's experience offers a practical example of how pastoral care can respond to an increasingly urgent social and spiritual crisis.

A year of great impact

After its first year, Caritas Lithuania says the hotline has recorded 67,308 minutes of conversations, which the organization sees as evidence of both the scale of loneliness among older people and the need for emotional support.

The initiative currently relies on 86 trained volunteers who provide confidential emotional support by phone. Their focus is on listening without judgment; accompanying callers in moments of loneliness, grief, or anxiety; and helping them rediscover a sense of connection.

For Erika Panova-Polikeviciene, the project's coordinator, the need was already clear before the hotline began.

According to Lithuanian statistics, she said, 1 in 5 people aged 60 and over experiences loneliness, while adults over 60 make up almost one-third of the country's population.

"For more than 37 years, Caritas Lithuania has been providing support to people in vulnerable situations, including older persons," she told EWTN News. Yet despite those efforts, the organization realized that many elderly people remained beyond the reach of traditional services.

Some struggled with poor health or limited mobility. Others faced social isolation or lacked the confidence to seek help. For many, attending community activities or receiving in-person support was simply not possible.

"We saw a need to create an alternative way for them to receive emotional support and human connection," Panova-Polikeviciene said.

With support from Lithuania's Ministry of Social Security and Labor, Caritas expanded its network of assistance and launched the emotional support line in 2025.

Listening as a form of pastoral care

Callers frequently speak about grief after losing loved ones, strained family relationships, conflicts with neighbors, declining health, financial worries, and uncertainty about where to seek help.

Some, Panova-Polikeviciene said, simply need someone who will listen. "Sometimes the first step toward overcoming isolation is simply having someone on the other end of the phone who is ready to listen."

The conversations have also challenged common assumptions about loneliness. "One of the key lessons we have learned is that loneliness is not always about being physically alone," Panova-Polikeviciene explained.

Some callers live with family members or have relatives nearby yet still experience profound loneliness because they lack emotional connection or a sense of being understood. "A simple conversation can sometimes restore a feeling of connection and remind a person that they are not forgotten," she said.

The hotline has also become a refuge for people facing moments of deep despair. Volunteers regularly receive calls from older adults coping with bereavement, hopelessness, or periods when they feel they have nobody else to turn to. In those moments, the immediate goal is not necessarily solving every problem.

"The most important first step is often not providing an immediate solution but being present, listening with compassion, and helping a person feel that their life and experiences matter."

The volunteers behind the ministry

At the center of the initiative are the volunteers themselves. Panova-Polikeviciene described them as people who freely choose to accompany others through some of life's most difficult moments.

"They want to be there for others, to listen with compassion, to offer their time and presence, and to accompany older people who may be experiencing loneliness or difficult moments in their lives," she said.

Before answering calls, every volunteer undergoes a process of discernment with both a volunteer coordinator and a psychologist.

Caritas Lithuania believes that a desire to help is not enough on its own. Volunteers must also honestly evaluate whether they are emotionally prepared to accompany people through grief, isolation, and profound loneliness.

Those accepted into the program receive training in active listening, empathetic communication, and responding responsibly to emotionally difficult situations. They provide support in Lithuanian and continue to receive ongoing supervision and psychological support throughout their service.

Additionally, supervision sessions and consultations with psychologists help them avoid burnout and remain emotionally supported while accompanying vulnerable callers.

A model that could reach beyond Lithuania

"We believe that the experience of 'Caritas Listens' could be relevant for other Caritas organizations, as loneliness among older people is a growing challenge across Europe," Panova-Polikeviciene said.

She stressed that every country would need to adapt a similar initiative to its own social realities and support systems. Nevertheless, she said Caritas Lithuania is ready to share what it has learned.

"We believe that exchanging good practices within the Caritas network can help us better respond to the growing challenge of loneliness among older people."

As many nations grapple with aging populations, Caritas Lithuania's experience suggests that responding to loneliness may not always require complex solutions.

Sometimes, the ministry begins with something far simpler: a listening ear and the reassurance that no one is forgotten.

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Not much is known about the life of St. Mary Magdalene, whose feast day is celebrated in the Catholic Church on July 22. She first appears in the Gospel of Luke as a follower of Christ from whom seven demons have been cast out. In the Gospels, she is sometimes associated with two other women in Scripture: the woman who washes Jesus' feet with oil and Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus.

Her most prominent position in Scripture occurs in the Gospel of John, where she remains with Jesus at the Crucifixion, keeps vigil at the tomb, and is the first to see him on Easter morning. Differing traditions have her evangelizing in Ephesus, while others place her in Marseille, France.

Her body has never been found.

Apart from the Blessed Virgin Mary, perhaps no other saint alive during the time of Christ appears to have been as deeply moved by Jesus' death as this saint.

"How beautiful to think that the first appearance of the Risen One took place in such a personal way! That there is someone who knows us, who sees our suffering and delusion, who is moved by us, and who calls us by name," said Pope Francis of the encounter in a 2017 general audience the year after upgrading her memorial to a feast day in 2016.

After this shocking encounter, the joy of Christ's resurrection imbued her with the courage to spread this good news joyfully. "I have seen the Lord!" she proclaimed to the apostles and the whole world.

Once known as a sinful woman, Mary Magdalene becomes the Apostle to the Apostles, the first witness to the Resurrection, and the model of a personal encounter with Jesus Christ risen from the grave.

"God surprises her in the most unexpected way," Pope Francis opined. "So that woman, who is the first to encounter Jesus ... now has become an apostle of the new and greatest hope."

This story was first published on July 21, 2021, and has been updated.

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The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in Aleppo has long been associated with education, social service, and humanitarian work. Now, after 112 years of ministry, the sisters will close their convent and depart the city, marking the end of an important chapter in the city's history.

As news of the sisters' departure has spread, questions have arisen about why they are leaving and who made the decision. Sister Pierrette Jabbour, the congregation's regional councilor for the Middle East, told ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News, that the decision was not related to political or security concerns — instead, it was made during the congregation's regional chapter in 2018.

She explained that the reasons are entirely internal and reflect the declining number of sisters, their increasing average age, and the shortage of new religious vocations. Similar restructuring is also taking place in convents in Egypt and Lebanon.

According to the congregation's regulations, each religious community must have at least four sisters.

Last May, the Salesians announced that they would assume responsibility for the Franciscan convent. However, the news received little public attention until a Mass of thanksgiving was celebrated to mark the conclusion of the sisters' ministry.

In a recorded message, Bishop Hanna Jallouf, apostolic vicar of Latin-rite Catholics in Syria, explained that the congregation has been reorganizing its presence in the country for more than five years.

He said the sisters decided to strengthen their presence in the northeastern province of Hasakah, where they are the only Catholic women's religious congregation serving the area. They also chose to reinforce their ministry in Damascus, while Aleppo is already home to several men's and women's religious communities. For these reasons, and in coordination with the Holy See, the Salesian Fathers will continue the Franciscan Sisters' mission at the convent.

Jallouf also dismissed rumors linking the sisters' departure to French President Emmanuel Macron's recent visit to Syria.

The Rev. Ibrahim Nasir, president of the National Evangelical Synod in Syria and Lebanon, described the farewell as both a solemn and grateful moment. He said the departure of this historic mission represents a significant loss for Aleppo and for its Christian presence." Every institution that closes and every religious community that leaves creates a gap that is difficult to fill," he said.

Nasir also stressed that the sisters' departure cannot be separated from the wider challenges facing Christians in Syria, especially in Aleppo, where declining numbers, continued emigration, and the closure of many educational and pastoral institutions remain serious concerns.

A legacy of service

The Franciscan Missionaries of Mary first arrived in Aleppo in 1914 at the invitation of the city's Maronite bishop. They established the Our Lady of Lourdes Center near the Maronite cathedral.

Although they were forced to leave during the World War I, they returned in 1919 and resumed their mission despite widespread poverty and hardship.

They first opened a school in the Aziziyah district before establishing the Franciscan Convent and School in the Sabil neighborhood in 1929. Over the years, the school became one of Aleppo's leading educational institutions.

The sisters combined education with the care of orphans, assistance to the poor, and support for refugees, helping form generations of students from different religious and social backgrounds.

The convent also became a center for girls' scouting activities and a place that encouraged friendship and coexistence between Christians and Muslims.

Besides education, the sisters played an important humanitarian and medical role in the city.

They also managed the Sheibani Orphanage, which cared for children orphaned during the Ottoman massacres. They also administered Al Razi Hospital for many decades, helping improve medical services and reduce mortality rates.

After the school was nationalized in 1967, the sisters continued their pastoral and social ministry through catechism, children's programs, ministry to university students, and by hosting Church groups and associations. They also served in the Jabal al Sayyideh, also known as Sheikh Maqsoud, neighborhood, where they dedicated themselves to pastoral ministry, Christian formation, and helping combat unemployment by teaching practical vocational skills.

This story was first published by ACI MENA, the Arabic-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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In the aftermath of the devastating earthquakes that struck the country, Caritas Venezuela, the social services arm of the Catholic Church in Venezuela, issued an updated bulletin in which it noted that, at this stage, "the immediate emergency begins to overlap with the first steps toward recovery."

The organization continues to maintain field operations, particularly in the coastal city of La Guaira, where the destruction is overwhelming.

In total, Caritas Venezuela reported that it has received over 19,000 tons of aid, of which it has so far managed to distribute approximately nearly 16,000 tons, representing 84% of the total received. The remaining aid "remains in stock, ready for upcoming deliveries."

Critical needs

Along with food and water, healthcare has become an urgent need for the communities affected by the disaster. In total, Caritas has dispatched 96,156 units of medical supplies and medicines, most of which are destined for hospitals and care centers operating under immense strain.

"In a healthcare system stretched by the magnitude of the disaster, every box of medicine that arrives on time sustains care for dozens of people," Caritas explained.

Likewise, the organization highlighted the work of thousands of volunteers nationwide who have tirelessly dedicated themselves to receiving, sorting, packing, and distributing aid. Caritas estimated that around 10,000 people have joined volunteer efforts across all of Venezuela's dioceses and parishes.

"They are teachers, young people, mothers, retirees, and neighbors who decided that the suffering of others is their own as well. They are, without exaggeration, the heart of this response," the organization noted.

The clergy have also been present at every collection center, at every distribution point, and in every camp across the affected cities.

They have engaged in relief efforts "through prayer and action." According to the bulletin, the greatest help provided by bishops, priests, and religious has been taking the time to listen to and be there for those grieving the loss of loved ones and to console those left homeless.

What lies ahead?

Caritas Venezuela noted that the 3,095 tons of humanitarian aid still available will allow them to "continue responding" but stated that "the emergency is far from over."

"Thousands of families remain in temporary camps, and many others will not be able to return to their homes. In the coming weeks, the operation will shift from immediate assistance to the recovery of those who lost everything — a long process that will require sustained solidarity over time," the organization explained.

When the camera crews depart and the news media turns to covering other events, "the need remains. That's why we reiterate our call to continue making contributions through official channels and to keep moving forward together," the organization emphasized.

"Monetary donations are the most efficient, as they allow us to procure exactly what is needed at any given moment directly from the field," Caritas advised.

The official death toll from the earthquakes in Venezuela now stands at over 5,200. Tens of thousands of other people have been injured and have lost their homes in Caracas, La Guaira, El Junquito, and other cities across the country.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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As of this year, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel has a new site in Mexico City. On July 15, the old non-parochial church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was dedicated as an archdiocesan shrine, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the historic church.

In recent days, the church, located in the traditional San Ángel neighborhood on the city's south side, has begun to welcome more visitors than usual. Every year on the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, celebrated on July 16, hundreds of pilgrims are drawn to the shrine.

However, interest has gained new momentum since Cardinal Carlos Aguiar Retes, primatial archbishop of Mexico, announced in May that the historic church would be elevated to a shrine.

Among those drawn by curiosity was Mariana Ledesma. Although she acknowledged that she is only just beginning to learn about this devotion to Our Lady under this title, she wanted to be part of a moment she considers historic.

"The shrine is beautiful and full of symbolism; seeing the devotion of the entire community, being able to share in that faith, is something truly beautiful. That is precisely the purpose of the shrine: to make it known to others as well," she told ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News.

4 centuries of history

The relationship between Mexico City and Our Lady of Mount Carmel dates back to 1585, when the first missionaries of the Discalced Carmelite order arrived in New Spain to assist in the work of evangelization.

In the early 17th century, they established one of their most important convents in San Ángel, from which they fostered contemplative life, spiritual formation, and devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a devotion that took deep root among the capital's inhabitants.

For centuries, the church and convent served as an important religious and cultural center. However, following the Reform Laws of 1876, the old convent was nationalized and became state property.

Today, Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church remains a place of Catholic worship while the former convent, after serving various purposes over the years, houses a museum.

After more than 400 years of tending to the church, this year the Discalced Carmelites handed over its administration to the Archdiocese of Mexico due to a decline in vocations within the order.

Mary, 'strengthen my heart'

During the Mass of canonical dedication as a shrine, Héctor Mario Pérez Villarreal, auxiliary bishop of Mexico, explained that the decision to elevate the church to a shrine reflects the fact that the faithful have long been making pilgrimages there to "seek solace and to come seeking the nourishment of the sacraments and the mercy of confession."

"Let us hope that this [act] serves as an encouragement for many more people to return here to renew the consolation offered by the Virgin of Mount Carmel and their love for Jesus Christ," he stated.

He also invited the faithful to turn to Mary during times of difficulty. He noted that when faith or hope "begin to fade," it is necessary to turn one's gaze toward Mary and say: "Most Holy Mother, you who were able to remain faithful even [standing] before your Son's cross, strengthen my heart."

Petitions to Our Lady of Mount Carmel

The aisles of the shrine were filled with people holding scapulars, flowers, or photographs of their family members. Some came to give thanks for favors received; others sought to place their concerns in Mary's hands.

Among them was Claudio de la Paz, a devotee who traveled from the state of Campeche, over 500 miles away, to take part in the celebration. In addition to hoping the faithful will draw closer to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, he asked that young people be specially commended to her care, as he said they are currently going through "times of great vulnerability."

For Rafael Estrada, devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel "represents a quest for peace, serenity, and harmony." Estrada urged Catholics to ask for Mary's protection amid the tribulations Mexico is going through.

Sister Nina Ramos, a religious of the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, invited the faithful to visit the new shrine and noted that those who fulfill the conditions established by the Church may obtain a plenary indulgence.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News. It has been translated and adapted by EWTN News English.

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The United States and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) sent the first flight with humanitarian aid to Cuba under Secretary of State Marco Rubio's $100 million assistance plan.

In partnership with the Catholic Church and Caritas Cuba, the kits of prepackaged food and hygiene kits for up to 700 Cuban families will be delivered by CRS — the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the U.S.

"This partnership builds upon the success of the Department's program last year with CRS and Caritas Cuba to deliver $9 million in direct support to the island following Hurricane Melissa," according to a U.S. Department of State statement.

"Building on the success of the previous program, the direct delivery of humanitarian commodities by local parish representatives in the island will ensure critical U.S. assistance reaches everyday Cubans in need, without any opportunity for regime diversion or theft," the department said.

CRS sent the flight on July 21 from Miami with Jeremy Lewin, Rubio's senior adviser and director of foreign assistance, and Viviana Bovo, senior adviser for the department's Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs.

The supplies sent are the first humanitarian relief sent under Rubio's commitment of $100 million in humanitarian assistance to the Cuban people, as they "are suffering from the consequences of the Communist regime's kleptocracy, brutality, and economic incompetence," the statement said.

The aid is part of a $60 million award to CRS from the department's $100 million fund for expanding humanitarian assistance to vulnerable families across Cuba.

"The award will enable CRS, in partnership with Caritas Cuba, to provide emergency food and hygiene supplies to nearly 200,000 households, or more than half a million people, across the country and essential household items — including mattresses and blankets — to another 7,000 people who need them," CRS said in a press release.

"Families in Cuba are facing growing hardship as they struggle to put food on the table, access clean water and meet other basic needs," said Sean Callahan, CRS president and CEO, in the press release.

"This support will allow CRS and our long-standing partner, Caritas Cuba, to significantly expand humanitarian assistance through the Catholic Church's trusted network, reaching vulnerable families with the help they urgently need."

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Queen Camilla responded with "deep admiration" after listening to the stories of Catholic religious sisters working with vulnerable women and girls around the world in a landmark meeting on July 15 at Clarence House in London.

Representatives of the International Union of Superiors General (UISG) met with the queen to share the impact of their work over the past year, with a particular focus on advancing dignity, protection, and opportunities for vulnerable women and girls.

Anabel Inge, MVO, charge' d'affaires ad interim of the British Embassy to the Holy See, commented on the impact of the stories on Queen Camilla at the meeting. 

"What struck me was how engaged Her Majesty was throughout the conversation," Inge told EWTN News. "Many of the themes discussed clearly resonated. Her Majesty has consistently highlighted the importance of supporting women and girls, and this was a major focus."

The meeting with the queen included conversations about efforts to accompany migrant women and strengthen communities in the U.K., education initiatives supporting children affected by conflict in Lebanon, antihuman trafficking work in Asia, and programs helping vulnerable women build livelihoods and improve food security in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Commenting on the meeting in a press release, the UISG said: "Her Majesty expressed deep admiration and humility regarding the global work Catholic sisters do to aid vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls."

"This renewed exchange underlined the strong alignment between the mission of Catholic sisters and Her Majesty's long-standing commitment to supporting women and girls."

Sisters from a range of ministries around the world joined in the meeting with Queen Camilla at Clarence House, including Sister Lynne Baron, FCJ, area leader of the Sisters Faithful Companions of Jesus in Britain and archbishop's delegate for Catholic social action in the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Baron was joined by Sister Roxanne Schares, SSND, executive secretary of UISG; Sister Maamalifar M. Poreku, MSOLA, co-executive secretary of the UISG-USG Commission for Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation; and Sister Abby Avelino, MM, international coordinator of Talitha Kum.

Avelino drew attention to the Young Ambassadors Against Human Trafficking Programme, initially supported by the U.K. government and now expanded globally, which equips young people with the tools to identify risks, raise awareness, and lead peer-based prevention in their communities.

Describing young people as "protagonists of change,'" Avelino said: "In many countries, they are helping to build a culture of prevention, supporting their peers in recognizing the risks of exploitation and trafficking, and promoting a vision of society rooted in dignity, freedom, and solidarity."

The meeting between the sisters and the queen came nine months after King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with Pope Leo XIV in October 2025 in a historic ecumenical prayer service in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican. The prayer service marked the first time an English sovereign had prayed with a pope in 500 years.

"The meeting during Their Majesties' state visit to the Holy See in 2025 reflected the long-standing and positive relationship between the Crown and the Holy See," Inge said.

Inge hailed the latest meeting with the queen as "a valuable opportunity to recognize the extraordinary contribution sisters make around the world, particularly in supporting women and girls affected by poverty, conflict, displacement, and exploitation."

She added: "What is distinctive about the sisters' contribution is that they are deeply embedded in the communities they serve. The tea was an opportunity to hear firsthand accounts of that service, and the sisters' personal stories helped to bring these important issues to life."

A royal family post on X highlighted the visit with the sisters: "The Queen hosted Sisters from the International Union of Superiors General (IUSG) who shared the impact of their global work, particularly in support of vulnerable women and girls … The meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the work of the Sisters to support women living in conditions of conflict, poverty, and displacement across the world."

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Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, introduced legislation to bar the government from taking Mount Cristo Rey by eminent domain as it seeks diocesan land for border fencing.

The legislation (H.R. 9739) follows the Trump administration's move to seize about 14 acres of land surrounding the base of Mount Cristo Rey — a prominent mountain in Sunland Park, New Mexico, overlooking the Texas and Mexico borders.

If enacted, the bill would recognize Mount Cristo Rey as a holy site and prohibit the use of federal funds to litigate against the Diocese of Las Cruces in its lawsuit challenging the federal attempt to seize the land.

It also would prohibit federal funds from being used "to construct, install, operate, or maintain roads, fencing, vehicle barriers, security lighting, cameras, sensors, or related structures" on or near the mountain, according to the bill, which lacks co-sponsors.

"Rather than working with border communities to advance effective border security, the Trump Administration continues to disregard the people, history, and culture that make our region special," Escobar said in a press release.

"Mount Cristo Rey is a religious and cultural landmark that has been central to our community for generations," she said.

Owned by the Diocese of Las Cruces, Mount Cristo Rey welcomes visitors each year to the small mountain that houses a nearly-century-old statue of Jesus Christ that has been a pilgrimage site for decades.

The diocese has said that the government's proposed border security at the base of the mountain would negatively affect pilgrims coming to the site.

Escobar's legislation says: "The Federal Government's attempt to seize the land around Mount Cristo Rey for the purposes of border wall construction infringes upon the religious liberty of the Catholic Church and all visitors to the holy site."

Support from Catholic border bishops

The bill has received support from border bishops including Bishop Peter Baldacchino of Las Cruces and Bishop Mark Seitz of El Paso, Texas.

In a press release, Seitz said he will "support this bill which would call the federal government to set aside a heavy-handed abuse of power against this sacred place."

"For the federal government to forcefully take this holy ground to build a tall barrier topped with razor wire would represent an overreach on the part of the government and create a sign that speaks, not of mutual respect and love, but of separation and rejection," Seitz said.

"I am confident that through negotiation with the rightful owners of the property, the Church of Las Cruces, solutions can be found to provide for the deterrence of unauthorized entry into this country while at the same time preserving the integrity of Mount Cristo Rey," Seitz said.

"For generations, the faithful from the cities, farms and villages of the borderland have climbed Mount Cristo Rey and united as a single community for prayer and celebration at the feet of Christ the King," Baldacchino said.

Baldacchino previously defended the sanctuary "and devotion which has brought many people in our community to God" during the ongoing dispute by climbing Mount Cristo Rey and celebrating Mass at the mountain's peak on June 28.

"In a world fractured by political, racial and economic divisions, Mount Cristo Rey stands out as both a powerful symbol of hope and peace and a literal pathway to unity," he said in the press release.

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Catholic aid groups in Bangladesh and China are responding to severe midsummer storms, with Caritas Bangladesh coordinating relief in dioceses hit by early-July monsoon flooding and Jinde Charities delivering assistance on behalf of the Shanghai and Beijing dioceses after flash floods and tornadoes.

Caritas Bangladesh is collaborating with local partners in dioceses affected by monsoon rains and flooding that swept the country in early July.

Caritas disaster relief efforts have been underway after the July 5–9 flooding, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 34 people in Bangladesh, according to a July 10 press release from the aid organization. "More than 241,000 people have been affected. Among them are more than 7,400 Rohingya refugees living in 25 camps severely affected by floods and landslides," Caritas said.

The rainfall has impacted Bangladesh's Chattogram Division, including the districts of Bandarban, Khagrachari, Rangamati, Cox's Bazar, and Chattogram.

"Caritas Bangladesh has mobilized local staff and community volunteers, who went from door to door sharing early warning messages and helping families living in high-risk areas move to safety before the worst of the rains arrived," the aid organization said.

"This latest disaster comes on top of a protracted humanitarian crisis," the press release continued. "As humanitarian funding continues to decline, many Rohingya families face growing food insecurity, reduced access to essential services and fewer opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity. The floods are a reminder that sustained international solidarity remains essential."

Catholics in China distribute aid after flooding

The government-registered Catholic relief organization Jinde Charities has been acting on behalf of the Shanghai and Beijing dioceses to deliver humanitarian assistance in the wake of flash floods and tornadoes.

According to a July 18 press release on the organization's website, Jinde Charities is collaborating with local partners and traveling to Shuangfeng Village, Sanli Town, Qintang District, Guigang City, Guangxi, to deliver food aid to disaster-affected villagers.

Jinde noted in an earlier release that as of July 13, about 827,000 people have been affected by the disaster in Guigang City. In addition to food aid, Jinde has distributed tools such as chainsaws, shovels, wheelbarrows, bamboo brooms, and other supplies. Fides News Agency, a Vatican news service, reported that many Catholic families in Guigang have been left without running water and electricity.

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Pope Leo XIV has written a foreword to a new book, calling for peace and the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Originally published by Vatican News, the pontiff's text is part of the new book "Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift," published by the Vatican Publishing House (Libreria Editrice Vaticana) in Italian on July 21. Edited by Alessandro Banfi, the book is a collection of Leo XIV's addresses and reflections on peace since his election to the papacy in 2025.

The pope also invoked in his foreword American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan as well as Servants of God Dorothy Day, Floribert Bwana Chui, and Giorgio La Pira.

War is an adventure with no return

Leo began the foreword with what had been his first words as pontiff, proclaimed from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica: "Peace be with you." He explained the theological significance of those words, spoken by Christ after his resurrection, and decried the modern tendency for war.

"This was also the first gift the risen Christ offered to his friends and to the whole world: peace," Leo wrote. "That gift, however, did not come 'cheap.'"

"Today, a good 103 states are involved in some way in a war on Earth. Weapons boom and kill in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Sudan, in Myanmar, in Yemen, in Congo, and in many other situations."

He also referred to his predecessors Pope Francis and Sts. Paul VI and John Paul II, who also called for peace and nuclear disarmament:

"Especially after the terrible consequences of the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the recourse to war is ever more an 'adventure with no return,' as St. John Paul II stressed."

Invoking Bob Dylan: 'Man-owned an' man-handled'

In his foreword, the pope referenced American singer Bob Dylan, who criticized the manufacture of nuclear bombs during the Cold War in his 1963 song "Go Away You Bomb."

"As singer-songwriter and poet Bob Dylan wrote, figuratively addressing the atomic bomb, in one of his poetic compositions: 'I hate you cause yer man-made and man-owned an' man-handled,'" Leo said.

The pope also explained that the threat of nuclear catastrophe looms large unless action is taken.

"History has already seen us come close to nuclear catastrophe."

"A world in which machines, albeit sophisticated and faster than us, are the ones to decide to bomb defenseless people would be truly frightening," Leo wrote.

Criticism of the U.S.-Iran war

Leo's new foreword is emblematic of his stance on peace and nuclear disarmament, including with regard to the U.S.-Iran war.

Pope Leo and other Church officials have criticized the U.S. government under President Donald Trump for attacking Iran. In response, Trump claimed on May 4 that the pope "would rather talk about the fact that it's OK for Iran to have a nuclear weapon."

Leo denied Trump's accusation that he supported nuclear weapons, stating to journalists at Castel Gandolfo on May 6 that "the Church has spoken for years against all nuclear weapons."

An English edition of the book "Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift" will be published in the coming months.

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