Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

Resignation and Appointment of the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg (Canada)

Appointment of the Apostolic Vicar of Jaén (Peru)

Resignation and Appointment of the Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg (Canada)

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Metropolitan Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg (Canada) submitted by H.E. Lawrence Huculak, O.S.B.M.

The Holy Father has appointed H.E. Michael Kwiatkowski, until now Bishop of the Ukrainian Eparchy of New Westminster, as Metropolitan Archbishop of the Ukrainian Archeparchy of Winnipeg (Canada).

Appointment of the Apostolic Vicar of Jaén (Peru)

The Holy Father has appointed the Rev. Fr. Juan Carlos Morante Buchhammer, S.J., until now Superior of the San Ignacio de Loyola House in Piura, as Apostolic Vicar of the Apostolic Vicariate of Jaén (Peru).

Curriculum Vitae

The Bishop-elect Juan Carlos Morante Buchhammer, S.J. was born on January 25, 1958, in Piura, Peru. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering from the National University of Engineering in Lima, a Licentiate in Philosophy from the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú  , and a Licentiate in Theology from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California.

He was ordained a priest on July 31, 1992, and made his solemn profession in the Society of Jesus on May 30, 2000, in Lima.

He has held the following positions and pursued further studies: He earned a Doctorate in Philosophy from the Universidad Pontificia de Comillas de Madrid  (1999).  Professor of Philosophy at the Escuela Superior de Pedagogía, Filosofía y Letras Antonio Ruiz de Montoya and Executive Director of the Instituto de Filosofía, Sociología y Política (1999–2008).  Member of the Equipo Jesuita Latinoamericano de Reflexión Filosófica (2001–2011). Councillor of the Peruvian Jesuit Province (2001–2003) and Consultor (2004–2014).  Superior of the Virgen de Nazaret House , El Agustino, Lima (2004–2011). Professor (2008–2011), Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, and later Rector (2011–2014) of the Universidad Antonio Ruiz de Montoya . Superior of the San Francisco de Borja House, Lima (2012–2014). Provincial Superior of the Society of Jesus in Peru (2014–2019).  Professor and Head of the Unidad Académica de la Escuela Superior de Pedagogía Víctor Andrés Belaunde (2020–2024). Superior of the San Ignacio de Loyola House in Piura and Coordinator of the Piura and Chiclayo Plataformas Territoriales (2025–2026).

His Holiness Pope Leo XIV extends cordial greetings to all participants in the  AI for Good Global Summit 2026,  organized by the  International Telecommunication Union  (ITU), in partnership with other UN agencies and co-hosted by the Swiss Government. As you are convening to reflect upon AI, which raises some of the major questions of our time regarding the future of humanity, the Holy Father would like to assure you of the Holy See's presence and openness to dialogue, especially in this epochal turning point.

In his recent Encyclical Letter,  Magnifica Humanitas ,  dedicated to the safeguarding of the human person in the age of AI, Pope Leo XIV expressed his desire to engage in dialogue with all men and women of our time, so as "to identify new paths for the common good and for promoting a dignified life for all".  Magnifica Humanitas   was born from his listening "to scientists and engineers who work with sincere enthusiasm on technologies capable of alleviating immense suffering; to political leaders and public officials who have perseveringly sought just rules; to parents and teachers who are deeply concerned for the future of younger generations". However, at the same time, it was also impelled by troubling accounts of the potential misuses of algorithms and by the loss of human agency in critical areas.  [1]

While wishing you to engage in constructive and enriching discussions, the Holy Father willingly assures you of his prayers in your efforts "to serve humanity".

Cardinal Secretary of State

_______________________________

[1] Leo XIV,  Address at the Presentation and Promulgation of the Encyclical Letter "Magnifica Humanitas"   ,  Vatican, 25 May 2026.

The following is the text of the Video Message that His Holiness Pope Leo XIV sent on the occasion of the Ankawa Youth Meeting, taking place from 8 to 11 July 2026 in the Archdiocese of Erbil, Iraq:

Dear young friends,

It is a pleasure for me to greet all of you who are participating in the Ankawa Youth Meeting in the Archeparchy of Erbil. You have come from different parts of Iraq to gather in an atmosphere of faith and communion, and I pray that it will be an opportunity for all of you to grow in friendship with Jesus and with one another. Youth is a time of life marked by a desire to do great things and to make a difference in the world. In this regard, I am glad to know that the theme chosen for your meeting this year is mission. The Church has a vital mission to serve the world by sharing the light of Christ (cf.  Jn  8:12) and bringing men and women into communion with God. You share in this mission, and I look to you to help shape the Church — and the world — in the years to come. As I have said before, young people are not only the future of the Church, but also the present.

It is not always easy to be a light in the world (cf.  Mt  5:13). Indeed, at the present time, you are called to radiate this light in a situation that has often been marked by war and instability. The Lord has placed great trust in you in bestowing upon you this mission, and I too have great confidence in all of you. You must be Christ’s light in the midst of a darkness that can, at times, seem overwhelming. Do not be afraid! And do not think that you are alone in this task. I am with you; the Church is with you. Place your trust in Jesus; listen to him in prayer and through the guidance of others, and allow him to lead you.

Light is essential for life in a number of ways, and I would like to mention three that can help guide you in this mission. Firstly, light is necessary for seeing, which reminds us of the gift of faith. Faith in God is not a mechanism to cope with life’s difficulties. Rather, it is the recognition of reality and living in the truth, learning to see the world, others and ourselves as God does. It requires journeying through life with our hearts and our eyes fixed on our true homeland (cf.  Heb  11:14), knowing that God is with us even though we cannot see him. The way you live must also bear witness to your faith, so that others can see in you the truth and the meaning that they too desire, and thus come to share in the same light.

The second aspect of light is that it provides warmth, which symbolizes love. In order to be light to the world, we must first share in the very light and life of Christ. To participate in mission, we must first discover a living relationship with God. We must get to know him. By opening ourselves to God’s transformative love, we receive the grace necessary to follow Jesus and embrace the life he calls us to lead. This is why it is so important to spend time each day in prayer, and to draw close to God through the sacraments, especially Confession and the Eucharist. Ground your hearts in the solid foundation of God’s love for you; discover the heart of Christ, and do not be afraid to build your lives upon him (cf.  1   Jn  4:16). By doing so, not only will you find the fulfilment you long for, you will also be able to share the warmth of God’s love and the reconciling power of his grace with those around you.

Finally, light is necessary for growth and new life, and is an image of hope. Rooted in charity, you are particularly called to be peacemakers, to unite those around you, and to instill in others the hope of a future marked by lasting peace. You may not be able to control your situation or the challenges you will be asked to face, but you can always choose to allow the peace of Christ to rule in your hearts (cf.  Col  3:15). The virtue of hope inspires us to look towards heaven. This does not mean forgetting about the world, but having the confidence to share with it the peace and life that comes from Christ, whose light illuminates the New Jerusalem (cf.  Rev  21:23).

Dear young people, never doubt the goodness of God, and do not be afraid of the plan the Lord has for each of your lives. The prophet Jeremiah also had to face difficult moments, and he bears witness that the Lord’s plans are “for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope” ( Jer  29:11). Entrusting each of you to the maternal protection and guidance of Mary, Mother of Church, I pray that during these days of spiritual renewal, you may discover in her the true example of a life fully given over to the grace of God.

And may Almighty God bless all of you, the ✠ Father, and the ✠ Son, and the ✠ Holy Spirit. Amen.

The following is the text of the letter that the Holy Father Leo XIV sent on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America:

Letter from the Holy Father

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all Americans on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This semiquincentennial marks that defining moment in the history of the United States of America, July 4, 1776, that gave enduring voice to the ideals of liberty, equality, the pursuit of happiness, justice and democratic self-government.

For two and a half centuries, generations of Americans have worked together to carry these principles forward — through sacrifice, service, innovation and civic participation. This anniversary stands as an invitation not only to celebrate the nation’s remarkable journey, but also to reflect upon the responsibilities that the sons and daughters of this country bear to one another, and to the generations who will inherit the nation that is being shaped today.

Among the most cherished of these principles is religious freedom — the right of every person to worship according to conscience and to practice their faith openly, without coercion or fear. In marking this anniversary, it is important to recognize that freedom of religion has long been central to the American promise, protecting both individual dignity and the peaceful coexistence of a diverse people.

This same freedom has permitted the Catholic Church to take root and flourish within the United States, to the advantage not only of her own members, but of the entire nation. As faithful sons and daughters of the Church, Catholics are called to imbue every dimension of their existence with the charity of Christ (cf.  2 Cor  5:14), living out the Gospel in the circumstances of daily life. Such a way of living has given rise to the many benefits that the Church has provided over the years to the development of this nation. In particular, I bring to mind her service in areas of education, the preferential care of the poor, healthcare and basic social services, to name a few.

In the Encyclical  Sapientiae Christianae ,  my predecessor  Pope Leo XIII  wrote that “no better citizen is there… than the Christian who is mindful of his duty” (no. 7). In fact, faith — far from standing in opposition to the responsibilities of citizenship — lends new vigor to the pursuit of justice, peace and the common good, bringing to perfection every natural gift bestowed by the Creator. Saint Paul himself encouraged the early Christians to pray for those in positions of authority in order to live a peaceful life in accord with the will of God (cf.  1 Tim  2:2). In this regard, it is in the faithful fulfilment of duty — to God and country — that Catholics are called to continue to serve the nation, as leaven for the growth of a civilization of love (cf.  Mt  13:33).

Also among the principles that have guided the development of this country is the God-given dignity of every human life, each person being endowed with an inherent worth that calls for reverence, protection and care. In this spirit, a full understanding of this dignity leads to recognizing the importance of safeguarding human life from its beginning at conception until natural death, and of building a society in which the vulnerable, the suffering and the forgotten are always met with compassion, solidarity and love.

Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants, whose hopes, sacrifices and contribution have formed part of the history of this country from its very beginning. In every generation, those who have arrived seeking freedom, opportunity and a place to belong have helped to shape the nation’s character. To receive them with compassion and generosity is not only an act of charity, but also a recognition of the dignity that belongs to every human person.

In my recent Encyclical Letter,  Magnifica Humanitas , I wrote about working together for the common good. “Building a world in which everyone can flourish requires shared responsibility and courage. No one can single-handedly bear the weight of the challenges the world is facing” ( no. 13 ). We need one another, and we need to work together in unity to confront the challenges that the world is facing today.

May this milestone renew the shared commitment to the promise of freedom, justice, opportunity and democracy. May Americans honor the courage and vision of those who came before them by strengthening their communities, respecting their differences and working together toward a more perfect union.

Congratulations on this extraordinary national anniversary. May the spirit of 1776 continue to inspire hope and unity as the United States of America moves into the future. In assuring all of you of my prayers in your renewed efforts to strengthen the nation in the principles that guided its Founding Fathers, I entrust you to the intercession of the Immaculate Conception, patroness of this country, that she will continue to watch over America and protect all who dwell therein.

From the Vatican, June 25, 2026

LEO PP. XIV

 

 

 

 

The following is the text of the Video Message “Pray with the Pope”, with the prayer intention for the month of July, distributed via the  Pray with the Pope  initiative of the Pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network, on the theme  For respect for human life.   Let us pray for respect and the defense of human life at every stage, recognizing it as a gift from God.

Videomessage

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amén.

Lord of life,

You created us in love and called us to live in fullness.

Each person is a sacred gift that reflects your face,

from the first instant of existence

to the final breath of their journey on earth.

Today we ask for the grace to recognize and protect

the unique and unrepeatable value of every human being.

May we learn to welcome life unconditionally,

to tenderly care for fragility,

to accompany each stage with respect,

and to bravely defend those who have no voice.

Forgive us, Lord,

when we fall into indifference or the culture of discard,

when we fail to see in others a being worthy of love.

Give us a new heart, always ready to choose life,

and generous hands that protect it through concrete actions.

Make your Church a living witness of the Gospel of life,

an open home where every life is celebrated,

where no one feels unwanted,

and where dignity is always honored and protected.

Lord Jesus,

may we love life as You love it:

with tenderness, fidelity, and self-giving.

May we proclaim, in words and actions,

that every human life is worth the total gift of ourselves.

Amen.