Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

The witness of the Apostolic See in responding to the call to heal every kind of sickness and infirmity, which is such an important part of the mission entrusted to the College of Bishops ( Mt 10:1), has, by long tradition, also been manifested in including amongst the institutions that refer to it and to which it pays particular attention, managing them directly, the initiatives arising within the Church in support of those who suffer and those who care for them, and which in this context perform works of charity, both spiritual and temporal (114, §2 CIC).

Among these institutions for which the Apostolic See has assumed direct responsibility and care is the Opera founded by Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, established as a Foundation under the name “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (House for the Relief of Suffering) – Opera di San Pio da Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap.” (hereinafter also the “Foundation”) with the aim of providing hospitality, assistance and care to the sick, pilgrims and their families, drawing inspiration from the spirituality and figure of the holy founder.

The evolution of the times, technology, the law and the economy present the mission of the Church with the challenge of constant renewal, particularly in those sectors, such as healthcare and the care of the sick, which require significant investment and sound management of such funds, including through the support of the faithful and those public and private institutions which, sharing the Church’s Mission and Doctrine, come to her aid or decide to participate in it with personal and material contributions.

In order to address and meet this challenge, having consulted experts and other collaborators, by this Chirograph I hereby establish a Steering and Supervisory Commission for the Foundation “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza – Opera di San Pio da Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap.”, with the task of analysing the current situation of the Foundation, identifying the best solutions for ever-greater efficiency, effectiveness and long-term sustainability of its work and mission, and for the practical implementation of the solutions thus identified.

To this end, with this Chirograph,

I decree the following

1. The Steering and Supervisory Commission for the Foundation “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza – Opera di San Pio da Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap.” (hereinafter also referred to as the “Commission”) is hereby established.

2. The Commission shall have the task of:

i. analysing the current economic, financial, operational and managerial situation of the Foundation’s activities;

ii. identifying and proposing solutions which, based on the analysis carried out, will improve the effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the Foundation’s activities, both in the short and long term;

iii. implement and bring to fruition the solutions thus identified.

3. The Commission is vested with powers and authority appropriate to the performance of its functions and institutional purposes within the limits established by this Chirograph and by the regulations of the Holy See and the relevant provisions of Italian law under which the Foundation operates.

In particular:

i. the Commission shall approve amendments to the Foundation’s Statutes and Regulations in order to bring them into line with this Chirograph and to implement and bring to fruition the solutions referred to in §2;

ii. the Commission is vested with the power, including in lieu of the Foundation’s statutory bodies, to adopt resolutions and other acts, agreements and contracts relating to ordinary and extraordinary administration, necessary to implement and bring to fruition the solutions referred to in §2, as well as any other acts and resolutions that may arise in the meantime and even earlier, whether preliminary or necessary, or which are of an urgent and unavoidable nature. The resolutions thus adopted by the Commission shall be binding on the Foundation, its statutory bodies and all those serving therein;

iii. within the limits of the duties and powers conferred by this Chirograph on the Commission and of the resolutions adopted by it, the Chair of the Commission is hereby authorized to represent the Foundation, as special attorney, including before Italian public authorities, the Commission being empowered to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that the powers and representation conferred by this Chirograph upon the Commission and its Chair, and the other resolutions adopted by the Commission, are effective and fully operational under Italian law;

iv. in the performance of its functions, the Commission may engage external consultants and collaborators, selected from among individuals and entities of proven competence and adequate experience in managing activities similar to those decided upon by the Commission;

v. the Commission, within the limits established by this Chirograph and by the regulations of the Holy See and the relevant provisions of Italian law, shall have the right to access and obtain all data, documents and information relating to the Foundation and its activities held by the Foundation itself, by its advisers or by other bodies of the Holy See or the Church;

vi. where deemed appropriate, the Commission shall avail itself of the prompt cooperation of the Foundation’s statutory bodies, as well as its entire staff. The Curial Institutions, other bodies connected to the Holy See and the Governorate of Vatican City State shall each cooperate with the Commission, within their respective spheres of competence, at the Commission’s request.

4. In order to implement and bring to fruition the solutions referred to in §2, the Commission, notwithstanding current legislation and without having to seek any authorization, shall have full authority to carry out the necessary acts of ordinary and extraordinary administration. The Commission must report to Us regularly on its activities and decisions, and in any event before adopting acts of particular importance or which have a decisive and significant impact on the Foundation’s assets or which amend its Statutes.

5. The Commission shall consist of its Chair and four other members, including a Coordinator who is delegated powers by the Commission to implement the decisions taken, manage the day-to-day operations of the Commission’s activities, and coordinate the technical staff and consultants. The Commission’s decisions shall be taken by a majority of its members.

6. Meetings of the Commission are convened by its Chair, who sets the agenda, and may also be held via remote connection. Minutes of the Commission’s meetings shall be taken and, to be valid, must be signed by the Chair and the Secretary; these minutes shall also record the resolutions adopted.

7. The Commission shall appoint a Secretary, who may be a person external to the Commission. If the Secretary is external to the Commission, he or she shall attend the Commission’s meetings without the right to vote.

8. The Commission shall be assisted by a Technical Committee consisting of experts in legal and economic matters, acting in an advisory capacity. The members of the Technical Committee shall attend the Commission’s meetings without the right to vote. The Commission shall take into account the recommendations of the Committee’s members and record them in the minutes.

9. I appoint Dr. Maximino Caballero Ledo as Chair of the Commission, Dr. Fabio Gasperini as Coordinator of the Commission, and His Excellency Monsignor Paolo Rudelli, His Excellency Monsignor Giordano Piccinotti, and His Excellency Monsignor Giorgio Ferretti and members. I appoint Dr Benjamín Estévez de Cominges, Dr Gino Gumirato, and Mr Alessandro Ela Oyana to the Technical Committee.

10. The Commission is established from the date of this Chirograph. It shall be dissolved, once its task is completed, at Our behest.

I decree that the provisions herein shall have immediate, full and permanent effect, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, even if worthy of special mention.

I order that this Chirograph be promulgated by publication in L’Osservatore Romano , taking effect immediately, and subsequently published in the official compendium of the Acta Apostolicae Sedis .

 

Given at the Vatican on 27 May of the year 2026, the second of my Pontificate.

LEO PP. XIV

This morning’s General Audience took place at 10.00 in Saint Peter’s Square, where the Holy Father Leo XIV met with groups of pilgrims and faithful from Italy and all over the world.

In his address in Italian, the Pope continued his cycle of catechesis on “The Documents of the Second Vatican Council”, focusing on the theme: Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium. The reform of the liturgy: tradition and development (Reading: Rom 15:4-6). He then made an appeal regarding the situation in Ukraine.

After summarizing his catechesis in various languages, the Holy Father addressed special greetings to the faithful in attendance.

The General Audience concluded with the recitation of the Pater Noster and the Apostolic Blessing.

 

The Documents of the Second Vatican Council. II. Constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium. 2. The liturgy in the mystery of the Church

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

In the Encyclical  Mediator Dei , the  Venerable Pius XII  writes that “the Church is without question a living organism, and as an organism, in respect of the sacred liturgy also, she grows, matures, develops, adapts and accommodates herself to temporal needs and circumstances, provided only that the integrity of her doctrine be safeguarded” ( no. 59 ).

In full accordance with this principle, the  Second Vatican Council , in the Introduction to the Constitution  Sacrosanctum Concilium   ( SC ), recognizes “particularly cogent reasons for undertaking the reform and promotion of the liturgy” ( no. 1 ). The Council assembly was gathered, in fact, with the desire to “impart an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church” ( ibid. ).

At that moment in history, there was a strong sense of the need for a renewal of the ritual forms through which, for centuries, the Church had glorified God and sanctified the Christian people. Thanks to the Liturgical Movement, the conviction had matured—later expressed by  Saint John Paul II —that “a very close and organic bond exists between the renewal of the liturgy and the renewal of the whole life of the Church. The Church not only acts but also expresses herself in the liturgy, lives by the liturgy and draws from the liturgy the strength for her life” (Letter  Dominicae Cenae , 13).

To encourage the access of the faithful to the richness of the gifts of grace dispensed by the sacred liturgy, the Constitution  Sacrosanctum Concilium  thus indicates, with a very effective phrase, the direction to take: “That sound tradition may be retained, and yet the way remain open to legitimate progress” ( SC ,  23).

Pope Benedict XVI  grasped in this declaration of intent the “reform programme” of the Council Fathers, “a balance between the great liturgical tradition of the past and that of the future”, noting that “tradition and progress are often clumsily opposed”, whereas “actually, the two concepts merge: tradition is a living reality, which therefore includes in itself the principle of development, of progress. It is as if to say that the river of tradition also carries its source in itself and flows towards the outlet” ( Address to participants in the Congress promoted by the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm on the 50th anniversary of foundation , 6 May 2011).

The Council  affirms the legitimacy of this progress, rooted in authentic Tradition, distinguishing within the liturgy “immutable elements, divinely instituted” from “elements subject to change [which] not only may but ought to be changed with the passage of time if they have suffered from the intrusion of anything out of harmony with the inner nature of the liturgy or have become unsuited to it” ( SC , 21). Changes of this type have taken place constantly over the centuries in order to enable the faithful to participate fruitfully, through ritual actions, in the Paschal Mystery of Christ, the foundation of the Christian faith. The Church’s worship has thus been “embodied” in the cultural forms of each age and has been able to influence them and even transform them. The liturgy has thus been, for centuries, a driving force for evangelization. Today, this energy must be renewed in continuity with the authentic and living Catholic tradition, that is, in accordance with a dynamic aimed at introducing believers to the fullness of the truth.

It is therefore understandable why the Council Fathers recommended that the revision of the rites, when “the good of the Church genuinely and certainly requires them”, must be carried out taking care that “any new forms adopted should in some way grow organically from forms already existing” ( SC , 23). For the good of the entire Church, every reform must always be preceded by careful “theological, historical and pastoral” investigation ( ibid. ). The Council Magisterium, in this way, thus calls for the avoidance of confusion amongst the faithful, discouraging anyone from adding, removing or altering anything in liturgical matters on their own initiative (cf.  SC , 22). The progress evoked in the  Conciliar Constitution  in no way compromises ecclesial communion: rather, it seeks to confirm and foster it.

I therefore urge all those called to prepare the celebration of the divine mysteries, in particular priests who exercise the ministry of liturgical presidency, to always uphold that respect for the texts and regulations of the liturgy which springs from an inner attitude of openness and trust in God, manifesting humility before His greatness and sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion.

***

Appeal of the Holy Father

I am following with concern the war in Ukraine, which has intensified significantly in recent days. I wish to express my solidarity with all those suffering as a result of the recent attacks, which have also targeted civilians.

War does not solve problems; it exacerbates them. It does not build security; it multiplies suffering and hatred. Where missiles and drones fall, hopes are crushed, homes and places of worship are destroyed, and innocent lives are cut short.

I entrust all peoples stricken by war to the protection of the Virgin Mary, Queen of Peace.

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Greeting in English

I greet the English speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s audience, in particular the groups from England, Ireland, Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Canada and the United States of America. May the peace of God guard your minds and your hearts that you may know the love of Jesus Christ and joyfully share it with others. God bless you!

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Summary of the Holy Father's words

Dear brothers and sisters, in today’s reflection on  Sacrosanctum Concilium , we consider the liturgy through the lens of tradition and of development.  Pope Pius XII  called the Church a “living organism” which needs to grow, mature and adapt to circumstances. Indeed, desiring that Christian life should thrive and grow, the  Second Vatican Council  recognized it was time to adjust some adaptable elements in the liturgy for the health and vitality of the Church, to fortify and rejuvenate Christians, and to foster unity and evangelize men and women.  The Council  affirmed that legitimate progress in the liturgy must also preserve sound tradition, and that certain elements of the liturgy can never change because they are divinely instituted. In a particular way, I encourage all priests to respect the texts and norms of the liturgy with openness, humility, trust in God’s greatness and with sincere fidelity to ecclesial communion.

Appointment of bishop of Kitui, Kenya

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend John Mbua Mwandi, until now parish priest of Mulutu, as bishop of the diocese of Kitui, Kenya.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. John Mbua Mwandi was born on 24 September 1970. He studied philosophy at Saint Augustine’s Senior Seminary of the diocese of Bungoma, and theology at Saint Matthias Mulumba Senior Seminary of the diocese of Kapsabet.

He was ordained a priest on 8 December 2001.

After ordination, he first held the offices of parish vicar in Ikutha (2002), parish priest in Miambani (2001-2005), Ikanga (2006) and at the Cathedral of Kitui (2007-2011), and dean of the Eastern Deanery (2005). He obtained a diploma in Project Management from the Kenya Institute of Management in Nairobi (2008), and went on to serve as diocesan bursar (2011-2020), pro-vicar general (2016-2020), vicar general, and to date, parish priest in Mulutu.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Archbishop Julien Kaboré, titular of Milevi, apostolic nuncio in Ghana;

- His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of the Government of Spain, and entourage.

Today, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in Audience, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, His Excellency Mr. Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, President of the Government of Spain, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of His Holiness, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the course of the cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the Holy Father’s upcoming Apostolic Journey, a sign of the good relations between the Holy See and Spain. Reference was then made to some matters of common interest, such as the need to foster fruitful dialogue between the local Church and the governing Authorities, as well as the various components of civil society, based on mutual respect and oriented towards the promotion of the common good.

The conversation then turned to international issues, with particular reference to the repercussions of conflicts around the world, migration, the importance of multilateralism and respect for international law, as well as the urgent need for an ongoing commitment to peace.

From the Vatican, 27 May 2026