Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Barinas, Venezuela

Consecration of coadjutor bishop of Bameng, China

Appointment of bishop of Kabinda, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Appointment of bishop of Ossory, Ireland

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Barinas, Venezuela

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Barinas, Venezuela, presented by Bishop Jesús Alfonso Guerrero Contreras, O.F.M. Cap.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Juan de Dios Peña Rojas, until now bishop of El Vigía-San Carlos del Zulia, as bishop of Barinas, Venezuela.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Juan de Dios Peña Rojas was born on 8 August 1967 in Acequias, metropolitan archdiocese of Mérida. After studying philosophy and theology at the Seminario San Buenaventura of Mérida, he was awarded a licentiate in theology from the Santa Rosa de Lima University Institute in Caracas, and in Church history from the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 22 August 1992, and incardinated into the metropolitan archdiocese of Mérida.

He was appointed bishop of El Vigía-San Carlos del Zulia on 17 April 2015, receiving episcopal ordination the following 4 July.

Within the Venezuelan Episcopal Conference, he is a member of the Youth Commission and the Commission for Catechesis and Biblical Pastoral Ministry.

 

Consecration of coadjutor bishop of Bameng, China

Today, Wednesday 29 July 2026, the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun took place. On 15 June 2026, the Holy Father appointed him coadjutor bishop of Bameng (Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China), having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.

Curriculum vitae

The Reverend Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun was born on 6 December 1980 in Hangjin Houqi, Inner Mongolia. From 2000 to 2007 he attended the Hebei Theological Seminary. From 2008 to 2013, he studied at Peking University and Beijing Foreign Studies University. Meanwhile, on 1 January 2011, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Bameng. From 2013 to 2016, he continued his studies at Fujen Catholic University in Taiwan. Upon returning to his circumscription, he served as director of the local formation centre from 2016 to 2020. He was subsequently appointed vicar general of the diocese of Bameng and parish priest of the diocesan cathedral.

 

Appointment of bishop of Kabinda, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Eustache Ntamwe Makoyo, of the clergy of the diocese of Kabinda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, until now rector of the Saint Charles Borromée Preparatory Seminary in Kabinda, as bishop of the same diocese of Kabinda.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Eustache Ntambwe Makoyo was born on 14 February 1974 in Musoshi, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He studied philosophy at the Saint Paul VI Seminary of Kabinda and theology at the Christ the King Seminary in Kananga.

He was ordained a priest on 28 August 2005, and incardinated into the diocese of Kabinda.

After ordination, he first held the roles of vice rector (2005-2006) of the Saint Charles Borromée Preparatory Seminary in Kabinda, spiritual director of the Saint Pius X Minor Seminary, and president of the diocesan commission for the liturgy (2006-2011). He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in musicology (2019) and a licentiate in vocal pedagogy (2021) from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome; a master’s degree in liturgical music from the Pontifical Institute of Liturgy of Saint Anselm in Rome (2021); and a doctorate in music and performing arts, specializing in ethnomusicology, at the University of Tor Vergata in Rome (2025). He went on to serve as pastoral assistant at the Tre Arcangeli Pastoral Community in Livorno (2021–2025), and since 2025, rector of the Saint Charles Borromée Preparatory Seminary in Kabinda.

 

Appointment of bishop of Ossory, Ireland

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Gerard Nash of Ferns as bishop of Ossory, Ireland, uniting the two dioceses in persona Episcopi .

The Holy Father has received in audience:

- Archbishop Giordano Piccinotti, S.D.B., titular of Gradisca, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See;

- His Eminence Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of München und Freising, Federal Republic of Germany, coordinator of the Council for the Economy;

- Dr. Alessandro Cassinis Righini, auditor general;

- His Excellency Mr. Iván Velásquez Gómez, ambassador of Colombia, on his farewell visit;

- His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith;

- The Reverend Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, F.M.A., secretary of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, with His Eminence Cardinal Fabio Baggio, C.S., under-secretary.

At midday today, 17 th Sunday of Ordinary Time, the Holy Father Leo XIV appeared in Piazza della Libertà in Castel Gandolfo to pray the Angelus with the faithful and pilgrims gathered in front of the Apostolic Palace of the Pontifical Villas.

The following are the Pope’s words of introduction to the Marian prayer:

 

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

At the heart of Jesus’ teachings lies the mystery of the Kingdom of God, which today’s Gospel likens to treasure and a pearl (cf. Mt 13:44–52). The parables convey the surprise of those who find something far beyond what they could have hoped for, so much so that selling or leaving everything behind no longer seems a sacrifice, but a gain. Indeed, from the very beginning, the evangelists portray Jesus’ call to follow him as irresistible. It is a free choice, yet also urgent and capable of eliciting a ready and wholehearted response. This is a first important aspect of how God is near and makes himself known: encountering his Kingdom marks a turning point that does not limit life but enlarges it. If anything must change on our part, it is only so that our lives may be opened to greater possibilities, not fewer.

There is a second aspect that Jesus seems to attach great importance to: the one who finds the treasure hidden in the field is likely a peasant, while the pearl is recognized as precious by a merchant, perhaps a traveler. Two more parables follow, in which the protagonists are fishermen and a scribe well-versed in both the old and the new. Other parables compare the Kingdom to a woman kneading dough or tidying her house, to a king planning for war, a man designing a tower, administrators managing payments or investments, and to shepherds and farmers. In short, the Kingdom of God reveals its inestimable beauty in different ways, but calls everyone — men and women, young and old, rich and poor — to a profound renewal. Everyone is capable of understanding it and is drawn to it.

Today, too, the Church is a communion of people who differ in origin, culture, abilities and responsibilities. Yet all are called to recognize themselves as “one” in Jesus Christ: he is the hidden treasure, the pearl of great price, the net that gathers those who are scattered. From the beginning, Jesus called and gathered around himself people who would otherwise never have come to know one another. In this way, he demonstrated that God has no favorites, but instead offers his love freely, especially to the little ones or those cast aside.

Brothers and sisters, all we have to do is ask for this gift, the very same one sought by the young King Solomon (cf. 1 Kings 3:5, 7–12). It is the gift of recognizing the pearl of great price, of discerning the treasure for which it is worth selling everything. While the consumer culture influences our tastes, constantly creating new needs only to sell us solutions that never satisfy, and that sometimes even poison the heart, we must learn to grasp what truly matters: the treasure of a relationship with God that opens us to joy and helps us to live our relationships with one another more fully.

May the intercession of Mary, Seat of Wisdom, direct our desire for life toward Jesus, so that in him it may find its complete fulfilment.

_____________________

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters,

Yesterday, in Lebanon, Elias Hoayek, Maronite Patriarch of Antioch from 1899 to 1931 and Founder of the Congregation of the Maronite Sisters of the Holy Family, was beatified. For more than thirty years, he led the Maronite Church with great dedication and pastoral sensitivity. A man of dialogue and hope, he was an outstanding ecclesial, social and political leader, so much so that he came to be known as the “Father of Greater Lebanon.” May the prayers and intercession of the new blessed always accompany the Maronite faithful throughout the world, and obtain the gift of peace for all the people of Lebanon, a country dear to my heart.

I continue to follow with deep concern the ongoing and escalating violence in the Holy Land, where, in recent days, many civilians, both in the West Bank and in Gaza, have once again fallen victim. I make a heartfelt appeal for a return to negotiations to achieve a just political solution, founded on the equal dignity and equal rights of every human person. At the same time, I urge the rejection of further military actions and unilateral decisions, especially those that violate the respect for and the status quo of the holy places of every religion.

I likewise renew my plea regarding the situation throughout the Middle East, where the intensification of military operations has again wreaked violence and destruction, endangering the lives of countless civilians and further aggravating the shortages of drinking water and electricity. From the depths of my heart, I exhort all parties involved to suspend the attacks and urgently reopen paths of dialogue and diplomacy, so that the longed-for peace for the entire region may be achieved without delay.

Let us continue to pray for all those peoples throughout the world who are suffering because of war. May the Lord touch the hearts and enlighten the minds of those in power, so that reconciliation and peace may soon prevail.

As devastating wildfires affect the various regions of France and Spain, I express my closeness to all those who have been affected and invite everyone to pray for them and for the emergency personnel engaged in relief efforts.

Today we celebrate the Sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, whose theme is taken from the words of the Prophet Isaiah: “I will never forget you” ( Is 49:15). Together, let us give thanks to the Lord for the gift that the elderly are to the Church and society. Let us also commit ourselves to respecting and valuing the precious role they play, and to ensuring that they always receive the care, attention and assistance they deserve.

I warmly greet all of you present here, as well as those who have come from various parts of Italy and from around the world!

I offer a special welcome to the pilgrims belonging to the Opera della Chiesa and to the bishops accompanying them; I welcome and greet the children from the House of Mercy in Chortkiv, Ukraine, who are guests of the parish of Saint Michael the Archangel in Nocera Superiore; to the young people from the Parish of Manerbio; to those taking part in the International Youth Gathering organized on the occasion of the bicentenary of the death of Saint Jeanne-Antide Thouret; to the young pilgrims of the Catholic student movement Ӧnze-Lieve-Vrouw Ster-Der-Zee of Maldegem, Belgium; and to the cadets of the Carabinieri Training School in Velletri, accompanied by their chaplain and commanding officers.

I also greet the members of the Catholic Men Association of Cameroon.

I extend a special greeting to those taking part in the Sagra delle Pesche festival of Castel Gandolfo, who have brought the fruits of their harvest to be blessed.

This evening, the traditional procession of the Madonna Fiumarola will take place on the River Tiber here in Rome. May Mary, the Mother of Jesus, obtain for all those participating in this beautiful tradition, and for each one of us, the grace to live every day according to the teachings of the Gospel.

And I wish all of you a happy Sunday!

 

The following is the text of the Video Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to participants in the Halleluya Festival 2026 underway in Fortaleza, Brazil, from 22 to 26 July 2026:

 

Video Message of the Holy Father

Dear young people,

It is with great joy that I take part, albeit from a distance, in the Halleluya Festival 2026, an initiative which, year after year, through music, praise and worship, has touched the hearts of so many people, bearing good fruit for evangelization: confessions, conversions, and priestly and religious vocations.

Today, I would like to say once again how good it is to be with young people. Your enthusiasm is infectious and awakens in all of us a renewed apostolic zeal. During my recent journeys and at the Jubilee of Youth, I saw that each one of you possesses a missionary vigour that is essential for transforming this world, which is in such great need of the Gospel. Never lose this missionary zeal!

Indeed, it is this fervour that the Lord expects of all the baptized in proclaiming the Good News. In our day, there are still many people who need to know that it is Jesus who answers their deepest longings, revealing to human beings the truth about themselves. Therefore, proclaim with courage that a life without Christ is a life without grace! He is the Way, the Truth and the Life (cf. Jn 14:6); it is He who gives meaning to existence and to all things. This is the faith that moves us and that is worth sharing with those we love and with those who need it most.

It is possible, however, that as time goes by, the enthusiasm experienced during the Festival may wane. To keep the flame of faith alight and to bear witness to the Resurrection to our friends and to those we meet, we must stay in God’s presence through prayer. An authentic relationship with the Lord requires constancy, perseverance and the steadfast certainty that the Heavenly Father never abandons us; on the contrary, He comes to meet us in His Son. Therefore, do not be afraid of Christ! He takes nothing away; He gives everything (cf. Benedict XVI, Holy Mass at the beginning of the Petrine Ministry , 24 April 2005). Those who entrust themselves to the Saviour receive a hundredfold (cf. Mk 10:29–30) and always emerge victorious. In sport, we see the joy of those who win, but also the sadness of those who lose. With Christ, we always triumph (cf. Rom 8:37)! The saints bear witness to this very fact.

Let us be inspired by the example of Saint Carlo Acutis: he shows us how to keep Christ at the centre at all times, even when using technology. Taking him as a model, I advise you to use social media and artificial intelligence well, employing these tools in a moderate and disciplined way, as they can plunge us into an unreal world, in which the ephemeral, mere appearances and deception end up taking the place of true values and what really matters.

Dear young people, let the Holy Spirit rekindle within you a greater love, capable of transforming your youth into a force for evangelization, making each of you a living stone in the building of the “city of peace” for which we yearn so much, or, as Saint Augustine said, the City of God present in the midst of the city of men. Praying to God that He may strengthen you in your trials and help you to live out your call to holiness faithfully, I impart my Apostolic Blessing to all the participants and organizers of the Halleluya Festival.

May God be with you always!

Appointment of Special Envoy to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the canonical erection of the diocese of Spiš, Slovakia

Appointment of Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York

Appointment of members of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

 

Appointment of Special Envoy to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the canonical erection of the diocese of Spiš, Slovakia

The Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the General Secretariat of the Synod, as his Special Envoy to the celebration of the 250th anniversary of the canonical erection of the diocese of Spiš, Slovakia, taking place at Saint Martin’s Cathedral in Spišská Kapitula on 26 September 2026.

 

Appointment of Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York

The Holy Father has appointed Archbishop Christophe-Zakhia El-Kassis, titular of Roselle, until now apostolic nuncio in the United Arab Emirates and in Yemen, and apostolic delegate in the Arabian Peninsular, as Holy See Permanent Observer at the United Nations (U.N.) in New York.

 

Appointment of members of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura

The Holy Father has appointed the following as members of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura: Their Excellencies Archbishop Salvatore Joseph Cordileone of San Francisco, United States of America; Bishop Krzysztof Nitkiewicz of  Sandomierz, Poland; Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta Ochoa de Chinchetru, former Secretary of the DIcastery for Legislative Texts; Bishop Edward M. Lohse of Kalamazoo, United States of America; the Reverend Eduardo Baura de la Peña, full professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome, Italy; the Reverend Gianpaolo Montini, full professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Collegium Maximum of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome; and the Reverend Father Ulrich Rhode, S.J., full professor at the Faculty of Canon Law of the Collegium Maximum of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.