Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

This morning, Saturday 9 May 2026, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the Prime Minister of Haiti, His Excellency Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, 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 cordial talks, held at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good relations between the Holy See and Haiti. Mention was then made of the precious contribution the Church offers the country at this particular time.

The conversation continued with a discussion of current issues in Haiti, such as the socio-political situation and challenges in relation to humanitarian matters, migration and security. Reference was also made to the necessary contribution of the international community in addressing the present difficulties.

From the Vatican, 9 May 2026

This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Board of Directors of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel.

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Your Excellencies, distinguished members of the Board of Directors,

Reverend Sisters, Reverend Fathers,

Brothers and sisters,

Peace be with you!

This ancient greeting, still used today in many cultures, found its full meaning on Easter evening on the lips of the risen Jesus. “Peace has the breath of the Eternal One”. Saint Augustine corroborates this assertion by exhorting Christians to forge an unbreakable bond with peace, so that, by keeping it deep within their hearts, they may radiate its luminous warmth all around them (cf. Message for the World Day of Peace 2026 ). It is with this desire for peace in our world that I am delighted to hold this audience, which gives me the opportunity to meet you for the first time, as members of the Board of Directors of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel.

I would first like to thank His Excellency, Monsignor Hassa Florent Koné, for having diligently fulfilled the mandate of Pontifical Delegate entrusted to him by my predecessor, Pope Francis, working in a synodal manner with all the Directors, as well as with the Roman Curia – the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, the Secretariat of State, and the Secretariat for the Economy, among others – in order to accompany the Foundation together towards a new beginning. I thank you all and encourage you, with God’s grace, to bring about a renewal in the mission of the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel.

Dear brothers,

After more than forty years of activity, the Foundation has reached a turning point, one characterized also by external challenges linked to multidimensional economic crises at the international level. It is in this context that the revitalization of its mission, in accordance with the current regulations of the Holy See, has become essential. It is in this spirit that the meeting of the Board of Directors last February in Dakar was marked by the adoption of the new Statutes, the election of the new President and the appointment of the new members of the Board of Directors. I thank you all for your constructive contribution to this process. With these new Statutes, the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel takes on a new form in the continuity of its mission, as an effective sign of the Church’s love for her sons and daughters of West Africa, in the spirit of the solemn Appeal launched in Ouagadougou by its Founder, Pope Saint John Paul II, in 1980.

Dear brothers,

In a world facing complex challenges such as geopolitical tensions, inequalities, wars, issues linked to insecurity and terrorism, political and economic instability, and climate crises—the consequences of which include, in particular, migration flows—the relevance of this Foundation’s mission is clearer than ever! Through its primary aim, it contributes to God’s work, to the protection of our “common home”, and highlights your social responsibility.  Coming to the aid of victims of natural disasters or vulnerable people is indeed a matter of justice before it is a matter of charity. It is in this spirit that I welcome your unanimous decision to maintain the John Paul II Foundation for the Sahel as a Pontifical Foundation, in the spirit of its Holy Founder, in accordance with the new Statutes. As the instrumental legal entity of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, I hope and urge you that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, your collaboration in synodality with this Dicastery and the other institutions of the Holy See will contribute to the respect and promotion of the inalienable human dignity of the peoples of the Sahel, through projects of integral human development.

I have no doubt that this new phase for the Foundation will present you with an unknown future fraught with challenges. As Pope Francis said, these challenges are enormous, but together we will move forward in a synodal spirit with renewed commitment, without losing hope. I entrust you all to the maternal protection of the Most Holy Virgin Mary and to the intercession of Saint John Paul II, and I bless you with all my heart.

This morning, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience a delegation of the heads and representatives of the Muslim community in Senegal, to whom he delivered the following address:

 

Address of the Holy Father

Your Excellencies, Dear brothers and sisters, Peace be with you!

I am delighted to welcome you, who represent the Muslim brotherhoods and communities of Senegal, alongside the representatives of the Catholic Church in that same country. This meeting is a significant expression of our friendship and our shared commitment to promoting an inclusive, peaceful and fraternal society.

You come from Senegal, the land of “ teranga ” – hospitality and solidarity – a land of strong family ties, conviviality and peaceful coexistence between Christians, Muslims and believers of other traditions. This reality forms the foundation of dialogue between peoples distinguished by their religious affiliation and ethnic origin. This treasure of fraternity, which must be carefully safeguarded, is a precious asset not only for your nation, but for all of humanity.

Unfortunately, armed conflicts persist on the African continent, causing serious humanitarian crises and deep-seated inequalities that afflict entire populations on a daily basis, not to mention the worrying rise of violent extremism. Added to this are growing flows of migrants and refugees, hate speech that poisons the social fabric, the weakening of family ties and the erosion of ethical and spiritual values, particularly among the young.

In this context, the values borne by the spirit of “ teranga ” and interreligious dialogue are a valuable means of easing tensions and building lasting peace.

“By fostering interreligious dialogue and involving religious leaders in initiatives of mediation and reconciliation, politics and diplomacy can draw upon moral forces capable of easing tensions, preventing extremism and promoting a culture of mutual esteem and respect” (cf. Address to the Authorities, Civil Society and the Diplomatic Corps , Yaoundé, 15 April 2026). Today the world is greatly in need of diplomacy and religious dialogue based on peace, justice and truth.

As Christians and Muslims, we all believe that every human being is fashioned by the hands of God, and thus endowed with a dignity that no law or human power has the right to take away (cf. Gen 1:27). The nations of the world have also proclaimed: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”. It is on this foundation of brotherhood, rooted in the origins of humanity and in faith, that we jointly assume our shared responsibility: to condemn all forms of discrimination and persecution based on race, religion or origin; to reject any exploitation of God’s name for military, economic or political ends; to raise our voices in support of every minority that suffers. As I said in Bamenda, Cameroon, “Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own … gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth” ( Address for Peace , Bamenda, 16 April 2026).

I pray that God Almighty may rekindle the desire to understand one another better, to listen to one another and to live together in respect and fraternity. May He grant us the courage to take the path of dialogue, to respond to conflicts with gestures of fraternity and to open our hearts to others, without fearing differences. Finally, I pray that your commitment to peace, justice and fraternity may bear abundant fruit, leading to ever deeper cooperation between all parties for the good of humanity. Thank you!

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Italian Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (AISLA).

The following is the address delivered by the Pope to those present during the meeting:

 

Address of the Holy Father

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

Peace be with you!

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning and welcome!

I greet you warmly, and thank you for this meeting, as well as for everything you do to support, assist and care for those suffering from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

You are an association that brings together people who experience this illness, their relatives and their caregivers, in a therapeutic alliance of deep closeness and solidarity that truly embodies the very attitude of Jesus towards those who suffer (cf. Lk 4:38-39).

The first contribution of this “pact”, which I would like to emphasize, is that of those who are affected by ALS, and who every day, with commitment, faith and courage, bear witness that the goodness and value of life are greater than illness and that, on the contrary, the very challenges that this involves can be faced together, transforming them into special and privileged opportunities to give and receive love. Thank you for this! You, as prophets, teach everyone the true value of life, and our world is in such need of this message!

The Association also supports scientific research, training, information and care, whilst playing an important role in representation and advocacy, and raising awareness amongst individuals, communities and institutions – including at the civil society level – wherever it is necessary to protect the rights of those in need of help.

Another aspect of your working approach is proximity, starting with geographical proximity, which means you are present in the homes of those who are suffering. This too is very important, because healthcare, as well as organization and expertise, requires a presence – including a physical one – for the good of the person in all their dimensions: biological, psychological and spiritual. The Church deeply values this “being close”: standing by people where they are, in their homes, to offer not only practical support but also spiritual accompaniment, paying particular attention to the questions of meaning that suffering raises and which cannot go unheard.

In the various situations of life, especially difficult ones, no-one should ever be left alone, and voluntary work, by uniting you in selfless service, powerfully brings this value to life, fostering solidarity and respect, and countering the culture of waste and death with acts of care (cf. Francis, Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii gaudium , 24 November 2013, 53).

Dear brothers and sisters, Jesus, the Son of God made man, who passed through cities and villages “healing every disease and every infirmity” ( Mt 9:35), chose in turn to live out His Passion, His Via Crucis , as a time of trial, of physical pain and spiritual suffering. He stood in solidarity with us to the very end, yet showed us, through His cross and resurrection, that pain and suffering cannot stop love or nullify the power of God (cf. Phil 2:5–11). For this reason, all of us, children of his Pasch, are the people of hope, who do not give up in the face of difficulties, but united and in solidarity, with God’s help, continue to walk on, without ever giving up. Without giving up. And for this, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your courage: do not give up, but keep going with this courage and hope in the Lord.

Thank you for what you do! I accompany you with my prayers and, entrusting you to Mary and to the heroic saints of charity, I bless you cordially.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the members of the Edith-Wagner-Haberland-Foundation and Augustiner Brewery , to whom he delivered the following address:

 

Address of the Holy Father

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

Peace be with you!

Your Eminence, Dear brothers and sisters,

I am pleased to greet all of you on your pilgrimage to Rome.  In particular, I express my gratitude for your decision to honor the anniversary of my election to the See of the Apostle Peter in this way, and for your prayerful support for my ministry.

You have kindly presented – or you will present - some of the products from the brewery in Munich, which I am happy to say I visited.  This thoughtful gesture of closeness, for which I am grateful, gives me the opportunity to offer two points for reflection.  The first is your connection to the Augustinian Order, which naturally has had a very significant impact on my own life.  As I have already had occasion to say, Saint Augustine “reminds us that we all have God given gifts and talents, and our purpose, fulfilment and joy comes from offering them back in loving service to God and in service to our neighbour” ( Video-message to the Augustinian Province of Saint Thomas of Villanova , 29 August 2025).  It is my hope, then, that your pilgrimage will not only strengthen you in faith, but inspire you to continue serving your brothers and sisters, especially those most in need.

The second point comes from the Encyclical Letter  Laudato Si’   – on the care for our common home – written, as you know, by  Pope Francis , whose first anniversary of death we recently commemorated.  In that important document, he spoke eloquently about the God-given grandeur of the whole of creation, which includes both animals as well as the food and drink that sustain us.  He emphasized that each element and creature is a reflection of God’s boundless love, and that “everything is, as it were, a caress of God.” ( No. 84 )  This insight calls us to the great responsibility not only to care for creation but to ensure that its resources are always used wisely and with an eye to justice, which is a prerequisite for peace.  As you return home, I therefore encourage you to continue playing your part in promoting a just and effective approach to caring for creation, both professionally and personally, for the sake of the common good.

With these brief yet heartfelt thoughts, I entrust you and your families to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, and I gladly impart my blessing.