Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience the participants in the course for diocesan liturgical pastoral workers promoted by the Pontifical Liturgical Institute “Saint Anselm”.

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

 

Address of the Holy Father

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

Peace be with you!

Good morning, and welcome to you all!

I greet the Abbot Primate, the Rector of the Athenaeum of Saint Anselm, the dean of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute, and all the participants in the refresher course for diocesan liturgical pastoral workers. I am pleased to welcome you at the beginning of your course of in-depth study.

The formative proposal in which you are participating corresponds to the twofold mission of the Pontifical Liturgical Institute. As the Holy Father Benedict XVI hoped, it continues its service to the Church with enthusiasm, in full fidelity to the liturgical tradition and to the reform desired by the Second Vatican Council, according to the guidelines of Sacrosanctum Concilium and the pronouncements of the Magisterium (cf. Address to participants in the conference promoted by the Pontifical University of Saint Anselm , 6 May 2011).  On the other hand, initiatives such as this serve to implement the formative missions set out in the Apostolic Constitution Veritatis gaudium , such as the formation of ministers and the faithful to prepare them for their service in pastoral care and liturgy.

It seems to me that Pope Francis' warm invitation is also addressed to your Institute. In his Apostolic Letter Desiderio desideravi , he recommended: “It is necessary to find the channels for a formation that is the study of Liturgy. From the beginning of the liturgical movement, much has been done in this regard, with precious contributions from scholars and academic institutions. Nonetheless, it is important now to spread this knowledge beyond the academic environment, in an accessible way, so that each one of the faithful might grow in a knowledge of the theological sense of the Liturgy [and of] the very celebration itself” (no. 35).

Indeed, in the dioceses and parishes there is a need for such formation and it is important, when it is not present, to initiate biblical and liturgical courses. The Pontifical Liturgical Institute could qualify them to help particular Churches and parish communities to be formed by the Word of God, explaining the texts of the weekday and feast day Lectionary, and also to continue a Christian and liturgical initiation that helps the faithful to understand, through rites, prayers and visible signs, the mystery of faith that is celebrated (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium , 48).

With regard to biblical formation combined with liturgical formation, I recommend that directors of liturgical pastoral offices pay particular attention to those who proclaim the Word of God. Ensure that instituted lectors and those who regularly read the Scriptures at celebrations are thoroughly prepared. Basic biblical knowledge, clear diction, the ability to sing the responsorial psalm, as well as to compose prayers of the faithful for the community are important aspects that implement liturgical reform and help the People of God grow on their path.

We are well aware that liturgical formation is one of the main themes of the entire conciliar and post-conciliar journey. Much progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go. Let us not tire: let us enthusiastically resume the good initiatives inspired by the reform and, at the same time, seek new ways and new methods.

The office for liturgical ministry is responsible in each diocese for the ongoing liturgical formation of the clergy and the faithful, for preparation for ministries, and for the care of parish liturgical groups, altar servers, lectors, and cantors. The aim is to foster the fruitful participation of the People of God, as well as a dignified liturgy that is attentive to different sensibilities and sober in its solemnity.

Among the aspects linked to your service as directors, I would like to mention the promotion of the Liturgy of the Hours, care for popular piety, and attention to the celebratory dimension in the construction of new churches and the adaptation of existing ones. These are topics that you will address during the course and which you confront every day.

In many parishes, then, there are also liturgical groups who must work in synergy with the diocesan commission. The experience of a group, even small but well motivated, that is concerned with the preparation of the liturgy is an expression of a community that cares for its celebrations, prepares them, and lives them to the full, in agreement with the parish priest. In this way, we avoid delegating everything to him and leaving only a few people responsible for singing, proclaiming the Word, and decorating the church. Over time, unfortunately, some of these groups have dwindled to the point of disappearing, as if they had lost their identity; it is therefore necessary to work to make this area of Church life attractive again, capable of involving people who are competent or at least inclined to this type of service.

As directors appointed by the bishops, you could offer your fellow parish priests formation courses to start or consolidate liturgical groups in the parish, training their members and offering suggestions for their activities. The workshops of the course will help you in this regard to find and experiment with appropriate forms that you can introduce in your particular Churches. Your pastoral creativity will then find the most suitable forms.

Dear friends, as you begin this formative journey, I hope that the phase in Rome, in the Jubilee Year, as well as offering you tools for deeper understanding, will reinvigorate your spiritual energies, so that, returning to the local Churches, you may continue your pastoral action in the service of the liturgy with renewed impetus. And this is my hope, as I bless you from my heart. Thank you.

The following is the Message sent by the Holy Father Leo XIV to the participants in the meeting “Building communities that protect dignity”, promoted by the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors and taking place in Rome from 17 to 19 November 2025:

 

Message of the Holy Father

Dear brothers and sisters!

I affectionately and gratefully greet all of you, representatives of various conferences of men and women religious and numerous institutes of consecrated, apostolic and contemplative life, gathered to reflect on a theme very close to my heart: how to build communities where the dignity of every person, especially minors and the most vulnerable, is protected and promoted.

Dignity is a gift from God, who created the human being in his own image and semblance (cf. Gen 1:26). It is not something that is obtained by merit or effort; nor does it depend on what we possess or achieve. It is a gift that goes before us: it is born of the look of love with which God wanted us, one by one, and continues to want us. On every human face, even when it is marked by fatigue or pain, there is the reflection of the Creator’s goodness, a light that no darkness can erase.

The care and protection of man for his neighbour are the fruit of a gaze that is able to recognize, a heart that knows how to listen. They are born of the desire to approach with respect and tenderness, to share the other’s burdens and hopes. It is in taking responsibility for the life of our neighbour that we learn true freedom, that which does not dominate but serves, does not possess but accompanies.

Consecrated life, an expression of total self-giving to Christ, is called upon in a special way to be a welcoming home and a place of encounter and grace. Those who follow the Lord in the way of chastity, poverty and obedience discover that authentic love is born of recognition of one’s own limit: of knowing that one is loved even in weakness, and it is precisely this that makes one capable of loving others with respect, gentleness and a free heart.

I therefore appreciate and encourage your intention to share experiences and learning processes on how to prevent all forms of abuse and how to give an account, with truth and humility, of the steps taken to protect minors. I urge you to continue this commitment so that communities may increasingly become examples of trust and dialogue, where every person is respected, listened to, and valued. Where justice is lived with mercy, wounds are transformed into openings for grace.

I also invite you to continue your collaboration with the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which promotes and accompanies with dedication the growth of the whole Church in the culture of protection.

I entrust you to Christ, Shepherd and Spouse of the Church, and to Mary Most Holy, Mother of every consecrated man and woman, and I cordially impart my blessing to you all.

From the Vatican, 15 November 2025

LEO PP. XIV

Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, Canada

Appointment of auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Croatia

 

Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, Canada

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Fr. Susai Jesu, O.M.I., member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate, until now provincial counsellor and parish priest of Sacred Heart of the First Peoples of the metropolitan archdiocese of Edmonton, as metropolitan archbishop of Keewatin-Le Pas, Canada.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Susai Jesu, O.M.I., was born on 17 May 1971 in Pushpavanam, India. After studying philosophy at the Pontifical Athenaeum Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram in Bangalore, and theology at the Khrist Premalaya Institute of Theology in Ashta, he obtained a master’s degree in pastoral counselling at Saint Paul University, Ottawa.

He gave his perpetual vows in the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate in 2000, and was ordained a priest on 27 July 2000.

He has held the following offices: parish vicar in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh (2000-2002); parish priest in Surala Kappa, North India (2002-2005), parish vicar in Kombadimadurai, Tamil Nadu (2005-2007); parish priest of Saint Gertrude in Pelican Narrows and of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Sandy Bay (2009-2015); parish priest of Sacred Heart of the First Peoples in Edmonton (since 2017) and provincial counsellor (since 2019).

 

Appointment of auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Croatia

The Holy Father has appointed the following as auxiliary bishops of the metropolitan archdiocese of Zagreb, Croatia: the Reverend Marko Kovač, of the clergy of the same see, until now episcopal vicar for pastoral care and chancellor, assigning him the titular see of Sarda, and the Reverend Vlado Razum, also of the clergy of Zagreb, until now rector of the Major Seminary, assigning him the titular see of Stagnum.

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. Marko Kovač

Msgr. Marko Kovač was born on 10 January 1981 in Zagreb. After entering the archepiscopal seminary, he began his studies in philosophy and theology at the Faculty of Catholic Theology of the University of Zagreb. He continued his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University of Rome.

He was ordained a priest on 17 June 2006.

After ordination, he first served as parish vicar of Blessed Virgin Mary of Sorrows (2006-2010), of Ascension of the Lord (2010-2011), and of Saint Peter the Apostle (2012-2015) in Zagreb. He was awarded a licentiate in canon law from the Saint Pius X Faculty in Venice (2015), and went on to serve as moderator of the archepiscopal Curia of Zagreb and parish assistant of Saint Jerome (2015-2017), and delegate for the laity of the archdiocese of Zagreb (2017-2021). Since 2017 he has been episcopal vicar for pastoral care, since 2020 appointed to Saint Barbara , and since 2021, chancellor of the archepiscopal Curia.

 

Curriculum vitae of Msgr. Vlado Razum

Msgr. Vlado Razum was born on 6 December 1960. After graduating in geodesy, he entered the archepiscopal seminary of Kaptol in Zagreb, completing his studies in philosophy and theology at the Faculty of Theology of Zagreb.

He was ordained a priest in 1993.

He has held the following offices: chaplain of Saint Peter in Zagreb; administrator of Saint Nicholas the Bishop in Stenjevec; vice rector, formator, and head of vocational pastoral care at the Seminary; director of the Pontifical Mission Societies for the archdiocese of Zagreb; parish priest of Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Velika Gorica; spiritual director at the archepiscopal seminary in Zagreb (2013-2021), and external confessor of the seminary and rector of the Corpus Domini chapel in Zagreb. Since 2024 he has held the role of rector of the archepiscopal seminary of Zagreb.

This morning, the Holy Father received in audience:

- Members of the Executive Commission of the Spanish Episcopal Conference;

- Steering Committee of the Catholic Biblical Federation (FEBIC);

- Participants in the refresher course of the Diocesan Heads of Liturgical Pastoral Care;

- Participants in the “Seminario de Etica en el Gerenciamento de Empresas del Sector Salud” (Seminar on Ethics in the Management of Health Sector Companies);

- His Beatitude Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Patriarch of Jerusalem of the Latins.

This morning, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Leo XIV received in audience members of the Catholic Biblical Federation, 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 Eminences,  Reverend Fathers, Reverend Sisters,  Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I would like to thank Cardinal Koch, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, for his presence this morning, and also Cardinal Luis Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization and President of the Catholic Biblical Federation. I also extend a warm welcome to the members of the Steering Committee, the Regional Coordinators, the General Secretariat and the Friends of the Catholic Biblical Federation. To each one of you and to all those whom you represent, I express my heartfelt gratitude for your service to the Word of God.

The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation,  Dei Verbum , whose sixtieth anniversary we celebrate this year, concludes with the following words: “Pray for us so that the word of the Lord may spread rapidly and be glorified everywhere, just as it is among you” (2  Thes  3:1). This request of the Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians conveys a strong desire, a firm conviction and a pastoral approach that can guide our reflection together.

The teaching of  Dei Verbum  is unequivocal; we are called “to hear the Word of God with reverence and to proclaim it with faith” (cf.  DV  1), and “easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” ( DV  22). This same vision is reflected in your Constitution, which affirms that the Catholic Biblical Federation “promotes and develops the Biblical Pastoral Ministry in such a way as to allow the Word of God as present in Sacred Scripture, to become a dynamic source of inspiration for all areas of the life and mission of the Church in today’s world” ( Constitution of the Catholic Biblical Federation , Art. 9).

In these days of deliberation, I encourage you to examine anew your personal and ecclesial fidelity to this mandate, which is nothing less than the proclamation of the  kerygma , the saving mystery of our Lord Jesus Christ. Indeed, your mission and vision should always be inspired by the conviction that the Church draws life not from herself but from the Gospel. From the Gospel she continually rediscovers the direction for her journey, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who teaches all things and reminds us of everything the Son has said (cf.  Jn  14:26). Therefore, hearing the Word of God and proclaiming it are properly ecclesial acts: the Bride listening with attentive love to the voice of the Bridegroom (cf.  Song  2:8–10).

At the same time, ensuring easy access to Sacred Scripture for all the faithful is essential, so that everyone may encounter the God who speaks, shares his love, and draws us into the fullness of life (cf.  Jn  10:10). In this regard, translations of the Scriptures remain indispensable, and I thank you for your commitment to promoting  lectio divina  and every initiative that encourages frequent reading of the Bible.

Yet today, new generations inhabit new digital environments where the Word of God is easily overshadowed. New communities often find themselves in cultural spaces where the Gospel is unfamiliar or distorted by particular interests. We must therefore ask: what does “easy access to Sacred Scripture” mean in our time? How can we facilitate this encounter for those who have never heard the Word of God or whose cultures remain untouched by the Gospel? I hope these questions inspire in you new forms of biblical outreach, capable of opening pathways to the Scriptures, so that God’s Word may take root in people’s hearts and lead all to live in his grace.

Ultimately, your mission is to become “living letters… written not in ink but by the Spirit of the living God” (2  Cor  3:1-6), bearing witness to the primacy of God’s Word over the many voices that fill our world. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God and the womb through which the Word became flesh, teach us the art of listening, strengthen us in obedience to his Word, and guide us to magnify the Lord (cf.  Lk  1:46). With these sentiments, I impart my Apostolic Blessing upon all of you and your loved ones. Thank you.