Bulletins, Newsletters, and Flocknotes

At midday today, 16 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!

Following the parable of the sower, Jesus continues to address the crowds using a series of images: the good wheat and the weeds, the mustard seed and the yeast in the dough (cf. Mt 13:24–43).

These three short parables recall the coming of the Kingdom of God in history, its action in human lives, and the way it grows, expands and transforms the world from within.Through these images, Jesus warns us against the temptation of thinking that God is a powerful figure who imposes himself by force, who takes over and dominates, or who arrives triumphantly. Instead, God favors smallness, a sign of his discreet love, by which he leaves us free to accept or reject him. His love makes its presence felt even among the weeds, acts in a hidden and invisible way like the smallest of all seeds, and leavens the dough without making a sound.

Brothers and sisters, through these parables, Jesus reveals something important about the manner in which God works in our lives and in history. We sometimes expect God to do something spectacular; we want him to intervene from on high, immediately uprooting the weeds of evil. We imagine a strong and powerful God, and, unfortunately, we also model our way of being Christians and way of being the Church on this image. However, the Kingdom of God spreads even amidst the weeds, requiring us to train our vision so we can discern the good that sprouts despite the darkness of evil, and avoiding rash judgments. It comes like the smallest of seeds and thus calls for patience in accompanying these processes, so that we can recognize it in the little things of daily life and in the simplicity of ordinary existence. It grows invisibly like yeast in flour, and so we are freed from discouragement and invited to have faith even when it seems that God is absent. In fact, he is always with us, and his love is always ready to help us.

God’s way of acting must also become the way in which we live, both as individuals and as the Church, amidst the reality that surrounds us. We are called to adopt a Gospel-centered approach, without hastily opposing others through arrogant judgments, without imposing ourselves through power and force, and without losing trust in God’s work. As the then-Cardinal Ratzinger said, it is a matter of submitting ourselves to the logic of the seed — which is not that of success and greatness, but that of making ourselves small and serving others (cf. Address to Catechists and Religion Teachers , 10 December 2000). In this way, we will become like small seeds of the Gospel that sprout, and leavens of love that transform the dough of the world.

Let us ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, who knew how to welcome the seed of the Word in her smallness, to sustain us on our journey and intercede for us.

________________________

After the Angelus

Dear brothers and sisters,

While I am taking a few days for rest, I once again extend my greetings and gratitude to all of you, residents of Castel Gandolfo, and I joyfully welcome the pilgrims arriving from every part of the world!

We continue to follow with concern the events unfolding in various countries torn apart by war and violence.  Let us not forget those who are suffering and dying because of these conflicts, and let us add our constant prayers to the generous efforts for peace.

I greet Mother Elvira’s Cenacolo Community, gathered in Saluzzo for the Festival of Life; the New Families Movement of the Focolari gathered for the International School; the Mexican students participating in the APRA Summer School; and the group from the Catholic Worldview Fellowship.

I extend my greetings to the young adult Regnum Christi members who are participating in the International Formators Course, and I also greet those taking part in “The Lion Pilgrimage,” accompanied by Bishop Anthony Percy, the Auxiliary Bishop of Sydney, Australia.

I also greet the families and the children assisted by Sisters of Charity of the Assumption of Rome, the young people from the parish of Holy Savior in Jerusalem, the children’s group from the parish of Saint Augustine of Bovolenta and the pilgrims from the Liturgical Academy of Rzeszów.

I wish all of you a peaceful Sunday!

The following are the Holy Father Leo XIV’s words of greeting yesterday evening at the end of the concert organized in his honour by the suburbicarian diocese of Albano, in the courtyard of the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo:

 

Greeting of the Holy Father

Good evening, everyone: welcome!

Too many words at this moment would really be something of an “anti-climax”; it is better to say two or three short but heartfelt words.

First of all, a big thank you to the performers, who deserve yet another round of applause – they were truly brilliant. Thank you, thank you! To the diocese of Albano, which organized this concert – what a wonderful gift! Thank you to the benefactors, and to all of you here today, because in these few minutes of beauty we have truly been able to experience something great: namely, to enter in so many ways into what God intended in Creation, which is, quite simply, beauty. We live in a world, today, where beauty is very often missing: so many problems, wars, conflicts, hatred, violence, unemployment and many other things. To have the opportunity to gather together for an occasion such as this is truly a great gift, because it reminds us that there is something better, and that men and women, when they want, all together, can offer beauty, which, springing from the heart, helps us to rise up towards God.

You know that just over a month ago I made an Apostolic Journey to Spain: the motto of the journey was “ Alzad la mirada ”. Let us raise our eyes, our gaze, towards Heaven. Music, art, and beauty are indeed tools that help us to look towards God, through a movement that is truly one of the finest aspects of being human. So, once again, I sincerely thank you for giving us this opportunity, this evening, to experience beauty and truly to find ourselves in what God has chosen to bestow upon us all.

Thank you all, have a good evening!

Well then, let us bring the evening to a close by asking God to bless each and every one of you and all your loved ones, knowing in our hearts and in the Spirit that the Lord is truly always with us.

[Blessing]

Appointment of Special Envoy to the celebrations for the 7th centenary of the arrival in Praia a Mare (diocese of San Marco Argentano – Scalea, Cosenza in Calabria) of the primitive effigy of the “All Holy Mother of God”

The Holy Father has appointed His Eminence Cardinal Francesco Montenegro, archbishop emeritus of Agrigento, as his Special Envoy to the celebrations for the seventh centenary of the arrival in Praia a Mare (diocese of San Marco Argentano – Scalea, Cosenza in Calabria) of the primitive effigy of the Tutta Santa Madre di Dio (“All Holy Mother of God”), to take place at the “Santa Maria della Grotta” diocesan shrine on 14 and 15 August 2026.

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Sarh, Chad

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Derry, Ireland

Appointment of coadjutor archbishop of Guwahati, India

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Sarh, Chad

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Sarh, Chad, presented by Bishop Miguel Angel Sebastián Martínez, M.C.C.J.

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Jean Miguina, O.F.M. Cap., until now responsible for Capuchin Aspirants in Chad and counsellor of the Custody of Franciscan Friars Minor Capuchin of Chad and of the Central African Republic.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Jean Miguina, O.F.M. Cap., was born on 12 September 1978 in Laï, in the diocese of the same name. He was ordained a priest on 21 November 2009 in Moundou.

After ordination, he first held the role of regional assistant for Franciscan youth of Bangui (2009-2012). He obtained a licentiate in canon law from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome (2015), and went on to serve as teacher and director of the Saint Laurent University Institute in Bouar, Central African Republic, secretary of the Conference of Capuchin Major Superiors of Central and West Africa (2016-2019), Custos of Friars Minor Capuchin of Chad and Central Africa, and president of the Conference of Capuchin Major Superiors of Central and West Africa (2019-2022). He was awarded a master’s degree (2020) and a doctorate (2024) in human rights and humanitarian action from the Université Catholique d’Afrique Central in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Since 2024, he has served as member of the College of Consultors of the diocese of Moundou, spiritual assistant to the Franciscan Sisters of Donia, and Latin teacher at Saint Mbaga Tuzinde Major Seminary in Sarh. In addition, within the Capuchin Order he is responsible for Capuchin Aspirants in Chad, as well as counsellor and Custos of the Custody of Chad and the Central African Republic, and member of the legal Commission.

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Derry, Ireland

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Derry, Ireland, presented by Bishop Donal McKeown.

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Michael Router, until now titular bishop of Lugmad and auxiliary of Armagh, as bishop of Derry, Ireland.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Michael Router was born on 15 April 1965 in Rahardrum, in the diocese of Kilmore, Ireland. He entered the major seminary of St. Patrick College in Maynooth, and obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology and a higher diploma in education from Maynooth University.

He was ordained a priest on 25 June 1989 for the diocese of Kilmore.

He has held the following offices: parish vicr in Killinkere (1989-1991), teacher at St. Patrick’s College in Cavan (1991-1996), chaplain of Bailieborough Community School and parish prieswt in Tierworker (1996-2002), director for Formation in Adult Faith of the diocese of Kilmore (2003-2010), director of the diocesan Pastoral Centre (2010-2013), parish priest of the Cathedral of Urmey and Annagelliff (2013-2014), parish priest of Killan and vicar forane of the deanery of Bailieborough (2014-2019).

He was appointed titular bishop of Lugmad and auxiliary of the metropolitan archdiocese of Armagh on 7 May 2019, and received episcopal ordination the following 21 July.

 

Appointment of coadjutor archbishop of Guwahati, India

The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Albert Hemrom, hitherto of Dibrugarh, as coadjutor archbishop of the metropolitan archdiocese of Guwahati, India.

Curriculum vitae

Bishop Albert Hemrom was born on 27 February 1969 in Konapathar, Assam, India. He attended Saint Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Dibrugarh and studied philosophy and theologgy at the Oriens Theological College in Shillong.

He was ordained a priest on 25 April 1999.

After ordination, he first held the roles of deputy parish priest (1999-2001) and parish priest (2006-2011) of Saint Francis of Assisi in Rajabari. He obtained a licentiate in canon law from Saint Peter’s Pontifical College in Bangalore (2003), and went on to serve as prefect of studies at Saint Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Dibrugarh (2003-2006). He was awarded a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome (2014) and then held the offices of judicial vicar of the diocesan tribunal (2014-2018), rector of Saint Joseph’s Minor Seminary in Dibrugarh (2014-2018), lecturer in canon law at Oriens Theological College in Shillong (2014-2018), member of the College of Consultors and of the Presbyteral Council, secretary of the Commission for the Laity and the Family, and vocational promoter.

He was appointed coadjutor bishop of Dibrugarh on 2 December 2018, and received episcopal ordination on 24 February 2019. On 15 February 2021 he took office as diocesan bishop of the diocese of Dibrugarh.

Resignation of bishop of Huacho, Peru

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Kabale, Uganda

 

Resignation of bishop of Huacho, Peru

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Huacho, Peru, presented by Bishop Antonio Santarsiero Rosa, O.S.I.

 

Resignation and appointment of bishop of Kabale, Uganda

The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Kabale, Uganda, presented by Bishop Callist Rubaramira.

The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr., until now rector of the St. Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu, in Ghana, as bishop of the diocese of Kabale, Uganda.

Curriculum vitae

Msgr. Bonaventure Bosco Gubazire, M.Afr., was born on 3 March 1974 in Kitumba, diocese of Kabale. After attending St. Paul’s Minor Seminary in Rushoroza, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and religious studies from the Philosophy Centre in Jinja, and in theology from the Institut Catholique of Toulouse.

He joined the postulate of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers) and was ordained a priest on 10 August 2003.

After ordination, he first served as parish vicar of Nossa Senhora de Fatima in Murraça, Mozambique (2003-2007), director of the school for adult education in Murraça and Caia (2004-2007), and member of the Council of the Section of the Missionaries of Africa in Mozambique (2005-2007). He attended a course in formation of formators and spiritual accompaniment at the Centre Spirituel Jésuite Le Châtelard in Lyon, France (2008) and obtained a licentiate in philosophy from the Milltown Institute of Philosophy in Dublin (2008-2010). He went on to serve as professor and dean of studies at the Lechaptois Formation House in Balaka, Malawi (2010-2013), delegate for the Protection of Minors, Malawi Section (2011-2016), and interim rector of the Lechaptois Formation House in Balaka, Malawi (2013-2015). After attending a course in biblical formation at St. Anne’s Formation Centre in Jerusalem (2014), he was awarded a doctorate in philosophy at the University of San Carlos in Cebu, Philippines (2016-2020). He then held the roles of coordinator and chaplain of the Friends of Missionaries of Africa and member of the Council of the Asia Section in Cebu, Philippines (2017-2020), rector of Our Lady of Africa Formation House Seminary in Cebu (2019-2020), dean of studies at Spiritan University College in Ejisu, Ghana (since 2021), rector of the house of philosophical formation of the St. Martin of Tours Formation House in Ejisu (since 2023), and member of the Provincial Council of the Province of Ghana-Nigeria of the Missionaries of Africa (since 2025).