(ANS – Castel Gandolfo) – Yesterday, Sunday, July 13, 2025, the parish of San Tommaso da Villanova in Castel Gandolfo experienced a historic moment with the celebration of Holy Mass presided over by Pope Leo XIV. After 13 years since the last visit of a Pontiff, the day filled the entire parish community—entrusted to the pastoral care of the Salesians of Don Bosco—with joy and emotion.
Vatican City, Vatican - July 2025 - It was under the banner of friendship, affection, inclusion and familiarity that Pope Leo XIV visited the participants in Estate Ragazzi at the Vatican on Thursday morning, 3 July, in the Paul VI Hall. Before them he met three hundred children and young people from Ukraine, welcomed for the summer by Caritas Italiana. The three hundred and ten participants in the sixth edition of Estate Ragazzi (16 June - 1 August) had the opportunity to come face to face with the drama of so many of their peers suffering from the consequences of war. The young Ukrainians are experiencing a period of peace in Italy, far from the alarm sirens, bombs and destruction. For the participants in Estate Ragazzi it was an opportunity to reflect on this year's theme: “Tutt’altro, quando l’altro è tutto” (It is something else again when the other is everything). Estate Ragazzi - reserved for the children of the employees of the Governorate and the Holy See - is promoted by the Governorate of the Vatican City State and coordinated by Fr Franco Fontana, SDB, Coordinator of the Chaplains of the Directorates and Central Offices.
On June 13, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will preside over his first Ordinary Public Consistory, during which final approval will be given for the canonization of eight Blesseds whose causes were promoted during the pontificate of Pope Francis.
(ANS – Vatican City) – Pope Leo XIV presides at the Mass of Inauguration of his Petrine Ministry in Saint Peter’s Square, and invites the Church to walk together along the path of God's love and remain united in one family. Greeting over 200,000 pilgrims, leaders from around the world, and representatives of Christian denominations, Pope Leo XIV marked the joyous start to his Petrine Ministry, officially inaugurating it with Mass in Saint Peter’s Square on Sunday, 18 May.
Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brazil – May 2025 - From May 7 to 9, the Salesian Colony of São Sebastião hosted the Provincial Assembly of the Salesians of Brazil-Recife (BRE), bringing together 41 Salesians from 15 communities to share the outcomes of the final document of the 29th General Chapter (CG29), held under the theme, “Passionate about Jesus Christ, Dedicated to the Young. ”The opening Mass, presided by Archbishop Emeritus of Vitória da Conquista, Mons. Luís Gonzaga Silva Pepeu, OFM Cap, was followed by a joyful gathering to strengthen unity and spirituality among participants. On the morning of Thursday, May 8, Fr. José Lopes Lima Júnior, the BRE Province Delegate to the Salesian world assembly, presented the CG29 proceedings. He described it as a moment of harmony with the worldwide Salesian Congregation, renewing its commitment to a strong Salesian identity and high-quality service for the young. Later in the afternoon, participants eagerly followed the announcement and presentation of the newly elected Pope, Leo XIV, before engaging in group discussions and plenary sessions to reflect on the challenges and opportunities of consecrated Salesian life today. On Friday, May 9, the assembly addressed aspects of provincial administration and preparations for the Extraordinary Visit, alongside moments for gratitude and final reflections. The assembly concluded with a Mass of thanksgiving, presided over by the BRE Provincial, Fr. Francisco Inácio Vieira Júnior, in celebration of Pope Leo XIV's election and the successful conclusion of the Provincial Assembly.
(ANS – Vatican City) - The Holy See Press Office has officially released the explanation of the Coat of Arms of Pope Leo XIV. Here is the detailed description:
PHOTO GALLERY
INTERVIEWS
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Great Britain – ABBA star in exclusive interview with “Faith Matters”(ANS – London) – It is not every day that a world-famous rock star dedicates an interview to a school newspaper, moreover talking about rather unusual topics such as the relationship between music and politics. Yet that is what happened with Swedish singer songwriter Björn Ulvaeus - from the supergroup ABBA, who features in the Christmas edition of “Faith Matters”, just published by student reporters at St John Bosco College in Battersea, south London, under the guidance of editor-in-chief Fr Andrew.
EDITORIAL
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RMG – Don Bosco: “The Fascinating Saint”(ANS - Rome) - Don Bosco is perhaps the most amazing and fascinating saint, history has ever produced. The humble work which he began for the welfare of his poor and abandoned boys in Italy has produced astonishing results, and today there are nearly 14000 Salesians working in 138 countries, and there are more than 200,000 members belonging to the 32 groups of the worldwide Salesian Family sharing the charism of Don Bosco and reaching out to the needy young people.
EVENTS
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South Korea – Catechist Formation, From Theory to Practice: Symposium Held on “The Wise Use of the Guidelines for Catechist Formation”(ANS – Seoul) – A symposium titled “The Wise Use of the Guidelines for Catechist Formation” was successfully held on Saturday, 8 November, at the Salesian Provincial House in Shingil-dong, Seoul, to diagnose the current state and seek the future of catechetical education in the Korean Catholic Church.
SPECIAL REPORTS
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RMG – The feast that gave Birth to the Oratory and the Salesian Mission(ANS – Rome) – The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is like a “birthday” in Salesian history: it marks the beginning of Don Bosco’s Oratory, the foundation of the Congregation, and a permanent Marian key for Salesian spirituality and mission. All the successors of Don Bosco have repeatedly returned to 8 December to rediscover in it the style, hope, and maternal presence of our Immaculate mother that continues renewing the Salesian Family today.
MESSAGES OF THE RECTOR MAJOR
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The Christmas Grotto, where Heaven Meets EarthTHE MESSAGE OF THE RECTOR MAJOR, Fr Fabio Attard, SDB
The mystery of Christmas begins with a “scandal of love”: the Great One who makes Himself little. It's not a poetic image, but the most shocking reality in human history.
God, the Infinite, chooses to become finite; the Almighty chooses the fragility of a newborn baby who cannot yet speak, walk, or defend Himself. It is pure gratuitousness made manifest, a gift that seeks nothing in return, that imposes no conditions in order to gain access.