In the first major appointment of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV chose an Italian expert in canon law to succeed him as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.

The Vatican City State Court of Appeals handed a major victory to Cardinal Angelo Becciu and eight other defendants convicted in late 2023 of crimes related to the Vatican’s huge financial loss on an investment property in London.

The pope met the writers and staff of the Italian Jesuit magazine, “La Civiltà Cattolica,” at the Vatican Sept. 25 as part of journal’s 175th anniversary celebrations. Father Arturo Sosa, superior general of the Jesuits, also attended the audience.

As fall begins, Catholics are watching closely for Pope Leo XIV’s first major Vatican appointments. One of the most urgent vacancies to fill is his own former role — prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.

When people hit “rock bottom,” they can be confident that God is there ready to rescue and redeem them, Pope Leo XIV said.

Pope Leo XIV asked Catholics to pray the rosary each day in October for peace.

In its religious orders, the Catholic Church has an array of strong, courageous and generous women who care for the poor, defend peace and share the Gospel message of salvation in Christ, Pope Leo XIV said.

Pope Leo XIV prayed that the leaders of nations would use money and resources to promote the common good rather than using “wealth against humanity” by “turning it into weapons that destroy peoples or monopolies that humiliate workers.”

Pope Leo XIV Sept. 20 told those suffering with ALS and their families, who have been “given a very difficult burden to bear,” that he is praying for them.

As the Jewish community was about to mark the beginning of the year 5786 and the Jewish high holy days, Pope Leo XIV sent his best wishes to Rome’s chief rabbi.