As conflicts rage in several African nations, a U.S. Catholic bishop has underscored his support for African bishops and faithful.

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.

Thirty years after a landmark international document safeguarding women’s dignity, much remains to be done to ensure the well-being of women and girls worldwide, said a top Vatican diplomat.

In an interview Sept. 24 with OSV News, Bishop Paprocki said that regardless of Sen. Durbin’s record on other issues, his public position supporting policies to protect legal abortion disqualifies him from receiving any awards, per policies of both the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Archdiocese of Chicago itself.

Five U.S. bishops have now spoken out against the decision of Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich and the Archdiocese of Chicago to present Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his work on immigration issues in November due to the senator’s longstanding public position on abortion.

Two detainees were killed and another was in serious condition after a shooting at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Dallas, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson told CNN Sept. 24.

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.

Over a century in the making, the Tower of Jesus Christ, designed by famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudí, will soon crown the Basilica of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, making it the tallest Catholic Church in the world.

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.