Jesus is always walking alongside everyone, no matter how mundane or precarious their journey, Pope Leo XIV said.

Lourdes saw a record turnout for the annual Rosary Pilgrimage, with 17,000 pilgrims from Oct. 2–4 — the highest number since the Dominican-led event began in 1908.

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops announced Oct. 6 that the bishops will vote for chairmen-elect for six standing committees during their upcoming 2025 plenary assembly in Baltimore in November.

The Supreme Court heard oral arguments Oct. 7 in Chiles v. Salazar, a First Amendment challenge to a Colorado law banning professional counseling services that practice “conversion therapy” for minors, efforts intended to change a minor’s gender identity that differs from the young person’s biological sex or to change their sexual orientation.

True disciples of Christ listen to and understand others, and they always speak the truth, even in the presence of those who are powerful, Pope Leo XIV said.

As the Pontifical Commission for the Protection Minors concluded its Sept. 29-Oct. 3 assembly in Kraków, “following five days of intensive dialogue, reflection and strategic planning,” it prepares to publish its second annual report Oct. 16.

Court documents show that a New Jersey man arrested Oct. 5 outside of St. Matthew’s Cathedral just hours before the start of the annual Red Mass had a “fully functional” arsenal of explosives that he threatened to detonate.

Pope Leo XIV’s first papal trip abroad will be to Turkey and Lebanon Nov. 27-Dec. 2, the Vatican press office announced.

Celebrating vespers in the chapel of the Domus Australia in Rome Oct. 6, the eve of the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary of Pompeii, the pope said, “this devotion to Our Blessed Mother holds a special place in my heart.”

Catholics involved in interfaith efforts have offered their condolences to the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the death of their president, Russell M. Nelson, Sept. 27 at age 101.