Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox leaders took a major step towards healing a 1,600‑year division when Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew welcomed Pope Tawadros II of the Coptic Orthodox Church to the Phanar for a celebration of the Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Myrrh-Bearing Women at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George. Both hierarchs called for renewed commitment to unity between their traditions.

In his official address at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, His All-Holiness spoke about the relationship between the Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches, saying that “the relationship between the Eastern Orthodox and the Oriental Orthodox Churches occupies a unique and privileged place within the broader ecumenical endeavour.” He detailed a path to the restoration of unity between the two Churches, and emphasized that “we have been called to move from agreement to reception, from dialogue to life, from theological convergence to sacramental and pastoral cooperation.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

As Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical ‘Magnifica humanitas’ is unveiled, Professor Anna Rowlands, theologian at Durham University, tells Vatican News that such a powerful message—addressing both the benefits and dangers of our AI era—will leave an enduring mark on the Church and the world.

“There is not a tomorrow to begin thinking about these issues.”

Professor Anna Rowlands, theologian at Durham University in the United Kingdom, stressed this point in an interview with Vatican News following the release of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, presented at the Vatican on May 25.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Pope Leo XIV published his landmark encyclical on artificial intelligence, “Magnifica Humanitas”, on May 25, comparing the attempt to build an AI future that excludes God to the “Tower of Babel” and underlining the need to safeguard human dignity as it is “threatened by new forms of dehumanization.”

“The risk of dehumanization — of building a future that excludes God and reduces the other to a means — is an ancient and ever-new temptation that today takes on a technical guise,” Pope Leo wrote in his first encyclical, “Magnifica Humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

“Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice: either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.”

The opening words of Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica humanitas: On Safeguarding the Human Person in the Time of Artificial Intelligence, summarize its underlying reasons and purpose.

Published on Monday, May 25, the Pope signed the encyclical on May 15, the 135th anniversary of the promulgation of Pope Leo XIII’s Rerum novarum.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The Consultation on Common Texts supports an ecumenical Festival of Creation and makes editorial changes in the alternative texts for Holy Week, Easter Season, and early Pentecost.

The Consultation on Common Texts (CCT) held its annual meeting in Decatur, Georgia on April 20 to 21, 2026. The Cooperative Baptist Fellowship hosted the meeting at its headquarters, with the fellowship’s Executive Coordinator Paul Baxley extending a welcome in person to attending CCT members.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

On July 20, 2001, the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity (PCPCU) published its Guidelines for Admission to the Eucharist between the Chaldean Church and the Assyrian Church of the East. These Guidelines open the way for competent authorities in the Chaldean Catholic Church and the Assyrian Church of the East to establish procedures and provide appropriate means for the Chaldean and Assyrian faithful to receive the Eucharist of either Church under specific circumstances in cases of pastoral necessity. The principal issue for the Catholic Church in approving the decree related to the question of the validity of the Eucharist when celebrated with the Anaphora (or Eucharistic Prayer) of Addai and Mari which lacks a literal recitation of the Institution Narrative, Jesus’ words: “This is my Body, This is my Blood.” After careful study, the validity of this Anaphora was recognized by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) on January 17th 2001. Subsequently approved by Pope John Paul II, this has been recognized as an audacious decision: Robert Taft, SJ, an Archimandrite in the Ukrainian Catholic Church and a consultant for the Vatican Congregation for the Oriental Churches, has called the publication of the Guidelines “the most remarkable Catholic magisterial document since Vatican II.”
… Read more » … lire la suite »

There has never been a time when Jews and Christians were not talking with each other about the Bible. Well, perhaps “talking” is a bit misleading – for most of that time, Jews and Christians engaged in strenuous arguments with each other about the Bible and its meaning. Despite early attempts to sever Christianity from the Jewish Scriptures, such as by Marcion in the second century. Moreover, it has insisted that its way of reading those Scriptures, especially texts seeming to prophesy a messiah, was the only correct way.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

Bishop Johan Bonny of Antwerp has challenged Rome to push forward with synodal reforms by announcing changes including the ordination of married men in his diocese by 2028.

Carefully quoting guidelines for the Synod on Synodality’s implementation phase (2025-2028), his 11-page pastoral letter proposed the viri probati reform alongside the naming of woman pastors, a new understanding of parishes, welcoming new Catholics and updating the Church’s message.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The Canadian Council of Churches (CCC) and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC), initiated and supported by the World Council of Churches (WCC), are proud to announce a joint theological project: the North America-Turtle Island Regional Ecumenical Theological Institute (NATI-RETI) 2026. Scheduled for August 3 through August 16, 2026, this initiative represents a significant renewed chapter in cross-border collaboration, providing a shared platform for emerging Christian leaders from Canada and the United States to engage in deep theological reflection and spiritual fellowship.
… Read more » … lire la suite »

The Vatican’s International Theological Commission has warned that if humanity places total trust in technology in a “world ruled by machines,” it risks replacing the “living God” with a counterfeit “virtual God.”

The assessment came in a sweeping new document, published on March 4, examining how artificial intelligence, transhumanism and other technological developments can pose profound risks to human identity and dignity. The document seeks to propose a response rooted in Christian anthropology and the Gospel.

The 48-page document, titled “Quo vadis, humanitas? Thinking about Christian anthropology in light of some scenarios for the future of humanity,” was published in Italian and Spanish after being approved by Pope Leo XIV. Its Latin title — meaning “Where are you going, humanity?” — echoes the question tradition holds was put to St. Peter before his crucifixion in Rome.
… Read more » … lire la suite »