31
Aug 2026
Mon
Monday 31 August 2026 — Ordinary activity resumes: audiences at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo for the Bishop of Mainz and the Commission for guidance and oversight of the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza Foundation · Appointments for Argentina, China and the Pontifical Lateran University
🤝 Audiences
Audiences at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo
📍 Apostolic Palace, Castel Gandolfo
The day after the Mass and the historic boat procession on Lake Albano for the feast of the Madonna del Lago — the last engagement of the summer calendar released by the Press Office on 30 July — Pope Leo XIV resumes his ordinary activity of governing the Church, receiving in audience at the Apostolic Palace of Castel Gandolfo, where he is still residing, the Bishop of Mainz (Germany) Bishop Peter Kohlgraf with his auxiliary Bishop Joshy George Pottackal, O.Carm., titular bishop of Ceramussa. In a second audience the Pope meets the members of the Commission for guidance and oversight of the Foundation "Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza — Work of Saint Pius of Pietrelcina, O.F.M. Cap.", established by Chirograph on 27 May 2026 to steer the recovery of the hospital founded by Saint Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo, which is burdened by a deficit of over 220 million euros. Present at the meeting are the president Maximino Caballero Ledo, the coordinator Fabio Gasperini, the Substitute of the Secretariat of State Msgr. Paolo Rudelli, the president of APSA Msgr. Giordano Piccinotti and the Archbishop of Foggia-Bovino Msgr. Giorgio Ferretti. The Pope was able to review the progress of the Commission's work, with particular attention to the analysis of the Foundation's economic and financial situation and to identifying the most suitable solutions to guarantee the long-term sustainability of the Work, with a view to relaunching the Hospital.
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📋 Daily schedule
The Holy See Press Office Bulletin of 31 August 2026 publishes several appointments. The Pope has raised to the episcopal dignity and appointed the Rev. Jean Abou Charouche Apostolic Exarch for the Greek-Melkite Catholic faithful resident in Argentina, of which he had until now been Apostolic Administrator. It was also made known that on 31 August 2026 the Rev. Paolo Liu Honggang was ordained Bishop of Datong (China), appointed by the Pope on 10 August 2026 within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China. The Rev. Giovanni Bagnus has been appointed Secretary General of the Pontifical Lateran University, effective 1 September 2026.
🗓️ Upcoming events
2026-09-01
🌱 Mass for the Care of Creation at Castel Gandolfo
At 6:30 p.m. the Pope presides at the Mass for the Care of Creation in the Garden of the Madonnina at the Borgo Laudato si', opening the Season of Creation.
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2026-09-02
🤝 The Wednesday General Audience resumes
First General Audience after the August summer break: the Pope continues the cycle of catechesis on the documents of the Second Vatican Council.
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2026-09-05
🌿 First anniversary of the Borgo Laudato Si'
The first anniversary of the inauguration of the centre for the care of creation at Castel Gandolfo, opened by Pope Leo XIV on 5 September 2025.
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2026-09-07
🕯️ Mass at Genazzano for the vigil of the Nativity of Mary
The Pope celebrates Holy Mass at the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Counsel on the vigil of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
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2026-09-14
📚 Opening of the "AQVA" exhibition in the Vatican Library
The Pope visits the Vatican Apostolic Library and opens "AQVA", the first chapter of the exhibition cycle "Catastrophe and Wonder".
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2026-09-25
✈️ Departure for the apostolic journey to France
From 25 to 28 September the Pope visits Paris (Élysée, UNESCO, Notre-Dame), Lourdes and Metz.
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2026-10-07
📖 Meeting on the tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia
A meeting at the Vatican (7-14 October) convened by the Pope with the heads of the Eastern Churches, the presidents of the bishops' conferences and some families.
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2026-10-08
🎓 Mass for the opening of the academic year of the Pontifical Universities
At 6:00 p.m. in St Peter's Basilica the Pope presides at the Holy Mass opening the academic year of the Roman pontifical universities.
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2026-10-14
📖 Closing Mass of the meeting on the tenth anniversary of Amoris Laetitia
At 10:00 a.m. in St Peter's Square the Pope celebrates the Holy Mass closing the meeting for the tenth anniversary of the exhortation "Amoris laetitia".
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2026-10-27
🕊️ To Assisi for the 40th anniversary of the Spirit of Assisi
Interreligious meeting promoted by the Community of Sant'Egidio for the fortieth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace called by John Paul II in 1986.
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2026-11-06
✈️ Departure for the apostolic journey to Uruguay, Argentina and Peru
From 6 to 17 November the Pope visits Montevideo, Buenos Aires and Lima, with a special stop in Chiclayo, his former diocese.
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🔗 Official sources
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Bollettino Sala Stampa
press.vatican.va
📰
Vatican News
vaticannews.va
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Calendario 2026
vatican.va
📷
Vatican Media Foto
photo.vaticanmedia.va
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Video e dirette
YouTube · Vatican News IT
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Osservatore Romano
osservatoreromano.va