On Thursday 17 September no public audiences or liturgical celebrations presided over by the Pope are scheduled. Following the previous day's General Audience, dedicated to the cycle of catechesis on the pastoral Constitution 'Gaudium et spes', and the audience with participants in the conference 'The 21st century: a new age of martyrs?', Pope Leo XIV continues the ordinary governance of the Church in the offices of the Roman Curia, receiving as usual heads of state, bishops and other figures in private audiences. The day precedes the Assembly of the Diocese of Rome, scheduled for Friday 18 September in the Basilica of St John Lateran, which will officially open the new diocesan pastoral year.