NEWS
MAY 2026
Magnifica Humanitas: the first encyclical of Pope Leo XIV
A Church journeying through human history: the challenges of our time call out to the men and women of today.
On May 25, 2026, the first encyclical letter of the Holy Father Leo XIV, titled *Magnifica Humanitas*, was published; it addresses the protection of the human person in the age of artificial intelligence.
JUNE 2026
Pope Leo XIV’s Visit to Spain
From June 6 to 12, 2026, Pope Leo XIV undertook an apostolic journey to Spain. Centered on the motto "Lift Up Your Eyes," the visit focused on human dignity, welcoming the most vulnerable, and responsibility regarding the excesses of the digital age.
Key stages of the journey
- Madrid (June 6–9): Official welcome
- Barcelona and Montserrat (June 9–10): Prayer vigil at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium, visit to the Brians 1 penitentiary center, recitation of the Rosary at Montserrat Abbey, and Mass to bless the Tower of Jesus Christ at the Sagrada Família.
- Canary Islands (June 11–12): Meeting with social advocates and migrants at the port of Arguineguín and the Las Raíces center in Tenerife, followed by Masses in Gran Canaria and at the port of Santa Cruz de Tenerife.
Read the articles :
1 - Visit of Pope XIV to Spain N° 1 (in Spanish)
2 - Visit of Pope XIV to Spain N° 2 (in Spanish)
JULY 2026
The sixth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on Sunday, July 26.
"I will never forget you" (Is 49:15) was the theme chosen by the Holy Father for this Day, which aims to highlight that God's love for every person never wavers, even amidst the frailty of old age.
To demonstrate unity across the globe, VMI invited its member movements to take part in a powerful visual and spiritual initiative: "One prayer, multiple time zones”.
A colorful visual was created, incorporating all the prayers for the elderly that were enthusiastically submitted by the leaders of the movements who were consulted.
This visual was made available for use during the July 26th celebrations.
View the visual
SEPTEMBER 2026
Apostolic Journey of Pope Leo XIV to France, September 25–28, 2026
Key stages of the journey:
- Paris (September 25–26): Official welcome, visit to UNESCO, celebration of Vespers at Notre-Dame with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and seminarians; prayer vigil with young people at the Stade de France; solemn open-air Mass at the Place de la Concorde
- Lourdes (September 26–27): Prayer at the Grotto of Lourdes, Sunday Mass on the Lourdes Sanctuary meadow
- Metz (September 28): Gathering at the "Roots of Europe for Peace and Unity" event at the Robert Schuman Centre, and Mass at Metz Cathedral (Saint-Étienne)