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30 January 2026
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🇻🇦PAPAL MESSAGE | Cardinal Parolin conveys Pope Leo XIV's message to the participants of the high-level peacebuilding conference held in Luxembourg
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23 January - Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin conveyed Pope Leo XIV's message to the organisers and participants of the high-level peacebuilding conference held in Luxembourg. The Pope wished the conference to make "its own contribution to furthering the role of Catholic values in building a more peaceful and just European continent." Read the letter
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NEWS | Pope Leo receives President of the European Parliament
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29 January - Pope Leo XIV received the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace. In a post on her official X account following the meeting, Metsola stated: “A meaningful morning in the Vatican during the audience with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. Grateful for the clarity of his intentions and for our shared reflections on advancing peace through dialogue in Europe and throughout the world.” During her visit to Rome today, Metsola was received by the Pope, and subsequently by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Read more
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VIDEO | EP President Metsola intervenes by video in the high-level Luxembourg conference on peacebuilding
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23 January - We invite you to watch the video message that European Parliament's President Roberta Metsola sent to the organisers and participants of the high-level conference on peacebuilding, held in Luxembourg and co-organised by COMECE, Centesimus Annus and the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society. Watch the video
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SPEECH | At the Luxembourg peace conference COMECE President Mgr Crociata: "A lack of unity not only exposes the EU to external geopolitical pressures"
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23 January - The President of COMECE, H.E. Mgr. Mariano Crociata, addressed participants at the high-level conference on peacebuilding organised in Luxembourg by COMECE, Centesimus Annus, the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society.
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In his speech, Mgr. Crociata underlined that the international order is undergoing a profound crisis, marked by fragmentation, violence, and moral disorientation. In this context, he stressed that Europe bears a particular responsibility: not merely to react, but to act coherently by aligning its policies with its foundational values. He added that “without a renewed commitment to humanity, solidarity, and justice, peace risks remaining a slogan rather than becoming a lived reality.”
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PEACE | Cardinal Hollerich at the Luxembourg peace conference: "We must become men and women of peace where we live"
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23 January - H.Em. Card. Jean-Claude Hollerich SJ, Archbishop of Luxembourg, participated in the high-level conference “Peacebuilding in Europe: What Role for Catholic Social Thought and Universal Values?”, during which he celebrated the morning Holy Mass and offered two significant contributions on peace and conversion.
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Examining how Catholic social teaching can address the war in Ukraine and Europe’s deepening crises, the Cardinal analysed the current international landscape, marked by the war in Ukraine and a number of potential emerging conflicts. In this context, he stressed that peacebuilding must begin with personal change. “Peace is not simply given automatically. It is not only something we work for in the world. Each of us must undergo a conversion to peace. We must become men and women of peace where we live; otherwise, our efforts will not bear fruit.” Photo Gallery
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HOLY LAND | Archbishop HĂ©rouard represents COMECE at the 25th Holy Land Coordination
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26 January - Archbishop of Dijon (France) and First Vice-President of COMECE, Mgr Antoine Hérouard, represented the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) during the 25th Holy Land Coordination in Jerusalem, from 17 to 21 January 2026, expressing solidarity with local Christian communities and supporting initiatives for justice, peace and reconciliation. Read the News | Read the Appeal | Photo Gallery
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DOCUMENT | European Parliament adopts report on just transition in line with COMECE position
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16 January - Ahead of the European Parliament vote scheduled for 20 January 2026 on the report “Just transition directive in the world of work: ensuring the creation of jobs and revitalising local economies”, the Secretariat of COMECE has published a position paper entitled “A Just Transition that Protects Human Dignity, Work and Communities”, on Friday, 16 January 2026. In this paper, COMECE encouraged Members of the European Parliament to support the report, calling on the European Commission to put forward a new directive in this area. Finally, the report was adopted with 420 votes in favour, 207 against, 20 abstained. Read the News | Read the Position Paper | Read the result of the vote
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NEWS | European Reconciliation: event at the European Parliament marks the 60th anniversary of the Polish bishops’ appeal to the German bishops
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21 January - On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Polish Bishops’ Appeal to the German Bishops, the EPP Group organised an event at the European Parliament highlighting the historical and moral significance of the 1965 exchange of letters. Widely regarded as a milestone in Polish-German reconciliation, the correspondence also constituted an important contribution to the broader project of European integration. In their reply, the German bishops affirmed forgiveness as the foundation for reconciliation and dialogue. Together, the two letters have since become a lasting point of reference for peacebuilding efforts in Europe and beyond. The event was hosted by MEPs Oliver Schenk and Andrzej Halicki and featured contributions from H.E. Mgr Heinrich Timmerevers, Bishop of Dresden-Meißen, and Andrzej Jerie, Director of The Depot History Centre. Read the News
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NEWS | Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin in Brussels for the 800 years of Brussels’ Saints-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral
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11 January - Marking 800 years of Brussels’ Saints-Michel-et-Gudule Cathedral, Holy See's Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin presided at Mass for the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, reflecting on the Church’s mission and Europe’s spiritual future. The Pope’s letter available here
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EVENT | Cardinal Hollerich on the meaning and role of Cathedrals in today’s society
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19 January - Marking the 800th anniversary of Brussels’ Cathédrale des Saints-Michel-et-Gudule, former COMECE President H.Em. Mgr. Jean-Claude Hollerich delivered an inspiring meditation on the meaning of cathedrals today during the conference « La cathédrale dans l’Église et le monde de ce temps », held at the prestigious BOZAR concert hall in Brussels.
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NEWS | Apostolic Nuncio to the EU and COMECE General Secretary discuss about diplomacy and role of the EU in current geopolitical crisis
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21 January - Mgr. Bernardito Cleopas Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union, and Fr. Manuel Barrios Prieto, General Secretary of COMECE, participated in an event organised by the EPP Working Group for Interreligious Dialogue at the European Parliament in Strasbourg. The meeting brought together several Members of the European Parliament and provided an opportunity for discussion on Vatican diplomacy, Europe’s diplomatic role in addressing current crises, the role of the United Nations, cooperation between the Catholic and Orthodox Churches, and dialogue between religious leaders and policymakers within the European Union.
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INTERVIEW | COMECE Vice-President Mgr. Nuno Brás on Trump's statement regarding Greenland
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17 January - In an interview with Renascença addressing recent statements by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Greenland, COMECE Vice-President Mgr. Nuno Brás stressed that respect for international law is fundamental and that “it is not acceptable for one State to take over another State.” He also expressed confidence in Europe’s ability “to react and to put the brakes on some more or less lunatic ideas held by certain individuals.” Mgr. Nuno Brás acknowledged that EU reactions are not always immediate, but added that “when EU institutions do function, they function well, and usually very well.”
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EVENT | COMECE joined in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
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18 January - The Secretariat of COMECE joined in the 2026 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme of the Week, drawn from the Letter to the Ephesians, was: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling” (Eph 4:4). The prayers and reflections were prepared by an ecumenical group coordinated by the Inter-Church Relations Department of the Armenian Apostolic Church. More info
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EVENT | Justice & Peace Europe's annual prayer and breakfast held in Brussels. Focus: Pope Leo XIV's message for the 59th World Day of Peace
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30 January - Hosted by the Secretariat of COMECE, Justice & Peace Europe held its annual Prayer and Breakfast. A key moment of the event was the presentation of Pope Leo XIV’s Message for the 59th World Day of Peace, offered by H.E. Mgr. Bernardito Auza, Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union. Maria Hammershoy, Co-President of Justice & Peace Europe, shared a reflection on the role of faith communities and civil society in promoting peace amid ongoing conflicts. Press Release and Photo Gallery
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DOCUMENT | Justice and Peace Europe issues statement calling for justice, peace and human dignity for Greenland and its People
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20 January - Presidents of Justice and Peace Europe, Mgr. Antoine HĂ©rouard and Maria Hammershoy call on all actors to "stand with the people of Greenland, to protect their dignity and safeguard creation, to promote peaceful/just paths towards a future marked by hope, security, harmony." Read the statement
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DOCUMENT | Co-presidents of Justice and Peace Europe express their solidarity with the people of Venezuela
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13 January - Justice and Peace Europe issued a statement on recent developments in Venezuela. Through the document, the co-presidents of the organisation, Mgr. Antoine Hérouard and Maria Hammershøy, expressed their profound solidarity with the people of Venezuela, “who for many years have endured hardship, instability and suffering, and who are now facing yet another painful trial.” The two co-presidents also expressed the hope that all regional actors will work together for a hopeful and peaceful future, allowing all Venezuelans to live in dignity and harmony in their own country. Read the Statement
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