- 6d ago
Spanish minister asks bishops' leader: 'What if we called the Church a band of sexual aggressors?'
Presidency minister Félix Bolaños sent a letter to the head of Spain's Episcopal Conference after Luis Argüello described the State as a 'band of thieves' during a summer school address.
- Jul 7
Cardinal López Romero steps aside after five women accuse him of sexual misconduct
The Archbishop of Rabat temporarily withdraws from public ministry after at least five women accused him of sexual violence, triggering a Vatican investigation.
- Jul 6
Madrid Book Fair dismisses director Eva Orúe after five years, citing a 'change of cycle' and a need to put bookstores first
The Asociación de Librerías de Madrid removed Eva Orúe as director of the Feria del Libro on Monday, three weeks after the 2026 edition closed with lower attendance and revenue. Orúe said she does not share the reasons given.
- Jul 6
UN chief warns AI is developing faster than rules can keep up, urges global governance
Antonio Guterres told the first UN Global Dialogue on AI Governance in Geneva that artificial intelligence is outpacing regulation, and called for harmonised global rules to protect children and prevent a 'vibe-coded' future.
- Jul 5
Pope Leo XIV marks US Independence Day on Lampedusa, urging Europe and America to embrace migrants
On the day the United States celebrated its 250th anniversary, the first American pope chose the migrant gateway of Lampedusa to deliver a sharp rebuke to Western immigration policies.
- Jul 4
Trump marks 250th Independence Day at Mount Rushmore, warns US 'will never be a communist country'
President Donald Trump delivered a speech at Mount Rushmore for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, declaring the United States the most powerful nation on Earth and warning that American identity is under attack from internal radicals who would turn the country communist.
- Jul 3
Ultimo draws 250,000 to Rome, breaking Vasco Rossi's Italian concert record
The Roman singer-songwriter drew 250,000 spectators to Tor Vergata on July 4, surpassing the 225,000 mark set by Vasco Rossi in 2017, and later announced he had written 'the most important song of my life'.
- Jul 2
Vatican excommunicates six Lefebvrist bishops after illicit consecrations in Switzerland, warns followers of same penalty
The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith declared the consecration of four bishops without papal consent a schismatic act, imposing automatic excommunication on the six clerics involved and threatening the same for any faithful who formally adhere to the breakaway group.
- Jul 2
Madrid assembly recognises unborn child as family member in Spanish first, opposition vows legal challenge
The Madrid regional assembly passed a pioneering law on Thursday that treats the conceived but unborn child as a member of the family unit, granting access to benefits and tax breaks from pregnancy and sparking immediate threats of a constitutional appeal.
- Jul 1
Vatican excommunicates Society of St. Pius X after the group ordains four bishops without Pope Leo’s approval
The Vatican declared the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X in schism and excommunicated six bishops on Thursday, one day after the Swiss-based group ordained four new bishops against Pope Leo XIV’s will.
- Jul 1
Vatican condemns SSPX bishop ordinations as 'schismatic act', warning of consequences after Lefebvrists defy Pope Leo XIV
On 1 July 2026, the Society of St. Pius X consecrated four bishops without papal approval, drawing a sharp condemnation from Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin as a 'schismatic act' that 'will have consequences'.
- Jul 1
Fraunhofer expert calls for new scientific field of autonomics, sees path to cheaper personalized medicine
Peter Liggesmeyer, head of Fraunhofer IESE, says a systematic field of autonomics could slash the cost of individualized drugs and give Europe an economic edge.
- Jun 29
Vox to vote against Moreno's investiture Tuesday, warns of deadlock unless PP meets demands on immigration and government role
The investiture debate of Juanma Moreno got underway in the Andalusian parliament, but Vox confirmed it will vote no in Tuesday's first ballot as no deal has been reached, though negotiations continue and a last-minute agreement is not ruled out.
- Jun 28
Rescue teams race to find survivors four days after double quake kills at least 1,430 in Venezuela
International teams, including a 48-strong German unit, are working around the clock in northern Venezuela after two shallow quakes struck 39 seconds apart on Wednesday evening, collapsing thousands of buildings and leaving tens of thousands missing.
- Jun 26
Pope Leo XIV to celebrate mass on Paris' Champs-Élysées during first papal state visit since 2008
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate a large open-air mass on the Place de la Concorde and adjoining Champs-Élysées during his September 25-28 state visit, the first by a pope to France since 2008.
- Jun 22
Trump escalates feud with Italy, Meloni tries to shield US ties after Oval Office threats and NATO withdrawal hint
US President Donald Trump called Italy's behaviour 'very bad' and questioned NATO membership after days of personal attacks on Premier Giorgia Meloni, who responded by inviting ministers to a US embassy reception and insisting the clash must not damage bilateral ties.
- Jun 22
Lionel Messi becomes World Cup's all-time top scorer with 18 goals as Argentina beat Austria 2-0 to reach last 32
The Argentine captain scored twice against Austria to surpass Miroslav Klose and Marta, becoming the leading scorer in men's and overall World Cup history, while Argentina sealed a place in the last 32.
- Jun 21
Heiner Wilmer installed as Bishop of Münster, urges Catholics not to look away from abuse and exclusion
The chairman of the German Bishops' Conference, Heiner Wilmer, was formally installed as bishop of Münster on Sunday in a cathedral service attended by about 1,000 guests including North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. Wilmer, 65, called for not looking away from abuse of power and violence, and urged the faithful to stand with the wounded.
- Jun 21
Pope Leo XIV calls for end to hate speech and bullying during Pavia visit, urging 'builders of peace'
Speaking to children and local authorities in the northern Italian city of Pavia, Pope Leo XIV urged the faithful to reject hate speech, insults and bullying as the first step toward peace.
- Jun 20
Pope calls for unity at Augustine's tomb as Lefebvrist schism looms
Pope Leone XIV used his first pastoral visit to northern Italy to call for a Church 'capable of renewing itself without dividing', speaking at the tomb of St Augustine in Pavia against the backdrop of an impending break with the traditionalist Society of St Pius X.
