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The Vatican confirmed Tuesday that Pope Francis will join other religious leaders at a prayer service for peace at Rome’s Colosseum later this month. The Oct. 25 prayer meeting is part of a three-day interreligious summit called “The Cry for Peace,” organized by the Community of Sant’Egidio. Sant’Egidio has held an international conference on the subject of peace every year since 1986, when Pope John Paul II convened the first World Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi, Italy. The conference’s final event will be the interreligious prayer service from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Colosseum. The famous monument is believed by some historians to be a site of early Christian martyrdom. Representatives of the world’s major religions will take part in the prayer service and conference.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252516/pope-francis-to-join-interfaith-prayer-for-peace-at-colosseum-in-rome
The Diocese of Arlington, Virgina’s former director for the Office of Child Protection, Father Terry Specht, was found not guilty October 5 of aggravated sexual battery. Specht was indicted in December 2021 on two charges related to child sexual abuse. One of those charges was dropped during court proceedings. “While Father Specht was found not guilty, I nevertheless convey my heartfelt and sincere sorrow to anyone who has suffered sexual abuse,” Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington said. The Diocese of Arlington said that it has a “zero-tolerance policy” for abuse.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/252513/former-arlington-director-of-child-protection-office-acquitted-on-sexual-battery-charge
Today the Church celebrates Saint John the 23rd, who was pope from 1958 to 1963. Sixty years ago today, John the 23rd convoked the Second Vatican Council, opening the council on October 11, 1962. Pope John’s spirit of humble simplicity, profound goodness, and deep life of prayer radiated in all that he did, and inspired people to affectionately call him “Good Pope John.” He was canonized by Pope Francis in Saint Peter's Square on April 27, 2014, alongside the man who beatified him, Pope Saint John Paul II.
https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/saint/pope-saint-john-xxiii-390