Some 40,000 grandparents from 20 different countries, including two elderly people who have fled Iraqi Kurdistan. The President of the Pontifical Council for the Family Mgr. Vincenzo Paglia, presented the details of the Pope’s meeting with these people on 28 September in St. Peter’s Square. He did so at a press conference on the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia (22-27 September 2015). The local bishop, Mgr. Charles Joseph Chaput, explained that it is hoped Francis will attend the event but no official confirmation has been given yet.

Talks to remove the theological obstacles that are prevent the Catholic and Orthodox Churches from entering into full communion are proceeding slowly but steadily. This is the first sign that emerges from Amman, where the thirteenth plenary session of the International Joint Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church is currently taking place.

The martyrs of the Communist regime and dialogue – including political dialogue – between faiths. These two topics will be the focus of Pope Francis’ visit to Albania on Sunday. He will only be in Albania for one day, 10 hours to be precise, and will deliver six speeches, spending most of his time in the capital Tirana. This will be the Pope’s fourth international visit after Brazil, the Holy Land and South Korea. After this he will visit Strasbourg and Turkey in November. Albania will mark his first trip to a European country.

With the onset of September this year, the memory is still rife with the events of the important conference which His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein had called for last year in Amman. At the time, the conference had a remarkable title, namely ”The challenges Facing Arab Christians”. It was attended by a large number of religious and civilian figures from the Middle East, as well friends from several countries around the world.

Marriage is not a “fiction” The path is not always a smooth one, free of disagreements, otherwise it would not be human. It is a demanding journey, at times difficult, and at times turbulent, but such is life! Marriage is a symbol of life, real life: it is not “fiction”! It is the Sacrament of the love of Christ and the Church,” Francis said in the homily he pronounced at the mass during which he celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage. The Pope celebrated the weddings of 20 couples from the diocese of Rome, in St. Peter’s Basilica.

One of the most detestable forms of violence, learned from the dissemination of information by the militants of the self-styled Caliphate “the barbaric indoctrination of children of about ten years old, forced to sing out against the presumed enemies and to carry weapons at an age when they should be able to play and to go to primary school with their peers”. This strong denunciation was made by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, at the Inaugural Summit of the “In Defense of Christians” Association held in Washington, D.C. on September 9.

Pope Francis on Saturday , September 13, celebrated Mass at the Italian Military Memorial of Redipuglia. The visit to the area, which was the scene of fighting between Italy and the forces of the Central Powers during World War I, was to mark the centenary of the beginning of the war. The Mass was said for the fallen and victims of all wars. Here lie many victims. Today, we remember them,” said Pope Francis, during his homily. “There are tears, there is sadness. From this place we remember all the victims of every war.

Wedding bells are about to ring in the Vatican: On Sunday September 14, Pope Francis will wed 20 couples from the city of Rome. After a series of baptisms, communions and confirmations, after listening to confessions and having presided priestly ordinations, the Bishop of Rome is now to unite 40 people, from his diocese, in marriage. The youngest is 25 years old and the eldest 56. Among the couples that will be walking down the aisle in St. Peter’s Basilica, will be some couples that are already living together. Some of them will be accompanied by their children.

Just as "commander-in-chief", Barack Obama, addressed the US and the world, announcing the imminent launch of a “long and complex” military campaign against the jihadists and the Islamic Caliphate in Iraq and Syria.

We have every reason to be concerned with the fate of the Christian communities of the Arab World. From Egypt to Iraq, these ancient churches have not only survived through centuries of hardship - foreign invasions and domestic repression - they have also played an important role contributing to Arab culture and Islamic civilization.