13-19 July 2026

Vatican News

Liberia’s fight against illegal mining (Photo: Vatican News)Liberia has launched the Protect Our Resources Taskforce (PORT) to combat illegal mining and strengthen regulation of the mining sector, with the task force tasked with overseeing operations, enforcing licensing, and ensuring environmental and labor compliance. Speaking at the launch, Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Matenokay Tingban, described PORT as a shift toward intelligence-led enforcement and responsible resource management. The initiative responds to a regional challenge, as illegal gold extraction, often using hazardous mercury, has disrupted communities, such as in Uganda’s Kanungu District, where a gold rush forced children out of school before authorities intervened. Illegal mining is also tied to broader security concerns, with mineral wealth fueling conflict and illicit trade networks, as seen in the Democratic Republic of Congo following the M23 rebel group’s capture of Goma in early 2025. Read more →

Artur Kluz: Human dignity must be the measure by which we judge any technology (Photo: Vatican News)Artur Kluz, founder and CEO of Kluz Ventures, praised Pope Leo XIV’s encyclical *Magnifica humanitas* for shifting global discussions on artificial intelligence from technical concerns to human dignity. Speaking during the UN’s AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Kluz emphasized the Pope’s call to prioritize moral questions in technology development, rather than focusing solely on innovation or profit. He highlighted the encyclical’s three guiding principles: technology is never morally neutral, it must always serve humanity, and wisdom must guide its use. Kluz also noted the Pope’s influence in framing AI as a tool for peace and human flourishing. Read more →

The death toll from twin earthquakes that struck Venezuela on June 24 has risen to 4,490, with over 16,000 injured and nearly 18,000 left homeless, according to authorities reporting late on July 14. Rescue efforts continue as families search for missing loved ones, though heartbreaking stories persist, including that of a teenage girl trapped in La Guaira, the epicenter, whose rescue was delayed by missing equipment. British firefighters, now departing after initial aid efforts, recounted the immense challenges of reaching survivors amid debris and praised the resilience and generosity of Venezuelans despite their suffering. The United Nations has launched an urgent appeal for nearly $300 million to support 1.3 million people affected by the disaster. Read more →

Regional Activities

Europe

Pope Leo XIV to Hold Private Audience with Oblates for 200th Anniversary (Photo: OMI World)Pope Leo XIV will meet privately with the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate on February 21, 2026, to mark the 200th anniversary of the papal approval of their Constitutions and Rules, originally granted by Pope Leo XII in 1826. On October 29, Superior General Luis Ignacio Rois Alonso formally requested the audience during a brief meeting with the Holy Father at the end of the Vatican’s General Audience. The Superior General also submitted the request in writing. The gathering is seen as a grace-filled celebration of the Oblates’ mission and their enduring connection to the Church and the Pope. Read more →

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