The prelature submitted revised statutes to the Holy See last year, following Pope Francis’s earlier transfer of the prelature to the purview of the Dicastery for the Clergy. Pope Leo “said that the process of updating Opus Dei’s Statutes continues in its study phase and that no publication date can yet be foreseen,” according to Opus Dei.

In addition, Msgr. Ocáriz discussed Opus Dei’s perspective on “some specific controversies in Argentina”—a likely reference to human-trafficking allegations.

“These are my people,” Bishop Brennan said. “I need to be there, they need that presence and I want to accompany them.”

“They’re hurting, they’re looking for someone to listen to them, they’re looking for someone to literally bare their soul to,” he added. The bishop added,

Dr. VanderWeele is also director of the Human Flourishing Program and do-director of the Initiative on Health, Spirituality, and Religion at Harvard University. His “empirical research spans psychiatric and social epidemiology; the science of happiness and flourishing; and the study of religion and health,” according to his university biography.

Pope Leo named Bishop Teodoro Mendes Tavares, C.S.Sp., of Ponta de Pedras, Brazil, as Cardinal Furtado’s successor. Bishop Tavares is a native of Cabo Verde; the nation of ten islands is located off the western African coast.

In an article published by Vatican News, a former prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops offered a theological reflection on lay authority in the Roman Curia.

Speaking at a February 16 press conference (video), Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, O.F.M. Conv., discussed an AI translation system, the opening of previously inaccessible areas of the basilica, and a music and lecture series. The anniversary year will culminate on November 18, when Pope Leo is scheduled to celebrate Mass for the anniversary of the basilica’s dedication.

The academy’s 2026 plenary assembly is devoted to “Healthcare for all: Sustainability and Equity.” In his address, the Pope emphasized “the connection between the health of all and that of each individual,” as well as “the theme of prevention, which also involves a broad perspective, for the situations in which communities find themselves are the result of social and environmental policies, and have an impact on the health and life of the person.”

“Sadly, today we are also faced with wars that impact civilian structures, including hospitals, which constitute the most grave attacks that human hands can make against life and public health,” he continued, adding:

We need to rediscover the fundamental attitude of care as support and closeness to others, not only because someone is in need or is sick, but because they experience vulnerability, the vulnerability that is common to all human beings.

Only in this way will we be able to develop more effective and sustainable healthcare systems, capable of satisfying every health need in a world of limited resources as well as restoring trust in medicine and healthcare professionals, notwithstanding any misinformation or skepticism regarding science.

“By overseeing social harmony, the Prefect contributes to safeguarding the indispensable prerequisite of the freedom and rights of citizens,” Pope Leo said during the audience, which took place in Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace. Public order, he added, “does not concern only the necessary fight against crime or the prevention of harmful riots; it also requires a tenacious commitment against those forms of violence, falsehood and vulgarity that hurt the social body.”

The Pontiff also recalled the historic relations between the offices of prefect and bishop, including St. Ambrose’s service as a prefect before his episcopal consecration. Today, prefects serve as representatives of the national government in each Italian province.

Pope Leo XIV celebrated Sunday evening Mass at a Roman parish (video) and emphasized that God’s commandments are not a source of oppression, but rather a condition of liberation and flourishing.

Pope Leo XIV conducted his first visit to a parish in the Diocese of Rome on the afternoon of February 15 and addressed young people, the elderly and persons with disabilities, and members of the parish’s pastoral council (video).