On 2 February 2026, religious priests and sisters from 28 congregations gathered at the Assumpta Cathedral Owerri to celebrate World Day for Consecrated Life. Nigeria’s Metropolitan Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, challenged the religious gathered to return to the radical simplicity and detachment that originally defined their commitment to Christ.

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Trappist Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim will preach the week of spiritual exercises, with two daily meditations beginning Feb. 22.

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV said Scripture is meant to speak directly to believers in today's world, emphasizing that the Bible is the word of God expressed through human authors during his weekly general audience.

"In every age, the Church is called to re-propose the Word of God in a language capable of being embodied in history and reaching hearts," he said Feb. 4. 

He warned that when Scripture “loses touch with reality, with human hopes and sufferings,” or is proclaimed in language that is “incomprehensible, uncommunicative or anachronistic,” it becomes "ineffective."

Continuing his catechesis series on Vatican II, the pope said the Bible is not a relic of the past but a living dialogue meant to lead people to know and love God. God chose to communicate through his people, demonstrating his mercy and desire to be close to humanity, the pope said.

Citing the Second Vatican Council’s document "Dei Verbum," the pope said, "the words of God, expressed in human language, have been made like human discourse, just as the word of the eternal Father, when he took to himself the flesh of human weakness, was in every way made like men."

It is important to note, he said, that while God is the principal author of Scripture, human beings were also "true authors," not simply passive "scribes" sharing God's words, the pope said, "God never mortifies human beings and their potential!"

He also warned against reading Scripture as though it had no divine origin and were only a relic of the past.

"While Scripture is a text rooted in historical truth, it also contains a limitless spiritual depth that speaks to people of all times and places, communicating above all God’s love and his desire to save us," the pope said. 

Pope Leo said that God, "in his goodness, ensures our lives do not lack the essential nourishment of his word, and let us pray that our words, and even more so our lives, do not obscure the love of God that is narrated in them."

In an appeal he made at the end of the audience, the pope said a prayer for the people of Ukraine, who have endured frequent bombing recently, further impacting their access to power. He also acknowledged that a new START treaty between the United States and Russia was expected to be signed Feb. 5, which would curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons. 

Sharing his hope that the treaty be renewed, Pope Leo said in Italian, "I call on you to not let this instrument collapse without trying to guarantee a concrete and effective follow-up. The current situation requires us to do everything possible to break free from a new race of arms that further threatens peace between nations." 

The prize giving ceremony of the seventh edition of the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity takes place in Abu Dhabi, recognising initiatives and individuals working to advance peace, human dignity, and solidarity across divides.

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The Vatican has published the schedule of liturgies that Pope Leo XIV will celebrate in February, March, and the beginning of April, which includes the start of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter.

The Lenten Spiritual Exercises for Pope Leo XIV, Cardinals residing in Rome, and head of Dicasteries will be preached by Trappist Bishop Erik Varden, scheduled for February 22-27.

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In his message for the World Day of Human Fraternity and the presentation of the Zayed Award, Pope Leo XIV describes fraternity as an urgent necessity, stronger than conflicts, differences and tensions, while warning against leaving it trapped in the realm of ideas.

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In a recent pastoral letter, Bishop Michael Burbidge addressed what he sees as a “crisis” in mental health among Catholics, especially the young, and seeks to remove stigma over seeking help.

At his general audience, Pope Leo XIV appealed for renewed nuclear arms-control efforts and asked Catholics to proclaim the Gospel in ways that speak to people’s real lives.