Ukrainian and Vatican summer camp children receive visit by Pope Leo
The meeting with the children (@VATICAN MEDIA)
VATICAN: Shortly before noon and following the conclusion of his audiences, Pope Leo XIV took the time to greet over 300 children and young people participating in the 'Estate Ragazzi in Vaticano' summer camp, gathered in the Paul VI Hall.
They were joined by another 300 children and adolescents from Ukraine, welcomed to Italy for the summer by Caritas Italiana.
After being welcomed by the young volunteers working at the summer camp, the Pope spent time speaking with the children and answering several of their questions. Recalling his own childhood, he shared memories of attending Mass, a place where he encountered other children and friends, but above all, 'the best friend of all: Jesus.'
Reflecting on the themes of diversity and welcome, Pope Leo addressed the Ukrainian children with words of greeting in English. He highlighted the importance of mutual respect and the need to look beyond differences: 'It is important to build bridges, to create friendship. We can all be friends, brothers, and sisters,' he said.
Builders of peace and friendship
In response to a question about war, the Holy Father encouraged the children to become builders of peace and friendship, even from a young age.
'Do not enter into war or conflict. Never promote hatred or envy,' he said, reminding them that 'Jesus calls us all to be friends,' and he explained the importance of 'learning from childhood to respect one another and to see the other as someone like myself.'
The children presented Pope Leo with a variety of gifts, including handmade crafts created during the summer camp, as well as drawings and artwork prepared by the Ukrainian children.
At the conclusion of the encounter, after taking group photos, Pope Leo invited everyone to pray the Hail Mary together and imparted his blessing on all those present.--Vatican News
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Malaysia
5 hours ago
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV will celebrate a Mass for the Care of Creation on July 9
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments present at the Holy See Press Office, a new formulary of the Roman Missal dedicated to the 'Care for Creation'. Jul 04, 2025 By Isabella H. de CarvalhoOn July 9, 2025, Pope Leo XIV will celebrate the first 'Mass for the Care of Creation', with a new formulary of the Roman Missal, produced by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, and presented Thursday, July 3, during a press conference at the Vatican. The Pope will celebrate this private Mass during his holiday with the staff of the 'Borgo Laudato Sì ' ('Laudato Sì Village'), an educational center located in the Papal residence in Castel Gandolfo. With this new formulary "the Church is offering liturgical, spiritual and communal support for the care we all need to exercise of nature, our common home. Such service is indeed a great act of faith, hope and charity', Cardinal Michael Czerny, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development said during the press conference. This Mass dedicated to taking care of creation 'calls us to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us – not only in daily choices and public policies, but also in our prayer, our worship, and our way of living in the world'. A way to promote an integral ecology In the Roman Missal there are 49 different Masses and prayers for various needs and occasions. Of these, 17 are dedicated to civil needs and this new liturgical text will now become a part of this category. An official decree by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, approved by Pope Leo XIV and dated June 8, was also released, marking the addition of the formulary to the Roman Missal. This liturgical text was developed in collaboration with several Vatican dicasteries and was strongly inspired by Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si ', which this year celebrates the 10th anniversary of its publication. The release of the formulary also falls on the year of the 35th anniversary of St. John Paul II's 1990 message for the World Day of Peace, titled 'Peace with God the Creator, Peace with all of Creation'. ''The Mass for the Care for Creation' takes up some of the main positions contained in Laudato Si' and expresses them in the form of a prayer within the theological framework that the encyclical revives', Archbishop Vittorio Francesco Viola, secretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, explained during the press conference. The texts that make up the formulary for this Mass 'are a good antidote' against reading Laudato Si' as concerned with a 'false or superficial ecology', which is 'far removed from that 'integral ecology' amply described and promoted in the encyclical". In fact, he described Francis' encyclical as an 'eco-social' text, rather than just 'ecological'. Remembering those affected by climate change 'Creation is not an added theme but is always already present in the Catholic liturgy', as the Eucharist 'joins heaven and earth, it embraces and penetrates all creation' and in it 'we bless God for the bread and wine we receive', Cardinal Czerny said. This Mass can now 'increase our gratitude' and also 'invites us to respond with care and love' to the issues of today. Quoting Pope Leo XIV's message for this year's World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, released on July 2, the Cardinal additionally highlighted that 'in a world where the most vulnerable of our brothers and sisters are the first to suffer the devastating effects of climate change, deforestation and pollution, care for creation becomes an expression of our faith and humanity'. He insisted, citing Laudato Si' , that 'the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are one and the danger of a superficial ecology' is to believe that the only 'problems to be solved are ecological ones' and that this can be done 'at the expense of the people'. The readings and prayers featured in the Mass Archbishop Viola emphasized that the readings featured in this Mass are 'very rich and offer several insights'. From the Old Testament, for example, a reading from the Book of Wisdom (13,1-9) is included, which highlights the importance of seeing God through his creation. For the Responsorial Psalm, certain verses are listed from Psalm 18, which highlights how 'the heavens declare the glory of God', and Psalm 103, which states 'Bless the Lord, all his creatures'. For the New Testament, a reading from St. Paul's letter to the Colossians (1,15-20) was selected that affirms that Christ 'is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth'. Lastly, two passages from the Gospel of Matthew are suggested. In the first (6,24-34) Christ invites to 'look at the birds in the sky; they do not sow or reap, yet 'your heavenly Father feeds them'. The second (8,23-27) features the moment when Jesus calms a storm while on a boat with his disciples. The prayers in the Mass also reflect the importance of caring for creation, for example by stating 'while we wait for new heavens and a new earth, let us learn to live in harmony with all creatures'. Clarifications regarding "Traditionis custodes" Finally, responding to a question about the publication of some press articles related to Pope Francis's 2021 Motu Proprio , Traditionis custodes , the Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, noted that the published texts contribute to 'a very partial and incomplete reconstruction.' In fact, a consultation is cited to which, however, 'further documentation and other confidential reports — also the result of additional consultations — were subsequently added and submitted to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.'--Vatican News
The Sun
9 hours ago
- The Sun
Creative Primary School's Kindergarten Celebrates 40th Anniversary Milestone
Creative Primary School's Kindergarten (CPSKG) – Nurturing Future Minds Since 1985 HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 4 July 2025 - Located at 2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong, China. Creative Primary School's Kindergarten (CPSKG) was established in 1985 and proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025. The school deeply understands the needs of parents and children, offering a forward-thinking thematic curriculum that employs experiential and inquiry-based learning to spark children's enthusiasm for knowledge. With a trilingual (Cantonese, Putonghua, and English) teaching team conducting daily immersive language sessions, CPSKG provides a systematic bilingual (Chinese-English) and Putonghua programme. As part of the Creative Schools continuum—including Creative Primary School (CPS) and Creative Secondary School (CSS)—CPSKG students enjoy priority admission to CPS, while CSS has produced top scorers in the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, ensuring a seamless, high-quality education pathway. • Exclusive Educational Pathway: The only kindergarten in Hong Kong with a direct affiliation to CPS and CSS in Hong Kong • CSS has a track record of producing IB perfect scorers, reflecting its high academic standards. • Priority admission to Creative Primary School • Awarded 'Outstanding Happy Campus Award' by UHKA & Chief Happiness Officer Association • Trilingual (Cantonese/English/Putonghua) immersion with structured small-group instruction • Strong and Diverse primary school placement advantages Child-Centered Education for Future Leaders CPSKG adheres to a student-focused philosophy, continuously innovating its curriculum to nurture globally minded future leaders ('Future Minds'). Recognizing parents' concerns about school readiness and holistic development, the school employs engaging, research-backed methods like experiential learning and cross-disciplinary projects to foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. The curriculum integrates real-world applications, blending art, social exploration, and interdisciplinary themes to deepen understanding while strengthening communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. It also emphasizes foundational competencies and positive attitudes to prepare children for lifelong success. Trilingual Excellence & Global Perspectives CPSKG prioritizes early literacy and communication skills, with native-speaking Putonghua and English teachers delivering structured daily language sessions. Principal Ms. Ng Hing-Lin explains: 'Children are at the heart of our work. Our trilingual team designs immersive programmes rooted in children's literature to inspire a love for languages—key to earning parents' trust over 40 years.' Outstanding Achievements in Arts & Academics 25+ students won awards at the 2025 Hong Kong Youth Painting Competition (8 Gold, 11 Silver, 5 Bronze, and 3 Champion/Podium titles). Recognized with the 'Excellence in Arts Education Award' by the Hong Kong Children's Cultural & Arts Association. Early Childhood Literature & Innovative Learning Early Childhood Literature' is a unique learning feature of CPSKG, aimed primarily at cultivating children's interest in words and reading, as well as enriching their language skills. Through two major language learning programmes at the school—Putonghua's 'Children's Poetry and Painting' and the English 'Early Literacy Programme'—children engage in enjoyable language learning experiences, feeling the rhythm and rhyme of children's poetry and understanding the meanings expressed in words. This enriches their imagination and broadens their thinking. Effectively Using Mind Maps to Cultivate Independent Learning Abilities Establishing a good learning attitude and skills from a young age is crucial for future learning. To foster children's ability and habit of independent learning, CPSKG teaches children to use mind maps for learning and summarizing information. This learning method allows children to use illustrations and words to organize their thoughts and express what they have learned. It not only boosts their confidence in exploring new knowledge but also helps teachers understand their learning progress. Seamless K-12 Continuum CPSKG's curriculum aligns with CPS and CSS under the 'Three Schools * One Philosophy * One Continuum' ethos, ensuring a smooth transition through primary, secondary, and beyond. CSS's IB programme and university pathways further solidify this future-ready education. Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence In 2025, CPSKG will host anniversary events for parents, alumni, and the community to reflect on its legacy and explore new educational frontiers. Enrollment Now Open – Join Us in Shaping Future Leaders! Contact Us Creative Primary School's Kindergarten (CPSKG) 2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (Shared campus with CPS) 2336 1212 | admin@ | Creative Primary School (CPS) 2A Oxford Road, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong (Shared campus with CPSKG) 2336 0266 | cps@ | Creative Secondary School (CSS) 3 Pung Loi Road, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong 2336 0233 | admissions@
Borneo Post
10 hours ago
- Borneo Post
DBP, Chinese school board host festival in Kuching to bridge communities through language
Azizul (second left) presents a copy of the book 'Evolusi Parlimen' to Lau during the press conference, as others look on. SIBU (July 4): The 2025 Language and Literature Festival, jointly organised by Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP) Sarawak Branch and The Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board, will be held from July 7 to 9 at Balai Budaya, DBP Sarawak Branch in Kuching. More than just a celebration of language, the festival serves as a strategic platform to foster national cohesion by enhancing Bahasa Melayu proficiency among non-Malay students, particularly those from Independent Chinese Secondary Schools (ICSS) and Chinese national-type Primary Schools (SJKC) in the Kuching and Samarahan zones. The Sarawak United Association of Private Chinese Secondary School Management Board chairman Temenggong Dato Vincent Lau highlighted the important role of ICSS in shaping well-rounded, multilingual citizens through its trilingual education model in Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, and English. 'As the national language, Bahasa Melayu connects our students to the broader Malaysian society. It breaks down language barriers, strengthens mutual understanding, and prepares them to thrive in a multilingual and multicultural environment,' he told a press conference at Wisma Huawen Do Zhong here yesterday. Lau pointed out that while ICSS continues to nurture students in their mother tongue, equal emphasis is placed on improving their proficiency in Bahasa Melayu and English—both crucial languages for higher education, professional development, and interethnic engagement. 'Fluency in Bahasa Melayu helps students interact smoothly beyond the classroom, opening doors to broader social networks and deepening understanding among communities,' he said. 'It also nurtures open-minded, globally aware individuals who are respectful of cultural diversity.' Lau noted that the association has worked closely with DBP Sarawak over the years to implement various national language programmes, including the annual Student Forum Competition, which aims at improving students' command of standard Bahasa Melayu and building their communication skills in practical, engaging ways. Echoing this vision, DBP Sarawak director Dr Azizul Ismail said the festival reflects the institute's commitment to fostering unity through language and literature, particularly among the young generation of diverse backgrounds. 'The festival is part of our annual efforts to cultivate a sense of national identity and unity in Sarawak's multiracial society. 'We want to provide a platform for non-Malay students to appreciate and embrace the beauty of Bahasa Melayu in an inclusive and encouraging environment,' he said. Azizul added that the initiative is aligned with the national unity framework 'Unity in Diversity' under the Malaysia Madani vision, which aims to instil shared values while respecting cultural plurality. 'Through this festival, we hope to nurture students who are not only proficient in the national language but also confident, articulate, and able to think critically and express themselves meaningfully in Bahasa Melayu.' The three-day festival will feature a range of activities, including literary appreciation sessions, language workshops, interschool competitions, and cultural performances, aimed at improving students' language skills and fostering national pride, empathy, and leadership values. The event is not limited to linguistic development, but also seeks to build lasting bonds across communities, starting from the classroom and reaching into society at large.
