Tuesday 16th June. Please find below this week’s media update, kindly provided by the Bishops’ Conference of Scotland, Office of Communications and Evangelisation. The briefing includes coverage from Scotland and the wider UK, together with Vatican and international developments. Please click on the link in each item to be taken to the full article.
SCOTLAND
SCIAF Shield charity football tournament returns this summer
Source: https://www.the-gazette.co.uk/news/26185441.sciaf-shield-charity-tournament-returns-summer/
At a glance:
- The annual SCIAF Shield football tournament will take place this summer in support of SCIAF’s overseas aid work
- Teams from parishes, schools and Catholic organisations are expected to take part
- Event aims to raise funds while bringing Catholic communities together through sport
UK
Catholic bishops issue statement ahead of G7 Summit
Source: https://www.cbcew.org.uk/statement-before-52nd-g7-summit/
At a glance:
- Bishops called on G7 leaders to place human dignity at the centre of decision-making
- The statement highlights concerns around conflict, poverty, migration and climate change
- Church leaders urged governments to prioritise the common good and support the world’s poorest communities
POPE / VATICAN
Pope Leo XIV visits Spain’s ‘Dock of Shame’ and prays for migrants
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/11/pope-leo-migrant-deaths-spain-dock-of-shame
At a glance:
- Pope Leo visited a Madrid memorial dedicated to migrants who died attempting to reach Europe
- He called on nations to uphold the dignity of migrants and refugees
- The visit formed part of his first apostolic journey to Spain
Pope Leo blesses Barcelona’s Sagrada Família
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/10/europe/pope-blesses-sagrada-familia-latam-intl
At a glance:
- Pope Leo visited and blessed the Sagrada Família during his apostolic journey to Spain
- Thousands gathered for the historic event at Gaudí’s famous basilica
- The visit highlighted the Church’s rich artistic and spiritual heritage
WORLDWIDE
Cardinal Czerny beatifies Czech priests killed under communist rule
Source: https://www.ewtnnews.com/world/europe/cardinal-czerny-beatifies-czech-priests-killed-by-communists-hints-more-may-follow
At a glance:
- Three Czech priests killed during communist persecution were beatified
- Cardinal Michael Czerny presided over the ceremony on behalf of Pope Leo XIV
- Further causes linked to victims of communist oppression may follow
Vandalism of Jesus statue sparks outrage in Mumbai
Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/jesus-statue-vandalism-sparks-uproar-in-indias-mumbai/113715
At a glance:
- Damage to a statue of Jesus in Mumbai prompted concern among local Christians
- Church leaders called for a full investigation into the incident
- The attack has renewed discussions around religious tolerance and protection of Christian sites
France visit takes shape with stops at Notre Dame, Lourdes and Metz
Source: https://www.osvnews.com/pope-leo-xivs-france-visit-takes-shape-with-stops-at-notre-dame-lourdes-and-metz/
At a glance:
- Details have emerged of Pope Leo XIV’s planned visit to France
- The itinerary is expected to include Paris, Lourdes and Metz
- The visit will mark another major apostolic journey in the early months of his pontificate