🕛 VATICAN REPORT | Friday 16 October 2026 midday

🌾 The Pope to FAO: "bread must never be a weapon of war" For World Food Day Pope Leo XIV sent a message to FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu on the theme "Innovate today to feed tomorrow". The Pope writes that hunger "is caused mainly by a lack of political will and collective solidarity" and that bread must never be "used as a weapon of war". He also calls for redirecting arms-industry resources towards sustainable agricultural research as an ethical imperative. 🏥 From Gemelli The Pope continues his recovery at Rome's Gemelli Hospital. This morning the Press Office told journalists he received letters and a drawing from young patients in the paediatric oncology ward. Audiences remain cancelled until Tuesday 20 October. 🎖️ Two new auxiliaries for Madrid The Pope appointed as auxiliary bishops of Madrid Fernando Murga Gómez, until now Moderator of the archdiocesan Curia, and Andrés Martínez Esteban, until now Vicar General of the Ordinariate for Eastern Catholics in Spain. 📌 To watch • 19:00 prayer vigil of Polish faithful in St Peter's Square • The 18 October Angelus: no official decision yet • Any new Press Office updates on the Pope's health #LeoXIV #Vatican