Assisi: Pope Leo XIV has called on the bishops of Italy to place Jesus at the heart of all their decisions and pastoral work. He made the appeal on Thursday in Assisi as he closed the 81st General Assembly of the Italian Bishops’ Conference at the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli.

The four day meeting brought together bishops from across the country to discuss pastoral priorities, safeguarding and Catholic education, drawing on the results of Italy’s recent Synodal Path. Their final pastoral guidelines are expected in May 2026.

Pope Leo said Assisi, the home of St Francis, was the ideal place to reflect on faith, fraternity and peace, values the world urgently needs. He prayed that the example of St Francis would give the bishops the courage and strength to make decisions rooted in

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