On 28 September, Pope Leo XIV spoke in Metz, in the presence of numerous abbots and superiors, about his vision for Europe, with strong references to Saint Benedict. More on this is available in this issue of NEXUS.

On 17 September, Pope Leo XIV confirmed the election of Dom Antonio Bran Tecun as the new Abbot General of the Olivetan Congregation. Papal confirmation is necessary because the Abbot General also serves as the Territorial Abbot of Monteoliveto.

The Synod of Abbot Presidents met from 12-18 September at the Gihindamuyaga Priory (Congregation of the Annunciation) in Rwanda. A separate report on this event can be found in this issue of NEXUS.

At the symposium of the Communio Internationalis Benedictinarum in Rome from 7-12 September, which brought together around 100 Benedictine nuns, new statutes were adopted that will lead to a more streamlined organization of the CIB as the female branch of the Benedictine Order. Sister Lynn McKenzie of Cullman, (USA), was re-elected as moderator, and Abbess Franziska Lukas von Dinklage, (Germany), as her deputy.

At the General Chapter of the Congregation of the Annunciation in Tyniec (Poland), Abbot President Maksymilian Nawara was re-elected for a second term on 5 September.

At the AIM-USA Board of Trustees meeting on 30 August, at Mount Saint Benedict’s Monastery in Erie, Pennsylvania, USA, Sr Ann Hoffman OSB, who served as director for 15 years, retired. The Board confirmed the appointment of Sr Jacqueline Sanchez-Small OSB as the new director. Bishop Elias Lorenzo OSB is the new president of the Board.

On 28 August, Fr Korbinian Birnbacher, emeritus Archabbot of Saint Peter in Salzburg (Austrian Congregation), was appointed as the new cellarer of the Benedictine Confederation and of Sant’Anselmo.

On 29 July, Brother Brendan Seipel was confirmed as the new Abbot of Saint Bernard in Cullman, Alabama, USA (American-Cassinese Congregation). His nomination had already taken place on 15 June. This is the second time that the permission to elect a non-priest has been exercised in the election of an abbot.

At the beginning of the year, the Benedictine Foundation Pax et Sapientia was established in Italy to support the activities of Sant’Anselmo. The website is now online: paxetsapientia.org.

On 20 July, Pope Leo XIV made a trip to Montecassino, and three days later, accompanied by a small entourage, he also visited Subiaco. Following his earlier visit to Montserrat, this was the Pope's third visit to a Benedictine monastery within a month. All three monasteries belong to the Congregation of Subiaco-Montecassino.

On 14 July, the Dicastery for Consecrated Life relieved the previous Papal Commissioner of the Abbey of São Bento in São Paulo (Brazilian Congregation), Br Evaldo Xavier Gomes O.Carm, of his duties and appointed Fr Luiz Claudio da Silva Correa as Prior of the monastery for six months. During this time, he is to prepare for the election of an abbot.

On 11 July, Fr Paul Sheller was elected the new abbot of Conception (Swiss-American Congregation). His conventuals include the Abbot Primate Emeritus Marcel Rooney and the Abbot Primate Emeritus Gregory Polan.

On 10 July and 11 July, Cardinal Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, received two Benedictine peace prizes: the Pacis Nuntius Prize of the Abbey of Montecassino and the San Benedetto International Peace Prize of the Municipality of Norcia.

On 9 July, Fr Theodor Flury of Einsiedeln (Swiss Congregation) was appointed project manager for the planned and unfortunately very necessary new organ of Sant’Anselmo.