Vatican Finance Watch: The Holy See’s asset manager APSA reported a 60% drop in its 2025 operating surplus to €22.8m, even as overall net assets rose to €2.686bn thanks to gains in gold and real estate—APSA said it is prioritizing patrimony over maximizing returns. Papal Travel & Abuse Survivors: Pope Leo XIV’s four-day France trip (Sept. 25-28) was detailed, including a private meeting with Church abuse victims, with victims involved in preparations, plus stops in Paris (Élysée, UNESCO), Lourdes, and Metz. Mexico Invitation: Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin met Mexico’s president Claudia Sheinbaum, who said Parolin told her the pope is “very eager” to visit—though first he plans Peru, Argentina, and Uruguay. Argentina Economic Strain: Argentines are framing the pope’s November South America announcement as a sign of hope amid Milei-era austerity, with wages and pensions squeezed and millions pushed into debt. Church, Migration, Borders: Spanish Archbishop Luis Arguello warned that mass migration is being used as a political strategy, citing Ceuta’s surge and urging a stricter approach. Tech, Energy, AI Governance: Catholic climate and ethics voices are pressing for safeguards as AI data centers expand, raising concerns over electricity, water use, and local impacts. Diplomacy vs Regulation: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s India stop at Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity reignited debate over India’s foreign funding rules (FCRA), highlighting how religion and state oversight collide.