Overview
- The five-day Catholic gathering opened Wednesday in Würzburg under the theme “Have Courage, Get Up,” drawing church leaders, lay Catholics, and national politicians.
- Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier used his opening speech to defend Pope Leo XIV from President Trump’s attacks and to urge civic engagement and hope.
- Reform organizers said the Vatican has not approved the statute for the planned Synodalkonferenz, a joint bishops–laity council, which forced cancellation of its first meeting.
- Organizers expect about 60,000 visitors across roughly 900 events that focus on democracy, abuse accountability, social justice, and even the ethics of artificial intelligence.
- The event bars AfD officeholders from its panels, and local authorities registered protests, including a rally planned against Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s Friday appearance.