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Welcome, brothers and sisters!
We are happy to share
several updates with you.
At this time of year,
we are thinking
about the Memorial of Christ’s death.
This will be observed on Thursday, April 2.
The special talk will be given
during the week of March 23
and is entitled “Who Will Restore the Earth?”
In the next few weeks,
we have the opportunity
to invite as many as possible
to attend the special talk and the Memorial.
Perhaps your circumstances
will allow you to auxiliary pioneer.
During March and April,
you can auxiliary pioneer
for either a 15- or 30-hour requirement.
We can prepare our hearts for the Memorial
by reading and meditating
on the events related
to Jesus’ death and resurrection.
This is in harmony
with the principle recorded
at Hebrews 12:3, which says:
“Consider closely the one
who has endured . . . ,
so that you may not get tired and give up.”
As we meditate on Jesus’ example,
it will help us to keep our appreciation
and endurance strong
as we grow in love
for our heavenly Father, Jehovah,
and his beloved Son.
Recently, the Memorial Bible Reading Schedule
was made available
as a stand-alone publication
in JW Library®.
This schedule highlights key Gospel accounts
and includes links for reading the passages.
You can find this schedule
under “Brochures and Booklets.”
You may find it helpful
to add it as a “Favorite.”
Another provision
is our Memorial morning worship.
It will be posted on the website
starting on March 26.
How wonderful that Jehovah’s people
around the world
will view this program on Thursday, April 2!
After the Memorial,
we look forward to following up
on those who showed interest and attended.
Our goal is to start Bible studies
with as many as possible.
We can also continue using
our public magazines in the ministry.
For March and April,
we can offer the Awake! magazine
entitled “Find Relief From Stress.”
People need this encouraging message today
more than ever before.
As previously announced,
the branch office in Italy
is moving from Rome to new facilities
in Bologna.
Let’s see how the project is progressing.
In 2019,
a jw.org article announced
the relocation of the Italy branch
from Rome to Bologna.
It concluded:
“Our prayer is that Jehovah will continue
to bless this project
“and that these new facilities
“will be a support for the work
being done in Italy,
a field that is ‘white for harvesting.’”
We have seen Jehovah answer those prayers,
especially during challenges and delays.
We are happy to share
a few updates on this project.
In September 2020,
the residential building,
the Via Freud Building,
was completed despite the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It provided 41 apartments
for members
of the Construction Department.
Then, in January 2022,
contracts were signed
for the office building,
previously acquired in 2018,
and for the three remaining
residential buildings.
Another major highlight
was the opening
of the Visitor Center in Bologna.
It was designed to build enthusiasm
throughout the branch territory
and to encourage the volunteer spirit.
In just 15 months,
the Visitor Center welcomed more than
50,000 guests, with tours offered
in 15 different languages.
Many expressed that seeing it in person
strengthened their joy, unity,
and appreciation
for the brotherhood.
Working closely with world headquarters
and having members of the Governing Body
and their representatives visit us
really reassured us
that Jehovah was supporting the project.
Their calm and encouraging spirit
helped us to stay patient,
trust Jehovah’s timing, and remember
how important it is to show appreciation
for all the brothers involved in the work.
We have felt the support
of the local brothers and sisters
who have willingly given their time, energy,
skills, and resources.
Many prayerfully consider how they can help.
Some reduce their secular work
or have even left
their employment to support the project.
And of course, in Italy
the brothers express their generosity
with amazing food.
But it’s not only Jehovah’s people
who will benefit from this project;
the local community will too.
Redeveloping an abandoned industrial site
and a vacant office building
in such prominent locations
and adding a public park
has already been a great witness.
You may be wondering
where the project is now.
We are happy to share that on March 1, 2025,
the Kingdom Hall that is part
of the new branch was completed
and is now being used by four congregations.
On January 30, 2026,
the contractor completed their work
on the office building,
and it has now been handed over
to the Construction Project Committee
for the fit-out and finishing phase.
Our goal is that by June 2026
Bethel departments
can begin operating
in the new office building.
Next, we eagerly look forward
to the upcoming completion
of the three residence buildings.
This project will bring a lot of benefits.
The newly renovated office building
will be far more cost-effective
and will offer a pleasant,
efficient place to work.
The new apartments from the residence site
will provide the housing we need.
They’ll reduce the amount of support required
while giving the Bethel family
more space to live.
Psalm 127:1 says:
“Unless Jehovah builds the house,
it is in vain that its builders
work hard on it.”
It is our sincere prayer
that Jehovah will continue
to build this house
and that these new facilities
will bring great praise to Jehovah’s name.
We thank Jehovah
for his continued generosity,
and we thank you, dear brothers,
for your support.
We pray for Jehovah’s continued blessing
on our theocratic construction projects.
Around the world, our brothers and sisters
continue to face challenges from disasters.
In Malawi, droughts and flooding
have caused crops to fail,
resulting in severe food shortages.
Two Disaster Relief Committees
have been appointed.
So far, nearly 4,000
of our dear brothers and sisters
have received food
and other practical assistance.
In early February,
Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar.
Thankfully, none of our brothers or sisters
were seriously injured or killed.
However, 199 homes of our brothers
were destroyed and 237 were damaged.
One Assembly Hall
and three Kingdom Halls were also damaged.
Two Disaster Relief Committees
are currently operating to help the brothers
repair their homes.
Soon after the cyclone struck,
the Branch Committee
received approval
to hold to hold a special meeting
for those in the most affected area.
Those in attendance
were strengthened by the program.
As mentioned in previous updates,
Hurricane Melissa devastated
several Caribbean islands late last year.
Recently,
Brother Jacob Rumph of the Governing Body
visited the brothers and sisters in Jamaica.
A special meeting was held to provide
Scriptural encouragement
for affected congregations on the island.
Late last year, the Philippines
faced multiple disasters
within just seven weeks.
Brother Paul Gillies,
a helper to the Coordinators’ Committee,
recently visited the region.
He met with brothers and sisters
in the hardest-hit areas.
We continue to pray
for our brothers and sisters
as they cope with disasters.
Psalm 145:18 assures us:
“Jehovah is near
to all those calling on him.”
And we thank all of you
for your generous donations
that allow us to assist
our brothers and sisters
who are facing these devastating disasters.
May Jehovah bless you
for your generosity and kindness.
In Russia, our brothers and sisters
continue to face persecution.
Many who are imprisoned for their faith
also need ongoing medical care.
This was true of Brother Rustam Diarov.
On February 17, 2026,
he was granted medical parole
because of a serious medical condition.
He had been serving an eight-year sentence
since 2021.
After being released,
he was immediately deported to Uzbekistan.
Brother Diarov
can now receive treatment for his cancer.
He and his wife, Yelena,
were warmly welcomed
upon their arrival.
As of March 16,
there are 280 brothers and sisters worldwide
imprisoned for their faith.
This includes 181 in Russia.
At least 35 of them
have disabilities or serious health problems.
We continue to pray
for these loyal servants of Jehovah,
their families, and their congregations.
Jehovah God is the Life-Giver,
and he wants us to respect the gift of life.
One way we show respect for life
is by obeying his commands concerning blood.
Jehovah gave Noah and his descendants
the timeless command:
“Only flesh with its life—its blood—
you must not eat.”
He likewise directed Christians
to ‘abstain from . . . what is strangled
and from blood.’
As Jehovah’s Witnesses,
we conscientiously obey this command today.
It also affects the decisions we make
about medical treatment involving blood.
When making decisions about blood,
we have also been guided over the years
by what the Mosaic Law stated
at Leviticus 17:13:
“If one of the Israelites or some foreigner
“who is residing in your midst is hunting
“and catches a wild animal or a bird
“that may be eaten, he must
“pour its blood out
and cover it with dust.”
However, is that law binding on Christians?
The simple answer is no.
For one thing, Christians today
are not under the Mosaic Law.
As the apostle Paul said,
as recorded at Colossians 2:13, 14:
“God . . . erased the handwritten document
“that consisted of decrees
“and was in opposition to us.
“He has taken it out of the way by nailing it
to the torture stake.”
Therefore, Christians are not
under the command
that blood be poured out
and covered with dust.
Furthermore, the Bible does not comment
on the use of a person’s own blood
in medical and surgical care.
Regarding the use of one’s own blood,
our position has been as is stated
in the October 15, 2000,
issue of The Watchtower.
There it says:
“A Christian must decide for himself
“how his own blood will be handled
“in the course of a surgical procedure,
medical test, or current therapy.”
For that reason,
many Christians accept simple procedures,
such as blood tests,
as well as more complicated procedures
involving their own blood,
such as the use of heart-lung machines,
cell-salvage devices,
and kidney dialysis treatments.
However, the list of treatment options
continues to grow.
Therefore, after much prayer
and consideration of the Scriptures,
the Governing Body has decided
to clarify our position
on the use of a patient’s own blood
in medical and surgical care.
The clarification is this:
Each Christian must decide for himself
how his own blood will be used
in all medical and surgical care.
This includes whether to allow his own blood
to be removed, stored,
and then given back to him.
What does this mean?
Some Christians may decide
that they would allow
their blood to be stored
and then be given back to them.
Others may object.
Each Christian must make
his personal decision
on all matters involving
the use of his own blood
with regard to medical or surgical care.
In review,
Christians are not under the Mosaic Law.
However, we obey the apostolic command
to abstain from blood.
Furthermore, the Bible does not comment
on the use of a person’s own blood
in medical and surgical care.
Therefore, like other choices
about health care,
each Christian must make his own decision
about the use of his own blood
in all medical and surgical care.
In this report, we shared encouraging updates
about the Italy branch construction project
and about our brothers in Russia.
We also saw how Jehovah helps his people
during disasters.
And how much we appreciate the clarification
about the use of our own blood
in medical and surgical care!
These examples assure us
that Jehovah is caring for his people
—whether through organizational arrangements
or by giving them strength to endure trials.
As we approach the Memorial,
may we continue to draw close to Jehovah,
confident that he never forgets
those who stay loyal to him.
We love you all very much!
From the World Headquarters
of Jehovah’s Witnesses,
this is JW Broadcasting®.

2026 Governing Body Update #2