Pope Francis’ visit – another step toward Christian unity? Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia is widely viewed as a chance to promote unity. It builds on decades of productive ecumenical dialogue since the Second Vatican Council between Rome and the Armenian Apostolic Church, part of the Oriental family of Orthodox churches. Catholicos Vasken I,...
“Offenses against God and humanity” – Pope prays for victims of recent terrorist attacks Pope Francis expressed his sadness on hearing about more “barbarous” terrorist attacks that took place over a short period in three countries. On hearing of the first incident in Istanbul, which the Pope described as a “heinous terror attack,” he...
Important victory for Freedom of Expression – ‘Hate crime’ cases against Valencia archbishop thrown out A judge in Valencia has thrown out two “hate crime” cases against Cardinal Antonio Cañizares of Valencia, Spain, on the grounds that that what the cardinal said in his homily is protected by freedom of speech. The judge also...
Highlights of Pope’s visit to Armenia Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia was a huge success as werehis previous visits to other countries, generating large amounts of strongly positive media coverage and drawing warm reactions from locals, despite the fact that Catholics are only a small minority here. FRIDAY When the Pope arrived, the first thing...
INDIA – “Mother Teresa was the best missionary of the millennium” Bishop Salvadore Lobo of Baruipur described the Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, who will be canonised by Pope Francis on 4 September, as the “best missionary of the millennium”. Lobo, who headed the canonisation committee, reported that Christ had said to Mother Teresa in a...
Muslim mob sets fire to 80 Christian homes as attacks on Christians intensify The homes of 80 Christian families in the Al-Beida village in Egypt were set on fire and ransacked as a “punishment” by an angry Muslim mob who thought that a Christian-owned building being constructed was going to be used as a...
Hope in the midst of hopelessness – a Tale of Mercy in Rwanda In just 100 days in 1994, approximately 800 000 people were slaughtered in Rwanda. The genocide counts as one of the greatest human tragedies in African history. Fr. Stanislaw Filipek SAC, a Polish missionary in Rwanda for over 30 years, has...
SYRIA – Christians in Aleppo offer food to poor Muslims during Ramadan Despite the intensive battles going on all around them, Syriac Orthodox Christians in Aleppo are providing food to poor Muslim families during Ramadan. Ramadan is a Muslim month of fasting and intense prayer and which commemorates the revelation of the Quran to Islam’s Prophet...
Mons. Carmelo Zammit maħtur Isqof għal Ġibiltà Nifirħu lil Mons. Carmelo Zammit, I-isqof ġdid ta’ Ġibiltà. Il‑Qdusija Tiegħu l‑Papa Franġisku ħatar lil Mons. Carmelo Zammit Isqof ta’ Ġibiltà. L‑aħbar ingħatat waqt konferenza tal‑aħbarijiet fil‑Katidral ta’ ‘Saint Mary the Crowned’ f’Ġibiltà stess, fil‑preżenza ta’ Mons. Zammit. Mons. Carmelo Zammit huwa mis‑Siġġiewi, għandu 66 sena u ġie...
See you soon! Below is a translation of Pope Francis’ video message in Italian to Armenia in the lead-up to his visit to the country this weekend. Dear Brothers and and Sisters, In a few days I will have the joy of being among you, in Armenia. Already now I invite you to pray...
