News Around Christendom

At the presentation of Father Antonio Spadaro’s book ‘The Atlas of Francis, Vatican and International Politics’ the Vatican Secretary of State sketched a picture of the ‘diplomacy of mercy’ carried out by Pope Francis in these ten years of pontificate, which allows the Holy See to be a ‘super partes’ actor in the international arena. By Valerio Palombaro Ten years ...

A look back over 10 years of quotes about mercy from the Holy Father By Joseph Pronechen It is not easy to entrust oneself to God’s mercy, because it is an abyss beyond our comprehension. But we must! … ‘Oh, I am a great sinner!’ ‘All the better! Go to Jesus: He likes you to tell him these things!’ He ...

By Amedeo Lomonaco There are three key elements of the Lenten journey that begins each year with Ash Wednesday: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Fasting, in particular, should not be understood only in its formal dimension. It has real significance, as Pope Francis repeatedly reminds us, if one follows the example of the Good Samaritan. It has value if one adopts ...

Father Jacques Mourad, a Syrian Catholic monk who was kidnapped in Syria by Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists in 2015 and managed to escape after five months in captivity, was consecrated as the new Archbishop of Homs, Syria. At the March 3 Mass for the Episcopal Consecration, Bishop Flavien Rami Al-Kabalan, procurator of the Syrian Patriarchate of Antioch to the Holy ...

…Bishop Ezeokafor Mourns According to a nurse who was near him before he breathed his last, the late Pope Benedict XVI, mustering his last strength, had muttered in his death bed, ‘Lord, I Love You.’ That was around 3am on December 31, 2022. Fides reports that the pope emeritus spoke those last words in Italian in a barely audible whisper. ...

: ‘The Next Pope Can Reinstate Me’ to the Priesthood By Jonah McKeown and Shannon Mullen Pro-life activist Frank Pavone on Monday defiantly asserted that the Vatican’s decree removing him from the priesthood is not final, saying “the next pope can reinstate me.” “This idea that any of this is permanent in terms of dismissal from the priesthood is simply ...

By Sr Theresien Bartonova I belong to the Congregation of the Sisters of Mercy of Saint Charles Borromeo. We are a very active congregation, but, at the same time, the contemplative aspect is fundamental for us. Our mission is to be close to those who suffer. Our first sisters cared for plague victims on the streets of Nancy in France, ...

By Josef Ishu In the wake of so much distrust, suspicion and rejection in Nigeria today, the Catholic priests in the country have canvassed for reorientation of the citizens. The clergymen, under the auspices of the Nigeria Catholic Diocesan Priests’ Association (NCDPA) made the call at the end of their 33rd Annual General Meeting held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church, ...

By Devin Watkins Pope Francis speaks with Members and employees of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and urges media professionals to let their heart and Christian values shine through in their work. As the Dicastery for Communication held its plenary assembly, Pope Francis met with Members and employees of Dicastery’s various branches, which includes Vatican News. The Pope gave his ...

By Francesca Merlo Pope Francis meets with a group of entrepreneurs from Spain, and highlights the importance of transforming the global economy, so that everyone can benefit from it, especially the poor and marginalised. Addressing a group of entrepreneurs from Spain in the Vatican’s Consistory Hall, Pope Francis welcomed and greeted them, describing their presence as “a sign of hope”. ...