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Entries for January 2024

"Rekindle the Gift of God That Is Within You" is the title of a conference taking place in Rome in early February, aimed at studying the ways priests are formed for ministry. Read all  

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The Catholic University of the Sacred Heart and Rome’s Gemelli Hospital are setting up a gynecology and obstetrics clinic to provide healthcare to expectant mothers in Dodoma, Tanzania. Read all  

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The Catholic Connect App is a mobile application for Catholics in India to stay better connected with the Church in multiple ways, including finding nearest churches, Mass times, connecting to parishes, as well as to one another for resources and support. Read all  

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The Holy See’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations and International Organizations in Geneva gathers members of the international community and representatives of different religions “to reflect on the precious gift of peace.” Read all  

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Fr. Pietro Wu Yishun has been consecrated as the new Bishop of Shaowu (Minbei) in the Chinese province of Fujian, taking place according to the framework of the Provisional Agreement. Read all  

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On his 80th birthday, Nigerian Cardinal John Onaiyekan speaks with Vatican News about the voice of the Church in Africa, the need for peace, and his memories from forty years as a bishop. Read all  

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Cardinal Michael Czerny, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, is due to visit South Sudan from 2-9 February to mark the one-year anniversary of Pope Francis' Apostolic Journey. Read all  

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Pope Francis again appeals for peace in the Middle East and Ukraine, lamenting the vast amount of cruelty evident in our world today. Read all  

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Vatican News has added Mongolian to the 51 languages already available, offering coverage of Pope Francis’ activities with the support of the Church in Mongolia. Read all  

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At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the sin of wrath and invites us to guard against channelling our anger unjustly, insisting that we follow the Lord's example of forgiveness. Read all  

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Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of February 2024, and invites everyone to pray for the terminally ill and their families. Read all  

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Catholic mental health ministers from all over the world gathered in the Dicastery for Communication for the first-ever Vatican workshop dedicated to mental health and pastoral care. Read all  

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The Prefect of the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life speaks to Vatican News about the upcoming meeting in Rome gathering consecrated people from across the world in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee Year. Read all  

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Several sick and injured children from Gaza suffering from the Israel-Hamas war have arrived in Italy to receive care from several hospitals, thanks to an initiative set in motion by Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, the Vicar of Custody of Holy Land, and made possible through Italy's support. Read all  

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In a phone call with the Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople expresses his closeness to Catholics in Türkiye affected by the attack on the Church of St. Mary Draperis in Istanbul. Read all  

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Iran denies involvement in a drone attack that killed three American troops on a US base in Jordan. Read all  

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The United Nations worries about donor collapse as several countries - including the United States, the UK, and Germany - withdraw funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) after UN workers are accused of aiding in the Hamas attack on Israel in early October. Read all  

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Pope Francis commends the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona on its 125th anniversary, emphasising tennis as a means of personal growth through respectful play and urging the club to prioritise the integral development of children. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets journalists of the two Catholic TV and radio broadcasting networks of the Italian bishops, and encourages them to continue to communicate the Church's closeness to the most vulnerable and marginalized. Read all  

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Pope Francis holds an audience with President Umaro Sissoco Embaló of Guinea Bissau, discussing the contribution of the Catholic Church to the common good of the country, especially in education and healthcare. Read all  

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Father Anthony Sun Venjun is consecrated Bishop of the Diocese of Weifang, China. Pope Francis made the appointment on 20 April 2023, when he suppressed the Apostolic Prefecture of Yiduxian and erected the new diocese. Read all  

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In an interview with the Italian newspaper 'La Stampa', Pope Francis renews calls for a global ceasefire, warning the world is on the brink of the abyss, and says the recent declaration 'Fiducia supplicans' seeks to include, not divide. Read all  

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Bishops of the standing committee of the Association of Central African Episcopal Conferences (ACEAC) have held their ordinary assembly this week in Ruhengeri, Rwanda. In a communique at the end of the meeting, the Bishops expressed concern about the security situation and deteriorating relations among member countries. Read all  

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The Catholic Church in England and Wales is today celebrating Racial Justice Sunday, a day when the Church focuses on the need to oppose racism and to pursue racial justice with renewed vigour. Read all  

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As Pope Francis condemns attack on Catholic Church in Istanbul, the Apostolic Vicar of Istanbul and the Apostolic Administrator of Constantinople, Bishop Massimiliano Palinuro, appeals to authorities "to seek the truth" behind the attack, which seems to suggest "religious intolerance." Read all  

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At his Angelus address on Sunday, Pope Francis decries suffering in Myanmar, the Middle East, Ukraine, and Haiti, while urging everyone to pursue paths of peace and recalling World Leprosy Day. Read all  

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During his Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis urges the faithful to resist what has the power to enslave them by invoking Jesus whenever they feel tempted or about to make a misstep, and tells them, once again, to not dialogue with the devil. Read all  

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Today, 28th January, many Churches celebrate the feastday of St Isaac the Syrian. Vatican News investigates this desert-dwelling monk, whose voice, even across a distance of many centuries, comes 'right into the house of one's soul.' Read all  

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Worldwide, people observed Holocaust Remembrance Day on Saturday to remember the 6 million Jews as well as Sinti, Roma, and millions of others killed by the German Nazis and their collaborators during World War Two at a time of growing concerns about the future of Israel. Saturday's ceremonies came amid mounting concerns about rising antisemitism after the October 7 attack by Hamas in Israel that ...

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As the Church marks the Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Fr. Edmund Power, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “The Holy One of God". Read all  

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Pope Francis condemns hatred and violence on Holocaust Remembrance Day, emphasising the importance of remembrance in constructing a peaceful future. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News ahead of the Italy-Africa Summit, the World Bank's Senior Managing Director, Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg, discusses the need for the International Community to support Africa in a way that values and relies on the people on the continent, building on what they need and including them in the decision-making process. Read all   ...

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Pope Francis grants an audience to the President of the Central African Republic, Mr Faustin Archange Touadéra. Read all  

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Francis praises the Ambassadors of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) for their diplomatic work at the service of the poor and stresses the importance of a "joint" action between SMOM and Vatican diplomacy. Read all  

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The Pope meets with members of an Italian non-profit that raises funds for an orphanage in Rwanda founded in the wake of the country's 1994 genocide. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with young people preparing to be confirmed and emphasises the importance of the Sacrament as well as the profound connection between it and the commitments made during Baptism. Read all  

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Speaking at Aachen, Germany, at the presentation of a book on the social teaching of Pope Francis, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development illustrates the Catholic vision of human development and its relevance in today’s world. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends a video message to Edna, a young Portuguese girl with whom he had corresponded ahead of World Youth Day in Lisbon, encouraging her to continue her struggle with a life-threatening illness and to pray for young people. Read all  

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Following an audience with Pope Francis, the United Nations' High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, stresses the importance of respecting international law and human rights, expressing concerns about the impact of technology on conflicts, calling for a ceasefire in the Middle East, and condemning the death penalty while advocating for a world based on human rights and dignity. ...

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‘The court is acutely aware of the extent of the human tragedy that is unfolding in the region and is deeply concerned about the continuing loss of life and human suffering,’ Justice Donoghue, the president of the court, said. Read all  

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Following an audience with Pope Francis, Amy Pope, the Director General of the UN International Organization for Migration, praises the Holy Father’s passionate advocacy regarding migration and laments how migrants are often vilified in election years. Read all  

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Ahead of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Viktor Eichner of the World Jewish Congress highlights relations between the Catholic Church and Jewish communities around the world, and thanks Pope Francis for his commitment to preserving our memory of the Holocaust. Read all  

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The Myanmar Witness project of the UK-based Centre for Information Resilience releases a report revealing the impact of Myanmar’s conflict on Church communities in Christian-majority Chin state. Read all  

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Pope Francis thanks the Worldwide Prayer Network (Apostleship of Prayer) for their work in sustaining the “mystique of prayer” in the Church. Read all  

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Pope Francis highlights the dialogue of charity, truth, and life in his address to the Joint International Commission for Theological Dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches. Read all  

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On 31 January 2024, the Diocese of Santiago de Cabo Verde will celebrate 491 years since its creation. Read all  

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In an address to the plenary assembly of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Pope Francis discusses the Sacraments, human dignity, evangelisation, and Fiducia supplicans. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends a message to an awards ceremony in Lourdes dedicated to Fr. Jacques Hamel, a French priest killed in 2016, highlighting the role of information in building a ‘more fraternal world that respects everyone’s beliefs.’ Read all  

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A humanitarian effort coordinated by the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land will bring over 100 injured Palestinian children from Gaza to Italy for medical treatment. Read all  

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Pope Francis presides over Ecumenical Vespers to close the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, and invites all Christians to avoid the devil’s trap of division through prayerful, selfless service. Read all  

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In a speech to the United Nations Security Council, the Holy See's UN representative says “it is essential to avoid an entire population paying the consequences of a heinous act of terrorism.” Read all  

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The UN's Palestinian refugee agency says 12 people were killed when a United Nations facility sheltering civilians was struck in Khan Younis. Read all  

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On the last day of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Archbishop Ian Ernest, the Anglican representative to the Holy See, speaks about the fraternal bond of friendship shared by Catholics and Anglicans. Read all  

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As Rome’s Venerable English College hosts a symposium to celebrate Cardinal Ercole Consalvi, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher calls the 19th century Vatican diplomat a man of great faith and humanity who reveals the Church’s relevance for our own challenging times. Read all  

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Pope Francis inaugurates the Vatican's judicial year and urges officials of the Tribunal of the Roman Rota, an appeals court, to pray fervently as they discern cases that hit their docket. Read all  

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Father Taddeo Wang Yuesheng was appointed by Pope Francis as the Bishop of Zhengzhou on December 16, 2023, and the announcement of his appointment coincides with the day of consecration, within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China. Read all  

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Reverend Doctor Anthony Ishaya, a Nigerian-born Anglican priest taking part in the WCC’s ecumenical program with the Bose Community, speaks with Vatican News about the role of ecumenism in response to violence in his home country. Read all  

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Six nuns of the Congregation of Saint Anne who were taken hostage by armed men on 19 January have been released, along with two abducted laypeople, according to Haitian Archbishop Max Leroy Mésidor of Port-au-Prince. Read all  

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The joint seminar bringing together representatives of Catholic bishops in Africa and in Europe kicks off in in the Kenyan capital with a special focus on young people. Read all  

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Pope Francis recognises a miracle attributed to the Canadian-born Blessed Mary Leonia Paradis, opening the door to her canonisation. He also recognises the martyrdom and heroic virtues of five other men and women. Read all  

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The Holy See issues new norms detailing procedures for raising anticorruption concerns with the Vatican Auditor, via a dedicated email address, regarding anomalies in the use of financial or material resources, irregularities in tenders, and acts of corruption. Read all  

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In his message for the 58th World Day of Social Communications, Pope Francis urges humanity to cultivate wisdom of the heart in the age of artificial intelligence. Read all  

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Fr. Gabriele Martinelli, who until 2021 worked in the Vatican, was found guilty of corruption of a minor, following his acquittal on all charges in the initial trial due to insufficient evidence. Read all  

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Pope Francis looks ahead to the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed on the anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and appeals for an end to war, including the bombardments of civilians in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Read all  

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At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechesis series on vice and virtue with a reflection on avarice, saying the certainty of death is an effective reminder that we must be generous with our goods in this life since we cannot take our money beyond the grave. Read all  

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Rome's University of the Sacred Heart and the Catholic University of Central Africa sign a partnership agreement on research, training, and healthcare. Read all  

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Iraq’s Patriarch Sako calls on Christians to dedicate their annual 'Nineveh Fast' to praying for peace and stability in the Middle East and the world. Read all  

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The Vicar of Custody of Holy Land, Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, writes an article for L'Osservatore Romano, insisting that women are great witnesses and weavers of peace, as two women are killed every hour in Gaza. Read all  

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Church leaders in Haiti announce a day of prayer to be held on Wednesday to implore the unconditional release of six nuns abducted on January 19 and all hostages held by gangs. Read all  

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The project that stems from “The Economy of Francesco” is the brainchild of a group of young economists with experience in the economy of communion. Its goal is to spread awareness about consumption and provide a guide to companies, to become more sustainable and ethical. The coordinator, Luca Guandalini, compares shopping to political elections as shopping responsibly makes us active participant...

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In a preface for Cardinal Comastri's new book, "Praying Today. A Challenge to Be Overcome", Pope Francis invites Christians to prepare for the 2025 Jubilee through fervent prayer for our conflict-ridden world. Read all  

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As the Year of Prayer gets underway, the Prefect and Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Evangelisation explain its purpose as helping Catholics prepare for the 2025 Jubilee, announcing that Pope Francis will set up a "School of Prayer" to explore various aspects of every Christian's "breath of faith." Read all  

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The Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul in Brazil is celebrating the 400th anniversary of the first inspiration of its founder with a new project that seeks to promote health and well-being, in light of the Gospel and the third UN Sustainable Development Goal. Read all  

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As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity unfolds, Christians of various confessions in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv show their tangible solidarity with people enduring hardship due to the war, according to Bishop Pavlo Honcharuk, the city's Latin-rite bishop. Read all  

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The Archdiocese of Port-au-Prince is appealing for the release of six women religious who were kidnapped from a bus in the Haitian capital last Friday. Read all  

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Catholic and Anglican Bishops are undertaking a week of dialogue, prayer, and pilgrimages to Rome and Canterbury, involving 50 bishops from 27 countries to mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Read all  

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European Union foreign ministers are meeting in Brussels to discuss the future of European support for Ukraine, which needs more ammunition to fight invading Russian troops. The gathering comes while the Polish prime minister is in Kyiv, amid more bloodshed, as Russia has accused Ukrainian forces of attacking a market in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine, killing at least 25 people and injuring 20 ...

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Pope Francis receives José Manuel Ramos-Horta, the president of Timor-Leste , in an audience on Monday at the Apostolic Palace. Read all  

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Pope Francis writes a letter to young people to accompany a new edition of the YOUCAT, or ‘Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church’, and invites them to find the secret to a joyful life in living with and for Christ. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets members of the Committee for the Centenary of the birth of Italian pioneer priest and educator, Don Lorenzo Milani, and recalls his dedication to the education of the poor and excluded in society. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, Father Ibrahim Faltas, the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, decries that more than 10,000 children have been killed since the start of the Israel-Hamas War, and urges serious consideration of the 'two peoples, two-States' solution. Read all  

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Pope Francis highlights the need for respect and steadfastness in caring for the earth and for one another, as he welcomes participants in the Vinitaly wine and spirits trade fair to the Vatican. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with reporters accredited to the Vatican, and urges them to combine “subtlety of spirit” with journalistic skill in order to effectively broadcast news pertaining to the Pope and the Holy See. Read all  

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Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again refused the idea of establishing a Palestinian state. Read all  

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At the Angelus, Pope Francis announces a “Year of Prayer” ahead of the upcoming Jubilee, and invites the faithful to pray for Christian unity and for peace throughout the world. The Holy Father also calls for the release of a group of people, including several nuns, who were kidnapped last week in Haiti. Read all  

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At the Angelus prayer on Sunday, Pope Francis acknowledges that despite our limitations, Jesus still encourages us to witness, through our lives and our joy, how beautiful it is to love Jesus, and insists that announcing the Gospel is never time 'lost.' Read all  

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Celebrating the annual Sunday of the Word of God, Pope Francis encourages us to be "conquered by the beauty" the Word of God brings into our lives, opening our hearts and showing us new and unforeseen wonders and horizons of God's love. Read all  

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Russia has accused Ukraine of being behind a drone strike that sparked a massive inferno at an oil depot in western Russia on Friday after a similar attack on.one of Russia's largest refineries. They are the latest in a series of escalating cross-border attacks as the Russia-Ukraine war will soon enter its third year. Read all  

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Four high ranking members of Iran's military have been killed in a suspected air strike on the Syrian capital of Damascus Read all  

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As the Church marks the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Jenny Kraska offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Follow the Leader”. Read all  

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Meeting with members of ASMEL, an Italian association that supports small municipalities in disadvantaged areas of Italy, Pope Francis reiterates his concern for the worsening demographic crisis in Italy. Read all  

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Pope Francis welcomes a delegation of the 'Renewal in the Holy Spirit' Church movement in the Vatican, and urges them to move forward in prayer, especially adoration, evangelization, and communion. Read all  

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Armed gunmen take at least six nuns hostage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, when they took over a bus carrying them and drove off to an unknown destination. Read all  

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Addressing participants at the Philippine Conference for the New Evangelization, Cardinal Mario Grech looks at key outcomes from last October's Synod Assembly, "A Synodal Church in Mission," and his hopes for the next session later this year. Read all  

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As President Felix Tshisekedi prepares to be sworn in on Saturday for his second term, the National Episcopal Conference of the Congo issues a statement in which the bishops deplore “electoral catastrophe” in December, while urging President Tshisekedi to work for unity and territorial integrity of the conflict-torn country. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends a message to participants at the International Conference on "The Declaration of Helsinki: Research in Resource-Poor Settings," which explores the theme of ethical considerations in clinical research within low-income countries. Read all  

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Pope Francis holds an audience with President Gustavo Petro of the Republic of Colombia, discussing how to best promote social justice, dialogue, and reconciliation. Read all  

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After his year-long ordeal as a hostage of Islamist militants in Mali, Fr. Hans-Joachim Lohre shares details of his captivity and recounts how he listened to Pope Francis’ 2022 Christmas Mass on Vatican Radio, allowing him to feel part of the universal Church. Read all  

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For the 60th anniversary of Vajont Dam landslide that killed nearly 2,000 people in northern Italy, Pope Francis praises the community of the Diocese of Belluno-Feltre for their ability to start anew and care for Creation. Read all  

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Pope Francis holds an audience with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev of Kazakhstan, discussing the importance of "the urgent commitment to promote peace and stability in the world." Read all  

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Pope Francis urges Catholic universities to prioritize genuine passion for truth, resist fear and societal walls, and commit to transformative education and addressing contemporary issues. Read all  

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To mark the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Pope Francis meets with a groups of Protestants, Catholics and Orthodox from Finland, encouraging them to journey together as a “pilgrim Church”. Read all  

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Rome’s Venerable English College, together with the British Embassy to the Holy See, announces a series of events for the 200th anniversary of the death of the renowned papal diplomat, Cardinal Ercole Consalvi. Read all  

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As the Church celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, reflects on the relationship between Catholics and Orthodox 60 years after the historic encounter between Pope St. Paul VI and Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras. Read all  

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The General Secretary of the ecumenical body reminds world leaders meeting in Davos that, given the unprecedented constellation of global crises there is an urgent need for cooperation rather than division. Read all  

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Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican's Secretary for Relations with States, comments on Pope Francis' audience with a delegation of Vietnamese political representatives, and says the Pope would like to visit the Asian nation. Read all  

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The annual World Watch List released this week by the non-denominational advocacy organization shows that more Christians than ever recorded in the past three decades faced some form of persecution in 2023. Read all  

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Pope Francis invites people engaged in the arts to carry out their craft in love, joy and charity, as he meets with the Arena of Verona Foundation, which is celebrating a centenary since the 1st century Roman amphitheatre's rebirth. Read all  

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Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin expresses the Holy See’s concerns for an escalation of war that could engulf the entire Middle East, speaking on the sidelines of an event at the Italian Senate. Read all  

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On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Cardinal Peter Turkson reflects on the importance of entrepreneurs working to change business practices and goals in order to promote the economic integration of people enduring poverty. Read all  

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At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Lia Beltrami discusses the Vatican's "Emotion to Generate Change" exhibit, and highlights how art can inspire global leaders to engage productively on the issue of climate change. Read all  

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The Vatican Publishing House (LEV) is set to publish the book “Paul VI: Doctor of the Mystery of Christ” which collects the homilies that Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, gave from 2008 to 2014 on the anniversary of the passing of St. Paul VI. Pope Francis has written the preface, which we publish here. Read all ...

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The Vatican celebrates the 100th anniversary of Studium Biblicum Franciscanum in Rome, highlighting its position as the sole Catholic university in the Holy Land for biblical studies and its unique contribution to a firsthand understanding of the Scriptures. Read all  

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Nicaragua’s government cancels the juridical status of 16 non-governmental organizations, ten of which are Catholic or evangelical Christian, and seizes their assets. Read all  

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Church-run Universities in Rome launch an online diploma in integral ecology, aiming to respond to “the unprecedented challenge facing the planet.” Read all  

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Cardinal Michael Czerny, SJ, will be in the West African country of Benin from 17-20 January. His visit will include be a stop at the Saint Jean De Dieu Hospital in Cotonou, which guarantees quality medical care at affordable prices for the poor and those living in remote villages. Read all  

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Mohamed, at just 9 years old, fled his home in Morocco to seek a future in Europe. After passing through various centers for the protection of minors, a community of nuns welcomed him, gave stability to his life, and accompanied him in a human process that today sees him working toward a university master's degree and engaged in helping other migrants at the Fundación Centro Tierra de Todos. ...

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In a message to the 2024 World Economic Forum in Davos, Pope Francis urges business and world leaders to ensure that economic development benefits everyone and remains tied to solidarity. Read all  

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Pope Francis condemns Iran's rocket attacks on Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, saying that “good relations between neighbours are not built with such actions, but with dialogue and cooperation”. Read all  

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Embrace the purity of love, and resist lust, which leads to emptiness and enslaves, urges Pope Francis at his weekly General Audience, as he continues his catechesis series of virtues and vices. Read all  

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Father Michel Abboud, president of Caritas Lebanon speaks to Vatican News about the thousands of men, women and children forced to flee cross-fire in South Lebanon, saying the escalation of the fighting further complicates the economic crisis in Lebanon. Read all  

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International humanitarian aid agencies have appealed for greater access to reach the population of Gaza where emergency medicine and food are desperately needed to assist the injured and avert famine and disease. Read all  

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In a letter to his family, Pope Francis describes Cardinal Sebastiani, who has died at age 92, as a “good and vigilant servant” of the Lord. A Vatican diplomat, he was also president of the Holy See's Prefecture for Economic Affairs for more than 10 years. Read all  

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Inspired by the parable of the Good Samaritan, this year’s Week of Prayer for Christian Unity invites us to pray for love of God and neighbour. Read all  

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As clashes between Israeli forces and Lebanese Hezbollah militants intensify on the border with Israe,l thousands of Lebanese families continue to flee the Southern part of Lebanon already facing a compounding set of multiple crises. Read all  

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Guatemala's newly-sworn-in President faces huge political and structural challenges as well as the daunting prospect of overcoming chronic widespread poverty. Read all  

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The first week of Lent, Pope Francis' engagements will be suspended as he and top Roman Curia officials dedicate the days to private, prayerful Spiritual Exercises. Read all  

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The Pope’s decisions are communicated in two motu proprios released today. A spending limit is set, beyond which Vatican offices must request the approval of the Secretariat for the Economy. Read all  

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The Regional Episcopal Conference of North Africa (CERNA) publishes outcomes of its recent meeting which took place from January 11 to 15 in Rabat, Morocco. Read all  

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Two letters are delivered to Pope Francis by Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, who spoke with the Pope about unaccompanied minors and migration. Read all  

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Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, pays a visit to Rome, and discusses the situation in the Middle East with Pope Francis. Read all  

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Closing their annual meeting in Maroua-Mokolo, the Cameroonian bishops express their “constant paternal solicitude and continual prayer” for all victims of violence in Far North and North-West and South-West regions. Read all  

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In a statement released for the federal holiday commemorating the late Martin Luther King, Jr., the Bishops of the United States urge Catholics to continue the pursuit of racial equality and justice in the country. Read all  

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Following a deadly mudslide in western Colombia, Pope Francis asks God to "grant consolation to the bereaved, and to all those who are suffering in these moments of pain and uncertainty." Read all  

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Pope Francis greets members of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum and encourages their passionate work in combining Sacred Scripture with archeological research, one hundred years since their foundation. Read all  

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As Americans mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we explore the link between a Jesuit priest and the Baptist minister who galvanized the civil rights movement from 1955 until his assassination in 1968. Read all  

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A year lost for Sudan's children

Posted on January 15, 2024 in: Vatican News

Marking almost one year since the beginning of the civil war in Sudan, Save the Children warns about the terrible effect that violence is having on children, and about the Western world's unjust silence. Read all  

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The Nicaraguan government has confirmed the release of the Bishop of Matagalpa, detained since 2022, together with the Bishop of Siuna, two seminarians, and 15 other priests. Read all  

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In an interview on an Italian TV program, Pope Francis laments the risk of escalation in war, says he has no plans to resign, announces Apostolic Journeys to Polynesia and to Argentina, and reflects on ‘Fiducia supplicans’, saying “the Lord blesses everyone, everyone, everyone.” Read all  

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Frederik X became the King of Denmark on Sunday following the formal abdication of his mother, Queen Margrethe II, who had been on the throne for 52 years. Tens of thousands of Danes gathered in Copenhagen to witness the historic succession. Read all  

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Fr. Ibrahim Faltas, the Vicar of the Custody of the Holy Land in Jerusalem, thanks Pope Francis for his appeals for peace, and invites Christians to point the way to Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Read all  

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The Bishop of Arua Diocese in North Western Uganda, Sabino Ochan Odoki, has expressed his gratitude to the Holy See for the support given to facilitate the well-being of refugees who have taken shelter within his Diocese. Read all  

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Pope Francis calls all forms of war a “crime against humanity,” and urges humanity to learn how to desire peace through education that rejects violence. Read all  

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At the Angelus prayer, Pope Francis encourages us to renew our joy as disciples of the Lord, and recalls how the first apostles went out looking for the Lord and upon finding Him shared their joy with others. Read all  

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Sunday marks 100 days of the war in Gaza with no sign of easing, making this the longest and most brutal flare-up in violence between Israel and Palestinians since Israel’s founding in 1948. Read all  

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In an extensive interview with L'Osservatore Romano, Palestinian Prime Minister Shtayyeh addresses the Palestinian National Authority's key role for the future of Gaza and the whole of Palestine. Read all  

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The Apostolic Vicar of Southern Arabia says recent developments in the Red Sea have not yet affected ordinary life in Yemen, though they could affect the peace process in the war-torn country. Read all  

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We are not neutral. We stand by the side of the many Palestinians who have died under the rubble of Gaza, 10,000 of whom are children. We stand by the side of the innocents killed in the kibbutzim on October 7 and the Israeli hostages. We stand, with full conviction, on one side: that of the victims and those who suffer. Read all  

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One hundred days after Hamas attacked Israel and took hundreds of hostages, Rachel Goldberg Polin, mother of Hersh and spokesperson for the families of the hostages, who met Pope Francis last November, has written this exclusive article for L'Osservatore Romano. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with over 800 priests of the Diocese of Rome in the Basilica of St. John Lateran, and calls the clergy to bear credible witness to Christ and to keep their homilies brief and direct. Read all  

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The “Pope Francis Laundromat and Shower Service” opens its doors to the poor and homeless in the Italian city of Naples, allowing them to wash their clothes and take a shower. Read all  

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As the Church marks the Second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Behold the Lamb of God!” Read all  

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Pope Francis releases his message for the 32nd World Day of the Sick, and calls for a ‘therapeutic covenant’ between people who are ill and their caregivers, family members, and God. Read all  

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In the Brazilian city of Canoas, the local school community has launched a solidarity project to support the mission of the Holy Spirit Missionary Sisters (SSpS), with the goal of teaching people how to learn to give and renounce consumerism without forgetting those in need. Read all  

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Meeting the Athletica Vaticana sports association, Pope Francis expresses his hope that the spirit of sport may foster peace in the world with war looming on all horizons, especially in this Olympic and Paralympic Year. Read all  

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As people and organizations throughout the world respond to Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato si', the Josephite community in Australia takes up his call to care for all creation and those who inhabit it, especially the poor. Read all  

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The Syro-Malabar Church – one of the largest Eastern Churches in full communion with Rome – has elected a new “Head and Father”, Major Archbishop Raphael Thattil. To find out more about the Church, we spoke with Fr Clement Padathiparambil, Co-Ordinator General of the Syro-Malabar faithful in Europe. Read all  

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UK and US target Houthi positions

Posted on January 12, 2024 in: Vatican News

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have promised to retaliate after British and American strikes killed five fighters and injured six others. Read all  

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Meeting participants in a spiritual formation retreat held in Rome for Catholic communicators serving the Church in France, Pope Francis encourages them not to be afraid to communicate the Gospel with creativity and with an open heart. Read all  

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At an event organised by the Toniolo Young Professional Association, Pope Francis says that life is "made to be given away, not managed.” Read all  

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Pope Francis welcomes students of the Catholic Committee for Cultural Collaboration with the Orthodox Churches and the Oriental Orthodox Churches and encourages them to share with one another how Christ "won your hearts and laid hold of your lives' on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Committee's establishment. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends a letter to the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in which he strongly condemns the "ignoble" and "unacceptable" Russian missile attacks against the civilian population and vital infrastructure of the country. Read all  

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Vinicio Riva, whose face was disfigured by von Recklinghausen's disease and who received a long embrace from Pope Francis ten years ago in St. Peter's Square, passed away at age 58 on Wednesday. Read all  

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Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, president of SECAM, says the African Churches will continue to reflect on ‘Fiducia supplicans,’ while reaffirming their “unwavering communion with Pope Francis” and highlighting the freedom of each Bishop in their own Diocese. Read all  

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Pope Francis emphasizes the experience of praying with the Blessed Virgin Mary as helping God make even small gestures bear fruit, as he meets with a delegation of the "Sentinels of the Holy Family" Marian prayer network. Read all  

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Ahead of the Jubilee year 2025, the Knights of Columbus are supporting a ten-month restoration of the Baldacchino over the high altar in Saint Peter’s Basilica. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with members of the Italian “Bearers of St. Rose” sodality, and encourage Christians to get off the couch and work to spread the Gospel of Christ. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with members of an Institute of secular priests, stressing that secularity means “serving and bearing witness to the Kingdom of God in this world.” Read all  

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L’Osservatore Romano features an interview with an Italian engineer who used to produce landmines but after a conversion experience has gone on to become a leading expert in demining. Read all  

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Following the declaration of a state of emergency in response to escalating gang-related violence, Ecuador’s Catholic Bishops’ Conference calls for unity and fraternity to restore peace in the country. Read all  

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Pope Francis confirms the canonical election of Bishop Raphael Thattil as Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly of the Syro-Malabars. Mar Raphael succeeds George Cardinal Alencherry as head of the sui iuris Syro-Malabar Catholic Church. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with representatives of the Dialop Transversal dialogue project, an initiative that invites socialists and Christians to work for a common ethic, and invites them to build a better future for our polarised world. Read all  

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Pope Francis appeals for an end to all wars, and prays that God might sow the seed of peace in the hearts of world leaders. Read all  

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At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis reflects on the sin of gluttony, and recalls that imbalanced relationships with food can damage the planet and our own hearts. Read all  

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Masked gunmen terrorise a television station in Ecuador, bursting in and threatening its staff during a live program. Read all  

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After three years of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic the traditional procession in the Filipino capital resumes this year drawing hundreds of thousands of devotees. Read all  

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A special "Mass for Reconciliation" is celebrated in the Cathedral of Seoul, carrying on the tradition of a peace initiative started in 1995 and celebrated by the Catholic community on both sides of the 38th parallel. Read all  

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America’s top diplomat Antony Blinken has arrived in Israel for talks on the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Read all  

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Ahead of the annual novena of prayer and penance for life commemorating the 51st the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade, U.S. bishops reiterate that continuing efforts are needed to protect children and their mothers from the "tragedy of abortion". Read all  

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The applied philosophy of caring

Posted on January 09, 2024 in: Vatican News

In Sicily, Paola Gurrieri, together with her brothers, heads La Mediterranea, a leader in the cultivation of chrysanthemums. The company is the first in Italy to adopt water vapor soil sterilization and to have adopted environmental and social sustainability strategies such as free preventative health screenings for employees and providing housing for foreign workers who, like Italians, are hired ...

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In an interview with Vatican News, the President of Caritas Japan, Bishop Daisuke Narui of Niigata, explains the ongoing difficulties faced by the nation's people following the deadly recent earthquake, which has killed more than 200, blocked movement, and resulted in numerous aftershocks and subsequent earthquakes. Read all  

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The Prefecture of the Papal Household releases the schedule of Pope Francis' liturgical celebrations for January and February, which includes the canonization of Blessed Maria Antonia of Saint Joseph de Paz y Figueroa, born in what is now Argentina. Read all  

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As Germany mourns Franz Beckenbauer, once known as the ‘Kaiser’ of soccer, we recall his 2005 encounter with Pope Benedict XVI and his career as one of the greatest footballers and managers. Read all  

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The Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, Bishop Aldo Berardi, celebrates Mass at Our Lady of the Rosary in Doha, the first official Christian place of worship in Qatar. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends a letter to Archbishop Domenico Sorrentino confirming the Bishop of Assisi’s role in leading the Economy of Francesco, urging the movement to help interpret the dreams of young people. Read all  

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina wins fourth straight term in controversial parliamentary elections boycotted by the opposition which announces more protests ‘to save democracy’. Read all  

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Fire destroys hundreds of makeshift shelters and over 100 facilities in the world's largest refugee camp that hosts over one million Rohingya who continue to flee violence and persecution in Myanmar. Read all  

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Children, according to the UN refugee agency, represent about half of the displaced Sudanese population. Since the conflict erupted last year, at least 5,000 people have been killed, more than 7.3 million people displaced. Read all  

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Advocating for peace and compassion, Pope Francis calls for the release of all hostages held by armed groups in Colombia. Read all  

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Drawing the diplomatic corps' attention to the humanitarian crisis in South Caucasus, Pope Francis appeals for signing of a peace agreement to help mitigate the suffering between Azerbaijan and Armenia, evidenced especially in the migrant crisis the tensions have provoked. Read all  

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184 states currently have full diplomatic relations with the Holy See, of which 89 have missions in Rome. In 2023, new ties were established with Oman, Kazakhstan, and Vietnam. Read all  

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In his annual “State of the World” address to members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis reflects on the conflicts and divisions ravaging the world and highlights the responsibility of individuals and nations to foster peace. Read all  

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Uganda's Archbishop of Gulu, John Baptist Odama, has made a passionate plea for peace and love in 2024. Read all  

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Ukraine says Orthodox Christmas strikes by Russia have killed more than a dozen people, including children, in the east and south of the country. The attacks came as Vladimir Putin vowed on the eve of Orthodox Christmas to back soldiers who, in his words, "with arms in hands," defend Russia's interests. Read all  

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The United Nations is alarmed at rising ethnic tension in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Read all  

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Pope Francis appeals for the release of people who have been kidnapped in Colombia. He also expresses his closeness to the population of the Republic of Congo affected by extreme flooding. Read all  

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Cardinal Brenes ordains nine priests in Managua, while the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights calls on the Nicaraguan government to disclose the whereabouts of the Bishop of Siuna, Isidoro Mora. Read all  

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During his Sunday Angelus on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis reminds faithful that the day they were baptized, we became children of God forever, and this date of great grace must be remembered and celebrated. Read all  

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As is customary on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, Pope Francis baptises 16 infants in the Sistine Chapel, welcoming them into their new life of faith. Read all  

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Orthodox Christmas has been overshadowed by massive clashes between Ukraine and Russia, with Moscow saying it downed dozens of Ukrainian drones in occupied Crimea and southern Russia. The violence came at a time of Western concerns that Russia reportedly uses ballistic missiles supplied by North Korea to attack Ukraine, which in turn seeks to bring the 22-month war beyond its borders. ...

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The situation in the Middle East worsens as tensions rise on the Lebanon - Israel border. Read all  

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As the Church marks the Baptism of the Lord, Marilynne Robinson offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Exactly like any ordinary man”. Read all  

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Pope Francis prays for the victims of a terror attack that killed almost 90 people in Iran, whilst also turning his thoughts to the devastating wars that are ravaging our world. Read all  

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At the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis invites Christians to look to the Child Jesus and wonder at His humility, as the Magi did when they arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and to see the problems of the world through the eyes of children. Read all  

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Pope Francis presides over Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and recalls three ways that imitating the Three Kings may lead us closer to God. Read all  

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Closing their monthly meeting Bkerké, the Lebanese bishops issue a statement calling for the international community to step in to prevent a new full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel, and for a permanent ceasefire in the Holy Land. Read all  

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As the Church marks the Epiphany of the Lord, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Attraction, Indifference and Repulsion”. Read all  

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Following a series of meetings with African Heads of State, the Sudanese paramilitary leader says he is committed to a cease-fire to end the devastating war that has wrecked his country. However, fighting continues unabated, and no date or location for talks between the warring parties has been announced. Read all  

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The ‘Centesimus Annus Pro Pontefice' Foundation opens registrations for new in-person and online courses to explore the contribution of the Social Doctrine of the Church to our world’s ongoing transformation and crises. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Nigeria, calls for a concrete response to the insecurity crisis witnessed in the latest Christmastime massacre, warning this coordinated series of attacks raises serious questions, and expresses gratitude to Pope Francis for his drawing attention to the 'horror' plaguing the West African nation. ...

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Speaking to members of Unicoop Florence and The Heart Melts Foundation, Pope Francis says the mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation shows us that being close to those in need is “the privileged way to encounter Him.” Read all  

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Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt condolences, sorrow, and prayers for those who were killed or injured by explosions in Kerman, Iran, and for those who mourn their loss. Read all  

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Six nuns of the Benedictine Order from the Abbey of Santa Scholastica in Victoria, Argentina, accompanied by their Abbess, are welcomed in the Vatican by the president of the Governorate. They will form a monastic community in the Monastery, which served as Benedict XVI’s home after his resignation and until his death. Read all  

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In an interview with Vatican News, the Archbishop of Homs launches a plea for the Syrian people who risk dying of hunger after the World Food Programme suspended its general food assistance programme in the war-torn country due to funding shortages. Read all  

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Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, speaks with Vatican News about celebrating Christmas even as bombs are falling. Read all  

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During his audience with members of the Catholic University of Sant'Antonio in Murcia, Spain, Pope Francis invites the faithful to imitate God's love in all they do and wherever they are. Read all  

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On the 60th anniversary of the historic meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, explores the spirit of encounter set in motion by the two Church leaders. Read all  

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Mexican authorities have rescued 31 migrants who were abducted over the weekend by gunmen who hijacked their bus. Read all  

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Pope Francis grants an interview to the monthly magazine of the Franciscans of the Sacred Convent in Assisi and invites them to be "apostles of reconciliation and forgiveness" in a world ravaged by warns Read all  

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Meeting members of the Association of German Catholic Journalists, Pope Francis highlights the role of Catholic communicators in providing truthful information while not fueling conflict, even within the Church. Read all  

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In a statement signed by the Cardinal prefect and the secretary, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith clarifies that ‘Fiducia supplicans’ does not change the doctrine on marriage; that bishops are able to discern the application of the document according to context; and that pastoral blessings are not comparable to liturgical and ritualized blessings. The full text of the statement is prese...

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The artistic director of the 2024 Venice Music Biennale, Lucia Ronchetti, launches an international campaign that seeks to identify five composers and six performers under 30 years of age to be selected for a residency program to carry out research and produce new performances. Read all  

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Pope Francis meets with a French missionary fraternity dedicated to working in cities, and praises their efforts to bring God’s tenderness and compassion to the existential peripheries of urban areas. Read all  

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War reaches into Lebanon with the killing of the Hamas deputy leader in Beirut. Read all  

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At least 100 people were killed and dozens of others injured in twin blasts near Iranian General Qasem Soleimani’s tomb, as crowds marked the fourth anniversary of the assassination of the man credited with being the architect of Iranian policy across the region. . Read all  

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The Archdiocese of Calcutta, in eastern India, renovates the Holy Door ahead of the Jubilee Year 2025. Read all  

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Cardinal Fernando Filoni concludes his Pilgrimage of Peace to the Holy Land with an appeal to Israelis and Palestinians to show the world that peace is possible among people. Read all  

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Pope Francis prays for the victims of armed conflicts in Palestine, Israel, Ukraine, and the persecuted Rohingya, and reiterates his solidarity with victims of an earthquake and aircraft collision in Japan. Read all  

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At the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis continues his catechesis on vices and virtues, and recalls that Christian life is filled with opportunities to turn spiritual struggles into moments of grace. Read all  

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Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for the month of January, and invites Christians to embrace the diversity of charisms in the Church as a richness. Read all  

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Israel continues push into Gaza

Posted on January 02, 2024 in: Vatican News

Concentrated fighting is ongoing in Gaza, where attacks continue in the southern region of Khan Younis. Read all  

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The Bishop of Solwezi Diocese in Zambia, Charles J.S. Kasonde, has called on priests, the religious and the Catholic faithful of his Diocese to internalise the Word of God in their daily lives. He spoke at the launch of the newly translated Luvale language Sunday Missal. Read all  

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Pope Francis sends his condolences to the people of Japan, offering his consolation and prayers in the wake of a powerful earthquake that killed at least 48 people. Read all  

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In a collective statement on the situation in war-torn Sudan, the country's Catholic Bishops appeal to the international community to intensify efforts to end the violence in the country. They also express concern that the protracted fighting may aim to block solidarity between the people of Sudan. Read all  

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Dozens dead in Japan quake

Posted on January 02, 2024 in: Vatican News

Dozens of people have been killed in a violent earthquake that razed buildings and set others ablaze on Japan's western coast. Read all  

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After Russia’s largest missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Bishop Oleksandr Yazlovetskiy, auxiliary bishop of Kyiv, describes Caritas Spes’ continued assistance to people in need and the work of the Catholic clergy in support of the Ukrainian people. Read all  

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Fr. Gustavo Sandino, a priest of the Diocese of Jinotega, Nicaragua, was arrested following Mass on New Year's Eve. At least 14 priests, two seminarians and a Bishop have been arrested in recent days in Nicaragua. Cardinal Brenes has expressed his closeness to the priests' families and communities. Read all  

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Pope Francis prays for Nicaragua after several Catholic priests and a Bishop were detained in recent days. Read all  

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At the Angelus prayer on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis recalls that love should be filled with kindness and respect, never seeking to dominate those we love. Read all  

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In his homily at the New Year's Day Mass celebrating the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, Pope Francis calls on us to "entrust this coming year to the Mother of God" and consecrate our lives to her. With her "tender love...she will lead us to Jesus." On this day the Church also marks the World Day of Peace. Read all  

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As the Church celebrates the World Day of Peace and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, we explore the visual and existential contrasts between war and peace, accompanied by Pope Francis' prayer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Read all  

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