News
-
-
Humble pope may signal change for Asia
Catholic leaders and civil society organizations said on Friday that the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis signals hope that the Vatican will pay closer attention to the needs of the poor throughout the world, particularly Indonesia....“Yesterday I read an article saying that [then] Cardinal Bergoglio ... -
Peres invites Pope Francis to Israel
President Shimon Peres on Thursday invited Pope Francis to visit Israel, the day after the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was elected as pontiff by the College of Cardinals. Speaking to a visiting delegation of Church leaders from Poland, Peres said ... -
Homily for inaugural Mass of Petrine Ministry
I thank the Lord that I can celebrate this Holy Mass for the inauguration of my Petrine ministry on the solemnity of Saint Joseph, the spouse of the Virgin Mary and the patron of the universal Church. It is a significant coincidence, and it is also the name-day of my venerable predecessor: we are ... -
Ecumenical network observes World Water Day
World Water Day, initiated by the United Nations in 1993, is celebrated each year on 22 March to promote activities addressing water issues. In a side event on “Living Water: Towards a Water-Secure World” at the forum, along with other religious leaders, EWN coordinator Dinesh Suna spoke about the role of faith-based ... -
Angelus: Pope wishes youth a Good Journey to WYD 2013
At the end of this morning’s Mass for Palm Sunday (24 March 2013), and before praying the Angelus, the Pope called upon the intercession of our Lady, particularly in favour of those suffering with tuberculosis and young persons... -
Adult stem cell conference: A cultural perspective
An International Conference on adult stem cell research is due to open on Thursday in the Vatican. The event three day event entitled “Regenerative Medicine: Fundamental Change in Science and Culture, brings together politicians, medical researchers and -
Pastor launches new Qu'ran burning stunt
A top Muslim cleric has asked Christians to support a protest against a new plan to burn copies of the Qu’ran. Announced in a press release this week from Terry Jones, an American pastor who has gained notoriety through past anti-Islamic initiatives, the latest stunt would involve the -
The Global Religious Landscape (7)
There are about 488 million Buddhists worldwide, representing 7% of the world’s total population as of 2010. The three major branches of Buddhism in the modern world are Mahayana Buddhism, Theravada Buddhism and Vajrayana (sometimes described as Tibetan) Buddhism.12 While ... -
Pope's Reflection on Vatican II (Part 4)
Here is the fourth and final part of a Vatican translation of the reflection Benedict XVI gave Feb. 14, when he met with the clergy of Rome. The Holy Father delivered the reflection extemporaneously, recounting some of his memories of the Second Vatican Council. -
Pope Benedict XVI's farewell Angelus: I will never abandon the Church
This was Pope Benedict XVI’s parting message on Sunday, during his last Angelus address. At noon the canons sounded from the Janiculum hill and the great bells of St Peter’s basilica rang out. And as the curtains were drawn from his study windows and... -
Vatican: Motu proprio reaffirms cardinals' prerogative for start of conclave
(Vatican Radio) Conclave can begin before March 15th, but this very much depends on the Congregation of Cardinals, electors and non electors, who will only be convoked to their first meeting as of March 1st. -
Benoît XVI, la culture et les arts
Pour Benoît XVI la théologie, la culture et les arts, sont révélateurs du mystère de Dieu et contribuent à la recherche du Beau. Pour preuve, les discours qui ont jalonné son pontificat. -
Benoît XVI parle de la joie du Concile
Cité du Vatican, 15 février 2013 (VIS). Hier, dans le cadre de sa rencontre avec les curés de Rome et le clergé résidant dans le diocèse, Benoît XVI a longuement évoqué le Concile Vatican II, confiant en particulier des souvenirs personnels d'expert. Voici de larges extraits de son intervention improvisée: -
Questions of faith: What is Benedict XVI really like?
As the world bids farewell to Pope Benedict XVI we ask our very own official from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Monsignor John Kennedy, what the Holy Father is really like. Taking a brief pause from our series ... -
List of Famous Women in the Bible
Of the 188 named women in the Bible, two stand out above all others -- Eve and Mary. Eve is the mother of the human race, according to the Bible, while Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ. They exemplify the ambiguous position women occupy in the largely male-dominated, patriarchal society which ... -
Conclave: timetable for first days
During the course of the briefing for journalists on Saturday in the Press Office of the Holy See, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, outlined a timetable for the ceremonies and proceedings on the first days of the upcoming Conclave. The times given below are tentative and approximate... -
Conclave: Black smoke at ballot I
(Vatican Radio) There was no doubt about it: it was shortly after 7:40 pm Tuesday evening in Rome that the charcoal black smoke came billowing out of the smokestack above the Sistine Chapel, signalling that Cardinals meeting in day one of their conclave were.... -
The Cardinals who will elect the Pope
Categorizing the cardinals from area of origin, the 60 European cardinals come from: Italy: 28. Germany: 6. Spain: 5. Poland: 4. France: 4. Austria: 1. Belgium: 1. Switzerland: 1. Portugal: 2. Netherlands:1. .... -
Teacher's Days around the world
In many countries, Teachers' Days are intended to be special days for the appreciation of teachers, and may include celebrations to honor them for their special contributions in a particular field area, or the community in general. The date on which Teachers' day is celebrated varies from country to country. Teachers' days are distinct from World Teachers' Day which is officially celebrated across the world on October 5.[1] -
Is God Interfering? A Question of Great Intellectual Debate
Lately, I have been reading a book called Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch. It is an amazing book with so much articulation about the Lord, his intent of creating this universe, and the reason for duality and relativity in this world, among many other issues of great spiritual ... -
Iraq declares Christmas a holiday in bid to support Christian minority
The government of Iraq has declared Christmas Day a national holiday, in a gesture of support for the country’s embattled religious minority. -
Recognize the gifts received and return in charity and service - Mgr. John Tong
This is what the Archbishop of Hong Kong, Mgr.John Tong says, newly-appointed Cardinal, in his Lenten message entitled "Recognizing and being able to return the goods received." -
Saint-Père Benoît XVI: "Témoigner la joie de l'amour du Christ"
« Que votre mission dans l'Église et dans le monde soit toujours et uniquement « dans le Christ », qu'elle réponde à sa logique et non à celle du monde, qu'elle soit éclairée par la foi et animée par la charité qui nous viennent de la Croix glorieuse du Seigneur » : telle est l'exhortation que le Saint-Père Benoît XVI a adressé aux 22 nouveaux Cardinaux créés au cours du Consistoire ayant eu lieu dans la Basilique Saint-Pierre au matin du 18 février. -
Benoît XVI est entré en Carême
Benoît XVI a ouvert mercredi 22 février les célébrations du Carême en l’église bénédictine Saint-Anselme, sur la colline de romaine de l’Aventin, par un temps de prière et d’adoration avant de se rendre en procession à la basilique Sainte-Sabine pour la messe des Cendres -
Minh Ly sect receives legal status
HCM CITY — The Minh Ly Dao – Tam Tong Mieu (Minh Ly sect under the Three-Religion Temple) has received official permission to practise their religious rites. -
Half of migrants are Christian
According to a recent investigation by the Pew Research Center –an independent institute for political and social analysis based in Washington –about half of the world's migrants are Christian and more than a quarter Muslim.This research was carried out in the year 2010 and includes comparisons with data based on various studies on immigration. -
Making migration work
“Building bridges of opportunity: migration and diversity” that was the theme of a round table discussion sponsored by the U.S. embassy to the Holy See and the Pontifical North American College here in Rome Thursday. -
Japan remembers its 19,000 tsunami victims
Tokyo (AsiaNews/ Agencies) - At 2.46 pm, Japan paused for a minute of silence to remember the 19,000 people who died on 11 March 2011 as a result of a chain of events that began with an earthquake and ended with a tsunami crashing on towns and villages in the northern prefectures of Sendai, Miyagi and Fukushima. -
Bishop of Santiago de Cuba reflects on visit of Benedict XVI
Ahead of the March 23-29 visit of Pope Benedict XVI to Mexico and Cuba, the president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Cuba, Archbishop Dionisio Garcia Ibáñez of Santiago de Cuba, offers the following reflection, in English and Spanish, to share with U.S. Catholics just what this visit means to the Church in Cuba. -
World church leader gathering begins
Some 400 Christian leaders from around the world began a six-day conference in Manila today on Christian mission and evangelism organized by the World Council of Churches.
-
-
-
Pope's Reflection on Vatican II (Part 3)
Here is the third part of a Vatican translation of the reflection Benedict XVI gave last Thursday, Feb. 14, when he met with the clergy of Rome. The Holy Father delivered the reflection extemporaneously, recounting some of his memories of the Second Vatican Council -
Contribution de la Conférence épiscopale à la refonte de la Constitution de 1992
Les évêques groupent leurs considérations autour de trois points successifs, les droits de l’homme, la souveraineté populaire et l’exercice du pouvoir politique. Chacun de ces points amène les auteurs de cette contribution à pointer du doigt une affirmation qui rend incohérent le projet de ... -
Noël dans un monastère vietnamien
Le matin du 24, j'ai assisté, sidérée et hilare, à une représentation jouée par les moines : chants, chorégraphies, saynettes et même défilé de mode ! -
At least 13 Vietnamese killed in Thai road accident
At least 13 Vietnamese passengers were killed early on Monday when their van collided with a truck as they travelled to northeastern Thailand, police said. -
Light pollution causes traffic accidents, health issues in Vietnam
This is because excessive light can cause myriad problems such as disease, sleep deprivation, traffic accidents, and other issues harmful to human health. Damage caused by electric light has not been dealt with seriously, despite the fact that it has been identified by ... -
Paris exhibition features photos of changing VN
Portraits of Vietnamese ethnic groups taken by photographers Sebastien Laval from France and Le Vuong of Viet Nam will be on show in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris from today until July 6. -
Foreign students learn about Tet preparations in Mekong Delta
As Tet is only three days away, the foreign students who recently paid a visit to a city in the Mekong Delta probably still cannot forget what they saw and did there when locals prepared for their biggest festival in a year. -
Saigon flower fests ready for Tet
Ho Chi Minh City has become more colorful thanks to a number of flower festivals organized to bring the atmosphere of Tet (Vietnam's Lunar New Year) to both local people and foreign tourists. -
No family fuss in Vietnam
When we reached down south, the kids were so happy and excited. I’m sure the adults were too but this is just the Vietnamese way. Love is not expressed with words but with actions and feelings. The expression ‘no fuss please, we’re British’ could be applied. Keeping emotions intact but the love is there all the same. -
Valentine’s Day and Vietnamese love language
"Anh yêu em!", "Em yêu anh!" (both mean “I love you!”) Ah… it’s that special time of the year, isn’t it? Spring’s not far away and young women across Vietnam are busy chatting online about Ngày Valentine or... -
Hoi An: Festival of lights
Thousands of local people and tourists flock to the Nguyen Tieu Festival in the ancient town of Hoi An in central Quang Nam Province. The city lights up with lanterns, candlelit paper flowers and cultural performances in the old quarter and the Hoai River. -
Women are the nation's backbone
Saturday, March 8 in case you did not notice is International Women’s Day and is the perfect occasion to take your wife, mother or daughter out for a meal to thank them for being such an important part of your life. -
Exhibition tells tale of two cities
An exhibition featuring urban mutations of France's Rhone-Alpes region and HCM City, aims to show the relationship between the two metropolises. The exhibition Meandering Through the City, to be held from March 16-23 at Lam Son square ... -
New project for 2000 children at the National Hospital for Pediatrics in Hanoi
The National Hospital for Pediatrics in Hanoi and Children's Hospital Bambino Gesù, in Rome have just launched a new project born from the need for special assistance to children with birth defects and genitourinary renal failure and therefore need specialized surgical treatments... -
Vietnam: Playing in friendly
US and Vietnam People's Navy Sailors play volleyball during a barbecue and sports day at Navy Zone 3, Da Nang, Vietnam. Both sides won a game, and then played the final set with mixed teams. -
Nationally-recognized Ponagar festival opens
The Ponagar fest, the biggest cultural event held by Cham people in the south of the central region, kicked off on Apr 30 in Khanh Hoa’s Nha Trang coastal city. -
HCM City opens Spring Flower Festival
The Spring Flower Festival 2013, under the theme ‘The country’s position and people’s will,” opened in Tao Dan Park, Ho Chi Minh City on February 5. -
Festival Events in Tet in Vietnam
For tourists who plan to stay in one city, Tet is colorful, friendly and fun--but the whole country is on the move going home for the holiday, so travel at this time is challenging. Traditional fireworks are the main Tet attraction, and flower markets are lush and extraordinary. -
Traditional music festival gathers expat Vietnamese players
A “dan tranh” (16-chord zither) festival, which kicked off on Monday, is attended by several expat Vietnamese ensembles the world over who have been dedicated to their home country’s traditional musical instrument. -
Ho Chi Minh City's cool homegrown Ikea
A carefully-curated collection of hand-crafted South-East Asian items is now on display at the sleek new Sadec District in Ho Chi Minh City. A new store opened at the top of HCMC’s District 1 in April, providing the city with a sleek place to shop for cool local products ... -
Table ronde autour de l’ouvrage « Le phénomène humain » de Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Dans ce livre, l’auteur développe une vision originale de l'univers, dans laquelle l'évolution s'applique au domaine de l'esprit, dans une tentative de réconciliation de la science moderne et de la spiritualité. -
Delta faces major water crisis
More efforts must be made to efficiently manage and use scarce water resources of the Mekong River as climate change and rapid development to produce electricity have threatened its sustainability. -
Japanese, VN artists usher in summer
A group of Japanese and Vietnamese artists in HCM City is showcasing works in oil and lacquer, watercolours and mixed media, as a greeting to summer. The exhibition, Summer Meeting, displays 30 abstract paintings featuring the beauty of ... -
100th birth anniversaries of Han Mac Tu and Nguyen Do Cung celebrated
The Binh Dinh provincial People's Committee and the Vietnam Writers' Association (VWA) jointly organised a number of activities to mark the 100th anniversary of poet Han Mac Tu, who was born on September 22, 1912. -
Saigon : le pape François accepte la démission du cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Mân. Mgr Paul Bui Van Doc lui succède
Le 22 mars 2014, le bureau de presse du Saint-Siège a annoncé que le pape François acceptait la démission demandée depuis déjà longtemps par l’archevêque de Saigon, le cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Mân. -
National Assembly Chairman meets Pope Francis
On Saturday (Mar. 22, 2014), National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung meets Pope Francis in the Vatican. He updated his host of the growing relationship between Viet Nam and the Catholic Church which, he said, was evidenced by annual meetings between... -
Hue, Da Lat nominated for green city awards
Green Hue and Da Lat cities have been nominated to receive the third ASEAN environmentally sustainable cities award -
American band to perform at Hue Festival
Acclaimed American music band The Amigos will perform at a free public concert and take part in outreach events for disadvantaged people from April 12 to 14 during the Festival Hue. -
Vietnam holds biennial Hue Festival 2014 to showcase heritage value
Vietnam's biennial Hue Festival 2014, which kicked off in the central city of Hue on Saturday and runs through April 20, is expected to give tourists a host of compelling art, cultural and fashion performances from Vietnam and 36 other countries and territories. -
Over 21,600 foreigners flock to Vietnam’s ongoing Hue Festival
By the end of last Sunday, 49,181 tourists, including 21,604 foreigners, arrived in Hue to join the 2014 Hue Festival, which opened last Saturday and closes on April 20, the festival’s organizer announced at the April 14 press conference.
-
-
-
Court grants Easter holiday for Christian workers
Christians working for the federal government will get Good Friday and Easter off, the High Court said on Tuesday after a petition from the All India Christian Council. -
Archbishop to step in on Sabah conflict
The head of the country's bishops’ conference yesterday said he will bring the conflict between Malaysia and the Sulu Sultanate to the attention of the Vatican. Archbishop Jose Palma of Cebu made the assurance after meeting with the... -
WCC general secretary calls for end to increased tension on Korean peninsula
The general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC), Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit, has called for an end to the increase of tensions on the Korean peninsula and encourages the parties involved to move immediately to dialogue about peace, reconciliation and reunification. -
Turkish lawmakers OK military action against ISIS
Turkish lawmakers voted Thursday to authorize military force against ISIS in Syria and Iraq, joining a growing international coalition against the Islamist militants as they continued to capture territory just south of Turkey’s border. -
Hard winter looms for Iraq’s ‘betrayed’ Christian refugees
Despite efforts by northern Iraq’s Catholic bishops to ensure that Christians and other refugees can survive the winter, housing shortages and a significant lack of financial support pose serious threats. -
Japan's 'inside-outside' culture guarantees a bleak future
Japan is a dangerous place. The country is prone to volcanoes, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and typhoons. The earthquake and tsunami that three years ago took more than 18,000 lives brought that fact to the attention of the world. But, smaller quakes are a daily occurrence. -
'The collapse of the factory brings together the elements of discontent: explosive situation'
In recent weeks there have been attacks on Hindu temples and Buddhist communities, this alerts religious minorities, including Christians. As Catholic missionaries, we peacefully promote Christian values of dialogue, fraternity, love of neighbor, with ... -
Fireworks to light up Han River skies
The sixth Da Nang International Fireworks Competition will light up the Han River on April 29, starting with a performance from Russian fireworks centre Khan. -
Myanmar: Yangon archbishop calls for "peace and love"
Burmese authorities arrest two Buddhist suspects over an attack against the commercial activities of Muslims in a state in northern Myanmar. Terror and suspicion prevail in the Muslim minority. Archbishop Bo reiterates Pope Francis's call for a "community of love" that can "put an end to decades of conflict and oppression." -
The Thai monarchy celebrates rice, engine of the national economy
Ploughing Ceremony Day was held yesterday in the Royal Palace, a festival of hope for a plentiful harvest. The cereal is one of the most important national products and is one of the symbols of tradition. Buddhist religious: "It is a national glory". Environmentalist warns: safeguard nature to preserve crops. -
Learning to govern religion democratically in Indonesia
Announcements by Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin and Home Minister Tjahjo Kumolo that they plan to change the way that the government regulates religious affairs is a promising sign that the administration ... -
Hindu revellers ignore outcry over mass animal slaughter in Nepal
Sword-wielding Hindu devotees will transform a remote corner of Nepal into the world's largest abattoir this weekend when they slaughter hundreds of thousands of animals in defiance of a growing chorus of protests. -
Pope writes Christmas letter to Middle East’s persecuted Christians
Pope Francis has written a Christmas letter to the Christians of the Middle East to express his closeness to them at a time of “afflictions and tribulations” due to “the continuing hostilities in the region, but especially because of the work of a newer and disturbing terrorist organization.” -
New Christian Church to be built in Turkey - No discrimination
The Turkish government has authorized the construction of a new Syriac Christian Church. Quoting official sources, the Andaolu Agency reported that the church will be built in the Yeşilköy quarter on the outskirts of Istanbul, on the Sea of Marmara. -
Upcoming papal voyage highlights Pope's concern for Asia
At a press conference in the Vatican on Wednesday, Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the head of the Holy See Press Office, spoke about the significance of Pope Francis’ upcoming Apostolic Voyage to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and gave details of the trip. -
Indonesia: Lawyers and Islamic activists contest the application of the Sharia law to non-Muslims
A clause in Aceh's new Islamic criminal procedural codes, finally approved in February could see non-Muslims tried in Sharia Court , but lawyers, legal experts and human rights activists in the province contest the application of... -
Bishop election could test Vatican-China ties
China on Thursday, May 8, held its first bishop election since Pope Francis assumed the papacy in March last year, in what will be a key test of relations between Beijing and the Vatican as they decide whether to endorse the candidate. -
Beijing urged to relax anti-Church crackdown
China must guarantee its citizens’ rights to freedom of religious belief and expression, a coalition of lawyers, religious leaders and academics have told Beijing as church demolitions and the arrests of Christians stoke fears of a nationwide “anti-church” campaign. -
Appointment of National Director of PMS in Laos and Cambodia
The new National Director had worked as a lay missionary in Cambodia and after his 2009 ordination has been working with PIME. -
Thailand: Church prays for peace, urges for dialogue
The Catholic Church in Thailand, while recognising that declaration of martial law was imperative to control riots, urged that talks be initiated between the warring factions to restore peace in the nation. -
Bangkok, Catholic businessmen focus on Churches' social doctine
In March 2014, the Thai capital will host a conference that will bring together the leaders in the world of business and finance. Not only business but also the ethical and social issues in focus. Also under discussion the new evangelization and pastoral challenges of the future “that affect every sector of human life" -
China set for first public ordination of bishop since 2012
When Father Joseph Zhang Yinlin is ordained bishop of Anyang in Henan province on August 4, he will become the first publicly ordained Chinese bishop in three years and the first since the Vatican and China restarted its dialogue in June 2014. -
Bangladesh religious leaders condemn slaying of blogger
The killing of a fourth blogger this year, allegedly by Islamic militants, has drawn condemnation from religious leaders in Bangladesh. Niladri Chatterjee was hacked to death in his home in Dhaka on Friday. The 40-year old blogger who used the pen name... -
We are starting to destroy ourselves
Heat waves in Pakistan, toxic floods in Vietnam, crippling haze in Malaysia and torrential rain in Myanmar. In just the past few weeks alone, South and Southeast Asia have been wracked with extreme weather events ... -
In the Philippines, indigenous festival draws tourists, criticism
The city of Davao in the southern Philippine island of Mindanao has taken on an air of celebration as it stages its annual "Kadayawan Festival." Held every third week of August, the weeklong festival highlights the culture and tradition of the indigenous mountain peoples... -
Religious Pluralism at Pan Kho Buddhist Temple in Indonesia
Despite a number of threats to Buddhist monuments in Indonesia in recent years, including a plan in 2014 by the Islamic State terrorist group (formerly known as ISIS) to destroy the 1,200-year-old Borobudur Temple in Central Java, the degree of religious tolerance at Klenteng Pan Kho... -
APEC leaders denounce terrorism
The Asia-Pacific leaders said "economic growth, prosperity, and opportunity are among the most powerful tools to address the root causes of terrorism and radicalization." -
Relics on display in Riverside
Eight relics from the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, also known as Gautama Siddartha, were donated by the Dalai Lama, he said. There also are relics from 44 masters, who are people who have realized all the teachings of Buddhism -
In Bangladesh Rohingya refugee camps, fear and hope greet relocation agenda
For Dil Mohammad and his family, a cramped refugee camp on the edge of southeastern Bangladesh has become a reluctant home for almost a quarter-century. The 61-year-old Muslim Rohingya refugee brought his family ... -
International assistance dispatched to Nepal following quake
International aid groups and governments escalated efforts to dispatch rescuers and supplies to earthquake-hit Nepal on Sunday, but severed communications and landslides in the Himalayan nation posed formidable challenges to the relief effort.
-
-
-
Benoît XVI, dès son arrivée au Liban, a appelé à la paix
Arrivé à Beyrouth vendredi 14 septembre, le pape s’est adressé aux autorités politiques du pays, les encourageant à un dialogue avec l’ensemble des composantes religieuses du pays. -
10th Anniversary Celebration of United Nations Day of Vesak
Objectives: To work and cooperate among Buddhist communities and institutions to foster cooperation and friendship with each other at the national and international levels, in accordance with government policy... -
Bloody day for Pakistan as bombs kill 118
“The bloodshed will not end until we quit the foreign imposed war on terror. We condemn all terrorists who are using religion to make us fight against each other,” said the Sunni leader. -
Vietnamese Professor wins Cino del Duca Prize
Professor of Astronomy Trinh Xuan Thuan from the University of Virginia has been awarded the 2012 Cino del Duca Prize from the French Academy (6 Juin 2012). Thuan has become the first Vietnamese to receive the award. -
Pope Benedict XVI: Christmas Urbi et Orbi Message
“If we believe”. Here we see the power of faith! God has done everything; he has done the impossible: he was made flesh. His all-powerful love has accomplished something which surpasses all human understanding: the Infinite has become a child, has entered the human family. -
We should not be afraid to renew the Church's 'ancient, passing structures'
During the Mass he celebrated at Domus Sanctae Marthae, Francis stressed the "renewal" Jesus brought. The "Church has always been attentive to this, with dialogue with cultures . . . It always allows itself to be renewed according to places, times, and... -
Pope Francis to Media Representatives (16 March 2013)
It is important, dear friends, to take into due account this way of looking at things, this hermeneutic, in order to bring into proper focus what really happened in these days. -
Pope consecrates world to immaculate heart of Mary
The Pope celebrated mass in St Peter’s square this morning in honour of the Marian Day, an event organised as part of the Year of Faith on the anniversary of the final apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima (13th of October 1917). He also consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. -
Syrian delegation brings message to Pope
A delegation from the Syrian government met on Saturday morning with the Vatican Secretary of State, Archbishop Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Secretary for Relations with States. -
The Pope establishes the Financial Security Committee
Pope Francis has issued, on Thursday, 8 August, a Motu Proprio for the prevention and countering of money laundering, the financing of terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Pursuant to the steps already taken by... -
Pope Benedict's Address on Resignation from the See of Rome
"I have come to the certainty that my strengths, due to an advanced age, are no longer suited to an adequate exercise of the Petrine ministry" -
Bethlehem: Basilica of the Nativity could trigger diplomatic crisis
The Basilica of the Nativity will be the first site in Palestine to be added to UNESCO’S list of world heritage sites. But Israel and the U.S. consider the presence of the Ramallah Authority in the UN’s cultural organisation to be illegitimate. -
Syria agrees to ceasefire during Eid Al-Adha Holiday, Peace Envoy Lakhdar Brahimi Says
The U.N. Security Council gave unanimous backing Wednesday to a four-day truce proposed by the international mediator for Syria to mark a major Muslim holiday after he warned that the failure of yet another cease-fire plan would only worsen the fighting. Yet even this modest effort – the international community's only plan for scaling back the violence – appears doomed. -
Lettre du Saint-Père à Son Excellence M. Vladimir Poutine
La rencontre des chefs d'Etat et de gouvernement des Vingt économies les plus puissantes -avec les deux tiers de la population mondiale, et 90 % du produit mondial brut - n'a pas pour but principal la sécurité mondiale. Néanmoins, la rencontre n'oubliera certainement pas la situation au Moyen Orient et en particulier en Syrie... -
Message of peace from Catholic boy who died in bomb blast
The biblical prophet Isaiah had a vision of peace: “The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6). Today that little child is 8-year-old Martin Richard, killed in the bombing at the Boston Marathon. -
A prayer for Syria
The Plenary Assembly of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches began with a prayer for the people of Syria on Thursday morning, 19 November. The prayer was led by Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for the Eastern Churches, at the Mass he celebrated in the... -
Inside the synod: The synod fathers’ various viewpoints
The synod fathers began today to make their five-minute interventions One fraternal delegate from the Lutheran church indicated that the synod is crucial to all Christian churches. All are eager to recover the joy of believing. -
Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration and Evangelium Vitae Day. World: key year of faith events
The first of these events, the Worldwide Eucharistic Adoration, will be broadcast from St. Peter’s Basilica next Sunday, 2 June from 5:00pm-6:00pm local time. Its theme is: “One Lord, One Faith”, which was chosen to testify to the deep unity that characterizes it. “It will be... -
Excutive summary of Archbishop Myers'Pastoral Letter on Marriage
What does the Catholic Church teach about persons with homosexual attractions? There are 2,865 paragraphs in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Only three of them deal directly with the question of same-sex attraction. In two of these paragraphs (2358-59), the Church reaffirms ... -
Father's Day Around the World
The idea of celebrating Fathers Day has been imported from western countries mainly US, perhaps less than a decade ago. However, it is remarkable to note that the idea of observing a day in honor of fathers has been appreciated by Indians to a large extent. Today, millions of people in India observe Father's Day on the third Sunday of June by expressing gratitude for their father or men who are like father. -
Is there still no room in the inn, pope asks
The Holy Father suggested that our attitude toward the homeless, towards refugees and migrants "takes on a deeper dimension: do we really have room for God when he seeks to enter under our roof? Do we have time and space for him? Do we not actually turn away God himself?" -
Texas Senate passes pro-life bill
The legislature in Texas, the second-most populous U.S. state, has voted on a comprehensive pro-life bill aimed at protecting women’s health and limiting abortion. The bill bans abortions after 20 weeks, and requires doctors performing an abortion to ... -
Programme des activités du pape François d’ici à la Semaine Sainte
Mardi 19 mars, 9 h 30 : place Saint-Pierre, messe solennelle d’inauguration du pontificat (accès public libre à partir de 6 h 30), suivie du salut aux délégations officielles et d’un déjeuner avec les cardinaux à la Maison Sainte-Marthe. -
Pope Francis meets Palestinian President Abu Mazen
The Holy See's Press Office has issued a statement regarding today's meeting between Pope Francis and Palestinian President Abu Mazen. The following is an English translation of that communique:... -
Pope: best New Year wish fully realized in Mary, Mother of God
At Mass on the Octave of Christmas, and the 47th anniversary of the World Day of Peace ("Fraternity, the foundation and Path to Peace"), Pope Francis emphasizes that the faith of the Church is modelled on that of Mary, who beneath the Cross of Jesus became the Mother of... -
Scores of Churches burned after deadly clashes in Egypt
In an interview with ZENIT, John Pontifex, head of press and information for Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) spoke about the escalating situation in Egypt, and what this means for Christian communities in Cairo and throughout the country: -
Massive meteor hits Russia: hundreds injured
A meteor with the power of an atomic bomb hit central Russia Friday, injuring more than 750 people and causing damage to buildings across the Ural Mountains... -
Prayer, commitment and fraternity for Syria
Vatican City, 21 June 2012 (VIS) - This morning the Holy Father received participants in the annual general meeting of the Reunion of Organisations for Aid to the Oriental Churches (ROACO). -
Questions of Faith: catechism, catechists, catechumen
(Vatican Radio) In Vatican Radio’s new series “Questions of Faith”, accompanying Pope Benedict XVI’s catechesis on the Year of Faith, Monsignor John Kennedy an Official at the Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith will be on hand to answer listener’s questions on everything from why we are baptised as infants to why priests don’t get married. -
Nuncio in Damascus: The victims of chemical warfare and Pope's prayer hasten radical change in Syria
For Msgr . Mario Zenari , the " innocent victims " and " Pope's prayer " have led to two miracles : armed intervention has been avoided and the decision to destroy Damascus’ chemical weapons. The need to work for a political solution to the conflict. The UN report confirms the...
-