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Tag: The Pope

Vatican Reins in Sales of Papal Blessings

Vatican Reins in Sales of Papal Blessings

As of December 31, 2014, the shops around Vatican City willno longer be selling the familiar parchmentblessings from Pope Francis. In a letter dated April12, 2014, Msgr. Konrad Krajewski, the Pope’s Almoner–or distributor of alms–announcedthe termination of a running agreement

Murder of Catholic Nuns Shocks World

Murder of Catholic Nuns Shocks World

The triple murder of three elderly Italian religious sistersin Burundi has their religious family and the local community reeling. The ItalianForeign Ministryhas confirmed Monday’s death of a third missionary, Sister Bernadette Boggian,who was decapitated,according to a senior official of the

Bummer of the summer: HBO's "The Leftovers"

Aficionados of horror fiction must occasionally deal with the inherent flaw of the genre: a horror film or book can succeed so well at being frightening, disturbing, or repulsive that it fails as entertainment.  The audience response is, “Wow, that

Is Pope Francis at War with the Vatican Itself?

Is Pope Francis at War with the Vatican Itself?

Catholics are often told to be in the world but not of the world, meaning that while they carry on ordinary lives, they should never forget their faith and what it demands of them. In a similar way, Pope Francis seems

Pope Calls Family of Slain American Journalist

Pope Calls Family of Slain American Journalist

ROCHESTER, N.H. (AP) — Pope Francis has called the family of an American journalist whose videotaped beheading by Islamic State militants has touched off torrents of outrage around the world. Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi confirms the pope called

Pope Urges Protection for Fleeing Iraqi Christians

Pope Urges Protection for Fleeing Iraqi Christians

(AFP) — Pope Francis called on the international community on Thursday to protect the mostly Christian communities of northern Iraq fleeing a lightning advance by jihadist militants. A statement delivered by his spokesman said the pope joined the urgent appeals

Meriam Ibrahim Arrives on US Soil

Meriam Ibrahim Arrives on US Soil

Meriam Yahia Ibrahim Ishag, the Sudanese mother who was condemned to die for marrying a Christian,  arrived in the United States Thursday evening with her American husband and two babies. Welcoming her on a brief stopover in Philadelphia, the city’s