Vatican - Page 32

Pope Francis said Wednesday that an authentic Christian witness provokes anger and hatred in the worldly-minded, which explains the rampant persecution of Christians in the world today.

Pope Francis prayed Sunday for people who have lost their jobs because of the coronavirus lockdowns and can no longer support their families.

The Italian bishops have tentatively proposed reopening churches for Sunday worship on May 3 to coincide with the state’s transition to phase two of the national lockdown on May 4.

Pope Francis warned of loan sharks who are exploiting the poverty created by the coronavirus lockdown to make money off the vulnerable.

Pope Francis issued a severe indictment Wednesday of humanity’s failure to care for the planet, as environmentalists commemorate the 50th anniversary of “Earth Day.”

Earth Day 2020 has arrived to find environmental groups struggling to keep people focused on the alleged climate crisis now that the coronavirus pandemic has stolen their limelight.

The Rome-based Jesuit journal La Civiltà Cattolica has announced the launch of a new edition of the magazine in simplified Chinese, Vatican News reported Monday.

Both China and Taiwan have donated masks and medical supplies to the Vatican in recent days but while the Vatican thanked China publicly it has kept silent over Taiwan’s generosity.

Cardinal George Pell said it is widely believed by senior Vatican officials that his prosecution in Australia for historic sex abuse was linked to his fight against financial corruption in the Vatican.

Pope Francis has proposed a basic “universal wage” as a remedy for the economic hardships day laborers face during the “unbearable” coronavirus lockdowns.

Pope Francis proposed an interesting dichotomy Monday between opting for people or the economy as the world begins to emerge from the coronavirus pandemic.

Pope Francis called for relaxed international sanctions during his Easter message, after receiving a request from Iran officials asking him to intervene.

Pope Francis devoted much of his Easter blessing on Sunday to the coronavirus pandemic, insisting that now is a time for unity, solidarity, and hope.

Never has humanity been so united as now by a coronavirus that “knows no borders,” the preacher of the papal household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, said on Good Friday.

The parents of a young girl who was murdered contributed one of the Good Friday meditations for this year’s commemoration of Christ’s Way of the Cross led by Pope Francis.

The Vatican has issued a public statement thanking China for its solidarity with the Holy See shown in donations of medical supplies to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin telephoned Pope Francis on Wednesday to wish him a happy Easter, Vatican News reported.

Pope Francis said he believes the coronavirus pandemic is “certainly nature’s response” to humanity’s failure to address the “partial catastrophes” wrought by human-induced climate change.

“The people of God need their pastor to be close to them, not to overprotect himself,” Pope Francis says in an interview published Wednesday.

Jesus faced “extreme desolation” during his passion, Pope Francis told the faithful on Sunday, and so he understands our own weakness, fears, and discouragement.

Pope Francis has issued a special message for Holy Week, urging Christians to cling to hope in the midst of the coronavirus lockdown.

The streets of Rome were deserted the day before Palm Sunday, wiped antiseptically clean by fears of the coronavirus and, even more, of draconian measures instituted by the state to keep citizens confined to their homes.

Italian Catholics have launched a petition asking bishops to restore Masses and the other sacraments to the faithful during the coronavirus lockdown, joining a similar movement in the United States.

An Italian prelate who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis tested positive for the Wuhan coronavirus on Wednesday and has been hospitalized in intensive care, Italian media report.

Pope Francis offered special prayers for doctors, nurses, and priests who have died helping those affected by the COVID-19, calling them “heroes.”

The Vatican has halted production of the print version of its daily newspaper L’Osservatore Romano out of fear of coronavirus contagion, moving to an online-only format.

Pope Francis told a Spanish journalist Sunday that nature never forgives and the coronavirus pandemic is nature’s cry for humans to take better care of creation.

Pope Francis urged businesses to refrain from laying off workers during the coronavirus pandemic, insisting that solidarity is what is needed during the crisis.

Pope Francis offered special prayers Monday for those who are unable to work and earn money during the coronavirus lockdown affecting Italy and beyond.

Pope Francis called on all Christians to unite in raising the voices to heaven, proposing a “unanimous prayer” to be offered on March 25.

Cardinal Raymond Burke argues in an open letter Saturday that in defending against the coronavirus churches should be considered essential (like supermarkets and pharmacies) and not optional (like cinemas and athletic games).

The redoubtable Cardinal Joseph Zen has once again denounced Vatican diplomacy with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), saying it has left the underground Catholic Church “more and more” abandoned.

Pope Francis has urged people not to “waste” the opportunities for growth presented by this period of trial, recommending families to rediscover the affection that binds them together.

Newt Gingrich, whose wife Callista is the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, told Breitbart News in an exclusive interview on Tuesday live from Rome that the coronavirus crisis will force major societal changes as the world confronts it and in its aftermath.

The Vatican is dragging its feet in the beatification of Chinese Catholic hero Cardinal Ignatius Kung Pin-mei due to “diplomatic sensitivity,” according to a report from UCANews.

Pope Francis made a pilgrimage to two of Rome’s historic shrines Sunday afternoon to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic.