In the latest comment from the Vatican on “Fiducia Supplicans,” the controversial declaration issued by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith in December 2023 that includes guidelines on the blessing of same-sex couples, Pope Francis clarified that he didn’t allow blessings of “the union” but of “each person.”
Author: Christine
New EPA Drinking Water Standards May Help U.S. Ensure a Basic Human Right to Safe Water
“Access to safe drinkable water,” Pope Francis said in his milestone 2015 ecological encyclical “Laudato Si’,” “is a basic and universal human right, since it is essential to human survival and, as such, is a condition for the exercise of other human rights.”
Fatal Bus Crash in Florida Seen as Reminder of How Farmworkers Are All Too Often Forgotten
Victims of a fatal bus accident that claimed the lives of eight migrant farmworkers were remembered at a prayer vigil — and the tragedy shows that farmworkers are all too often “lost and forgotten,” said one of the organizers.
Vietnam-Vatican Working Group Hold First Meeting Since New Agreement
The Vatican-Vietnam joint working group held its first meeting since last year’s important agreement allowing for a papal representative to reside in Vietnam and the establishment of an office there to support Vietnam’s estimated 6.5 million Catholics.
Pentecost Pilgrimage From Paris to Chartres Will Have Record Number of Pilgrims
The traditional Notre-Dame de Chrétienté pilgrimage from Paris to Chartres that takes place over the Pentecost weekend had a record number of 16,000 pilgrims in 2023, but this year the number is thousands beyond that.
In New Vetting Process for Apparitions, Vatican Nixes ‘Supernatural’ Label
On Friday, the Vatican rolled out a new expedited procedure for vetting alleged Marian apparitions or other spiritual phenomena, ruling that they will no longer be deemed supernatural but simply that nothing stands in the way of encouraging devotion.
Pew Study Shows Support for Legal Abortion Growing Two Years After Dobbs
Nearly two years after the Supreme Court overturned its 1973 Roe v. Wade decision making abortion a constitutional right, a majority of Americans said they support legal abortion in all or most cases, according to a new study from the Pew Research Center.
Pope Urges Global Leaders, U.S. Governors to Take Urgent Climate Action
Pope Francis urged three U.S. governors and a group of mayors from around the world to work with international partners in developing a “holistic” approach to climate action that reduces emissions and combats inequality.
Sports and Spirituality on Vatican Agenda Before Paris Summer Games
Sports have great potential to bring people together, to help them stay healthy and even to help them dream, Pope Francis said, which is why the pastoral care of sports is so important.
Bishops Respond with Shock, Prayer After Slovak Prime Minister Shot Multiple Times
Catholic bishops have expressed shock and promised prayers as Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico fights for his life after being shot multiple times May 15.