Advent’s Three Comings of Christ

Advent, this holy season in which we find ourselves beginning Dec. 2 at first vespers, is a time of waiting and expectation. Indeed, the violet which we wear and with which we adorn the chapel is not necessarily a symbol of penance (although prayerful repentance and reconciliation is a major factor in this liturgical season), but of deep longing for the coming of the Savior Christ into our life. 

Pope Cancels Dubai Trip Over Health Concerns

Just hours after a Vatican news conference confirming Pope Francis’ trip to Dubai this weekend for a United Nations climate summit, the Vatican announced Tuesday that it has been canceled upon medical advice due to an ongoing infection causing lung inflammation.

Israel-Hamas Truce Has Been Extended by Two Days; More Hostages Scheduled to be Released

Qatar’s foreign affairs ministry said Nov. 27 that an agreement has been reached to extend the Israel-Hamas truce for another two days. The announcement was made by a ministry’s spokesperson on X on the final day of a four-day cease-fire in which hostages abducted by Hamas in October have been released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

Msgr. Delendick, 74, FDNY Chaplain Dies of 9/11 Illness

Msgr. John E. Delendick, the chaplain of the NYC Fire Department remembered for his heroic service during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, died Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day morning. He suffered for several years with pancreatic cancer, which the FDNY said it recognized as related to the attack on the World Trade Center. He was 74.

Citing Lung Inflammation, Pope Curtails Schedule Ahead of Dubai Trip

As a result of what the Vatican described on Monday as an inflammation of his lungs, for which he’s receiving antibiotic treatments, Pope Francis has postponed several commitments in the coming days in order to preserve his strength for a planned Dec. 1-3 trip to Dubai for the COP-28 climate change summit.

Pope Holds Separate Meetings With Israelis, Palestinians at Vatican

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — With hopes growing for a temporary, humanitarian cease-fire, Pope Francis met at the Vatican Nov. 22 with relatives of Israelis held hostage by Hamas and, separately, with relatives of Palestinians suffering under the Israeli siege of Gaza.