Pope Francis has asked several families to write the prayers and meditations for his Stations of the Cross service at Rome’s Colosseum on Good Friday.
International News
As Three Feasts Converge, Holy Land Christians Hope for Peace, Tourism
With pandemic restrictions almost fully lifted, churches and shopkeepers alike are hopeful that the streets of Jerusalem will fill up once again as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge.
Across Brooklyn and the U.S., Catholics are Being Urged to Donate to Good Friday Collection for Holy Land
In an economy hit hard by the pandemic and the lack of pilgrimages and other tourism for two years, Christians in the Holy Land “are in desperate need of support,” said an April 5 news release about the 2022 Good Friday Collection that continues to support the work of the Franciscans of the Holy Land.
Pope Says UN, Other Organizations ‘Impotent’ in Ukraine War
Pope Francis on Wednesday said that international organizations, such as the United Nations, have proven to be useless in stopping violence and atrocities in the war in Ukraine.
Videos Prove War in Ukraine Is Battle Against Evil, Archbishop Says
Videos of dead Ukrainian civilians, many apparently executed by Russian troops, are further evidence that “the struggle of Ukraine is a spiritual struggle against evil, against the devil and his servants,” said Ukrainian Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych.
COVID-19 Exposed Inequities in Health Care, Archbishop Paglia Says
A Vatican official visiting the U.S. to focus on health care issues is calling on the medical establishment to do a better job of balancing science and humanity in the treatment of patients. The scales are tipped toward science, said Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Mercy, Love Dispel Hypocritical Religiosity, Pope Francis Says in Malta
Christians who truly imitate Jesus are more inclined to forgive and be merciful than those who, under the pretense of holiness, point fingers and condemn others, Pope Francis said.
Meeting Migrants, Pope Francis Warns Civilization Risks Being ‘Shipwrecked’
Saying civilization itself risks foundering because of apathy and selfishness, Pope Francis insisted that migrants and refugees must be treated with care and kindness and recognized as brothers and sisters.
Pope Francis Indicates He Has not Spoken Directly to Putin About Ukraine war
Once again, Pope Francis avoided speaking directly about Russian President Vladimir Putin and instead focused on condemning war as a cruel and inhumane act that “goes against the human spirit.”
English Police to Allow Priests to Give Last Rites at Crime Scenes
Police in England have produced national guidelines to allow priests to give last rites to Catholics dying at crime scenes.