On Calvary, two ways of thinking collided. In the Gospel, the words of the crucified Jesus are in sharp contrast with the words of those who crucified him.
International News
Taliban Erases Decades of Progress for Afghan Girls
Just as Afghani girls were ready to return to school for the first time in seven months on March 23, the Taliban — which seized ruling power in Afghanistan last summer — that morning reversed its decision to reopen girls’ secondary schools, citing a need for more time to draw up policies in line with the Islamic law Sharia.
Pope Francis Asks Families to Write 2022 Way of the Cross Meditations
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.
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.