Iraq’s top Catholic leader hopes the new year will help the citizens of this violence-torn country overcome divisions and tensions, and lead to the much needed reform of the country.
International News
Though Problems Abound, God-Given Hope Never Fails, Pope Says
Christian hope grants those who suffer the assurance that God does not abandon his people in their time of need, Pope Francis said.
Northern Ireland Archbishop Expresses ‘Sadness And Loss’ On Partition Anniversary
During his New Year message, Ireland’s primate expressed his “personal sense of sadness and loss” at the partition of Ireland.
In Speech to Curia, Pope Francis Warns Against Worldly Attachments, Including in the Liturgy
To close a year in which he put limits on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, Pope Francis warned against the temptations of pride, spiritual worldliness, and attachment to superficial reassurances, including liturgical preferences.
Egyptian Culture Intertwined in Coptic Christmas
For Coptic Christians, the Christmas season is intensely spiritual, starting weeks before Christmas Day with a 43-day vegetarian fast, during which Christians refrain from consuming all dairy and meat products until Christmas Eve.
Northern Ireland Bishops Lament Defeat of Bill to Protect Disabled Unborn Children
Catholic bishops in Northern Ireland said the defeat of a bill that would have prevented late term abortions for non-fatal disabilities in unborn children “will send a message to all citizens that unborn disabled babies, are fundamentally less valued than those who are able-bodied.”
Caritas Appeals for Aid After Typhoon Claims Over 300 Lives in Philippines
Super Typhoon Rai has claimed more than 200 lives since making landfall in the Visayas and Mindanao region, Philippine authorities said.
Vatican Answers Questions on Limits Regarding Pre-Vatican II Mass
Responding to 11 questions it said had been raised about Pope Francis’ document restricting celebrations of the pre-Vatican II Mass, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments offered a few concessions to bishops but insisted the entire Latin-rite Catholic Church must move toward celebrating only one form of the Mass and sacraments.
Pope Francis Celebrates His Birthday With Migrant Children at Vatican Clinic
On Sunday, Pope Francis chose to celebrate his birthday with the children and families cared for by this facility, which marked 100 years last May.
Vaccinating Kids Essential to Ending Pandemic, Vatican Official Says
As Europe rolls out its vaccination campaign for young children this week, a top Vatican official has endorsed the move, saying children have been uniquely impacted by the pandemic and must be protected and cared for.