ROME (CNS) – A Jesuit priest from India was kidnapped June 2 as he was leaving a school serving children who were recently returned to Afghanistan after living as refugees in Iran or Pakistan.
International News
Two Priests and a Nun Are Freed in Cameroon
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – From Cameroon to northern Italy and from Montreal to the Vatican, statements expressing “great joy” accompanied the news that a Canadian sister of Notre-Dame and two Italian missionary priests were released unharmed almost two months after being kidnapped in northern Cameroon.
In Holy Land, Pope Reaches Out to All
Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Manger Square in Bethlehem, West Bank, May 25.
Pope’s Most Authentic Gestures
Pope said that when he prayed at the controversial Israeli-built separation wall in the West Bank and kissed the hands of Holocaust survivors, they were the “most authentic gestures” because they are the ones “you don’t think about … mine were not planned gestures, it just occurs to me to do something spontaneously that way.”
Not Everyone Happy Pope Was in Jerusalem
Many Jews in Jerusalem said while Pope Francis’ visit to their city was a positive thing, they wished their daily commute did not have to be disrupted so drastically.
Pope and Patriarch Mark 50 Years of Ecumenism
Half a century after a historic encounter between their predecessors, Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew met in the same place to seek inspiration for Christian unity at the site of Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Pope in the Holy Land – Peres and Abbas Invited to Vatican to Pray for Peace
Pope Francis has invited Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli President Shimon Peres to pray together at the Vatican for peace between their nations.
Pope Will Meet with Clergy Abuse Victims
Pope Francis will meet with a group of sex abuse victims for the first time in June, he told reporters May 26.
Agenda for US Bishops’ Meeting
The U.S. bishops, meeting in New Orleans June 11-13, will discuss today’s economy and its impact on marriages and evangelization.
Bethlehem residents look forward to papal visit, despite inconveniences
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (CNS) — A long line of cars trailed down the road next to the Church of the Nativity as Franciscan Father Ibrahim Faltas helped coordinate the placement of the electricity generator for the May 25 papal Mass. “We are working night and day,” he said calmly May 23, as he worked to quickly free up the road while drivers waited patiently in their cars. “I think it will be very nice. The people here are happy.”