Less than seven weeks before the start of his trip to the Holy Land, Pope Francis welcomed Jordan’s King Abdullah II and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal to his residence at the Vatican for tea and conversation April 7.
International News
Supporting Bridge to Life
Bridge to Life, the pro-life group in Flushing that works with young single mothers, was honored at the Queens County Conservative Party Dinner. Rob Astorino, Westchester County executive and candidate for governor, is shown with members of the Bridge to Life board.
Pope: Matrimony Is Part of God’s Plan
Through the sacrament of matrimony, married couples are called to be living icons of God’s love in the world, Pope Francis said; and when they fight – and all couples do – they don’t have “to call the United Nations” but find simple words and gestures to say they are sorry.
Filipino Bishops See Partial Win on Reproduction Law – President Was Willing to Be Excommunicated
The Philippine Supreme Court ruled a reproductive health law constitutional April 8 and declared it effective immediately.
10 Interesting Popes Who Became Saints
From St. Peter to Pope Francis, there have been 266 popes; 78 of them are recognized as saints, and that number will jump to 80 after the April 27 canonizations of Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II.
Coat of Arms Describes New Bishop’s Family Lineage
In the Middle Ages, the Church adopted heraldry as a means of approving and authenticating documents as well as indicating ownership of church buildings.
Pope’s Holy Week Schedule
The following is the public Holy Week schedule for Pope Francis as released by the Vatican:
Pope’s Holy Thursday Liturgy Will Be at Rehab Center
Pope Francis will celebrate the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a Rome rehabilitation facility for the elderly and people with disabilities.
Pope and Queen Prefer To Meet ‘Informally’
In their first overseas trip in three years, Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, met April 3 with Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Pope: Bishops Are Men Of Prayer, Evangelists
VATICAN CITY (CNS) – Pope Francis said bishops should act not like ambitious corporate executives but humble evangelists and men of prayer, willing to sacrifice everything for their flocks.