After weeks of navigating difficult terrain, avoiding wild animals and steep cliffs, the devoted pilgrims and hiking enthusiasts who manage to traverse the 155 miles between Assisi and Rome on foot arrive in St. Peter’s Basilica and report a special kind of payoff.
In an exclusive interview with The Tablet, Hong Kong’s new bishop spoke of how he is focusing on pastoral matters over political concerns. Bishop Yeung says he devoting attention to young people, the elderly, and building social solidarity, rather than emphasizing political disagreement with the government.
In a vote on Monday, the United States Senate confirmed Callista Gingrich to serve as the ambassador to the Holy See. She will be tasked with serving as the liaison between Pope Francis and President Donald Trump, a relationship that has not always been harmonious.
We all know the image: God’s arm extending across the pastel blue sky, his muscles in tension, his body twisted and enveloped in a brain-shaped veil, His finger inching toward that of Adam, who lies seemingly lifeless, waiting for that ‘touch of life’ that will give birth to the race of men.
Serving an average of more than 2,000 clients a day, the Vatican pharmacy may be one of the world’s busiest in-person dispensaries of pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter medicines, soaps, ointments and elixirs.
Taken together, the 10 countries with the most Catholics account for almost 56 percent of the world’s Catholic population, the Vatican reported.
The first three refugee families from Syria welcomed by the Vatican left their temporary homes to start their new lives in Italy, and three new families took their places in Vatican apartments.
As Catholics commemorate Jesus’ Passion on Good Friday, the Vatican is asking them to support the church in the Holy Land with their prayers, financial contributions and possibly by making a pilgrimage.
Although the Holy See reported a deficit of 12.4 million euros ($13.1 million) in 2015, significant progress has been made in the budgeting process and carrying out economic reform, the Vatican said.
Addressing the fear of immigrants, dissatisfaction with a “fluid economy” and the impatience and vitriol seen in politics and society, Pope Francis told Rome university students to practice a kind of “intellectual charity” that promotes dialogue and sees value in diversity.
