The next World Youth Day will be held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2027, Pope Francis announced at the conclusion of the final Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. “The next World Youth Day will be in Asia,” the pope said following the Aug 6 concluding Mass of the 15th International World Read more
World
Loneliness is rife, impacting one in three Australians
Thursday, August 10th, 2023A new nationwide report shows that loneliness is pervasive in Australia, particularly among young adults. Six million Australians – almost one in three adults across the country – say they are lonely, while one in six report severe loneliness. It affects everyone, from those living on their own to those in a house full of Read more
Pope Francis calls for AI ethics free from violence and discrimination
Thursday, August 10th, 2023Pope Francis wants the next World Day of Peace to focus on artificial intelligence’s impact, opportunities and dangers as the technology develops and influences a growing number of fields, from information to warfare. “Pope Francis calls for an open dialogue on the meaning of these new technologies, endowed with disruptive possibilities and ambivalent effects,” read Read more
India revokes Save the Children’s licence to receive foreign funds
Thursday, August 10th, 2023India’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has withdrawn the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) license of Save the Children, adding to the list of organisations facing similar actions. After Greenpeace, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, Save the Children now finds itself unable to receive foreign funds under the FCRA, Asia News reported on Monday. The Read more
Protesters interrupt Mass for LGBTQ pilgrims at WYD
Monday, August 7th, 2023
LGBTQ pilgrims at a special Mass organised for them at World Youth Day (WYD) last Thursday found themselves facing a group of ultra-traditionalist Catholic protesters. Earlier that same day, Pope Francis spoke at three different venues, telling the half a million WYD pilgrims that the Church must be a home for everyone. Despite the Pope’s Read more
Pope Francis – a ‘stone in the shoe’ for his critics
Monday, August 7th, 2023
In a recent interview, Pope Francis addressed his role as a disruptor within the Catholic Church, admitting that he knows he represents “a stone in the shoe” for many of his critics. Speaking with the Spanish-language outlet Vida Nueva, the Pope said he remains undeterred by the opposition and is resolute in his mission to Read more
World Youth Day presses devotion and politics of war
Monday, August 7th, 2023
At World Youth Day on Friday, politics and devotion met briefly. Crux reports on August 5 that during a semi-private meeting, a Russian Orthodox bishop expressed regret for the Ukraine war, thanking Francis for supporting the Ukrainian people. “I would like to thank you very much for all you have done for the Ukrainian people,” Read more
Pope Francis thanks charitable workers for ‘Love in Action’ at WYD
Monday, August 7th, 2023
On the third day of his visit to Portugal, Pope Francis delivered a heartfelt message of praise and encouragement to charitable outreach workers for their selfless dedication to ‘love in action.’ During the 37th World Youth Day (WYD) in Lisbon, the Pope commended representatives of aid and charitable centres, urging them to continue making life Read more
Pope’s eyesight is not failing, Vatican confirms firmly
Monday, August 7th, 2023
The Pope’s eyesight is not failing, the Vatican says. Observers had noted Francis set aside several prepared speeches at World Youth Day (WYD) in Portugal. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni says there’s no cause to think the Pope’s eyesight is failing. Francis prefers to speak without notes, Brunei adds. It’s a pastoral preference. “The pope always Read more
Archdiocese suspends parish mergers amid appeals to Vatican
Monday, August 7th, 2023
The Archdiocese of St Louis, Missouri, has suspended the mergers of several parishes that have appealed their closures to the Vatican. Mike Stevens of St Roch’s parish spoke to the media, saying the parish is a vital component of what goes on in the community, it’s also very integrated into the community. Under the restructuring Read more