Pope Francis has urged the release of the ousted leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, and offered her refuge in the Vatican. The Pope’s plea was revealed in a conversation with Jesuits during his trip to Southeast Asia from September 2 to 13. The Italian daily Corriere della Sera published excerpts from these talks Read more
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s cabinet confirmed this week that more than 400 churches across Canada have been burned, vandalised or otherwise targeted since 2015. Lifesite News reports the vandalism comes after controversial claims about unmarked graves at former Indian Residential School sites. The cabinet’s report, released on 19 September, attributes a significant rise in these Read more
On 24 August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a new law that aims to deny Russia one of its major avenues of influence. The law explicitly bans the Russian Orthodox Church, which has long been entangled with the Russian security state, in Ukraine. However, in a more contentious move, the law also banned religious entities Read more
Members of the African Synodal Digital Youth Influencers who graduated recently from the African Digital Faith Influencers Formation program of the Pan African Catholic Theology and Pastoral Network (PACTPAN) were told to “brace for the challenges that lie ahead of [them] in the digital peripheries [they] seek to evangelise.” In his keynote address at the Read more
An estimated 180,000 motorcyclists gathered Sunday at the Our Lady of Fatima shrine in central Portugal for the ninth annual Pilgrimage of the Blessing of Helmets. Carlos Cabecinhas, the rector of the Sanctuary of Fatima, said the event has steadily increased in prominence — renowned for its conviviality and shows of devotion. This year’s turnout Read more
Over 100 people have been killed and 400 wounded in Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon. Lebanese civilians are fleeing their homes, seeking refuge in schools and government buildings. Bishop Rafic Nahra, Auxiliary Bishop of the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, expressed deep concern, noting that rockets even hit Nazareth. He warned that Hezbollah may extend attacks Read more
Father Timothy Radcliffe, a spiritual assistant for the October Synod on Synodality, has expressed uncertainty about how young gay Catholics should live according to Church teachings. Writing for the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano, Fr Radcliffe acknowledged the complexity of applying Church teachings. This is especially challenging for young people trying to accept their sexuality. “The challenge, Read more
The Vatican has approved pilgrimages to Medjugorje in Bosnia-Herzegovina, a significant site of alleged Marian apparitions, but has stopped short of declaring the visions authentic. By issuing a decree of nihil obstat (literally “nothing stands in the way”), the Holy See “authorises prudent adherence” to the messages of Medjugorje but has not formally recognised the Read more
Pope Francis has stated that the Catholic Church remains “still too Eurocentric” and urges a broader focus on regions like Southeast Asia and Oceania. Speaking at St Peter’s Square on 18 September, the Pope said the Church is “more alive” in areas like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The pontiff emphasised the Read more
Easter belongs to Christ, not to people deciding where it falls on a calendar, Pope Francis says. Determining which is the correct date to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection has been the subject of ecumenical debate for hundreds of years. The Gregorian calendar points to one set of rules, the Julian calendar points to another. It’s a Read more