On Friday, the Vatican named artificial intelligence pioneer Demis Hassabis, head of Google DeepMind, to its scientific academy, as Pope Francis seeks to influence the expansion of technology. The 47-year-old Briton was included on a list of experts named to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, alongside Nobel prize-winning physicists Andrea Ghez and Didier Queloz. Founded Read more
World
Polish Greek Catholic Church bans priests’ phone use during Mass
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
The bishops of three Polish dioceses of the Greek Catholic Church have issued decrees forbidding priests and deacons from using digital devices during Eucharist and Reconciliation. The move comes in response to a growing trend of clergy incorporating technology into Masses and confessions, prompting concerns about distractions and the sanctity of these rituals. Bishop Arkadiusz Read more
Paris Olympics poster sparks controversy over missing cross
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
The official posters for the upcoming Paris Olympics have sparked a heated debate over the removal of the cross over one of the city’s landmarks. The cross that crowns the dome of the Hôtel des Invalides has been excluded from the artwork created by French illustrator Ugo Gattoni. Hôtel des Invalides is a notable 17th-century Read more
Schools embrace Bible study to tackle gang violence
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
Public schools in Guatemala are turning to Bible study programmes to tackle rising gang influence and enhance literacy. Despite initial hesitance from some educators, the programme is seeing positive change. Terra Nueva, a tough neighbourhood in Guatemala City, faces challenges which include poverty and crime that stem from the nation’s troubled history. To address the Read more
Pope tells grieving parents: It’s OK to ask ‘Why?’
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
Grieving parents are perfectly entitled to ask God why their child had to die, Pope Francis says. Demanding answers when one’s child dies is anything but a sign of a lack of faith. “There is nothing worse than silencing pain, putting a silencer on suffering, removing traumas without facing them as our world often encourages Read more
Smaller gender pay gap for women with Catholic employers
Thursday, March 7th, 2024
Women with Catholic employers are well-supported financially, with a smaller gender pay gap than their peers. Released on 27 February, the first national Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) report also notes some say their employers could do more to uphold all their employees’ dignity. The WGEA investigated about 5,000 companies, each employing more than 100 Read more
Church Militant to shut down following $500,000 defamation lawsuit
Thursday, March 7th, 2024Church Militant, the controversial Catholic media outlet that has for years maintained a reputation for combative and antagonistic coverage of Catholic figures and issues, will cease operations next month following a $500,000 defamation judgment against it. Boston-based law firm Todd & Weld said in a press release this week that Church Militant had “agreed to Read more
Pope Francis, recovering from bronchitis, calls for end of Gaza conflict
Thursday, March 7th, 2024Pope Francis on Sunday appealed for an end to the conflict in Gaza, as he showed signs of recovery after suffering from bronchitis. On Saturday, the 87-year-old pope delegated the reading of a speech at a ceremony to an aide, and on Wednesday, he made a brief trip to a Rome hospital after he missed Read more
King Charles III is ill: Camilla takes over role in church service
Thursday, March 7th, 2024On Maundy Thursday, Queen Camilla will take over the distribution of the so-called Maundy money for her husband and King Charles III, who is suffering from cancer. Buckingham Palace announced this on Monday evening. The associated service will occur in Worcester Cathedral in the west of England. Charles has continued this tradition of his mother, Read more
Vatican on France’s abortion amendment: There cannot be a ‘right’ to take a human life
Thursday, March 7th, 2024On Monday, France became the first country in the world to enshrine the right to abortion in its basic law, a move that has been staunchly opposed by the French bishops and by the Vatican. “The Pontifical Academy for Life reiterates that precisely in the era of universal human rights, there cannot be a ‘right’ Read more