As Pope Francis prepared to fly to Brazil for World Youth Day, a new study showed that the proportion of Catholics in the country — which has the world’s largest Catholic population — has dropped steadily in recent decades. With Catholicism losing ground especially among the young and city-dwellers, only 46 per cent of the Read more
No matter how well it has been planned, the July 22-28 visit of Pope Francis to Brazil for World Youth Day is sure to be “a bit of an adventure” because the Pope is “full of surprises”, according to the papal spokesman. Reflecting the simplicity and humility that has characterised his pontificate, the Pope’s WYD Read more
Pope Francis has said Catholics can earn a plenary indulgence by participating in World Youth Day activities — even through Twitter or other social media. Those who attend the July 23-28 WYD event in Brazil may obtain the indulgence, “once a day and under the usual conditions (sacramental Confession, Eucharistic communion and prayer in accordance Read more
A shortfall in registrations for World Youth Day in Brazil this month has led organisers to ask government officials for an extra $NZ50 million to cover costs. Recent mass protests across Brazil — against the lack of investment in public services compared with the 2014 World Cup, the 2016 Olympics and the WYD — may Read more
Catholic bishops in Brazil have given their support to the massive demonstrations sweeping across the nation, which Pope Francis is scheduled to visit during World Youth Day activities in July. Millions of Brazilians have taken part in protests over an increase in the cost of public transportation, the high costs of the 2014 World Cup, Read more
The president of the Brazilian bishops’ conference, Cardinal Raymundo Damasceno Assis, has confirmed that Pope Francis will attend World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro in July. Some four million young people from around the world are expected to attend the event, from July 23 to 28. The theme for the gathering will be Jesus’ Read more
As Brazil prepares to host World Youth Day next July, a rock-star priest has opened one of the world’s biggest worship spaces in Sao Paulo, where his inaugural Mass drew a congregation of more than 50,000. Father Marcelo Rossi, a nationally known singer, TV host and actor, is campaigning to stem the exodus of the Read more
Just a year after Brazil’s Supreme Court allowed same-sex couples the same legal rights as married heterosexuals, a public notary has recognised a civil union of three persons — a man and two women. The notary, Claudio do Nascimento Domingues, said there is nothing in law to prevent such an arrangement. The three parties to Read more
Registrations for World Youth Day in 2013 — in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 23 to 28 — have opened for prebookings through the official WYD website. The theme for the 28th WYD is “Go and make disciples of all nations”. Discounted prices from $NZ60 to $NZ350 will be available until January 31, 2013. Read more
The Catholic Church is like Fiat-Chrysler. Slumping in Italy and Europe, it is coming back strong in the United States and has its most promising market in the rest of the world. With a clue about who the future pope will be. The nation that has the largest number of Catholics today is Brazil, with Read more