When the Vatican Christmas tree and nativity scene were unveiled on Saturday, Pope Francis reminded the faithful to “stay rooted in Jesus Christ” during the holidays. “The tree teaches us about our roots, the nativity scene invites us to contemplation. Don’t forget these two human and Christian attitudes,” he said. “The tree, with its lights, Read more
Pope Francis said he hopes the Vatican’s agreement with China on the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops would be renewed in October. In an interview with Reuters, Francis discussed the China deal first struck in 2018 and to be renewed every two years. The agreement was put in place to ease a longstanding divide across Read more
Despite strong criticism from European bishops and pro-life groups, members of the European Parliament adopted a report that defines access to abortion as a human right. It also claims that doctors or hospitals that conscientiously object to performing abortions put “women’s lives in danger.” The report passed the European Parliament June 24 with 378 votes Read more
Political far right campaigner Steve Bannon, who is Donald Trump’s former chief strategist, has attacked Pope Francis over his anti-populism stance. Ramping up his message ahead of the European elections, Bannon said Francis should stay out of politics. “He’s the administrator of the church, and he’s also a politician. This is the problem,” Bannon – Read more
Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, has called on the European Union (EU) to return to its “proper values” and traditional Christian roots. Morawiecki, who was sworn in as prime minister on Tuesday, says his dream is to “re-Christianise the EU. “We want to change Europe. “My dream is to make it Christian again, since unfortunately, Read more
The European Parliament has recognised as genocide the Islamic State’s killing of Christians and other religious minorities in the Middle East. This is the first time the European Parliament has acknowledged an ongoing conflict as genocide. Lars Adaktusson, the Swedish MEP who tabled the resolution, said the significance of the move is the obligations that Read more
The wrong body was cremated at the funeral of a British politician in January after an incredible mix-up. The West Midlands European Parliament MP Philip Bradbourn, 63, had died of bowel cancer in December at Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield. But another man’s body was cremated at the Conservative politician’s funeral on January 16 Read more
A haggard and lonely Europe risks irrelevancy if it doesn’t recover its founding values, Pope Francis told European leaders in Strasburg on Tuesday. The Holy Father called on Europe to re-found itself by drawing, in part, on its Christian Legacy. “Where is your vigour?” he put to 750 members of the European parliament. “Where is that Read more
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx has lamented the results of European Parliament elections, which saw gains for nationalist and “eurosceptic” parties. These included UKIP in the United Kingdom and French National Front. “A matter of concern is the significant increase of support for parties which reject the project of European integration,” said Cardinal Marx. “Some of Read more