Syria is a “workshop for cruelty” says Pope Francis. Speaking to Caritas Internationalis, Francis said “I believe the greatest illness of today is cardiac sclerosis,”. He was implying a kind of hardening of the heart that renders a person unable to feel compassion or be moved by another’s suffering. He said Syria is an example Read more
Posts Tagged ‘Pope Francis’
Environmentally-friendly more than just words at the Vatican
Friday, November 18th, 2016
Environmentally-friendly. These words are more often than not aspirational. Not so in Vatican City, however. The 44.5 hectare state hopes it “can in some way become a good example of a ‘green’ and non-polluting state.” Recycling initiatives were established in 2008. Today there are over 200 household rubbish and recycling containers dotted around the state for Read more
German football squad – friendly advice from Pope
Friday, November 18th, 2016The German football squad has had some friendly advice from Pope Francis. “Remember your are role models for so many young people and children, and the great responsibility this entails…” he said. Read more
Mafia-Catholic Church changing relationship
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016
The Mafia-Catholic Church relationship is not static, but has changed over the past 30 years says Rossella Merlino. She says the Church is very far from the brotherhood these days. This hurts the members she says as they have what she calls a “complex and varied” relationship with the Church. They rely on the Church Read more
Pope Francis’s concern about Trump focuses on poor
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016
Pope Francis’s concern about Donald Trump’s leadership focuses on poor people, especially refugees and migrants. If the President-elect hurts those on life’s margins, Francis says he will step in. Otherwise, he wants to give Trump a chance. Francis consistently shows concern for the poor and marginalised. On Friday, as the Jubilee Year of Mercy came Read more
Ex-priests, their wives and families get surprise visit from Pope
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016
Ex-priests, their wives and families were surprised by a visit from Pope Francis last Friday. The visit marked the end of the Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy. In an interview last December, Francis said the Holy Year is a response to the world’s need for a “revolution of tenderness” from which “justice and all the Read more
Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting named a Dame by Pope Francis
Tuesday, November 15th, 2016Very Rev Dr Sheilagh Kesting has been named a Dame of the Order of St Gregory the Great by Pope Francis. She is a former moderator of the Church of Scotland. She was awarded the honour for her ecumenical work. Read more
President Trump and Pope Francis no longer friends
Friday, November 11th, 2016In 2013 President Trump compared himself to to Pope Francis. He tweeted: “The new Pope is a humble man, very much like me, which probably explains why I like him so much!” But in February 2016 Pope Francis suggested Trump is “not Christian” after Trump said he wanted to to build a wall along the Mexican Read more
Many human trafficking survivors owe lives to women religious
Friday, November 11th, 2016
Human trafficking survivors owe their restored lives and dignity to religious congregations in many cases, Pope Francis said at a meeting he had with women religious in Rome on Monday. The women were all members of RENATE (Religious in Europe Networking Against Trafficking and Exploitation). It was established by a group of women religious from Read more
US Catholic Bishops’ Conference president, the Pope and Trump
Friday, November 11th, 2016
US Catholic Bishops’ Conference president, Archbishop Joseph Kurtz, is looking forward to holding pro-life discussions with the new US President-elect. He also indicated in his congratulatory speech to Donald Trump that the Church is hoping to make some changes to policies affecting migrants and refugees. Kurtz set the tone for his congratulations early in his Read more