Pope Francis definitively ruled out the possibility of visiting France for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral on his return flight on Friday from Southeast Asia. During an in-flight press conference on the papal plane on Sept 13, the pope firmly stated: “I will not go to Paris!” French President Emmanuel Macron invited Pope Read more
Posts Tagged ‘President Emmanuel Macron’
Russia is ‘willing’ to speak with Pope Francis about the war in Ukraine
Monday, October 31st, 2022Russian presidential spokesman Dmitri Peskov said his government is willing to talk with Pope Francis, the United States, and France to find a solution to the war in Ukraine. “We are willing to discuss all this (the situation in Ukraine) with the Americans, with the French, and with the pontiff,” Peskov said during a daily Read more
“Covid pass” for many venues, but not for Mass
Monday, July 26th, 2021
Italy and France have introduced a “Covid pass” requiring citizens to show they have been vaccinated before being admitted to most indoor venues. So far, both countries have excluded the need for passes to be shown before attending Mass! The Italian government rolled out new rules requiring citizens to present a ‘Green Pass’ to be Read more
History teacher’s murder by Islamist group prompts rapid response from Paris
Thursday, October 22nd, 2020
France’s president Emmanuel Macron says a teacher’s murder last week was the work of domestic militant Islamist group. The murdered teacher, Samuel Paty, had discussed caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed with his class earlier this month. After the murder, 16 people were initially detained, by police. They included members of the killer’s family and five Read more
Emmanuel Macron denounces Islamists’ politico-religious project in France
Monday, October 5th, 2020In a key speech, the French President Emmanuel Macron has outlined plans to halt the growing influence of radical Islamists in France, warned that some were pursuing an organised “politico-religious” project in sports clubs and youth groups to indoctrinate youngsters and adopting separatist behaviour in some workplaces. Speaking in Les Mureaux, north west of Paris Read more
Protests erupt over Beirut’s deadly explosion
Monday, August 10th, 2020
The deadly explosion in Beirut last week was followed by a wave of protests erupting in central Beirut. Many Lebanese citizens are blaming their leaders’ incompetence, for the deadly explosion that leveled the city’s main port last Tuesday. The blast sent a shock wave through Lebanon’s capital, destroyed entire neighborhoods, killed at least 154 people, Read more
Hard-hats de rigueur at Notre Dame’s first Mass
Monday, June 17th, 2019
Everyone sported hard hats at the first mass at Notre Dame since fire broke out beneath its roof on 15 April. The archbishop of Paris, Michel Aupetit, led the service which was held in an undamaged side-chapel behind the choir. Saturday – the day the mass was celebrated – is the anniversary of the church altar’s consecration. Read more
Notre Dame – the fast-track to restoration
Monday, April 29th, 2019
The French government’s aim to fast-track Notre Dame’s restoration has gained impetus, with a bill designed to speed up the famous cathedral’s reconstruction going before parliament in a few weeks. The cathedral was badly damaged in a fire on 15 April. The bill will allow the government to pass emergency orders regarding Notre Dame so Read more
Fertility treatment for gay, single women debated
Thursday, September 27th, 2018
Proposals to offer fertility treatment to lesbian couples and single women would harm society by removing fatherhood from the lives of children say French bishops. France’s highest bioethics body, the National Consultative Ethics Committee (CCNE), sees the issue differently. Under the current law, technologies such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and artificial insemination are restricted Read more
France’s President receives Catholic honorary title from Pope
Thursday, June 28th, 2018
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has been given an honorary title by Pope Francis. Macron visited the Vatican to accept an inherited title of the “First and Only Honorary Canon” of the Basilica of St. John Lateran. St John Lateran is the pope’s cathedral in his capacity as bishop of Rome. Under a tradition that began Read more