The body of Pope Francis was moved on Wednesday morning to St. Peter’s Basilica for three days of public mourning for an Argentine pontiff remembered for his humble style, concern for the poor and insistent prayers for peace. Heads of state are expected for the funeral Saturday in St. Peter’s …
Read More »Egypt: Coptic Catholics mourn Pope Francis
Egyptian Coptic Catholics attended a prayer service for the late Pope Francis at the Holy Virgin Mary Coptic Catholic Cathedral on Tuesday in Cairo. Worshippers at the cathedral remembered Pope Francis values and his efforts to bring peace to the world. “Certainly, we believe that the Pope’s departure may be …
Read More »Pope deplores ‘deeply reactionary’ attitude among US Catholics
Pope Francis deplored the “deeply reactionary attitude” of some Catholics in the United States during an exchange with a group of Jesuits published Monday by the magazine Civilta Cattolica. “In the United States, the situation is not easy: there is a deeply reactionary attitude,” said the 86-year-old Argentine pope during …
Read More »Pope Francis ‘outraged and disgusted’ by Koran burning in Sweden
Pope Francis said he was outraged by the burning of a copy of the Koran in Sweden, adding that the use of freedom of expression as an excuse for disregarding others must be rejected and condemned. “Any book considered sacred by its authors must be respected out of respect for …
Read More »‘Equal opportunities for women are key to a better world’- Pope Francis
Pope Francis on Wednesday decried violence and prejudice against women and said granting equal pay and opportunities could help create a more peaceful world, as a new survey of Catholic women showed that many felt the Church discriminated against them. In a book preface published by the Vatican News website …
Read More »“Laws criminalizing LGBT people are a ‘sin’ and an injustice”- Pope Francis
Pope Francis said on Sunday that laws criminalizing LGBT people are a sin and an injustice because God loves and accompanies people with same-sex attraction, Reuters agency reported. Pope Francis, who made his remarks in response to a reporter’s question aboard the plane returning from a two-country trip to Africa, …
Read More »Pope Francis condemns “cruel atrocities that cover humanity with shame” in the DRC
Pope Francis on Wednesday condemned in Kinshasa the “cruel atrocities that cover humanity with shame” in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rebelling against “the bloody and illegal exploitation of the wealth from this country”. “I address a vibrant appeal to all people, to all internal and …
Read More »“Homosexuality is ‘not a crime’ but a ‘sin’ – Pope Francis says
Pope Francis said in an interview on Tuesday with the American news agency Associated Press (AP) that laws criminalizing homosexuality around the world were “unjust” and that this sexual orientation was a “sin”. “Being gay is not a crime,” Pope Francis told AP. “It’s not a crime. Yes, but it …
Read More »DR Congo: Kinshasa starts clean-up ahead of Pope’s visit
Authorities in Kinshasa, DR Congo’s capital, have decided to do a makeover in the city from Monday before the visit of Pope Francis at the end of the month. Kinshasa Governor Gentiny Ngobila says the main city centre will be spruced up, with street vendors and abandoned vehicles removed from …
Read More »“Celebrate humbly and donate for Ukraine” – Pope Francis’ call to people
Pope Francis on Wednesday urged people to celebrate “a more humble Christmas” this year by spending less on gifts and celebrations and sending the difference to Ukrainians in need. Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience, Francis drew attention to the suffering of the “battered Ukrainian people” as …
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