• Home
  • About Us
  • Support
  • Concerts & Events
  • Music & Media
  • Faith
  • Listen Live
  • Give Now

Catholic News 2

India's Supreme Court has directed all the country's states to formulate a uniform policy to provide compensation to victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault, saying such aid was crucial for a survivor's rehabilitation.  Conservative and patriarchal attitudes in India mean victims of sexual assault are often shunned by their families and communities and blamed for the violence perpetrated against them, say activists and lawyers.  Many are ostracised from their homes and cannot afford the legal fees to fight for justice in an under-resourced judicial system where verdicts can still take years to reach.India's 29 states and seven union territories vary in how they provide support to sexual assault victims, with some states such as Maharashtra in the west providing no formal financial aid, while others such as Goa providing up to one million rupees, said the court order.  "All the states and union territories shall make all endeavours to f...

India's Supreme Court has directed all the country's states to formulate a uniform policy to provide compensation to victims of rape and other forms of sexual assault, saying such aid was crucial for a survivor's rehabilitation.  Conservative and patriarchal attitudes in India mean victims of sexual assault are often shunned by their families and communities and blamed for the violence perpetrated against them, say activists and lawyers.  Many are ostracised from their homes and cannot afford the legal fees to fight for justice in an under-resourced judicial system where verdicts can still take years to reach.

India's 29 states and seven union territories vary in how they provide support to sexual assault victims, with some states such as Maharashtra in the west providing no formal financial aid, while others such as Goa providing up to one million rupees, said the court order.  "All the states and union territories shall make all endeavours to formulate a uniform scheme for providing victim compensation in respect of rape/sexual exploitation," said an order by a division bench made up of Justices M.Y. Eqbal and  Arun Mishra. "Indisputably, no amount of money can restore the dignity and confidence that the accused took away from the victim. No amount of money can erase the trauma and grief the victim suffers. This aid can be crucial with aftermath of crime," it said. 

The nation’s apex court passed the order on Thursday after hearing a plea filed by a convicted man in the central state of Chhattisgarh challenging a seven year jail term for sexually exploiting a blind girl with a false promise of marriage.  The bench dismissed the plea and ordered the Chhattisgarh government to pay the victim 8,000 rupees monthly for the rest of her life.  

The number of rapes in India rose by 9 percent to 33,707 in 2014, according to the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau.   (Source: Thomson Reuters Foundation)

Full Article

More than ever today, the world needs science and science needs women, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Thursday marking the first International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  “UNESCO's message is clear – the new [2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development] will not meet its promise without investing in women's and girls' empowerment through and in science,” Irina Bokova said in a message for the occasion.  According to the most recent UNESCO Science Report, women account for only 28 per cent of researchers across the world, with the gap deepening at the higher echelons of decision-making. Women also have less access to funding, to networks, to senior positions, which puts them at a further disadvantage in high impact science publishing.“This calls for deep and sustained change, starting in the earliest years through improved participation of women and girls...

More than ever today, the world needs science and science needs women, the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) said on Thursday marking the first International Day of Women and Girls in Science.  “UNESCO's message is clear – the new [2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development] will not meet its promise without investing in women's and girls' empowerment through and in science,” Irina Bokova said in a message for the occasion.  According to the most recent UNESCO Science Report, women account for only 28 per cent of researchers across the world, with the gap deepening at the higher echelons of decision-making. Women also have less access to funding, to networks, to senior positions, which puts them at a further disadvantage in high impact science publishing.

“This calls for deep and sustained change, starting in the earliest years through improved participation of women and girls in science education, training and research activities at all levels,” Bokova stressed.

“Girls' and women's access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) cannot be envisaged when girls and women remain the majority of out-of-school children, youth and illiterate adults. This gap throws a shadow over entire societies, as no country can move forward with only half its creativity, energy, and dreams,” she added.

Based on a study conducted in 14 countries, the United Nations estimates that the probability for female students of graduating with a Bachelor's degree, Master's degree and Doctor's degree in science-related field are 18, eight and two per cent respectively, while the percentages of male students are 37, 18 and six per cent.

“Gender equality is a global priority at UNESCO, and promoting women and girls in science stands at the heart of this action, through a range of initiatives,” noted. Bokova, inviting all partners and Governments to redouble efforts to empower girls and women through and in science, as a foundation to take forward the 2030 Agenda.  (Source: UN)

Full Article

An illiterate Pakistani Christian man who has been sentenced to death alongside his wife for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages to an Islamic cleric has filed an appeal at Lahore High Court, seeking bail due to his deteriorating health.  "I have developed bedsores and I may die in jail as there is no possibility of better treatment there," Shafqat Masih, who is paralyzed from the waist down, said in his petition, according to the Deccan Chronicle.  "There are serious contradictions in witness accounts against me and my wife and we are hopeful of an acquittal at our appeal," he added.  Masih, alongside his wife, Shagufta, both of whom are in their 40s, were convicted and sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy in April 2014. The couple, who have four young children, were found guilty of sending blasphemous text messages to a local cleric, something which they deny on account that they are both illiterate.  The Lahore court is set ...

An illiterate Pakistani Christian man who has been sentenced to death alongside his wife for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages to an Islamic cleric has filed an appeal at Lahore High Court, seeking bail due to his deteriorating health.  "I have developed bedsores and I may die in jail as there is no possibility of better treatment there," Shafqat Masih, who is paralyzed from the waist down, said in his petition, according to the Deccan Chronicle.  "There are serious contradictions in witness accounts against me and my wife and we are hopeful of an acquittal at our appeal," he added.  Masih, alongside his wife, Shagufta, both of whom are in their 40s, were convicted and sentenced to death on charges of blasphemy in April 2014. The couple, who have four young children, were found guilty of sending blasphemous text messages to a local cleric, something which they deny on account that they are both illiterate.  The Lahore court is set to hear the petition on March 5.  (Source: UCAN)

Full Article

An international rights group said Thursday that the Sri Lankan government's decision to appoint the civil war-winning general to Parliament contradicts its pledges to investigate alleged abuses under his command.  Human Rights Watch said the appointment of former army commander Sarath Fonseka signals that the government may protect senior military leaders suspected of abuses.  Fonseka took his oath as a lawmaker Tuesday. He commanded Sri Lanka's army from 2005 until the end of war in 2009 and is credited with leading the army to victory over the ethnic minority Tamil rebels.The rights group said Sri Lankan forces under Fonseka's command were implicated in numerous instances of shelling of civilians and hospitals, rape and other sexual violence, and summary execution of prisoners.  ``The government should meaningfully demonstrate to the Sri Lankan people and the U.N. that it's serious about accountability and not on the road to a whitewash,''...

An international rights group said Thursday that the Sri Lankan government's decision to appoint the civil war-winning general to Parliament contradicts its pledges to investigate alleged abuses under his command.  Human Rights Watch said the appointment of former army commander Sarath Fonseka signals that the government may protect senior military leaders suspected of abuses.  Fonseka took his oath as a lawmaker Tuesday. He commanded Sri Lanka's army from 2005 until the end of war in 2009 and is credited with leading the army to victory over the ethnic minority Tamil rebels.

The rights group said Sri Lankan forces under Fonseka's command were implicated in numerous instances of shelling of civilians and hospitals, rape and other sexual violence, and summary execution of prisoners.  ``The government should meaningfully demonstrate to the Sri Lankan people and the U.N. that it's serious about accountability and not on the road to a whitewash,'' said Brad Adams, the group's Asia director.   Sri Lanka has promised to investigate abuse allegations with foreign help in a consensus resolution at the U.N. human rights council last year.

According to U.N. estimates, up to 100,000 people were killed in the war but the figure is believed to be much higher, including up to 40,000 civilian deaths in just the final months. Months after the war victory Fonseka challenged then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa's re-election.  Soon after his election defeat Fonseka was arrested and charged with corruption and implicating Rajapaksa's brother, who was defense secretary, in rights abuses. He won a parliamentary seat he contested while he was in detention, but lost it when he was convicted.   He was released from prison in 2012 and was part of President Maithripala Sirisena's alliance that defeated Rajapaksa in last year's presidential election.  (Source: AP)

Full Article

At 85 years old today, Radio Vatican is like a wise grandmother who continues to maintain her youthful enthusiasm.By and large, the image and role of grandparent and, in particular, a grandmother in Africa is still one of great honour. Grandmothers are loved and cherished the most.Grandma will allow you things that your parents forbid, will spoil you and unlike your parents will not judge. She is wise and knows secrets about your parents they would rather you didn’t. On a serious note, though, we all recall how at the peak of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Africa, it was the grandparents who took upon themselves the role of raising many traumatised orphans and what a difference they made and continue to make!Today, Friday 12 February marks the 85th anniversary of Radio Vatican.The radio is still a beloved grandmother, especially in Africa. Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Radio’s Director General often says that, “In spite of its age, Vatican Radio maintains a youthful e...

At 85 years old today, Radio Vatican is like a wise grandmother who continues to maintain her youthful enthusiasm.

By and large, the image and role of grandparent and, in particular, a grandmother in Africa is still one of great honour. Grandmothers are loved and cherished the most.

Grandma will allow you things that your parents forbid, will spoil you and unlike your parents will not judge. She is wise and knows secrets about your parents they would rather you didn’t. On a serious note, though, we all recall how at the peak of the HIV and AIDS pandemic in Africa, it was the grandparents who took upon themselves the role of raising many traumatised orphans and what a difference they made and continue to make!

Today, Friday 12 February marks the 85th anniversary of Radio Vatican.

The radio is still a beloved grandmother, especially in Africa. Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Radio’s Director General often says that, “In spite of its age, Vatican Radio maintains a youthful enthusiasm as it carries out its mission of communication and evangelization, created to serve the Pope’s ministry.”

To celebrate this eighty-fifth birthday milestone, we thought perhaps we might share with you a couple of extracts or rather a recent sample of some of the letters, emails and even phone calls that we get from our listeners here at the English Africa Service of Vatican Radio.

One recent letter that has touched our hearts was from Patrick Alaba Ogunlusi of Ado- Ekiti state in Nigeria. Of his own initiative, he has formed a Vatican Radio listening club. He writes, “the major activity of the club is to listen to Vatican Radio and discussing the good programmes.” We have told Francis that we are grateful for his initiative. It makes us want to do more.

Another is from Libya. The image one gets of Libya nowadays is that after Muammar Gheddafi everything in that country has collapsed. Yet, very regularly we receive feedback from a listener in Libya’s Al Zawia town. The letters posted from the town’s post office faithfully reach us, almost on a monthly basis. We are grateful to Ahmed’s letters and the many good things he says about us.

Dahmani listens in from a town in Algeria and never fails to thank us for our “wonderful daily Africa programme.”

What do you do with an invitation letter, that comes via your post box, for Pope Francis, requesting his presence at the launch of a Catholic prayer book in the Anambra state of Nigeria? This is precisely the question I put to my colleagues here at the Radio. “Well, you pass on the invitation letter to Pope Francis!” they all chorused. And so we did. We forwarded the letter to Pope Francis with an apology that we had opened it because it was addressed to us only to find his invitation letter enclosed inside.

I suspesct that Pope Francis probably could not make it to the village of Umuosolu for the prayer book launch because just this week, we received in our post box two prayer books written by Chief Stella Ngozi Ufoegbunam of Umuosolu village in Enugwu Adazi town, Anambra state. The prayer books were launched notwithstanding the Pope’s absence. I must say though that the prayer books are two beautifully and professionally designed copies. Perhaps the prayer books could benefit from having an imprimatur?

Peter Ekpe of Yaounde in Cameroon writing last week is not amused that we have not sent him a Vatican Radio calendar since 2013. “Permit me to say that since 2013, I have not received a calendar from you. I wish to plead for the 2016 Vatican Radio calendar,” Peter writes. Actually, no need to plead, Peter. The truth is that the 2016 Vatican Radio calendar has not come our way either. As for the other years from 2013, I do not know how our dear listener dropped off our mailing list. We have taken note. We can only plead with Peter to be patient with us.

I could go on sampling the letters. Suffice it to say that, we also get many requests for internships from university students. We can only take so many at a time and every year we have taken between three to four African students who spend on average of three months with our section. Other listeners want to know how they can become our Vatican Radio Africa correspondents. From around the world, we receive Shortwave reception reports that we equally cherish. Our regular reception reports come from America, Finland, Australia, Japan and many other places such as people on cruise liners sailing the world. I must admit that we struggle to respond to all the mail on time. The volume is sometimes overwhelming.

As listenership to the Shortwave frequency dwindles, our growing partners in Africa are the many small Catholic radio stations that re-broadcast our daily programme on their FM radio stations. Radio Vatican gets an outlet for its programmes and they, in turn, are assured of daily up-to-date information about activities of the Holy Father, Pope Francis and many other important developments within the Holy See. We also share news from Africa that the Catholic radio stations send to us through an audio file sharing arrangement that Vatican Radio has established. The news we receive is either broadcast or published on our website.

And yes we do get, once in a while some hate mail too. For example, some of our non-Catholic audience are particularly irked by our constant reference to Pope Francis as, “the Holy Father.” Some have gone out of their way to remind us that the Catholic Church needs to repent because we bear the mark of the beast with the number 666.

Once in a while, we get some pronunciations and a few facts wrong and this really rubs some of our listeners the wrong way. Nothing goes unnoticed and they do not spare us: A priest based in Zambia was not particularly impressed that I laboured to pronounce (on air) the Archbishop of Kaduna’s name, Matthew Man-oso Ndagoso. He bluntly asked, couldn't I have practiced a bit before going on air? Another priest or seminarian in Kenya wondered what made us think that the newly appointed Bishop of Garissa, Joseph Alessandro was born in Italy when in fact he was born in Malta? To both, I offered our profound ‘mea culpa’ and pledge to do better.

I hope that Guglielmo Marconi and Pope Pius XI, the founders of Radio Vatican, understand the pressures of deadlines and slip-ups that many a radio has to contend with. Hopefully, the two founders are also pleased that the radio they started eighty-five years ago is still of great service especially to Africa. In the meantime, here at Vatican Radio, we are all now learning the art of a multimedia radio that is not only audio-based but one that is also present on social media and other newer digital platforms.

Happy 85 years to Radio Vatican!

(Fr. Paul Samasumo, Vatican Radio)

Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va

Full Article

Various Churches and religious groupings under the Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) are this weekend holding prayers for peace, unity and stability in the country ahead of general elections scheduled to take place in just a week's time.Over 15 million Ugandans are expected to vote in presidential, parliamentary and local government elections next Thursday, 18 February out of an estimated population of 37 million.The prayers have been scheduled to begin this Friday, 12 February through to Sunday, 14 February in view of accommodating the various religions and their days of worship in their respective places of worship.The Muslims were expected to hold their prayers today, Friday while the Seventh Day Adventists have scheduled their prayer day for Saturday, 13 February.Prayers for peaceful elections by the remaining Christian denominations in Uganda, among them Catholics, Anglicans, Orthodox, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals, have been planned for Sunday, 14 February.The in...

Various Churches and religious groupings under the Inter Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) are this weekend holding prayers for peace, unity and stability in the country ahead of general elections scheduled to take place in just a week's time.

Over 15 million Ugandans are expected to vote in presidential, parliamentary and local government elections next Thursday, 18 February out of an estimated population of 37 million.

The prayers have been scheduled to begin this Friday, 12 February through to Sunday, 14 February in view of accommodating the various religions and their days of worship in their respective places of worship.

The Muslims were expected to hold their prayers today, Friday while the Seventh Day Adventists have scheduled their prayer day for Saturday, 13 February.

Prayers for peaceful elections by the remaining Christian denominations in Uganda, among them Catholics, Anglicans, Orthodox, Pentecostals, and Evangelicals, have been planned for Sunday, 14 February.

The incumbent, President Yoweri Museveni who has governed Uganda for 30 years, is seeking another five-year term on the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM),

In 2005, President Museveni won a campaign to lift the constitutional term limits, thus extending his rule.

Kizza Besigye who is the main opposition candidate of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has unsuccessfully stood against President Museveni in three previous presidential elections (2001, 2006, and 2011). He has been reported as saying that voter bribery could be one of the obstacles to his victory.

Another presidential candidate, Amama Mbabazi, who served as Uganda’s Prime Minister between 2011 - 2014 is standing as an independent candidate for the GoForward pressure group. Mr. Mbabazi fell out with President Museveni after announcing his interest in the presidency.

Media reports have indicated that the other five candidates are unlikely to have any meaningful impact on the outcome of the elections.

(By Father Don Bosco Onyalla, Nairobi, CANAA)

Email: engafrica@vatiradio.va

Full Article

Vatican City, Feb 12, 2016 / 09:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While on board the plane taking him to Cuba and then Mexico, Pope Francis took a moment to send a special blessing to EWTN’s foundress Mother Angelica, and to ask her for her prayers.“To Mother Angelica with my blessing. And I ask you to pray for me, I need it. God bless you Mother Angelica!”Pope Francis, speaking in English, paused to record the brief video message while greeting journalists on his Feb. 12 flight to Havana, Cuba.His stop on the island was a last minute addition to his Feb. 12-17 visit to Mexico, so that he could meet with Russia Patriarch Kirill. Set to take place at Havana’s Josè Martì International Airport, the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between a Pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church.It is customary for the Pope to greet the journalists traveling with him after the first meal of the flight. After speaking to the whole group of them together, he ty...

Vatican City, Feb 12, 2016 / 09:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While on board the plane taking him to Cuba and then Mexico, Pope Francis took a moment to send a special blessing to EWTN’s foundress Mother Angelica, and to ask her for her prayers.

“To Mother Angelica with my blessing. And I ask you to pray for me, I need it. God bless you Mother Angelica!”

Pope Francis, speaking in English, paused to record the brief video message while greeting journalists on his Feb. 12 flight to Havana, Cuba.

His stop on the island was a last minute addition to his Feb. 12-17 visit to Mexico, so that he could meet with Russia Patriarch Kirill. Set to take place at Havana’s Josè Martì International Airport, the encounter marks the first-ever meeting between a Pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church.

It is customary for the Pope to greet the journalists traveling with him after the first meal of the flight. After speaking to the whole group of them together, he typically makes his way around the plane to greet each one individually.

This time was no different. As he made his way down the line of the 76 international journalists on board – 10 of whom are from Mexico – Pope Francis paused to record the brief, 20 second video for Mother Angelica when asked by CNA/EWTN News Rome Bureau Chief, Alan Holdren.

“On behalf of Mother Angelica, I thank the Holy Father for his greeting and want him to know that Mother, her Nuns and the EWTN family will be praying for him and for the success of this historic journey,” EWTN Chairman and CEO Michael Warsaw said in a statement responding to the blessing.

While Pope Francis has gained a reputation for his numerous interviews as pontiff, he was known during his time as a cardinal and archbishop for his aversion to speaking to the media.

He did, however, make a few exceptions. One of them was for EWTN’s Spanish channel, EWTN Español, leading into the 2012-2013 Year of Faith, called for by Benedict XVI before he resigned from the papacy and closed by Francis after his election.

In the interview, the then-Cardinal Bergoglio spoke about the significance of the Year of Faith, the gift of the theological virtues of faith, hope and charity, and the importance of Latin America in the life of the Church.

A nun with the Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration, Mother Angelica founded EWTN in Irondale, Alabama in 1981. She was a leading presence at the network and hosted a call-in show called Mother Angelica Live until she suffered a disabling stroke in 2001. Now bedridden, she currently lives in Hanceville, Alabama.

In October 2009, Benedict XVI awarded the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Medal to Mother Angelica. The medal is the highest honor the Pope can bestow on religious and is given for service to the Church.

In June 2014, Catholic News Agency and the Eternal Word Television Network merged, bringing the entire ACI Group – Catholic News Agency, as well as the Spanish language ACI Prensa, Portuguese ACI Digital, Italian ACI Stampa and German CNA Deutsche – into the EWTN family.

In his greeting to the journalists on the plane, Pope Francis thanked them for the work they will do during the “busy and tight trip” – one that was very much desired “by my brother Kirill, by me and also by the Mexican (people).”

He said his “most intimate wish” is to pause in silence before the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe, “which has been studied and studied and studied and there aren't human explanations…this is a thing of God.”

The image, miraculously imprinted on the tilma of St. Juan Diego 470 years ago, has made such a strong impact in Mexican culture that even those who are atheists still profess their devotion to her, Francis said.

Pope Francis also announced that Vatican Chief of Protocol Dr. Alberto Gasbarri, who organizes international papal trips, will retire, and that Colombian Msgr. Maurico Rueda will take his place.

In his one-on-one greetings with journalists, Pope Francis, told journalist Nestor Ponguta of Radio Caraco that he would visit Colombia in 2017 if the government and leaders of FARC, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, could reach a peace agreement.

Another journalist asked whether or not the Pope was planning to visit Moscow, to which Francis responded: “Russia and China, I have them here,” and pointed to his heart. He then asked that the visit to these countries be prayed for.

 

Full Article

IMAGE: CNS/Paul HaringBy Cindy WoodenABOARDTHE PAPAL FLIGHT TO HAVANA (CNS) -- Making his 12th trip abroad, Pope Franciswas accustomed to collecting interview requests, notes and gifts from thejournalists who travel on the plane with him.Buthis flight to Cuba Feb. 12 had a unique moment. Noel Diaz, who lives in LosAngeles and was covering the trip for ESNE -- a Catholic radio and televisionnetwork -- asked the pope if he could shine his shoes "in memory of allthose people who struggle daily to put bread on their tables."Diaztold the pope that when he was growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, his mother toldhim he would have to delay his first Communion because she could not afford tobuy him black pants and a white shirt. Although not quite 8 years old, Diazsaid he went out with a shoe-shine box to earn the money for the clothes andwas able to receive his first Communion with his peers.Thepope reluctantly conceded to Diaz, and the man knelt in the aisle of the planeand brushed the pope's s...

IMAGE: CNS/Paul Haring

By Cindy Wooden

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO HAVANA (CNS) -- Making his 12th trip abroad, Pope Francis was accustomed to collecting interview requests, notes and gifts from the journalists who travel on the plane with him.

But his flight to Cuba Feb. 12 had a unique moment. Noel Diaz, who lives in Los Angeles and was covering the trip for ESNE -- a Catholic radio and television network -- asked the pope if he could shine his shoes "in memory of all those people who struggle daily to put bread on their tables."

Diaz told the pope that when he was growing up in Tijuana, Mexico, his mother told him he would have to delay his first Communion because she could not afford to buy him black pants and a white shirt. Although not quite 8 years old, Diaz said he went out with a shoe-shine box to earn the money for the clothes and was able to receive his first Communion with his peers.

The pope reluctantly conceded to Diaz, and the man knelt in the aisle of the plane and brushed the pope's shoe. Then he gave the pope a shoe-shine kit.

Valentina Alazraki, a correspondent for the Mexican Televisa and the journalist who has done the most papal trips, gave the pope a large sombrero decorated with his coat of arms, his image and the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Alazraki had given similar hats to St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI when she traveled with them to her homeland. The pope put the sombrero on briefly and smiled for the cameras.

Nestor Ponguta Puerto, a radio journalist from Colombia, gave Pope Francis two golden bags of Colombia's finest coffee and asked the pope when he would visit the South American country. If talks between the government and opposition groups continue and a peace treaty is signed, the pope said, "I will go next year."

The pope also received a white rose, a box of homemade chocolate chip cookies and a brand new zucchetto or scullcap. He put it on his head for a few minutes, then gave it back to the TV correspondent as a souvenir.

As is his custom at the beginning of a trip, Pope Francis thanked the traveling press corps and semi-apologized for the crazy hours they would work in Cuba Feb. 12 and in Mexico through Feb. 17. 

"The schedule is full," he said.

Although the planned stop of three-and-a-half hours in Cuba complicated matters, Pope Francis told reporters the meeting there with the head of the Russian Orthodox Church "was very much desired by my brother (Patriarch) Kirill and me."

And speaking of Mexico, Pope Francis said, "My greatest desire is to pause" in front of the tilma, the cloak bearing the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The tilma "is a mystery that is studied and studied, but there are no human explanations" for how the image was produced, the pope said. "It's something of God."

Before greeting each member of the media one by one, Pope Francis publicly thanked Alberto Gasparri, the main papal trip organizer who has worked at the Vatican 47 years and is about to retire.

- - -

Copyright © 2016 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.

Full Article

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Kanye West's new album, "The Life Of Pablo," has ignited a new controversy between the rapper and pop superstar Taylor Swift....

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- Kanye West's new album, "The Life Of Pablo," has ignited a new controversy between the rapper and pop superstar Taylor Swift....

Full Article

CALAIS, France (AP) -- Mysterious armed groups are on the prowl, targeting migrants in night attacks in Calais and elsewhere in northern France, sowing fear among the displaced travelers living in squalid slums and deepening concerns the city is becoming a tinderbox of anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rage that's fueling a budding nationalist movement....

CALAIS, France (AP) -- Mysterious armed groups are on the prowl, targeting migrants in night attacks in Calais and elsewhere in northern France, sowing fear among the displaced travelers living in squalid slums and deepening concerns the city is becoming a tinderbox of anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rage that's fueling a budding nationalist movement....

Full Article

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Soundcloud

Public Inspection File | EEO

© 2015 - 2021 Spirit FM 90.5 - All Rights Reserved.