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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis met with the directors of the ‘Vodafone Foundation’ in a private audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Wednesday, telling them to ‘be constructive’ and make religious text available to more people.The foundation is promoting an initiative called ‘Instant Schools for Africa’, which aims to provide online educative resources to young people on the African continent.Pope Francis expressed his appreciation of the initiative and said it promotes “a more inclusive and familial world capable of offering development opportunities to people in social groups at risk of exclusion”.He suggested such initiatives should take care “to supply young people also with some notions of method, so that they learn not only to use instruments but to use them as instruments, becoming capable of using them more freely and critically”.The Pope also expressed his desire that “among the resources off...
India’s Catholic bishops have urged prayers for India and Pakistan over Kashmir following an escalation of violence between local separatists and the Indian military in the past few weeks. "Today, which marks the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, let us pray for peace,” says Card Oswald Gracias, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (Latin rite), on Tuesday, in a message to AsiaNews. “I appeal for dialogue and cooperation between the two governments."For the past 88 days, the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir has been under a curfew. The confrontation between separatists and the authorities has intensified in July, when security forces killed Burhan Wani, an important militant well versed in using social media. Since then, the state has been in a state of paralysis with tight controls on civilians, and schools, universities and shops closed. Volunteers in private homes and mosques have allowed some children to continue their e...
(Vatican Radio) At his General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis reflected on his recent Apostolic Voyage to Georgia and Azerbaijan.The Holy Father said “This visit complemented my visit to Armenia in June, and fulfilled my desire to visit all three nations of the Caucasus to confirm the Catholic community and to encourage all the people in their journey toward peace and fraternity.” He concluded his address with the prayer, “May God bless Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan, and guide his holy people in those countries.”Below, please find the English-language summary of Pope Francis’ address for the weekly General Audience on 5 October 2016:Dear Brothers and Sisters: I thank the Lord for the grace of my recent visit to Georgia and Azerbaijan, and I renew my gratitude to the civil and religious authorities of both countries, in particular to the Patriarch of All Georgia, Ilia II, and to the Sheikh of the Muslims of the Caucasus. This visit c...
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday greeted former prisoners of the Auschwitz concentration camp during his remarks to Polish-speaking pilgrims during the General Audience.“Today we celebrate the memory of St. Faustina Kowalska,” – Pope Francis said – “She reminded the world that God is rich in mercy and that His love is more powerful than death, sin and every evil. May this message of the Merciful Jesus, entrusted to her, bear fruit in your life with a deeper union with God and the works of mercy.”He concluded his remarks by saying: “Entrusting to the Lord ourselves, and the difficult problems of the world, we frequently repeat: ‘Jesus, I trust in you!’. Praised be Jesus Christ.”
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis is a famous sports fan, and he often meets athletes during his weekly General Audience. On 5 October, he met a different kind of athlete: Those with four legs.The Holy Father met with members of the “Federazione Italiana Sport Cinofili,” which is the Italian Federation dealing with “dog sports,” which test a canine’s agility and obedience.Pope Francis gave his blessing to the animals, then he petted many of the dogs – and shook the hands of their “coaches” – and gave them a special mention during his remarks in St. Peter’s Square.
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis drew attention to the fact October is the Month of Missions during his General Audience on Wednesday.He invoked the Virgin Mary, Queen of the Missions, in his traditional special blessing to young people, the sick, and new spouses; inviting them to pray intensely to her during this month.“Dear young people, be missionaries of the Gospel in your circles with the mercy and tenderness of Jesus; Dear sick and infirm people, offer your suffering for the conversion of those faraway, and of the indifferent; and you, dear newlyweds, be missionaries in your family by announcing with Word and example the Gospel of salvation,” said Pope Francis.
Vatican City, Oct 5, 2016 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Improved Holy See relations with China are a major effort of this papacy, with an ongoing focus on disputes appointment of bishops and diplomatic recognition of neighboring Taiwan.But environmental issues may be the roundabout back way to a better future.The Pontifical Academy for Social Sciences and the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace organized a Sept. 28 consultation on Pope Francis' 2015 encyclical on care for creation, “Laudato Si,” and the upcoming United Nations Climate Change conference known as COP22.Delegations came from all over the world to the Vatican event, including one from China. Pope Francis made an appearance and praised the work on “such a hot issue,” one attendee told CNA. He and warmly greeted all the delegations, including the Chinese one. Pope Francis' greeting to a Chinese delegation – albeit not a governmental one – may be meaningful, and some obs...
Juneau, Alaska, Oct 5, 2016 / 05:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Adding to the more than 70 national shrines in the United States, the St. Therese Shrine in Juneau, Alaska was added by the U.S. bishops to the national list on her Oct. 1 feast day this year.“We are pleased to have the Conference of Bishops recognize the Shrine of St. Therese as a National Shrine,” stated Bishop Edward J. Burns of Juneau, Alaska after the official announcement.“The shrine is a place of tremendous spiritual and natural beauty for all who visit, and we are happy the Bishops have confirmed what so many shrine visitors have felt in their hearts – that the National Shrine of St. Therese, Juneau, is a gift from God and a treasure to all who pilgrim to her shore,” he continued.The Shrine of St. Therese started in the 1930s from the inspiration of Jesuit priest Fr. William G. LeVasseur, who wanted to dedicate a holy place where individuals could grow in their devotion to God, while bring...
CHICAGO (AP) -- Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's plan to create a new agency to investigate police shootings and misconduct allegations is moving toward approval even as critics say it's not strong enough to keep a close eye on a police force with a reputation for brutality....
STOCKHOLM (AP) -- Three scientists won the Nobel Prize in chemistry on Wednesday for developing the world's smallest machines, work that could revolutionize computer technology and lead to a new type of battery....
