Article Archive
Please click below to view any of the articles in our archive.
(Vatican Radio) A relic of St Thomas Becket, the 12th century English archbishop murdered at the altar in Canterbury Cathedral, is returning home this week from Hungary, where it has been venerated as a powerful symbol of the Church’s struggle for religious freedom.The relic, a small fragment of bone, is believed to have been taken to Hungary shortly after the assassination and has been kept for the past eight centuries in Esztergom Basilica. Becket’s murder by four knights in December 1170 marked the dramatic end of a long feud with King Henry II and the start of a popular tradition of pilgrimage to his tomb.Under Henry VIII, his shrine was destroyed and his name was removed from the Anglican calendar, yet today he is being seen a sign of shared Christian heritage and a powerful symbol of those modern martyrs being persecuted for their faith.Hungary’s president will join top Catholic and Anglican leaders for liturgies at both Westminster Cathedral and Westminste...
(Vatican Radio) No Christian can exist without joy: that’s what Pope Francis said in his Homily at Mass Monday morning in the chapel of the Santa Marta guesthouse. The Pope stressed that even through life’s difficulties, the Christian knows he can trust in Jesus and find hope. The Pope also reminded the faithful they should not allow riches to dominate their lives because they ultimately lead to sadness. Christians live in joy and amazement because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Commenting on the First Letter of St. Peter the Apostle, Francis pointed out that, even if we are plagued by trials, we can never lose the joy of knowing that God “regenerated us in Christ and gave us hope".The identity card of the Christian is the joy of the GospelHe noted that we can go towards that “hope” which "the early Christians depicted as an anchor in heaven." We too, can “ take the rope and go up there," to...
This year's Billboard Music Awards promised to be heavy on emotion during its biggest performances by iconic artists such as Celine Dion and Madonna. And they certainly delivered on Sunday night at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with a political statement about transgender rights, a tender Prince tribute and Dion's return after personal losses. These are the most memorable moments of the night....
TEHRAN, Iran (AP) -- After decades of officially-imposed detachment from the "Great Satan," Iranians are this time transfixed by the wild U.S. presidential campaign, mindful that the next White House occupant could have direct impact on their lives....
BEIRUT (AP) -- A series of rare explosions including suicide bombings rocked coastal government strongholds in Syria Monday, killing more than 80 people and wounding 200 others, state media and opposition activists said. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks....
(Vatican Radio) As the saying goes “never judge a book by its cover”. On the face of it Pete Shilaimon is a successful Hollywood producer working on big budget movie productions that are seen by cinema goers all over the world.But that’s only what hard work, self-belief and a strong faith has brought him. The cover of that book maybe glossy, but turn the pages and it reveals a person who feels a deep empathy with those who suffer due to his own experiences as a young migrant.Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with producer Pete Shilaimon Pete’s own story began in Iraq in the 1970’s. For him religious persecution was not just a phrase but a reality. He recounts how he and the rest of his family fled the country and how they arrived with nothing in the United States. It’s a situation that many Iraqi’s have faced, especially in the last number of years which has seen thousands flee cities such as Mosul which were over-run by Islam...
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- After three military combat tours in warn-torn Iraq, Chase Millsap returned home to get on with a civilian life, but there was one thing he couldn't do: leave a comrade behind, certainly not one who had saved his life....
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders is breaking with the Obama administration and House lawmakers over a plan to restructure Puerto Rico's $70 billion in debt, saying the legislation would make "a terrible situation even worse."...
BALTIMORE (AP) -- A judge is expected Monday to hand down his verdict in the case of a Baltimore police officer charged in the arrest and subsequent death of Freddie Gray....
BEIRUT (AP) -- As one of the few pediatricians remaining in the Syrian city of Aleppo, Dr. Mohammed Wassim Maaz offered hope to tens of thousands of children and their parents trapped in the horror and misery of the five-year civil war. But last month, an airstrike widely believed to have been carried out by the Syrian government destroyed the al Quds hospital where he worked, killing Maaz and dozens of colleagues, patients and other civilians....
