Under heavy security, Catholic pilgrims visit Lourdes shrine
2016-08-16
Crowds gathered throughout the day at a series of outdoor Masses in multiple languages celebrating the Feast of the AssumptionContinue Reading
Pope Francis treats homeless people to beach trip
2016-08-15
Rome: Pope Francis is treating dozens of Rome’s homeless this summer to a day at the beach and dinner in a pizzeria on the way back. The pontiff’s almsgiver, Polish monsignor Konrad Krajewski, said he drives a van with 10 people to a beach near Rome for a dip inContinue Reading
Women burn burqas, men cut beards as Syrian town celebrates IS ouster
2016-08-15
On August 12 Russian and Syrian jets pounded rebel positions in and around second city AleppoContinue Reading
How a priest made a case for Teresa’s sainthood
2016-08-15
Mother Teresa will be formally canonized on Sept. 4 by Pope Francis in Rome. Widely known as “the Saint of Calcutta,” she founded religious orders of women and men that serve the poor in more than 130 countries. Even for a woman who is an icon of modern saintliness, theContinue Reading
Copt priests in Gulf meet to discuss challenges
2016-08-15
Egyptian priests serving in the Arab Gulf region have held their first conference to discuss challenges faced in the heartland of Islam: “Challenges facing Gulf priests and their wives”. The head of the largest group of Christians in the Middle East, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II led bishops and priestsContinue Reading
Sale of saint relics on eBay sparks Catholic outcry
2016-08-13
San Jose, Calif.: Ryan Scheel was shopping for a rosary on eBay when one listing caught him off guard. A first class relic of the bone of a saint, still in its wax-sealed reliquary, was listed for sale – to the tune of $3,600. “The listing was crass enough toContinue Reading
Mother Teresa model of Mercy fuelled by prayers, says Pope
2016-08-13
When Pope Francis canonizes Blessed Teresa of Kolkata Sept. 4, he won’t simply be fulfilling a special duty of his office, he will be honoring a woman he has called “a symbol, an icon for our age.” When talking about the intersection of prayer, mercy, concrete acts of charity andContinue Reading
Pope makes surprise visit to former prostitutes
2016-08-12
The 79-year old pontiff listened for over an hour to the stories of the former sex slavesContinue Reading
Pope pays ‘private’ visit to convents outside Rome
2016-08-11
Pope Francis was accompanied by Bishop Domenico Pompili of Rieti Continue Reading
Italy’s Muslims demand polygamy to be legalized
2016-08-11
Following the introduction of civil partnerships, Muslim representatives in Italy are now demanding the legalisation of polygamy. Responding to a new law allowing same sex couples to enter civil unions, Hamza Piccardo argued that if gay relationships, which Muslims disagree with, are a civil right then Italians must accept polygamyContinue Reading