Rome: Pope Francis has recognized the “heroic virtues” of Professor Jerome Lejeune, who discovered the cause of Down’s syndrome. The French scientist, who died in 1994 aged 67, has taken the first step to sainthood, the Vatican said January 21. This clears the way for Lejeune to be beatified inContinue Reading
Vatican City: January 22 marks the anniversary of the Swiss Guards, founded under Pope Julius II. This year the Guards celebrate 515 years. It was Pope Julius II that founded the Swiss Guards in 1506. Often dubbed as “the world’s smallest army,” the Swiss guards – a separate entity toContinue Reading
Rome: A recently ordained Catholic priest died in hospital January 21 after an explosion destroyed a parish building in the Spanish capital, Madrid. Fr. Rubén Pérez Ayala was ordained to the priesthood last June. His first assignment was at the Virgen de la Paloma parish near the Puerta de ToledoContinue Reading
Adigrat, Ethiopia: At least 750 people are reported dead after an attack on an Oriental Orthodox church in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, according to a European watchgroup. On Jan. 9, the Europe External Programme with Africa reported that the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion in Axum, about 80 milesContinue Reading
A Catholic priest in Burkina Faso who went missing Jan 19 has been found dead in a forest, the local bishop announced Jan 21. “It is with deep sorrow that I bring to everyone’s attention that the lifeless body of Fr. Rodrigue Sanon was found on January 21, 2021 inContinue Reading
Rome: A Victorian nun known as ‘the Mother Teresa of Manchester’ is on course to become Britain’s second saint of modern times as the Pope approves her for the title of ‘venerable.’ Elizabeth Prout, who died 155 years ago, has been hailed by Vatican theologians as a figure who livedContinue Reading
Vatican City: Pope Francis on January 20 sent a message to US President Joe Biden, urging him to be a bringer of peace and reconciliation to his country as well as to the whole world. Pope Francis opened his message saying, “On the occasion of your inauguration as the forty-sixthContinue Reading
Washington: President Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th president of the United States January 20, ushering in a new era of calm and comity to Washington after four divisive and tumultuous years under former President Donald Trump. Standing at the Capitol just two weeks after a mob ofContinue Reading
Vatican City: The Vatican began on Jan 20 vaccinating homeless people in its care against Covid-19. The Holy See press office said on Jan. 20 that an initial group of around 25 homeless people had received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine in the atrium of the Paul VIContinue Reading
Washington D.C.: The National Garden of American Heroes will include statues of many notable Catholic figures, including five saints and numerous people who are on the path to sainthood. Outgoing President Donald Trump announced in an executive order January 18 that a garden will be built to “reflect the awesomeContinue Reading
