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☆ Italy criminalizes surrogacy abroad in move slammed as ‘medieval’ by critics
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-19 | by ( Antonia Mortensen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Human life has no price and is not a commodity.”People demonstrate near Italy's Senate this week to oppose the country's new legislation. Francis has shifted the church’s approach on welcoming LGBTQ people, but has maintained a strong line opposing both abortion and surrogacy. The new Italian law does not differentiate between same-sex and heterosexual couples, nor between altruistic or paid surrogacy, but it will disproportionately affect the LGBTQ community, advocates fear. “Law or no law, same-sex families exist and will continue to exist. LGBTQ activists who protested outside the Senate on Wednesday said that heterosexual couples make up 90% of all surrogacies.

Persons: Giorgia Meloni’s, Pope Francis an, Meloni, Simona Granati, Francis, ”, “, ” Laura Boldrini, ” Alessia Crocini, Michela Calabro, Mauro Scrobogna, Elon Musk, Francis ’ Organizations: CNN, Italy, Catholic Church, Italian Catholic Church, Italy's Senate, Catholic, “, Families, European Union Locations: Italy, United States, Canada, Italy's, Vatican, Italian, ” Italy, ”, Albania

☆ Vatican Bank fires couple whose marriage breached new workplace ban
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-03 | by ( Jack Guy | Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —The Vatican Bank has fired two employees whose recent wedding violates a newly-introduced ban on marriages between staff. The bank said that its policy is designed to prevent conflicts of interest at an institution with only around 100 employees, all of whom work at the same location. Sgro said the couple, who have three children, were told that their employment had been terminated on October 1. The Vatican Bank has a history of financial scandals and in 2013 Pope Francis set up an expert committee to recommend reforms to the economic and administrative structures of the Holy See to combat the problem. He’s the first cardinal to be convicted and sentenced by a Vatican court.

Persons: Laura Sgro, Sgro, Pope Francis, Gian Franco Mammi, Angelo Caloia, Giovanni Angelo Becciu, Becciu Organizations: CNN, Vatican Bank, Institute, Vatican

☆ Opinion: The G7 ‘family photo’ of world leaders tells a bigger story
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

CNN —The annual G7 summit, a gathering of leaders of some of the world’s wealthiest democracies, used to be a staid, predictable affair. Tensions were about to explode in 2018, when G7 leaders met in Canada. Behind the smiles and waves, a fraught 2018 G7 summit in Canada. German Chancellor Angela Merkel deliberates with US president Donald Trump on the sidelines of the 2018 G7 summit in Canada. German Chancellor Angela Merkel chats with a relaxed US President Barack Obama outside during the 2015 G7 summit in southern Germany.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Read, Joe Biden, Pope Francis, Volodymyr Zelensky –, —, Donald Trump, Justin Trudeau, Cole Burston, Trump, Angela Merkel, Merkel, Angela Merkel deliberates, Jesco Denzel, Barack Obama, Michael Kappeler, George W, Bush, backrub, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Covid, ” Biden, ” Macron, Boris Johnson, Ludovic Marin, Biden, Emmanuel Macron’s, autocrats, Lady Melania Trump, Trudeau, Andrew Parsons, Giorgia Meloni, ” Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Frida Ghitis CNN, European Council, Canadian, Bloomberg, Trump, Getty, Deutschland, Kremlin, Parliamentary, United, Brothers Locations: Puglia, Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Bavarian, AFP, St Petersburg, Russia, Russian, St . Petersburg, Handout, Crimean, Washington, United States, British, Ukraine, Biarritz, Italian, Europe

☆ What to Know About the G7 Summit, and Why It Matters
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Matthew Mpoke Bigg | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Every year, as the leaders of the world’s wealthiest large democracies gather for a summit, the same questions arise: What exactly is the summit for, and why does the group matter? The leaders, along with representatives of the European Union and selected guests, meet to discuss economic issues and major international policies. This year the summit’s host, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, has also invited other figures including Pope Francis and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India. Whatever the leaders’ disagreements on the issues, one feature of the summits tends to be a shared overall outlook. They also share broadly similar views on trade, security and human rights, giving them enormous influence when they act in concert.

Persons: United States —, Giorgia Meloni, Pope Francis, Narendra Modi Organizations: United, European Union, India Locations: Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, United States, Puglia, Italian, Ukraine, Gaza

☆ With Conflicts at Home, Eric Adams Arrives in Rome to Discuss Peace
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Jeffery C. Mays | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With New York City at the center of global issues such as the influx of hundreds of thousands of migrants and the college protests about the Israel-Hamas war, Mayor Eric Adams arrived in Rome on Friday ready to discuss peace. During a three-day trip, the mayor is expected to meet with Pope Francis and attend the World Meeting on Human Fraternity, an event that will bring together Nobel Laureates, athletes and assorted celebrities as a step toward combating the “many forms of violence and wars” around the world. Earlier this week, the mayor said: “I think that His Holiness has a role right now as we all are trying to deal with the global conflicts.”The mayor has made his Christian faith a centerpiece of his politics. He has said that God told him three decades ago the exact date that he would become mayor, and that he did not believe in the separation of church and state. The trip to see Pope Francis is “a very special moment for me as being a Christian,” Mr. Adams said Tuesday.

Persons: Eric Adams, Pope Francis, “, God, ” Mr, Adams Organizations: New York, Human Fraternity Locations: New York City, Israel, Rome

☆ First Female Argentine Saint Brings Together Pope Francis and Milei
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Alvise ArmelliniVATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday will elevate to sainthood the first female saint from his native Argentina, an event that will be attended at the Vatican by his former strong critic, Argentine President Javier Milei. Milei, a maverick right-wing libertarian, in the past called Francis an "imbecile", a "son-of-a-bitch preaching communism" and the devil's man on earth - but has softened his tone since taking office in December. Francis has said he hopes to be able make his first trip back to his homeland since being pope in 2013 in the second half of this year. Francis, himself a Jesuit, described her on Friday in a meeting with pilgrims from Argentina as a "gift to the Argentine people and also to the entire Church," praising her dedication to the poor. Quoting from his past writings, the pope condemned the "radical individualism" that permeates today's society as a "virus", in words that may jar with Milei's radical free-market instincts.

Persons: Alvise, Pope Francis, Javier Milei, Francis, Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, Mama Antula, Milei, Sergio Mattarella, Giorgia Meloni, Lucinda Alice Elliot, Clelia Oziel Organizations: CITY, Jesuit Locations: Argentina, Argentine, St Peter's, America, Israel, Italy, Buenos Aires

☆ Pope Francis takes on vested interests to speak out on humanitarian crises
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Analysis Christopher Lamb | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +18 min

Pope Francis received an emotional welcome on the island during a visit showing solidarity with migrants fleeing war and poverty. ARIS MESSINIS/AFP/Getty Images Pope Francis confesses in St. Peter's Basilica during the Vatican's Penitential Celebration on Friday, March 4, 2016. Alessandro Di Meo/AP Pope Francis arrives for his visit with prisoners in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, on Friday, July 10, 2015. Franco Origlia/Getty Images Pope Francis and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I address the faithful in Istanbul on Sunday, November 30, 2014. Gokhan Tan/Getty Images Pope Francis speaks during the feast-day Mass while on a one-day trip to Italy's Calabria region in June 2014.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal Michael Czerny, Francis, “, ”, Regina Coeli, Vincenzo Pinto, Juan Manuel Santos, Santos, Alessandra Tarantino, L'Osservatore Romano, VINCENZO PINTO, Simon Bar Sabbae, Pope, FILIPPO MONTEFORTE, Karekin, TIZIANA FABI, Giuseppe Ciccia, MAX, Pope Francis tries, Pope Benedict XVI, Alessandro Di Meo, Evo Morales, OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Vladimir Putin, Putin, Federico Lombardi, Lombardi, Gregorio Borgia, Getty Pope Francis, Raul Castro, Castro, GABRIEL BOUYS, ANDREAS SOLARO, Kurukkal SivaSri, Mahadeva, Pope Francis in, Eranga, Franco Origlia, Bartholomew I, Gokhan Tan, San Gregorio Magno, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip , Duke of Edinburgh, Oli Scarff, Barack Obama, SAUL LOEB, Santa Sabina, Max ROSSI, Daniele De Sanctis, Pope Francis ', FABIO FRUSTACI, Benedict XVI, Benedict, L'OSSERVATORE ROMANO, Osservatore Romano Pope Francis, Vinicio Riva, Riva, CLAUDIO PERI, Rainbow Association Marco Iagulli Onlus, Fotografia, Father Don Renzo Zocca, Osservatore Romano, LUCA ZENNARO, Jorge Saenz, Dan Kitwood, Jesus, Internationalis Paulus VI, Argentine Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, Roman Catholic Church's, Peter Macdiarmid, Pope Francis Prev, it’s, He’s, Filippo Monteforte, Donald Trump’s, Czerny, Trump, Donald Trump, Melania, Evan Vucci, Reuters “, ” Cardinal Czerny, Cardinal Czerny, doesn’t, Francis ’, “ Jesus Organizations: CNN, Getty Images, Colombian, Revolutionary Armed Forces, International Catholic Rural Association, Vatican, AFP, Getty, Catholic Chaldean, St, Mercy, ARIS MESSINIS, MAX ROSSI, Getty Images Bolivian, Cuban, Sunday, Queen, getty, Rainbow Association, Renault, Catholic, Roman Catholic, Intelligence, Warner Bros, Discovery, “, Republican, Reuters Locations: St, AFP, Colombia, Rome, Tbilisi , Georgia, Auschwitz, Birkenau, Poland, Etchmiadzin, Yerevan, Armenia, Vatican City, Moria, Lesbos, Peter's, Mexican, Havana, Cuba, Mexico, Santa Cruz , Bolivia, South America, Ecuador, Paraguay, La Paz, Bolivia, Italian, Ukraine, Iraq, Syria, Havana and Washington, Vatican, Pope Francis in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Istanbul, Italy's Calabria, Jerusalem's Old City, Argentina, Roman Parish, San, Rome's, Santa, Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Argentine, America, Gaza, Nove, Lampedusa, Italy, Ciampino, Czechoslovakia, Canada, United States, Africa

President Biden will not attend a major United Nations climate summit that begins Thursday in Dubai, skipping an event expected to be attended by King Charles III, Pope Francis and leaders from nearly 200 countries, a White House official said Sunday. The official, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the president’s schedule, did not give a reason Mr. Biden will not make an appearance at the two-week summit, known as COP28. But senior White House aides suggested that the war between Israel and Hamas had consumed the president in recent weeks and days, as he pressed for a pause in fighting and release of hostages held by Hamas. “They’ve got the war in the Middle East and a war in Ukraine, a bunch of things going on,” John Kerry, Mr. Biden’s special envoy for climate change, said last week. Mr. Kerry and his team will be in Dubai.

Persons: Biden, King Charles III, Pope Francis, “ They’ve, ” John Kerry, Biden’s, Kerry Organizations: White Locations: United Nations, Dubai, Israel, Ukraine

☆ Jewish groups criticize Pope on 'terrorism' remark, seek clarification
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pope Francis speaks during the weekly general audience, at the Vatican, November 22, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Jewish groups have criticised Pope Francis and demanded clarifications over his comments that they saw as accusing both Hamas and Israel of "terrorism". Francis made the comments on Wednesday after meeting separately with Jewish relatives of hostages held by Hamas and with Palestinians with family in Gaza. In a toughly worded statement on Thursday, the Council of the Assembly of Italian Rabbis (ARI) accused the pope of "publicly accusing both sides of terrorism". But the AJC added: "Later in the day, he described the Israel-Hamas war as 'beyond war' as 'terrorism.'

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Simon Wiesenthal, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Philip Pullella, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS, CITY, Hamas, Gunmen, Twitter, American Jewish Committee, Simon, Simon Wiesenthal Center, Thomson Locations: Israel, Gaza, St, Hamas, U.S, Nazi Germany, Ukraine

☆ As Catholic Leaders Met, Fired Bishop Took His Message to the Street
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Ruth Graham | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

Inside a windowless hotel ballroom on the Baltimore waterfront on Wednesday, more than 250 American bishops were trying to pilot through the choppy waters of the increasingly contentious relationship between Pope Francis and conservative American Catholics, many of them in their own ranks. But the most visible sign of that struggle was outside on the street, as a small crowd gathered to show support for Bishop Joseph Strickland, the bellicose Texas bishop fired by Francis over the weekend. Bishop Strickland has accused the pope of undermining the Catholic faith and represents an outspoken cohort in the church who view Francis as dangerously liberal. Just steps from the hotel, Bishop Strickland’s supporters sang and knelt to pray with the deposed cleric. Most held rosaries, and some hoisted signs reading, “We stand with Bishop Strickland.”

Persons: Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph Strickland, Francis, Bishop Strickland, Bishop Strickland’s, ” Organizations: Bishop Locations: Baltimore, Texas

☆ Argentina's presidential rivals clash in key voter battlegrounds
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Lucinda Elliott | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Argentina's presidential candidate Sergio Massa addresses supporters as he reacts to the results of the presidential election, in Buenos Aires, Argentina October 22, 2023. Center-left Peronist economy chief Sergio Massa faces libertarian outsider Javier Milei in the Nov. 19 vote, with polls suggesting a likely photo finish. "Both are scary," said Gonzalez, adding that most people she knew were planning to cast their votes for Milei. Massa pulled off a surprise win in the October first round, attracting 9.6 million votes, ahead of Milei on 7.9 million. There were nearly 10 million votes for other candidates, people who voted blank or spoiled ballots.

Persons: Sergio Massa, Martin Cossarini, Javier Milei, Pragmatist Massa, Fatima Gonzalez, Gonzalez, Massa, Joaquin Gonzalez, Milei, Patricia Bullrich, Mauricio Macri, Juan Schiaretti, Maria Elena Bazzano, Argentine Pope Francis, Luiz Inacio, Lula, da Silva, Romina Viola, Alberto Fernandez, Fernandez, Lucinda Elliott, Adam Jourdan, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: REUTERS, Peronist, Milei, Massa, Reuters Graphics, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, BUENOS AIRES, Cordoba province, Milei, Cordoba, China, Argentine, Brazilian

☆ Keeping 1.5 alive? IEA lists 'crucial ingredients' to keep worst effects of climate change at bay
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-09 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The U.N. has previously noted that 1.5 degrees Celsius is viewed as being "the upper limit" when it comes to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change. The COP28 climate change summit is fast approaching, with a host of world leaders and high-profile public figures — including Pope Francis and King Charles III — set to attend. The IEA's report also mentioned the importance of "ramping up electrification" before touching upon the need to find solutions that benefit all. But "this package of global measures provides crucial ingredients for any successful outcome from the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December." "I encourage decision makers around the world to take this report's findings into account — in the lead-up to the COP28 climate change conference in Dubai later this year and beyond."

Persons: —, COP28, Pope Francis and King Charles III —, Fatih Birol Organizations: International Energy Agency, COP21, United Arab Emirates, Energy, World Energy, Fatih Locations: Germany, Paris, Dubai

A strike on a house near the Jabalia refugee camp, in northern Gaza, killed several Palestinians and wounded others, according to media reports. Israel has amassed tanks and troops near the fenced border around Gaza for a planned ground invasion aiming to annihilate Hamas. [1/5]An Israeli flag flutters from a self-propelled howitzer near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel, October 22, 2023. Netanyahu also held a phone call with the leaders of France, Spain and the Netherlands late on Sunday, the Israeli leader's office said. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will visit Israel on Monday and French President Emmanuel Macron will visit Tuesday.

Persons: Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ismail Haniyeh, Hossein Amirabdollahian, Lloyd Austin, ABC's, Violeta Santos Moura, Mohammad Shtayyeh, Joe Biden, Netanyahu, Biden, Pope Francis, Mark Rutte, Emmanuel Macron, Nidal al, Emily Rose, Phil Stewart, Lisa Shumaker Organizations: Biden, Health, Iranian, Pentagon, . Defense, Reuters, Iran, REUTERS, Hezbollah, GAZA Palestinian, White, Israel, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, GAZA, JERUSALEM, Lebanon, Washington, Iran, U.S, Tehran, Islamic Republic, Syria, Israeli, Damascus, Aleppo, Rafah, Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Dutch, Jerusalem

☆ Pope Francis and Biden Discuss Israel-Hamas War
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-22 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Pope Francis spoke with President Biden by phone on Sunday, after the pope called for the continued flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages. The two talked for about 20 minutes, according to the Vatican, discussing “situations of conflict in the world and the need to identify paths to peace." The White House said Biden discussed his efforts "to ensure delivery of food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance to help alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza."

Persons: Pope Francis, Biden Organizations: Gaza Locations: Gaza

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Diplomatic aid efforts ramp up for 'strangled' Gaza as regional conflict fears grow
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Helen Regan Kareem El Damanhoury Eyad Kourdi Abeer Salman Abbaggini | Helen Regan | Kareem El Damanhoury | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“We all know water is life – Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life. People walk amid the destruction of houses and streets in Khan Younis, located in the southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Hamas is believed to be holding some 150 Israeli and foreign nationals hostage in the warren of tunnels underneath Gaza. It is also unclear if water is now flowing into southern Gaza. Israeli soldiers gather on and around a tank near Israel's border with the Gaza Strip, in southern Israel on October 15.

Persons: ”, ’, Joe Biden, Philippe Lazzarini, ” Lazzarini, “, Marwan Jilani, Khan Younis, Mohamed Zaanoun, Dominic Allen, ” UNRWA’s Lazzarini, Isaac Herzog, Antonio Guterres, Pope Francis, Ravina Shamdasani, doesn’t, ” Shamdasani, Herzog, Antony Blinken, Benjamin, Netanyahu, Sunday Blinken, China’s, Wang Yi, Israel, Zhai Jun, Jacquelyn Martin, Jordan, United States Michael Herzog, Stéphane Dujarric, Jonathan Conricus, Emmanuel Macron “, Ebrahim Raisi, Warthogs, Ronen Zvulun, Jake Sullivan, ” Sullivan Organizations: Jerusalem CNN, Israel’s, UN, Israel Defense Forces, United Nations Relief, Works Agency, “, CNN, Crescent, Getty, Population Fund, Sunday, Palestinian Health Ministry, UN Human Rights, Reuters, CNN Israel, CNN Sunday, Water Authority, East Sunday, CBS Sunday, US National Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Israel, Rafah, Egypt, Khan, Guterres, Cairo, Jordan, nonfunctional, United States, Israeli, Iran, Syria, Israel’s, Lebanon

☆ Pope, in Mongolia, sends apparent message to China on Catholic aims
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-02 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On his first working day in Mongolia, the government feted the pope with traditional events such a parade including men on horseback dressed as ancient Mongol warriors. Chow, who will be a made a cardinal by the pope this month, told reporters he hoped the Church in Hong Kong could be a "bridge Church" with mainland China. "This is the Church of the world, especially for the margins, and that is a good thing," Chow said. Outside the pope's meeting with Mongolian leaders, about two dozen Catholics from China waved red, five-starred Chinese flags. Reporting by Philip Pullella in Ulaanbaatar; Additional reporting by Joseph Campbell; Editing by William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Jesus, Saints Peter, Paul, Virgin Mary, Hong, Archbishop Stephen Chow, Chow, Oyun, ALBERTO PIZZOLI, I’ve, It’s, I’m, ”, Yang Guang, Cardinal Giorgio Marengo, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Zuppi, Philip Pullella, Joseph Campbell, William Mallard Organizations: Catholic, Communist Party, Saints, Mongolia's, REUTERS Acquire, Catholic Church, of, Thomson Locations: ULAANBAATAR, China, Mongolia, Beijing, Vatican, British, Hong Kong, Ulaanbaatar, Asia, of Rome, Shanghai, Kyiv , Washington, Moscow, Ukraine

☆ Pope Francis discusses Ukraine war and peace with US military chief
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Pope Francis meets with U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley at the Vatican, August 21, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsAug 21 (Reuters) - Pope Francis and General Mark Milley, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, discussed the war in Ukraine and hopes for peace there during a private audience at the Vatican on Monday. The general, who is visiting several European countries, said the pope was deeply concerned about the loss of life in Ukraine, particularly of civilians, since Russia invaded in February 2022. Milley has sharply criticized Moscow as mounting "a campaign of terror" against civilians in Ukraine, including by targeting civilian infrastructure as part of its war strategy. A strong advocate for Ukraine's defence against Russian forces, Milley, 65, has championed sending billions of dollars in arms to Kyiv.

Persons: Pope Francis, Mark A, Mark Milley, Milley, Dave Butler, Francis, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Phil Stewart, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: U.S, Joint Chiefs, Vatican, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, U.S . Joint Chiefs of Staff, Catholic, Russian, Army, cautioning, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Moscow, Kyiv, Washington, Crimea, Beijing

☆ Pope Francis announces 21 new cardinals
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Eighteen of the churchmen are under 80 and will be able to enter an eventual conclave to choose the next pope. The new cardinals come from countries including the United States, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, and Portugal. Three of the new cardinals were recently named as heads of major Vatican departments, including Argentine Archbishop Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the Vatican's doctrinal department. Another significant appointment was that of Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan of Hong Kong. Reporting by Federico Maccioni and Philip Pullella; Editing by Alison Williams and Sharon SingletonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Victor Manuel Fernandez, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau, Chow, Federico Maccioni, Philip Pullella, Alison Williams, Sharon Singleton Organizations: Sunday, Church, Argentine, Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: St, United States, Italy, Argentina, South Africa, Spain, Colombia, South Sudan, Hong Kong, Poland, Malaysia, Tanzania, Portugal, China

☆ The 21 new cardinals named by Pope Francis on Sunday
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VATICAN CITY, July 9 (Reuters) - Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he would induct 21 churchmen to the high rank of cardinal in September. The following are set to become cardinals:Cardinal Electors under 801 - Archbishop Robert Prevost, American, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for Bishops2 - Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, Italian, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for the Eastern Churches3 - Archbishop Víctor Fernández, Argentine, Vatican official, head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith4 - Archbishop Emil Tscherrig, Swiss, Vatican ambassador to Italy5 - Archbishop Christophe Pierre, French, Vatican ambassador to the United States6 - Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Italian, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem7 - Archbishop Stephen Brislin, South African, Archbishop of Cape Town8 - Archbishop Ángel Rossi, Argentine, Archbishop of Córdoba9 - Archbishop Luis Aparicio, Colombian, Archbishop of Bogotá10 - Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś, Polish, Archbishop of Lodz11 - Archbishop Stephen Mulla, Sudanese, Archbishop of Juba, South Sudan12 - Archbishop José Cano, Spanish, Archbishop of Madrid13 - Archbishop Protase Rugambwa, Tanzanian, Archbishop of Tabora14 - Bishop Sebastian Francis, Malaysian, Bishop of Penang15 - Bishop Stephen Chow Sau-Yan, Bishop of Hong Kong16 - Archbishop François-Xavier Bustillo, Spanish-French, Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica. 17 - Bishop Américo Alves Aguiar, Portuguese, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon18 - Father Ángel Fernández Artime, Spanish, head of the Salesian orderOver 80 and not eligible to enter a conclave19 - Archbishop Agostino Marchetto, Italian, former Vatican diplomat20 - Archbishop Diego Padrón Sánchez, Venezuelan, Archbishop Emeritus of Cumaná. 21- Father Luis Dri, Argentine priestReporting by Philip Pulella and Federico Maccioni; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal, Robert Prevost, Claudio Gugerotti, Víctor Fernández, Emil Tscherrig, Christophe Pierre, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Stephen Brislin, Ángel Rossi, Luis Aparicio, Grzegorz Ryś, Stephen Mulla, of, José Cano, Protase Rugambwa, Bishop Sebastian Francis, Bishop Stephen Chow Sau, Bishop, François, Xavier Bustillo, Bishop of, Bishop Américo Alves Aguiar, Ángel Fernández, Agostino Marchetto, Diego Padrón Sánchez, Luis Dri, Philip Pulella, Federico Maccioni, Alexander Smith Organizations: CITY, Cardinal Electors, Vatican, Bishops, Cape, Argentine, Salesian, Cumaná, Thomson Locations: Argentine, Italy, Vatican, United States, Jerusalem, South, Córdoba, Bogotá, Lodz, of Juba, South Sudan, Madrid, Tabora, Bishop, Penang, Hong Kong, Spanish, Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, Portuguese, Lisbon

☆ Check out this AI-generated bomb shelter catalog filled with dystopian furniture and appliances
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-04 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

He used AI platform Midjourney to create a catalog of bomb shelter furnishings in the style of an Ikea catalog. He's generated more than 24,000 images using Midjourney; Ikea, of course, wasn't involved. He prompted the tool to create images of bomb shelter furnishings and the results look like they're straight out of an Ikea catalog. For creatives like Filkovic, AI tools could ultimately serve as a breakthrough for bringing abstract concepts to fruition. Take a closer look at the images that AI-powered Midjourney generated for Filkovic's bomb shelter series:

Persons: Filip, Philatz, wasn't, Filkovic, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, He's, Wes Anderson, Midjourney, it's Organizations: Ikea, Facebook Locations: Croatia

☆ Brazil's Lula discusses peace, poverty and inequality with pope
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERSVATICAN CITY, June 21 (Reuters) - Pope Francis met Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Wednesday and discussed a range of common concerns including peace, poverty, inequality and the environment, the Vatican said. Underscoring this sentiment, the pope gave Lula a bronze sculpture with the inscription: "Peace is a fragile flower." Pope Francis and Lula have both repeatedly called for a halt to the fighting and pitched their respective offices as potential peace brokers. I think too few people are talking of peace," Lula told Corriere della Sera newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday. Lula met a number of Italian leaders during his brief visit to Rome, including Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella.

Persons: Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Edgar Pena Parra, Pope Francis, Lula, Corriere, Jair Bolsonaro, Giorgia Meloni, Sergio Mattarella, Crispian Balmer, Andrew Cawthorne Organizations: General Affairs, State, Vatican, Handout, REUTERS VATICAN CITY, Corriere della Sera, Thomson Locations: Vatican's, Ukraine, Russia, Rome, Paris

☆ Meta lost a third of its AI researchers over the last year. Now it's struggling to keep up.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-18 | by ( Jordan Hart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Since OpenAI launched ChatGPT in November, Meta has lost a third of its published AI researchers, WSJ reports. Under LeCun, sources told WSJ, AI researchers found it difficult to push for large language models that make programs like ChatGPT possible. Still, in a June town hall meeting with employees, Zuckerberg praised the company for its strides in AI. Meta has also lost many researchers in the last year who said they felt burned out or doubtful of the company's future in AI, according to WSJ. In an internal survey conducted between April 26 and May 10, just 26% of the Meta employees who responded said they felt confident in their company's leadership.

Persons: OpenAI, Meta, Mark Zuckerberg, Zuckerberg, Yann LeCun, we've, Pope Francis, Donald Trump Organizations: House, Big Tech, Meta, Wall Street Journal

☆ A filmmaker used AI to create an IKEA-like catalog full of bomb shelter furnishings. It's mesmerizing — and dystopian.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Lakshmi Varanasi | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Persons: Filip, Philatz, wasn't, Filkovic, Pope Francis, Donald Trump, He's, Wes Anderson, Midjourney, it's Organizations: Ikea, Facebook Locations: Croatia

☆ Fact Check-Ukrainian coat of arms predates use of trident symbol by far-right nationalists
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-18 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Ukrainian coat of arms, a trident, is an official symbol of the country and dates back over a thousand years. The blue shield with a gold trident-like symbol is seen on the Military of Defense of Ukraine site and is currently listed as the country’s official coat of arms (here). FAR-RIGHT NATIONALISTS ADOPTED THE SYMBOLFar-right Ukrainian nationalists during the pre-WW2 era “naturally used symbols that were historically associated with Ukraine,” Mark Pitcavage, senior research fellow at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Center on Extremism said, including what is now the Ukrainian coat of arms. The Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), was founded in 1929 to “liberate Ukraine from Soviet rule and create an independent Ukrainian state,” according to Reuters reporting from 2015 (here). While far-right Ukrainian nationalists have used the trident symbol, the symbol is from a millennium earlier, is on Ukraine’s coat of arms, and is not proof Zelenskiy is connected to extremists.

☆ Zelensky Meets With German Leaders After Their Massive Weapons Pledge
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( Erika Solomon | Vivek Shankar | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Mr. Zelensky’s trip to Germany follows a visit to Rome, where peace negotiations were a major theme in meetings with Pope Francis and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ukrainian and German officials have privately said that Mr. Zelensky might be hoping to persuade Mr. Scholz to play a more influential role when it comes to European support for the war, or even in mediating a peace settlement. Later on Sunday, Mr. Zelensky is expected to travel to city of Aachen in western Germany to receive the prestigious Charlemagne award on behalf of himself and the Ukrainian people. The award is bestowed on those who have done the most to promote European unity. Russian missile strike hits Ternopil in western UkraineRussia fired missiles at the Ternopil region in western Ukraine, Ukrainian officials on Sunday, hitting the hometown of Ukraine’s Eurovision group during the song contest and demonstrating Moscow’s ability to launch attacks far from the front lines.

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