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☆ In very rare move, Pope dismisses conservative US bishop Strickland
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-11 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

VATICAN CITY, Nov 11 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has dismissed Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, one of his fiercest critics among U.S. Catholic conservatives, a Vatican statement said on Saturday. It is very rare for a Roman Catholic bishop to be relieved of his duties outright. Usually bishops in trouble with the Vatican are asked to resign before submitting a resignation, which the pope accepts. Popes make such moves, considered drastic, when a bishop refuses a request to resign. Francis named the bishop of Austin, Texas, Joe Vasquez, as the interim administrator of the diocese, the statement said.

Persons: Pope Francis, Bishop Joseph E . Strickland, Strickland, Francis, Joe Vasquez, Phil Pullella, Alvise Armellini, Kirsten Donovan Organizations: CITY, U.S, Roman, Vatican, Bishops Conference, Thomson Locations: Tyler , Texas, Tyler, Austin , Texas

☆ Transsexuals can be baptized Catholic, serve as godparents, Vatican says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

VATICAN CITY, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Transsexuals can be godparents at Roman Catholic baptisms, witnesses at religious weddings and receive baptism themselves, the Vatican's doctrinal office said on Wednesday, responding to questions from a bishop. A person in a same-sex relationship could also be a witness at a Catholic wedding, the office said, citing current Church canonical legislation which contained no prohibition against it. The Brazilian bishop sought guidance on whether a same-sex couple who had adopted a child or obtained it from a surrogate mother could have that child baptized in a Catholic ceremony. The response said that for the child of a same-sex couple to be baptized, there had to be "a well-founded hope that it would be educated in the Catholic religion". There was a similarly nuanced response to a question whether a person in a same-sex relationship could be a godparent at a Church baptism.

Persons: Bishop Jose Negri, Santo, Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Pope Francis, Francis, Philip Pullella, David Gregorio Our Organizations: CITY, Argentine, Thomson Locations: Santo Amaro, Brazil

☆ Transsexuals Can Be Baptized Catholic, Serve as Godparents, Vatican Says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Philip PullellaVATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Transsexuals can be godparents at Roman Catholic baptisms, witnesses at religious weddings and receive baptism themselves, the Vatican's doctrinal office said on Wednesday, responding to questions from a bishop. A person in a same-sex relationship could also be a witness at a Catholic wedding, the office said, citing current Church canonical legislation which contained no prohibition against it. The Brazilian bishop sought guidance on whether a same-sex couple who had adopted a child or obtained it from a surrogate mother could have that child baptized in a Catholic ceremony. The response said that for the child of a same-sex couple to be baptized, there had to be "a well-founded hope that it would be educated in the Catholic religion". There was a similarly nuanced response to a question whether a person in a same-sex relationship could be a godparent at a Church baptism.

Persons: Philip Pullella, Bishop Jose Negri, Santo, Argentine Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Pope Francis, Francis, David Gregorio Organizations: CITY, Argentine Locations: Santo Amaro, Brazil

☆ Pope skips reading speech because of a cold but continues schedule
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Pope Francis meets Everton Vieira Vargas, ambassador of Brazil to the EU at the Vatican, November 6, 2023. I greet you all and I welcome you and thank you for this visit, which greatly pleases me," he told a delegation from the Conference of European Rabbis. "Pope Francis has a bit of a cold and a long day of audiences," Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement. "He wanted to greet the European rabbis individually and so he gave them his written speech. In the past, Francis has not read prepared speeches at the last minute in order to preserve his strength.

Persons: Pope Francis, Everton Vieira Vargas, Francis, Matteo Bruni, " Bruni, Philip Pullella, Keith Weir, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, CITY, Conference, COP28, Thomson Locations: Brazil, Argentina, Dubai, Nations

☆ Pope says two-state solution needed for Israel-Palestine
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Fadi Whadi Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Wednesday a two-state solution was needed for Israel and Palestine in order to put an end to wars such as the current one and called for a special status for Jerusalem. With that wise solution, two states. The Oslo accords, two well-defined states and Jerusalem with a special status," Francis said in an interview with Italy's RAI broadcaster. Israel has consistently rejected suggestions that the city, which is sacred to Christians, Muslims and Jews, could have a special, or international, status. The war between Israel and Hamas, he said, should not make people forget other conflicts, including in Ukraine, Syria, Yemen and Myanmar.

Persons: Fadi, Pope Francis, Francis, Yitzhak Rabin, Yasser Arafat, Bill Clinton, Ehud Barak, Arafat, Israel, Gazans, Keith Wier, Franklin Paul, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, CITY, TG1, Hamas, Italy's RAI, Palestine Liberation, U.S, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Palestine, Jerusalem, Oslo, Israeli, Arab East Jerusalem, Ukraine, Syria, Yemen, Myanmar

Khan’s office has opened an investigation into potential war crimes by Israel in Gaza in the 2014 war. THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN KILLED IN THE CONFLICT SOARSThe number of children killed in the blockaded Gaza Strip since the start of the Hamas-Israel earlier this month has exceeded the number of children killed in armed conflict every year globally since 2019, international charity Save the Children said Sunday. It also mentioned the deaths of 33 children in the occupied West Bank and 29 children killed in Israel. The militant group Hezbollah, Hamas’ allies in Lebanon, has clashed with Israeli troops along the Lebanon-Israeli border since the Gaza war erupted on Oct. 7. PALESTINIAN RED CRESCENT SAYS ISRAEL ORDERS GAZA HOSPITAL TO EVACUATEJERUSALEM — A spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent says Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City received two calls from Israeli authorities Sunday morning demanding it evacuate.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, “ ‘, ”, Israel, Karim Khan, Khan, “, Jason Lee, ” U.N, António Guterres, Guterres, Hamas ’, ” Guterres, Rishi Sunak’s, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis, “ Let’s, ” Francis, Ibrahim Faltas, Jonas Gahr Støre, U.N, Israel’s, ” Tedros Adhanom, Tarik Jasarevic, Nebal Farsakh, ” Thomas White, ” Mahmoud, Abdallah Sayed Organizations: Saturday, Health Ministry, Hamas, West Bank, ICC, Criminal, Gaza, Gaza Health Ministry, Country, MINISTER, LONDON, UN, UNIFIL, VATICAN CITY, ISRAEL HELSINKI — Norway’s, NRK, “, United Nations, MINISTRY, FIRE, WHO, World Health Organization, JERUSALEM, Palestinian, Pentagon, UNITED NATIONS, . Security Council, United Arab Emirates Locations: Gaza, Israel, EGYPT, GAZA, Rafah, Egypt, Cairo, Kathmandu, ISRAEL, ”, LEBANON BEIRUT, Lebanon, Houla, Naqoura, Ukraine, Palestine, St, NORWAY'S, Norwegian, Norway, “, UN, FIRE KATHMANDU, Nepal, GAZA CAIRO, PALESTINIAN, Al, Quds, Gaza City, SYRIA DAMASCUS, Syria, Iranian, Iraq, U.S, Assad, GAZA'S, CAIRO, Gaza’s

☆ Pope Calls for Israel-Hamas Ceasefire, Hostage Release
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday called for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas and renewed an appeal for the release of hostages held by the militant group in Gaza. "Let no-one abandon the possibility of stopping the weapons," he said at his weekly blessing in St. Peter's Square. "Ceasefire ... we say 'ceasefire, ceasefire'. War is always a defeat, always," he added. (Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Alexander Smith)

Persons: Pope Francis, Brothers, Philip Pullella, Alexander Smith Organizations: VATICAN CITY Locations: Israel, Gaza, St

☆ Vatican synod ends without clear stances on women deacons, LGBT
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/3] Pope Francis attends a meeting of General Congregation during the Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, October 28, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Oct 28 (Reuters) - A month-long Vatican meeting on the future of the Roman Catholic Church ended on Saturday without clear stands on hot-button issues such as women deacons and welcoming the LGBT community. The 365 synod participants included 300 bishops along with lay men and about 50 women who were mostly lay people. At the synod, the pope gave women and lay people a vote on Church affairs for the first time. The final report did not take a stand on LGBT issues despite discussion beforehand that the synod might call on the Church to be more welcoming to the LGBT community.

Persons: Pope Francis, Cardinal Jean, Claude Hollerich, Francis DeBernardo, Philip Pullella, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, CITY, Roman Catholic Church, New Ways Ministry, Catholic Church, Thomson Locations: St, Peter's

☆ The World Is Becoming More African
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Declan Walsh | Hannah Reyes Morales | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +37 min

Old World Young Africa As the world grays, Africa blooms with youth. The World Is Becoming More African Part one of a series on how the youth boom is changing the continent, and beyond. But while a handful of African countries are poised to ride the demographic wave, others risk being swamped by it. In the West, racists and right-wing nationalists stoke fears of African population growth to justify hatred, or even violence. The age gap between geriatric leaders and restless youth is “a major source of tension” in many African countries, said Simon Mulongo, a former African Union diplomat from Uganda.

Persons: Lauren Leatherby, ”, Jean, Patrick Niambé, Hilton, Edward Paice, “, Keziah Keya, Keya, Paul R, Ehrlich, stoke, Lauren Leatherby “, Carlos Lopes, Burna, Weeks, “ It’s, Laolu Senbanjo, Tems, Toulaye Sy, Pritzker, Abdulrazak Gurnah, “ Africa’s, ” Long, exotica, Mulendema, Hannah O’Leary, “ We’re, Sipho Dlamini, Dlamini, Moawad, Optimists, Mo Ibrahim, Aubrey Hruby, birthrates, India’s, China’s, Akinwumi Adesina, States —, William Ruto, Paul Biya of, Biya, Wole Soyinka, Paul Kagame of, Nourdine, Nigeriens, Awade, Ali Bongo Ondimba, Simon Mulongo, Nuha Abdelgadir, Abdelgadir, gesturing, “ We’ve, ” Weeks, Abdelgadir’s, Modu Ali, Young, Saidu, Habiba Mohammed, Ms, Ha, Joon Chang, Nobody, Chang, Ibrahim, Touré Organizations: Young, United Nations, Southern, Northern, Western Asia Northern, United, Ivory Coast, African Union, Group, European Union ., Suisse, Africa Research Institute, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya “, Russia Canada Germany United, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia Dem, Russia Germany, China Egypt India Nigeria D.R.C, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Dem, Bank, Nations, International, Bryn Mawr College, Angola, Angola Ivory Coast, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon Dem, Africa Middle Africa Southern, Economic Commission, New, Citi, Spotify, Cannes Film, Burkina Faso, UNESCO, Disney, Amazon Prime, Netflix, “, Apple, Cape Town, Microsoft, Google, Infrastructure, McKinsey & Company, Pew Research Center, African Development Bank, Greek Coast Guard, Saudi, Africa Climate, Young Voters, Freedom House, University of Denver, United Arab, Japan Cuba Vatican City, Netherlands South Korea Belgium U.A.E, Islamic, Global, Center for Girls Education, School of Oriental, Studies Locations: grays, Africa, India, China, United States, Southern Asia, Asia, America, Caribbean, Northern America, Western Asia, Western Asia Northern America, Europe, London, New York, West Africa, Ivory, Abidjan, Russia, Turkey, Gulf, Nairobi, Nigeria Mozambique Kenya, Italy, Japan, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria Ethiopia Ethiopia, Congo Indonesia Brazil Australia South Africa Argentina, Russia Germany U.S, China Egypt India Nigeria, Brazil South Africa Australia, Russia Canada Germany United States Japan China Iran Egypt India Mexico Nigeria, Nigeria, Africa’s, Young, South Africa, Somalia, Mozambique, Mali, Gabon, Niger, Mozambique Nigeria Kenya, Kenya, Pennsylvania, Angola Ivory, Angola Ivory Coast Cameroon, Congo Algeria Egypt, Ghana Kenya Madagascar Mozambique Niger Nigeria, Tanzania Uganda South Africa, Northern Africa Eastern Africa, Africa Middle Africa, Africa Middle Africa Southern Africa, Guinea, Bissau, African, Qatar, Nigerian, Brooklyn, Target, French, Senegalese, Paris, Milan, Venice, Burkina, Tanzania, Saharan Africa, Nigeria Kenya Senegal In Lagos, Dakar, Zambia, South Korea, Sotheby’s, Lagos, Zimbabwe, Watford, Cape, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Cairo, Morocco, East Africa, Nigeria Mozambique Morocco, Sudanese, North Africa, East Asia, Thailand, Rwanda, Ivory Coast, States, Namibia, Kenyan, Paul Biya of Cameroon, Paul Kagame of Rwanda, United Arab Emirates, United States France Turkey, Germany, Russia India, Brazil, Japan Cuba, Japan Cuba Vatican City Spain Italy Saudi Arabia Qatar, Netherlands South Korea Belgium, Iran Canada, Niger’s, Niamey, Senegal Kenya Kenya, X’s, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Senegal, Uganda, Khartoum, Sudan, Ethiopia, Al Qaeda, Islamic State, Chad, Burkina Faso, Nigeria Nigeria Morocco, hijabs, Zaria, American, Korea, South, England

☆ Vatican Synod Ends Without Clear Stances on Women Deacons, LGBT
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-28 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Philip PullellaVATICAN CITY (Reuters) - A month-long Vatican meeting on the future of the Roman Catholic Church ended on Saturday without clear stands on hot-button issues such as women deacons and welcoming the LGBT community. The 365 synod participants included 300 bishops along with lay men and about 50 women who were mostly lay people. At the synod, the pope gave women and lay people a vote on Church affairs for the first time. The body released a final document with 81 paragraphs that each received at least two-thirds approval. The final report did not take a stand on LGBT issues despite discussion beforehand that the synod might call on the Church to be more welcoming to the LGBT community.

Persons: Philip Pullella, Cardinal Jean, Claude Hollerich, Francis DeBernardo, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: CITY, Roman Catholic Church, New Ways Ministry, Catholic Church Locations: St, Peter's

☆ Pope Urges Release of Hostages and Humanitarian Aid Access in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday renewed his calls for the release of hostages held by Palestinian militants and for humanitarian aid to be allowed into the Gaza Strip. "I am always thinking about the grave situation in Palestine and Israel. I encourage the release of hostages and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," he said during his weekly audience. Francis recalled that he will lead on Friday special prayers for peace in St. Peter's Basilica, in what he said last week would be a "a day of fasting, prayers, penance". (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Giulia Segreti)

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Alvise Armellini, Giulia Segreti Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Palestinian Locations: Gaza, Palestine, Israel, St, Peter's

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican, October 22, 2023. In his call with Pope Francis, Biden, who is a Catholic, condemned the attack by Hamas and affirmed the need to protect civilians in Gaza, the White House said. They also discussed Biden's recent visit to Israel and efforts for delivery of food, medicine, and other humanitarian assistance in Gaza, according to the White House. The pope has several times called for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its Oct. 7 attack. "Brothers, stop," Pope Francis said.

Persons: Pope Francis, Joe Biden, Biden, Antony Blinken, Francis, Peter's, Pope Francis said, Kanishka Singh, Crispian Balmer, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, WASHINGTON, VATICAN CITY, Sunday, Hamas, White, United, Food Program, Thomson Locations: VATICAN, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, St, Washington, Vatican City

☆ Pope Francis may attend global climate talks in Dubai
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 18, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Oct 19 (Reuters) - Pope Francis may attend the COP28 climate conference starting next month in Dubai, Vatican sources say, to drive home his recent appeal for action to curb global warming. It would be the first time a pope has attended a U.N. climate change conference since they began in 1995. Other Vatican sources put the probability that the pope would go to the Nov. 30-Dec. 12 event as high as 90 percent. Failure in Dubai, Francis said in the document, "will be a great disappointment and jeopardize whatever good has been achieved thus far".

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Joe Biden, Sultan al, Jaber, Philip Pullella, Deborah Kyvrikosaios Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS, CITY, State, Reuters, Catholic, Thomson Locations: Saint Peter's, Dubai, Vatican, Rome, el, Sheikh, Egypt, Glasgow, Scotland, Mongolia, French, Marseilles

☆ He visited every country in the world — without flying. Here's how much it cost
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-19 | by ( Charmaine Jacob | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Danish traveler Torbjorn Pedersen says he is the first person to visit every country in the world — without flying. The best and worst timesPedersen had planned to stay in Hong Kong for about a week when he arrived in January 2020. Pedersen spent the most time in Hong Kong, staying 772 days because of the Covid -19 pandemic. "I feel more at home in Hong Kong than I do in Copenhagen, " he said. Torbjorn Pedersen

Persons: Torbjorn Pedersen, Pedersen, Ross, Selena Wright, I've, Torbjorn Pedersen Pedersen, it’s Organizations: CNBC, Ross Energy, United Nations Locations: Singapore, Bolivia, Hong Kong, Vatican City, Copenhagen, Cameroon, Congo, Denmark, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Solomon

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Two Vatican trials are coming to a head this week and posing uncomfortable questions for the Holy See, given they both underscore Pope Francis’ power as an absolute monarch and the legal, financial and reputational problems that can arise when he wields it. The rationale: The pope hired Milone and then wanted him out, and the court has no right to judge his decisions. For Vatican prosecutors, that amounted to extortion. The Vatican is the lone absolute monarchy left in Europe, with Francis wielding supreme legislative, executive and judicial power. While he delegates that power on a day-to-day basis, he is still pope and what he says goes.

Persons: Pope Francis ’, Libero Milone, Francis, “, ”, Milone, Vatican, Gianluigi, Rene Bruelhart, Tommaso Di Ruzza, didn’t, Monsignor Edgar Pena Parra, Torzi, Pena Parra, Bruelhart, Filippo Dinacci, Di Ruzza, Roberto Borgogno, Di Ruzza's, –, Filippo Di Giacomo, Francis ’ Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Vatican, ” Prosecutors, Prosecutors, Islamic, RAI Locations: London, British, Torzi, Britain, Luxembourg, Vatican, Europe

☆ Pope Deplores 'Desperate' Situation in Gaza
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday deplored the "desperate" situation in Gaza as he urged the faithful to take "only one side" in the Israel-Hamas conflict, "the side of peace." Speaking during his weekly audience in St Peter's Square, Francis did not explicitly mention the Gaza hospital strike for which Israelis and Palestinians are blaming each other. He pleaded for all possible efforts "to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe", and said he would lead special prayers for peace in St Peter's Basilica on Oct. 27. (Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Cristina Carlevaro)

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Alvise Armellini, Cristina Carlevaro Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Wednesday Locations: Gaza, Israel, St Peter's

☆ Jerusalem Catholic Patriarch offers to be exchanged for Gaza hostages
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-16 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa OFM looks on after being elevated to the rank of cardinal at the Vatican, September 30, 2023. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, made his comment in response to a question during a video conference with journalists in Italy. Diplomatic efforts have been intensifying to get aid into Gaza as Israel prepares a ground invasion to destroy Hamas. Pizzaballa said that about 1,000 Christians were sheltering in Church buildings in northern Gaza after their homes were destroyed in Israeli strikes. Hamas, which runs Gaza, has told people to ignore Israel's message.

Persons: Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Yara, Pope Francis, Pizzaballa, Gazans, Philip Pullella, Nick Macfie Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, Hamas, Roman Catholic, Authorities, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Jerusalem, Italy, Israel, Jordan, Cyprus, Church

[1/2] Pope Francis looks on as he leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 11, 2023. REUTERS/Remo Casilli Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Oct 11 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, in his strongest comments since the start of the conflict in Gaza, on Wednesday called for the release of all hostages taken by Hamas militants and said Israel has a right to defend itself. On Saturday, Hamas gunmen from the Gaza Strip rampaged through parts of southern Israel, in the deadliest Palestinian militant attack in Israel's history. The pope's mention of Israel's right to self defence followed diplomatic pressure from Israel for him to make such a statement, following earlier statements from the pope and Vatican officials which Israel saw as too timid. But I would like to hear stronger words about Israel's right to defend itself."

Persons: Pope Francis, Remo Casilli, Israel, Raphael Schutz, Francis, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Saint Peter's, Gaza, St, Israel, Palestine, Rome

☆ Pope Urges Release of All Hamas Hostages, Concerned by Gaza Siege
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-11 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday called on militant Islamist group Hamas to release all hostages captured during its weekend attack on Israel, while expressing grave concerns about the "total" Israeli siege imposed on Gaza. "I pray for those families who saw a feast day turn into a day of mourning, and I ask that the hostages be immediately released," he said during his weekly audience. Referring to Israel's response to Hamas, Francis said: "It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but I am very worried by the total siege in which Palestinians in Gaza live, where there have also been many innocent victims."

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis said Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Hamas Locations: Israel, Gaza

☆ Pura Luka Vega: drag queen arrested after Jesus performance sparks backlash in the Philippines
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-06 | by ( Kathleen Magramo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

The Philippines is a deeply Christian country and the Catholic Church maintains significant influence both in daily life and politics. Social media videos of drag queen Pura Luka Vega singing to a rock version of The Lord's Prayer while dressed as Jesus became a topic of debate in the Philippines. Multiple politicians, including senators, also went on Philippine television shows to criticize the drag artist’s performance, calling it blasphemous, disrespectful and offensive. ‘Denied my rights’The drag artist has previously apologized to those who “felt uncomfortable” about their performance. But Secillano stopped short of commenting whether the church viewed Pagente’s arrest as the right thing to do to defend the faith.

Persons: Jesus Christ, Amadeus Fernando Pagente, Pura Luka Vega, “, belting, revellers, Jesus, Christian Manalon, Pagente, Hijos Del, Lord Jesus, Father Jerome Secillano, ”, Secillano, Carlos Conde, Vega, –, ” Conde, Rod Singh, Singh, ” Singh Organizations: CNN, Catholic Church, Pura Luka, Catholic, Del, Black Nazarene, Nazarene, CNN Philippines, Catholic Bishops ’ Conference of, Human Rights Watch, Amazon Prime Locations: Philippines, Manila, Del Nazareno, Mexico, Quezon City, Hijos Del Nazareno, Philippine, Vatican City

Rarely in recent times has a Vatican gathering generated as much hope, hype and fear as this three-week, closed-door meeting, known as a synod. But it nevertheless has drawn an acute battle line in the church’s perennial left-right divide and marks a defining moment for Francis and his reform agenda. Even before it started, the gathering was historic because Francis decided to let women and laypeople vote alongside bishops in any final document produced. While they have secured some high-profile positions in the Vatican and local churches around the globe, the male hierarchy still runs the show. Asked specifically about church blessings for same-sex unions, Francis suggested they could be allowed as long as such benedictions aren’t confused with sacramental marriage.

Persons: — Pope Francis, Francis, Francis ’, “, ”, JoAnn Lopez, Lopez, Cardinal Raymond Burke, ” Burke, Cardinal Robert Sarah, Burke, Francis didn’t Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Catholic Church, Catholic Locations: Indian, Seattle, Toronto, U.S, ”

☆ Pope Francis warns planet 'is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point' as he urges climate action
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-04 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Vatican Pool | Getty Images News | Getty ImagesPope Francis issued a stark reminder about the effects of climate change on Wednesday, warning that "the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point." "Despite all attempts to deny, conceal, gloss over or relativize the issue, the signs of climate change are here and increasingly evident," the pope said in a letter titled Laudate Deum, or Praise God. Highlighting the impact of climate change on human lives, Francis said he now "realized that our responses have not been adequate, while the world in which we live is collapsing and may be nearing the breaking point." COP28, fossil fuels and renewables Francis also touched on the upcoming COP28 climate change summit in the United Arab Emirates, which will kick off at the end of November. The UAE has been previously criticized for assuming the COP28 presidency, given its role as a large fossil fuel producer.

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis Organizations: Getty, United Arab Emirates Locations: Vatican City, UAE, Persian

☆ Pope set for another row with conservatives at bishops' summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-03 | by ( Alvise Armellini | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pope Francis looks on as he meets with French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) at the Palais du Pharo, on the occasion of the Mediterranean Meetings (MED 2023), in Marseille, France September 23, 2023. Andreas Solaro/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsVATICAN CITY, Oct 4 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday opens a global summit of bishops on potentially momentous issues for the Roman Catholic Church, including the role of women and its attitude towards LGBT people. To the chagrin of conservatives, it does not explicitly mention abortion, euthanasia, and the defence of the traditional family. A papal document will follow, most likely in 2025, meaning changes in Church teaching, if any, would be a long way off. In one, the pope hinted at the possibility of allowing priests to bless same-sex couples on a case-by-case basis.

Persons: Pope Francis, Emmanuel Macron, Andreas Solaro, Francis, Father Gerald Murray, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Burke, Murray, Jesus, Alvise Armellini, Matthew Lewis Organizations: CITY, Roman Catholic Church, Catholic, EWTN, Churches, Church, Thomson Locations: Marseille, France, Rome, St Peter's, Asia, Europe, Africa, United States, America, Vatican

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A few years ago, Pope Francis told the head of the main Vatican-backed Catholic women's organization to be “brave” in pushing for change for women in the Catholic Church. “Not only because of these events in October in Rome, but because the church has found a different way of being church,” Zervino said in a recent interview in her Vatican offices. It's the culmination of an unprecedented two-year canvasing of rank-and-file Catholics about their hopes for the future of the institution. But the voting reform is nevertheless significant, tangible evidence of Francis’ vision of the Catholic Church as being more about its flock than its shepherds. Zervino’s group, the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations, a Vatican-based umbrella organization of 100 Catholic associations, conducted a survey earlier this year of Catholics who participated in the synod consultations.

Persons: Pope Francis, Maria Lia Zervino, Francis, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, “, ” Zervino, Cardinal Raymond Burke, Francis ’, ”, Sheila Pires, ” Pires, ” Francis, Nathalie Becquart, Becquart, ” Becquart, Kate McElwee, Zervino, they'll, Sebabatso Mosamo Organizations: VATICAN CITY, Catholic, Catholic Church, World Union of Catholic, Bishops, Associated Press Locations: Argentine, Rome, Africa, Johannesburg, Vatican, North America, Europe, “

☆ Conservatives challenge pope on women, same-sex couples before Vatican meeting
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Philip Pullella | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/5] Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke attends a consistory as Pope Francis elevates five Roman Catholic prelates to the rank of cardinal, at Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, June 28, 2017. The action was the latest latest clash between the pope and minority conservatives, who have accused him of undermining a number of traditional precepts. Topics will include the role of women, greater acceptance of LGBT Catholics, social justice and the effects of climate change on the poor. At the meeting, around 365 "members", including cardinals, bishops, lay people and, for the first time, women will vote on proposals. Conservatives have taken issue with the fact that many lay people will have voting rights in a what is formally a Synod of Bishops.

Persons: Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke, Pope Francis, Alessandro Bianchi, Raymond Burke, Walter Brandmueller of, Joseph Zen, Robert Sarah of Guinea, Juan Sandoval Iniquez, Francis, Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, Burke, Saint Pope John Paul II, Philip Pullella, Andrew Heavens Organizations: Vatican, REUTERS, CITY, America, National Catholic Register, Thomson Locations: Saint Peter's, Asia, Europe, Africa, United States, Walter Brandmueller of Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Germany, Vatican, U.S

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