04/16/2014HOLY LAND For Christian religious leaders in Jerusalem, Easter brings hope for peace in the region In their traditional Easter message, Christian religious leaders in the Holy Land emphasise that true peace "springs from the Cross and is vindicated by the Resurrection." If peace "does not seek to abolish discrimination between different communities [it] is no peace at all." In their appeal, the religious leaders call on "people of good will" to pray for a resolution to the conflicts. Jerusalem
(AsiaNews) - "The raising of Jesus from the dead by the power of God the Father
on the first Easter morning was the ultimate assurance that transformation by
the grace of God is always possible, even in the apparently most intractable of
human situations,"...
04/14/2014VATICAN For pope, the seminary is not a refuge, hence 'Woe do the wicked shepherds' Speaking at a meeting with seminarians at the Pontifical Leonine College of Anagni, Pope Francis reminded them of "the four pillars of education," namely "Spiritual life, strong; intellectual life, serious; community life; and, ultimately, apostolic life". In view of this, it is "better to lose a vocation than take risks with an unsure candidate."
04/13/2014VATICAN Pope asks, Am I like Pilate? When the situation gets tough, do I wash my hands? In an unscripted speech for his Palm Sunday homily, the pontiff asks, "Am I able to welcome Jesus as he enters Jerusalem? Am I like the Pharisees, like the man from Cyrene, like the crowd that chose Barabbas? Or am I like the apostle who wanted to solve everything with the sword? Or like the courageous women at the sepulchre? Where is my heart? Let this question accompany us throughout the week. Afterwards, during the Angelus, he saw young Brazilians hand over the cross to young Poles. "John Paul II will be patron of World Youth Day. God willing, I shall be in Korea in August."
04/11/2014PALESTINE - ISRAEL Many shadows and some glimmers of light in Israeli-Palestinian peace talks The UN has accepted the Palestinians application to adhere to 13 conventions and international agencies. In retaliation, Israel "freezes" the transfer of the proceeds from taxes due to the PNA . But Abbas says he is ready to continue negotiations and the U.S. State Department announces that "officials" from the two sides have already met .
04/10/2014VATICAN Pope: human trafficking, "a wound on the body of contemporary society " Francis receives participants at the II international conference on Combating Human Trafficking: Church and Law Enforcement Authorities in partnership. The meeting includes " law enforcement authorities, who are primarily responsible for combating this tragic reality by a vigorous application of the law. It also includes humanitarian and social workers, whose task it is to provide victims with welcome, human warmth and the possibility of building a new life”.
04/10/2014CHINA - ISRAEL After two centuries, Henan Jews prepare to celebrate Passover The first presence of Jews in Kaifeng, China's former imperial capital, dates back to the 10th century AD. The last recognised rabbi died in 1810, and since then the community has lived without knowing the faith of their ancestors. Increasingly, the historical void has been reduced in recent years. Now, a local young man prepares to return home as a rabbi after studying in Israel.
04/10/2014ISRAEL - PALESTINE Christians ask for less police checkpoints in Jerusalem during Easter celebrations In Jerusalem, a group of Christians petitions the Israeli government, asking for lighter security police measures during Easter celebrations, which could discourage the faithful from going to church. Police respond by saying that the roadblocks and checkpoints are needed to ensure order.
04/09/2014VATICAN Pope: new "heartfelt appeal to Syrian authorities and the international community” to “silence the weapons" At the General audience, Francis recalls "my fellow Jesuit" Father Frans van der Lugt , who was killed in Homs. A new cycle of catechesis dedicated to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The first, "wisdom " that is not "human wisdom" but "seeing the world, situations, problems, everything, through the eyes of God."
04/08/2014VATICAN - JORDAN Pope: Holy Land visit in focus at meeting with the King of Jordan “Cordial and informal atmosphere” at Pope Francis’ second meeting with King Abdullah. The king "reaffirmed sentiments with which the people of Jordan are preparing to welcome the Pope and openness to greater collaboration in the commitment to peace and interfaith dialogue".
04/07/2014VATICAN Pope approves IOR reform, it will continue its "important mission" for the Church Francis’ decision announced. "The valuable services that can be offered by the Institute assist the Holy Father in his mission as universal pastor and also aid those institutions and individuals who collaborate with him in his ministry".
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