Italian authorities are investigating an assassination plot against Pope Francis following the discovery of a handgun in an abandoned suitcase at Trieste’s train station. The discovery was made just before the Pope’s visit on Sunday. Italian television programme RAI reported that police sources had identified a man leaving the suitcase in a station bar. The Read more
Theologian Tina Beattie has expressed frustration over the Vatican’s ongoing postponements regarding women’s roles in the Catholic Church, describing the situation as “platitudinous waffle”. Beattie criticised the lack of progress in an article published on Thursday by Sacred Heart University in the US. Beattie’s comments follow the release of a new working paper by the Read more
A Franciscan friar has caused a stir on social media with a viral video clip suggesting he performed the Eucharist on the talent show “America’s Got Talent”. Father Casey Cole, dressed in liturgical vestments, pretended to say the words of consecration, raising a host in a short video that garnered 9.7 million views on Instagram Read more
Amazon bishops did their best to offer the Pope fresh ideas at the 2019 Amazon Synod – just as he asked for, Bishop Erwin Kräutler says. Pope Francis provokes “an insane hope” he says. Hope of reform. Hope that may remain unfulfilled. “I am one of those people who – as Pope Francis says – Read more
Italian women who reject abortion could soon receive income support from the state. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government is promoting a “maternity income” bill that proposes aid of 1,000 euros (about NZ$1,800) for five years to Italian women who reject abortion. Meloni (pictured) says payments would target women who could not otherwise cope financially with Read more
As Iraq’s Nineveh Plains marks the 10th anniversary of the invasion by the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), the Christian community continues to live with the trauma of the tragic event. Yet despite the efforts of the Islamist group to eradicate the Christian population, they are slowly rebuilding their presence in the area. “Words cannot describe Read more
The Vatican expressed concern about the violence waged at a political rally in the United States and has offered prayers for the nation, the victims and peace. In response to queries about the shootings at a rally involving former U.S. President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania, the Vatican press office released a statement July 14 expressing Read more
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) said this week it is mobilising humanitarian supplies after the extremely powerful Hurricane Beryl blew through the Caribbean, killing numerous people and destroying or damaging thousands of buildings. Beryl struck in late June and was the earliest-forming Category 5 hurricane on record in the Atlantic Ocean. Its wind speeds peaked at Read more
“The Bible in 10 Minutes,” a new viral video offering by Father Mike Schmitz and Ascension, earned 358,000 views in just 24 hours. The data was released on July 10 news release by Exton-based Ascension, a multimedia Catholic network and a leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. The audience response makes this Father Read more