Pope Francis Talks About Retirement; Says Will Continue Hearing Confessions
Pope Francis said that after retirement, he would not return to his native Argentina nor stay in Vatican. He said, he would like to find a church in Rome band continue hearing confessions. In an interview with Spanish broadcaster TelevisaUnivision, Pope Francis said, "I'm the bishop of Rome, in this case the emeritus bishop of Rome". He has always shown interest in hearing confessions and visiting the sick at hospitals.
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, Bishop Of Rome, Vatican city, Argentina, Archbishop
Courtesy: Hindustan Times
Historic Event: Pope Meets Iraq's Grand Ayatollah
In a historic moment, Catholic Church's head Pope Francis met Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq's pilgrimage city of Najaf on March 6. Eyed at establishing peaceful relations between the Muslims and the Christian minorities in Iraq, the momentous meeting was held in Ayatollah's office. Interestingly, this is the first time a Pope has met Grand Ayatollah. One of the religious officials said that the 40-minute meeting went "… read-more
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, Catholic Churches, Pope, Vatican city, Iraq
Courtesy: Associated Press
First In History: Pope Francis Selects Woman To Senior Church Post
Discarding age-old Catholic traditions, Pope Francis on February 6 designated a woman - Sister Nathalie Becquart - as an undersecretary of the synod of bishops. Besides, Becquart will be the first woman to exercise voting rights in the Church's decision-making body. Reportedly, previous synod sessions had witnessed a rise in the number of women participating as experts and listeners. Becquart's appointment and plausibility of participating in… read-more
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, Catholic Church, Synod, voting, Woman
Courtesy: The Hindu
Females To Perform Rituals In Madhya Pradesh's Catholic Churches
Following Pope Francis’ order, the catholic churches of Madhya Pradesh have decided to allow females to perform rituals. The president of Councils of Bishops in MP Leo Cornelio said that while prioritizing nuns, they would also permit laywomen to participate in the liturgy. However, he… read-more
Tags: Madhya Pradesh, POPE FRANCIS, Catholic Churches
Courtesy: The Times of India
Pope Alters Canon Law To Allow Laywomen Perform Religious Rituals
Pope Francis has altered age-old canon laws to officially allow laywomen to become altar servers and readers during public worships. Citing the move as ‘need of the time’ in his letter, Pope has clarified that the amendment would curb the Bishop’s power to prevent women in performing rituals. Meanwhile, the Pope’s decision came in light with the 2016-created second commission which provisioned possibility of women appointed as deacons.
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, church, Vatican, Bishop
Courtesy: The Guardian
Pope Francis Bats For Civil Unions Of LGBTQ+ Community
In the documentary, 'Francesco', which premiered on October 21, Pope Francis endorsed civil unions for LGBTQ+ community. He said, “What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered." The documentary's director Evgeny Afineevsky stated that the Pope made those statements directly to him for the film. Earlier, though the Church stated that they "respected homosexuals", they opposed the idea of their civil unions.… read-more
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, LGBTQ, Civil Union, Same Sex Marriage, church
Courtesy: The Newyork Times
Vatican to Resume In-Person Masses Soon If Anti-COVID Measures Permit
In a letter to bishops conferences, Vatican Liturgy Office head Cardinal Robert Sarah has stressed for resumption of in-person Masses as soon as anti-COVID measures permit. He stated that "physical presence by the faithful in churches was vital, indispensable, irreplaceable.” The Vatican also opined that government authorities cannot interfere in liturgical practices as the Pope Francis has given approval to the content of the letter.
Tags: Covid-19, Vatican, POPE FRANCIS, church
Courtesy: Press Trust of India
Pope Francis: It Would be Sad if the Rich are Given Priority for the COVID-19 Vaccine
Pope Francis, addressing his virtual audience, stated that the COVID-19 vaccine should not be stocked up by rich nations, and the neediest people should be provided financial help. He said, "It would be sad if vaccine becomes the priority of this or that nation, if it is not universal and for everyone." He opined it would be a 'scandal' if the government distributes pandemic-related bailout money only to hand-picked industries.
Tags: POPE FRANCIS, COVID-19 VACCINE HOARD, VIRTUAL AUDIENCE, RICH COUNTRIES
Courtesy: LIVEMINT