“My thoughts go out to all populations that thirst for reconciliation and peace” On this day that is, as it were, the heart of the Holy Year of Mercy, my thoughts go out to all populations that thirst for reconciliation and peace. I think in particular of the turmoil, here in Europe, of those who suffer [...]
Moving Toward Unity The Catholic and Orthodox Churches may be entering a new era of reconciliation. Three prominent Catholic figures with years of experience working with the Eastern Churches comment on recent developments and the progress toward unity they may augur Pope Francis, “Bishop of Rome”: Creating New Space for Dialog By Fr. James McCann When [...]
“How many parents say they are Catholics, but never have time to talk to their children, to play with their children, to listen to their children” Christians cannot claim to be “very Catholic” and then not live in accordance with what Christ teaches, Pope Francis said today in his morning homily at Casa Santa Marta. [...]
February 12, 2016, Friday -- Today's Common Declaration of Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill in Cuba The Middle East -- "We call upon the international community to act urgently in order to prevent the further expulsion of Christians from the Middle East."—Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill, Common statement, issued today in Cuba, just a few minutes [...]
February 6, 2016, Saturday -- The Passion that Looms Over the Pope Francis-Patriarch Kirill Meeting in Cuba The "Diplomacy of Music" I just received an email bringing my attention to an article by Dr. Terry Mattingly, an Orthodox scholar and writer who edits the popular GetReligion.org website. Here is the link. The Mattingly article quotes extensively [...]
February 5, 2016, Friday -- More on the Pope Francis-Patriarch Kirill Meeting in Havana, Cuba, on February 12 "Thus, in full awareness and at the beginning of his ministry in the Church of Rome that Peter bathed with his blood, the current successor assumes as his primary commitment that of working tirelessly towards the reconstruction of [...]
Dear Brothers and Sisters, Good morning! Today the Solemnity of Sts Peter and Paul is celebrated, as you know, by the universal Church, but particularly with joy by the Church of Rome, because in their witness, sealed in blood, she has her very foundations. Rome bears special appreciation and gratitude for these men of God, who [...]
June 10, 2015, Wednesday — Putin and Pope Francis President Putin came to Pope Francis this evening to speak about possible pathways to peace in Ukraine and the Middle East. Putin, who had been in Milan in northern Italy at a major international exposition on food worldwide, arrived a little after 6 p.m. -- about an [...]
A Special Christmas Appeal December 16, 2014 Dear friend, Greetings. At this Christmas time, I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading my newsflashes and for your support over the years. I would also like to invite you to join with me as supporters and co-workers. We continue to publish Inside the Vatican [...]
December 6, 2014, Saturday — Orthodox and Catholics to Gather at Papal Nunciature The text below is the Press Release for the 1st Annual Urbi et Orbi Foundation dinner on December 10, 2014, in Washington D.C., at the papal nunciature. PRESS RELEASE --For Immediate Release-- December 6, Washington, DC — The Urbi et Orbi Foundation will [...]