Rally held in Velankanni in Pope's memory
TRICHY: A mass rally was held in Velankanni on Thursday in memory of late
Pope Francis
. Hundreds of faithful participated and mourned the pontiff who passed away at Casa Santa Marta residence in Vatican City aged 88 on Monday. As his funeral is set to take place this weekend, the church administration in Velankanni held the rally on Thursday.
Parish priest S Arputharaj led the procession from the entrance of Shrine Basilica of Lady of Good Health. The participants carrying floral wreath and candles in hands, rallied through Velankanni Beach Road and Ariyanaatu Theru before ending the procession at Upper Church. It may be noted that churches in Velankanni are currently observing nine days of mourning (Novendiale). Special masses are being conducted for the repose of the soul. The Pope's name is currently being skipped during Eucharistic Prayers as the new leader is yet to be elected. Devotees are thronging churches to pay tributes to the pontiff.
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Business Standard
18-05-2025
- Business Standard
Pope Leo XIV pledges to promote unity, peace through Catholic Church
Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, vowed on Sunday to work for unity so that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world, offering a message of love and communion during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square before tens of thousands of people, presidents, patriarchs and princes. Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy's global reach and mediatic draw. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck, but didn't appear to stop to kiss babies and the crowd. During the Mass, Leo appeared to choke up when the two potent symbols of the papacy were placed on him the pallium woolen stole over his shoulders and the fisherman's ring on his finger as if the weight of responsibility of leading the 1.4-billion strong church had just sunk in. He turned his hand to look at the ring and seal and then clasped his hands in front of him in prayer. Security was tight as civil protection crews in neon uniforms funnelled pilgrims into quadrants in the piazza and up and down the boulevard that leads to it for the ceremony blending ancient ritual, evocative symbols and a dose of modern-day celebrity. US Vice President JD Vance, one of the last foreign officials to see Pope Francis before he died, led the US delegation honouring the Chicago-born Leo after paying his respects at the Argentine pope's tomb upon arriving in Rome late Saturday. The theme of Leo's papacy In his homily, Leo said he wanted to be a servant to the faithful through the two dimensions of the papacy, love and unity, so that the church could be a force for peace in the world. I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world, he said. In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest. His call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States and beyond. Francis' radical 12-year pontificate, which emphasized care for the poor and marginalized and disdain for the capitalist economic system, often alienated conservatives and traditionalists. Leo's May 8 election, after a remarkably quick 24-hour conclave, has appeared at the outset to have pleased conservative Catholics who seem to appreciate his more disciplined, traditional style and Augustinian background, emphasizing core truths of Catholic doctrine. Tight security and protocol Strict diplomatic protocol dictated the seating arrangements at his inaugural Mass, with both the United States and Peru getting front-row seats thanks to Leo's dual citizenship. Vance, a Catholic convert who tangled with Francis over the Trump administration's mass migrant deportation plans, is being joined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who arrived in Rome ahead of time to try to advance Russia-Ukraine peace talks. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte is one of around a dozen heads of state attending, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Russia is being represented by the culture minister, Olga Liubimova. Diplomatic protocol also dictated the dress code: While most wore black, the handful of Catholic queens and princesses Charlene of Monaco and Letizia of Spain among others wore white in a special privilege allowed them. Three dozen of the world's other Christian churches sent their own delegations, the Jewish community had a 13-member delegation, half of them rabbis. Other representatives headed Buddhist, Muslim, Zoroastrian, Hindu, Sikh and Jain delegations. Americans are rejoicing US seminarian Ethan Menning, 21, from Omaha, Nebraska, wrapped himself in an American flag, purchased at a truck stop in Iowa, to celebrate. Rome always felt like home for a Catholic, but now coming here and seeing one of our own on the throne of Peter ... it almost makes Jesus himself more accessible, he said. Kalen Hill, a pilgrim from the US, got to St. Peter's soon after the gates opened at dawn Sunday morning and said he never expected an American would lead the 1.4-billion strong church. I would say all the Americans are emotional about it," he said. "It is really powerful for American Catholics who sometimes feel separated from the world church to be brought in and included in this community through Pope Leo. Signs of Leo's priorities The two symbols of the papacy handed to Leo were the pallium, and the fisherman's ring. The pallium, draped across his shoulders, symbolises the pastor carrying his flock as the pope carries the faithful. The ring, which becomes Leo's official seal, harks back to Jesus' call to the apostle Peter to cast his fishing nets. The other symbolically important moment of the Mass was the representational rite of obedience to Leo: Whereas in the past all cardinals would vow obedience to the new pope, more recent papal installations involve representatives of cardinals, bishops, priests, deacons, nuns, married couples and young people participating in the rite. In the days since his historic election, Leo has already sketched out some of his key priorities as pope. In his first foreign policy address, he said the Holy See's three pillars of diplomacy were peace, justice and truth. In his first major economics address, he emphasised the Catholic Church's social doctrine and the search for truth. After the homily and at the end of the Mass, Leo will offer a final blessing and then go into the basilica to greet the heads of the more than 150 official delegations attending. Security was tight, as it was for Francis' funeral on April 26, which drew an estimated 250,000 people. Rome authorities are planning for another 250,000 on Sunday. The piazza and main boulevard leading to it, and two nearby piazzas were set up with giant television screens, and dozens of portable toilets have been erected in a nearby park. Gregory and Susan Hudak, who lived for 40 years in the Chicago area, found themselves in Rome after booking a trip in February, with just a faint hope of perhaps glimpsing the pope. Seeing the popemobile pass by in front of them, with the Chicago-born Leo on board, was even better than watching Michael Jordan play, said Gary Hudak, a former altar boy wearing a Chicago Bears hat. Originally, the only hope I had coming here was to see the inside of the Sistine Chapel," he said. "I was glad the conclave was over, because I could get to see the inside of the Sistine Chapel. Seeing the pope was not scheduled, it was a long shot hope. And this was a treasure, simple as that.
New Indian Express
18-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Pope Leo XIV vows to work for unity so Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV, history's first American pope, vowed Sunday to work for unity so that the Catholic Church becomes a sign of peace in the world, offering a message of communion during an inaugural Mass in St. Peter's Square before an estimated 150,000 pilgrims, presidents, patriarchs and princes. Leo officially opened his pontificate by taking his first popemobile tour through the piazza, a rite of passage that has become synonymous with the papacy's global reach and mediatic draw. The 69-year-old Augustinian missionary smiled and waved from the back of the truck, but didn't appear to stop to kiss babies and the crowd. During the Mass, Leo appeared to choke up when the two potent symbols of the papacy were placed on him — the pallium woolen stole over his shoulders and the fisherman's ring on his finger — as if the weight of responsibility of leading the 1.4-billion strong church had just sunk in. He turned his hand to look at the ring and seal and then clasped his hands in front of him in prayer. U.S. Vice President JD Vance, one of the last foreign officials to see Pope Francis before he died, led the U.S. delegation honoring the Chicago-born Leo after paying his respects at the Argentine pope's tomb upon arriving in Rome late Saturday. The theme of Leo's papacy In his homily, Leo said he wanted to be a servant to the faithful through the two dimensions of the papacy, love and unity, so that the church could be a force for peace in the world. 'I would like that our first great desire be for a united church, a sign of unity and communion, which becomes a leaven for a reconciled world,' he said. 'In this our time, we still see too much discord, too many wounds caused by hatred, violence, prejudice, the fear of difference, and an economic paradigm that exploits the Earth's resources and marginalises the poorest.' His call for unity was significant, given the polarization in the Catholic Church in the United States and beyond. Francis' radical 12-year pontificate, which emphasized care for the poor and marginalized and disdain for the capitalist economic system, often alienated conservatives and traditionalists. Leo's May 8 election, after a remarkably quick 24-hour conclave, has appeared at the outset to have pleased conservative Catholics who seem to appreciate his more disciplined, traditional style and Augustinian background, emphasizing core truths of Catholic doctrine. 'Let us build a church founded on God's love, a sign of unity, a missionary church that opens its arms to the world, proclaims the word, allows itself to be made restless by history, and becomes a leaven of harmony for humanity,' Leo said, referencing some of the themes of Francis' pontificate as well. At the end of the Mass, Leo expressed hope for negotiations to bring a 'just and lasting peace' in Ukraine and offered prayers for the people of Gaza — children, families and elderly who are 'reduced to hunger,' he said. Leo made no mention of hostages taken by Hamas from southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, as Francis usually did when praying for Gaza.
Economic Times
16-05-2025
- Economic Times
Pope Leo XIV inauguration mass: Date, time, place, live streaming and all top leaders who will attend
The Vatican is set for a momentous event worldwide as Pope Leo XIV, the first-ever American pope, is officially inaugurated. Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass will be conducted at the centre of Vatican City, where world leaders, royalty, and believers will be gathered. The event is expected to attract tens of thousands of schedule for the Mass of Inauguration, which marks the formal start of Pope Leo XIV's pontificate, is announced by the Holy See. The ceremony denotes the beginning of his papacy. The papal inauguration ceremony for Pope Leo XIV, who was elected as the new pope on May 8, is scheduled for this week. This Sunday, May 18, will mark the papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV. His inaugural Mass is scheduled for Sunday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Rome time in St. Peter's Square, as per a report by the Vatican News. Usually, the new Pope and other Catholic Church leaders visit St. Peter's tomb inside the Basilica before the mass starts. Following the event, the deacons present two items: the pallium, an ecclesiastical vestment that represents the new Pope's assumption of the papacy, and a fisherman's ring. ALSO READ: Reports say King Charles is seriously ill and has refused chemotherapy for a less invasive cancer treatment, desperate to meet Harry The official start of the Pope's term is marked by this ceremony, which is anticipated to last two hours. On Sunday, tens of thousands of people are anticipated to attend Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square. The service, which officially ushers in the new pontiff's pontificate, brings together religious leaders, world leaders, and royalty for yet another spectacular are all the top leaders who are going to be there, as per a report by Sky to Buckingham Palace, Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, will attend the inauguration on King Charles' Prince William represented the King at Francis' funeral, it is customary for other royals to represent the monarch in St. Peter's Minister Sir Keir Starmer attended Francis' funeral with his wife Victoria, but it is unclear if he will return to the Vatican on Yermak, a top aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said the leader would be open to holding talks with other world leaders while at the Donald Trump will attend the first-ever American pope's inauguration mass has not yet been confirmed by his visiting Italy last month and meeting Pope Francis the day before he passed away, JD Vance will return to the Vatican for the mass, according to his office. Vice President Vance's office said that he will lead the U.S. delegation to Pope Leo XIV's inauguration mass in Vatican City on lady Usha Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Rubio's wife, Jeanette Rubio, will accompany the vice president to the inauguration of the first American order to "meet with other international leaders to discuss deepening trade, commerce, and cultural ties," Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has confirmed that he will be attending. According to his office, he will be in Rome for three days starting on Vatican made it relatively simple to follow the conclave to choose the new pope this month by providing a livestream on YouTube that ran around the papal inauguration will be streamed live for free, and a replay will be accessible afterwards, as per a report by Town & can anticipate live coverage from Vatican City on all of the major news networks. Most networks offer live feeds online for those who are unable to watch on TV by logging into their respective streaming time is Pope Leo XIV's inaugural Mass?The Mass will begin at 10 a.m. (Rome time) on Sunday, May 18, in St. Peter's Square. How do I watch the Pope's inauguration? You can watch it live on Vatican News' YouTube channel or via most major news network streams. A replay will be available later as well.
