Pope Leo XIV: All about the first U.S. pope in history
Professor Chris Adams weighs in on the selection of the new Pope and what it could mean for Catholics around the world.
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CTV News
6 hours ago
- CTV News
Germany plans rapid expansion of outdated bunkers amid fears of Russian aggression
A Cold War-era former West German government bunker near the town of Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler, Germany, is pictured on April CNN Newsource Germany's aging and decrepit bunker network is in need a major overhaul, according to the head of the federal agency tasked with nationwide civil protection in case of an attack. The Federal Agency for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (BBK) President Ralph Tiesler said in an interview with popular German newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, 'For a long time, there was a widespread belief in Germany that war was not a scenario we needed to prepare for. That has changed. We are concerned about the risk of a major war of aggression in Europe.' Tiesler's words represent a real fear, echoed across Europe, that Russia could try to mount an attack on Europe again within four years. That timeframe is widely regarded as the minimum period Russia would need to rearm after fighting a bloody and long campaign in Ukraine. Germany only has 580 bunkers, many of them not operational, the newspaper report said. That number is down from nearly 2,000 that existed during the Cold War. Just 5% of the German population would currently be able to seek shelter in the event of an attack, Sueddeutsche Zeitung reported. Germany's population is about 83 million people. The civil protection agency chief said that he will upgrade tunnels, metro stations, underground garages and basements of public buildings to 'quickly create one million shelter spaces,' as well as expand the nation's siren and notification systems. Tiesler said his agency will be presenting a full plan for the revamp and expansion in the summer but added that funding still needed to be secured. 'New bunker systems with very high protection requirements cost a lot of money and time,' said Tiesler. He noted that the BBK will likely require 'at least' 10 billion euros ($11billion) in the next four years and a further 30 billion euros ($34 billion) in the following 10 years to complete the overhaul. There is some cause for optimism, though, for the German agency. Friedrich Merz, before officially becoming chancellor, managed to unlock half a trillion euros ($570 billion) in spending for Germany's defense, some of which the BBK would be eligible to receive. However, given the scale of the task of updating the German armed forces the allocation of money may be prioritized elsewhere. Merz recently vowed to make Germany's army the strongest in Europe, but in order to meet that pledge, he will be required to spend huge sums of money to modernize, train and equip soldiers. A report released earlier this year from the parliament's armed forces commission pointed out that the German army has 'too little of everything.' It has long been underfunded, and much of the basic infrastructure of the army, including barracks, is well below standard, the Bundestag report said. It also comes as the army struggles to meet recruitment targets. In 2018, Germany committed to boosting its standing forces to 203,000 by 2025 — a target date that was later revised to 2031. The current standing size of the Germany army is just 181,000. Merz's government is mulling the possibility of introducing mandatory military service. The issue of manpower also concerns Tiesler and the BBK. 'We lack personnel in an emergency,' he told the newspaper Sueddeutsche Zeitung. 'Perhaps we need a mandatory military service or a voluntary civil defense service… One that allows the choice between civilian and military service for the country,' he said.
Global News
8 hours ago
- Global News
Pope criticizes political nationalism, prays for reconciliation and dialogue
Pope Leo XIV criticized the surge of nationalist political movements in the world as he prayed Sunday for reconciliation and dialogue — a message in line with his pledges to make the Catholic Church a symbol of peace. The pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands, and asked the Holy Spirit to 'break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred.' 'Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbours, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms,' the first American pontiff said. He did not name any specific country or politician. 4:15 Pope Leo XIV holds inaugural mass, vows to protect Church doctrine but face modernity Leo also recalled the words of late Pope Francis, who — on the feast of Pentecost in May 2023 — observed that in our world 'we are all connected, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anaesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude.' Story continues below advertisement The pope also condemned wars, which 'are plaguing our world,' and asked the Holy Spirit for 'the gift of peace.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'First of all, peace in our hearts, for only a peaceful heart can spread peace in the family, society and international relations,' Leo said, then prayed for reconciliation and dialogue wherever there is war in the world. Soon after becoming pope, Leo pledged to work for unity and peace. His first message, 'Peace be with you all,' set the importance of peace as a pillar of his papacy. He has also appealed for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.
Globe and Mail
11 hours ago
- Globe and Mail
Pope Leo criticizes surge of nationalist political movements
Pope Leo XIV criticized the surge of nationalist political movements in the world as he prayed Sunday for reconciliation and dialogue – a message in line with his pledges to make the Catholic Church a symbol of peace. The Pope celebrated Sunday Mass in St. Peter's Square in front of tens of thousands faithful, and asked the Holy Spirit to 'break down barriers and tear down the walls of indifference and hatred.' 'Where there is love, there is no room for prejudice, for 'security' zones separating us from our neighbors, for the exclusionary mindset that, tragically, we now see emerging also in political nationalisms,' the first American pontiff said. He did not name any specific country or politician. Leo also recalled the words of late Pope Francis, who – on the feast of Pentecost in May 2023 – observed that in our world 'we are all connected, yet find ourselves disconnected from one another, anaesthetized by indifference and overwhelmed by solitude.' The pope also condemned wars, which 'are plaguing our world,' and asked the Holy Spirit for 'the gift of peace.' 'First of all, peace in our hearts, for only a peaceful heart can spread peace in the family, society and international relations,' Leo said, then prayed for reconciliation and dialogue wherever there is war in the world. Soon after becoming pope, Leo pledged to work for unity and peace. His first message, 'Peace be with you all,' set the importance of peace as a pillar of his papacy. He has also appealed for a genuine and just peace in Ukraine and a ceasefire in Gaza.
