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Herald Malaysia
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV pledges peace, unity and missionary renewal
The Catholic Church turned a new page in history on May 8, 2025, as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American missionary and Vatican official, was elected the 268th pope. May 16, 2025 (CNS photo/Vatican Media) VATICAN: The Catholic Church turned a new page in history on May 8, 2025, as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, an American missionary and Vatican official, was elected the 268th pope. He emerged from the conclave as Pope Leo XIV, the first American to ascend the papacy in modern history, and signalled from the outset a clear commitment to carry forward the vision of a church that is missionary, synodal, and deeply engaged in peace building. Speaking from the central balcony of St Peter's Basilica just hours after his election, Leo XIV opened with the Easter greeting of the Risen Christ: 'Peace be with you!' He described this peace as 'a disarmed peace and a disarming peace, humble and persevering.' The new Pope, formerly the prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops and bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, thanked his predecessor, Pope Francis, for his enduring leadership. Citing Francis' 'weak but always courageous voice' in his final public appearance on Easter Sunday, Leo XIV pledged continuity with his vision of a church that 'walks together, builds bridges and remains close to the suffering.' 'We want to be a synodal Church,' Pope Leo said. 'A Church that walks, a Church that always seeks peace, that always seeks charity, that always seeks to be close especially to those who suffer.' His election was swift — chosen by the College of Cardinals on the second day of the conclave. In defying conventional wisdom that an American would not be chosen due to the US's geopolitical status, the cardinals delivered a bold statement of trust in Prevost's global and pastoral outlook. In his first public remarks, Pope Leo XIV spoke in both Italian and Spanish, reflecting his missionary background in Latin America and his Vatican experience. He described his election as a call 'to walk together with you as a united Church searching all together for peace and justice, working together as women and men, faithful to Jesus Christ without fear.' Pilgrims gathered in St Peter's Square responded with cheers, flag-waving, and emotional hymns. Among the celebrants was a group of women religious attending a plenary assembly of the International Union of Superiors General in Rome. 'When the white smoke appeared, we all sang the Alleluia,' recalled French Sr Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the Synod of Bishops and a veteran of both recent synodal assemblies. 'It was incredible.' Sr Becquart, along with other synodal participants, underscored the continuity Leo XIV represents. 'I can see and feel that he is a very balanced, serious man, who will take his time to determine how to continue the work of the synod,' she said. Observers and collaborators during the synodal process also emphasised his missionary grounding and his thoughtful leadership style. 'He never wanted to be the centre of attention,' said José Manuel De Urquidi, founder of the Juan Diego Network. 'He cares deeply about people — especially about the bishops from all over the world.' Leo XIV's choice of papal name evokes further symbolism. 'Pope Leo XIII is the father of Catholic social teaching,' noted theologian Anna Rowlands, an expert in the synod process. 'It's really interesting that Pope Leo XIV is going to follow in that legacy now.' Rowlands emphasised that synodality — a key theme of Leo's inaugural address — is not simply about structure, but mission. 'People forget that mission was at the heart of the synodal process: the renewal of the church on the inside to proclaim a credible witness to the world outside.' Kim Daniels, communications advisor to the synodal assemblies, described Leo XIV as 'an American with a missionary heart and a global vision — a son of Chicago who's spent his adult life in Peru and now Rome.' His election, Daniels said, confirms the cardinals' endorsement of Pope Francis' vision of spiritual and structural renewal. But Pope Leo XIV inherits a church in flux. While Catholicism continues to grow globally — especially in Africa and Asia — the Church faces critical internal and external challenges. These include rising global conflicts, persecution of Christians, migration crises, and the decline of international cooperation. Internally, Pope Leo must navigate deep divisions over synodality, the role of women, Church governance, and priestly formation. Francis had set the stage for structural reform through the synod on synodality, which is scheduled to continue through 2028. Its goals include fostering inclusivity, strengthening accountability, and expanding lay participation in church ministries. He also faces urgent financial and administrative challenges: Vatican budget shortfalls, a looming pension deficit, and the continued need for comprehensive measures to address clergy sexual abuse. A decision is also pending on whether to retain Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals, which advises on governance reforms. Among his first decisions could be whether to proceed with a long-planned trip to Turkey later this month. The event, commemorating the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea, was dear to Francis and is expected to bring together global Christian leaders in an ecumenical gathering. Pope Leo XIV concluded his address with a message of unity and hope: 'Without fear, united, hand in hand with God and among ourselves, we will go forward.' --Agencies
Miami Herald
09-05-2025
- Climate
- Miami Herald
When the pope visited Miami, hearts and the heavens opened. See photos of trip
Lightning shook the skies, rain pelted the earth. But Pope John Paul II, preaching under an umbrella, wanted to keep saying his outdoor Mass at Tamiami Park during his historic 23-hour visit to Miami-Dade in September 1987. It was one of the area's most memorable events, drawing a crowd of more than 150,000. At the time, it was a stunning coup that then-Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy cajoled the pope to come. He was the first pope to travel south of Washington — only the third papal journey to America at the time. John Paul II was an energetic 67-year-old who didn't flinch at flying from Rome to Miami, making several public appearances, including kissing the babies of the archbishop's neighbors - meeting with President Ronald Reagan, talking with Jewish leaders and celebrating Mass, all within 23 hours. MORE: Remembering Pope Francis when he visited Cuba and U.S. Here's what happened One of the most vivid moments: when the pope, lightning and a tropical rainstorm collided. Miami was at the epicenter of the the pope's 1987 11-day, nine-city tour of the United States, for which 21,000 journalists applied for credentials. And the 10,000 who stayed until the storm passed got an unforgettable treat: The pope returned to the altar to bless them. Said John Paul II: 'I want to express to all of you my admiration for your persistence and perseverance.' Let's take a look at his time in Miami through the coverage and photos in the Miami Herald archives: What the pope's Miami visit looked like Lightning short-circuits Mass as pope praises Miami's compassion Published Sept. 12, 1987 Lightning and torrential rains cut short the papal Mass Friday at Tamiami Park, but only after an emotional rendezvous between Pope John Paul II and thousands of followers, and two- thirds of a sermon in which the pontiff praised Miami as a 'community of compassion.' What was to have been the climax of the ceremony, Holy Communion, never came. At 12:06 p.m., just after the pope had beseeched the estimated 150,000 worshipers to 'stay in touch with your own roots, your cultures and your traditions' and to 'make every effort to preserve the unity which has the Spirit as its origin and peace as its binding force,' papal aide Monsignor Piero Marini whispered something in the pope's right ear. The pontiff fell silent and watched as the crowd, now covered by a massive plastic cocoon in the downpour, joined the choir in spontaneous choruses of Alleluia. The pope smiled as the people swayed back and forth, arms waving. 'You are beautiful' A moment later, Archbishop Edward McCarthy took the microphone and said a decision had been made to stop the Mass. The crowd roared back: 'No!' Hearing this, the pope said: 'Beautiful. You are beautiful.' Then McCarthy continued: 'We are told there is an electrical storm in the area and that it's not safe to continue. 'As you go back to your cities, continue to thank the Lord for this experience of having the Holy Father with us.' As two peals of thunder cracked overhead, all live television feeds from the site went dead. Most worshipers rushed from the site, some scrambling over fences or knocking them down to escape the rain. The pope retired to his makeshift dressing room in a mobile home behind the altar, where he finished the Mass before about 30 bishops and cardinals. But it was not over. Yet. Nearly an hour later, long after most people had left, the pope suddenly reappeared at the altar. Several thousand people who had stayed behind pressed forward as he spoke. 'I was sad to interrupt the celebration because of the atmospheric circumstances,' he told them. 'I want to express to all of you my admiration for your persistence and perseverance.' He blessed them. At 1:10 p.m., the papal motorcade left for Miami International Airport. Forty-two minutes later, Shepherd One took off for South Carolina. The rain had let up and the lucky few who had caught the pope's surprise encore were overjoyed. 'I am speechless,' said Terry Phister of Miami. 'I am amazed that this happened. I'm so happy I decided to stay and avoid the crowd. It paid off to get wet.' The interruption came at the stormy end of a 20-hour waiting game that began with people camping out near the Mass site. The gates opened at 11:55 p.m. Thursday, and the wait to get in stretched to 2 1/2 hours at some entrances. But the site's 264 acres, which could have held 400,000, were less than half full by the time the pope arrived at 10 a.m. from a meeting with American Jewish leaders in downtown Miami. The weather early Friday was classic South Florida September: Early-morning heat. Brief showers. Even a double rainbow. The most emotional moments of the day came as the pope, accompanied by Archbishop McCarthy in the glass-enclosed Popemobile, zigzagged through the crowds, coming within just a few feet of worshipers. It was a joy ride in every sense of the phrase. The crowd surged as he passed. People climbed atop friends' shoulders; many ran to catch a better view. It was the closest the public would get to the pope. For those who had come from miles and waited for months, the experience was overwhelming. For Sue Ann Conroy of Fort Lauderdale: 'It was beautiful. I've got the chills, I swear.' And for Alice Butler of Miami: 'I felt as if he had come just to see me.' Then came the rains, falling harder as the pope began Mass. Carmen Secleo-Rivera of Miami called it 'a giant baptism of South Florida.' At one point, in sort of a throwback to the Woodstock rock festival, a voice over the loudspeaker warned people away from metal towers holding television cameras: 'There's a slight chance of lightning and we don't want to send anyone home to the Lord today.' There were no confirmed hits. Medical workers took 19 people to local hospitals, most for problems related to the heat. The tower warning, though, was eerie. Thursday in San Antonio, Texas, one of the nine American cities the pope is visiting on his trip, high winds knocked down two towers at the Mass site. No one was hurt. The press corps at Tamiami had its own problems Friday. Luis Nigaglioni, translating for a live Radio Marti broadcast, dove under a picnic table, telephone in hand, as the storm closed in. 'This has got to be a historic event,' he said later. 'I don't think anybody has translated for the pope while hiding under a table.' But as the pontiff spoke, plans were already in the works to pull the plug. At the rear of the altar, the Rev. Gabriel O'Reilly, Mass site coordinator, huddled with other planners. 'We were getting the best information we could and we knew the front was coming,' he said later. 'Because of the danger of lightning, we determined that the best thing we could do was to ask the people to leave. If one person was seriously hurt by lightning we would never have forgiven ourselves.' The consensus seemed to be that half a Mass -- and a chance to see Pope John Paul up close -- was better than no Mass at all. Marina Quartas and her family had headed for the exit once the Mass was called off. 'We're very sad because we wanted to stay. But at the same time, we're happy we got to see the pope at all.' Monsignor Jude O'Doherty, director of the papal visit, said later: 'The common-sense decision was made. Was the right decision made? Who knows? I'm just pleased the Holy Father is safe and that the planning and security went without a hitch. I am only disappointed and saddened that he wasn't able to complete the one thing that totally unifies us -- the Eucharist.' The rain brought one other regret. As Oscar Rodriguez left the site, he paused and said: 'We didn't even get to say goodbye.'
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Leitrim Priest in Rome describes sense of ‘mixed emotions' following ‘bittersweet' death of Pope Francis
Father Gerry Comiskey, who a priest in the Diocese of Kilmore and a native of County Leitrim, has been in Rome since January on a study programme at the Pontifical North American College. Fr Comiskey participated in the Easter ceremonies at St Peter's Basilica over the weekend and was in the city when the news emerged that Pope Francis had passed away. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook The death of Pope Francis was announced on Easter Monday morning and The pontiff's funeral will take place at the Vatican on Saturday morning. The Vatican said he died following a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure at 7.35am on Monday. Fr Comiskey is staying in Rome until Tuesday and will attend the Pope Lying in State on Thursday and Friday, while he will also attend the funeral on Saturday. The Pope will lie in state inside the church until his burial at St Mary Major in Rome, also on Saturday. Speaking of Pope Francis' last appearance on Sunday, Fr Comiskey said there was great excitement but also a sense of sympathy as he appeared to be in a frail state. 'He did attend Easter Sunday Mass – the most important day in the Church's calendar and there was a crowd of around 35,000-40,000 people in St Peter's Square. 'There was great jubilation when he appeared, the moment he spoke the few words, we all recognised that his voice was very weak and he himself was frail. 'There was actually sympathy for the man. 'I think there is a profound message for us – he was there for the great Alleluia– he wanted to hear the resurrection becoming proclaimed again for one last time. 'Then quietly God called him to the Father's house on Monday morning. 'I think that is profound and mysterious. It teaches us a lesson. The Pope wanted us to believe more definitely in Jesus Christ. He wanted us to be enthusiastic and committed. 'His passing on Easter Monday is just a mystery that we should ponder,' said Fr Comiskey. Fr Comiskey said due to the Pope's ill health, there is mixed emotions in Rome following his passing. 'I think there is very mixed emotions. 'There is great sadness because he was a much loved Pope and much loved Holy Father. But, there is a quiet acceptance that death had to come to him at some stage. 'The Catholic Church is like a great big family and when there is a death in the family, there is of course great sadness but if a grandparent or great grandparent is very elderly or feeble, finding it hard to breath, there is certain relief that their sufferings are over and in the case of the Pope that he does not have to suffer anymore. 'It is bittersweet. 'It is the most beautiful season – these 50 days of Easter. 'At home in the Northwest of Ireland, my ancestors loved to hear of someone dying in the days of Easter Week - they felt that paradise was surely a place of welcomes,' said Fr Comiskey. Fr Comiskey met Pope Francis in 2017 and seen him earlier this year when he first arrived in Rome. Fr Comiskey said the Pope was known for his humble and kind nature, which he displayed right until the end of his life. Reflecting on Holy Thursday, Fr Comiskey said, 'On Holy Thursday, there was 1,800 priests concelebrating the Chrism Mass and we quietly were hoping that the Pope would come and see us that day, but instead he went to the prison to visit the prisoners and that was an amazing gesture for an old sick man. 'It really was the measure of the man,' said Fr Comiskey. Fr Comiskey has heard many stories of Pope Francis and said he was 'a wonderful example of humility.' 'Even when he came into St Peter's Square, he came in on a small car, he never wanted to be driven in a Merc. 'One day during my studies here, I went to visit a Contemplative Order of Nuns – an enclosed order – there is 27 of them in the community. 'They told us that the Pope had visited them three times – once he came announced, but the other two times he came back unannounced. 'His secretary and himself just arrived and said we have come to pray, say Mass and to have a meal with you. 'He did not stand on ceremony or sending messengers out saying prepare the way, he would just drop in like any parish priest,' said Fr Comiskey.
Miami Herald
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Archbishop: On Easter, we feel the fears of the undocumented in our community
Today we celebrate Easter Sunday — although it is true that we are still walking the path of the cross. The ongoing war of attrition in Ukraine and the violence of the Israeli-Hamas conflict continue to cause great anxiety, as do situations closer to home. I often remind people that here in South Florida, we are surrounded by 'islands' of pain: Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua. Almost everyone in South Florida has a personal connection with someone in one or more of those countries. We perceive the concern and uncertainty of so many of our brothers and sisters, our neighbors, who today live in fear and anguish because of their immigration status. In the face of threats of 'mass deportations,' this community so close to the immigrant experience cannot not feel the anxiety — the fear of the undocumented or irregular migrant. 'Fearful and anxious' certainly described those detained at ICE's Krome Avenue Detention Center in Southwest Miami-Dade, where I celebrated two Easter Masses on Good Friday. And despite all this — despite so many reasons for discouragement — today, Easter, the resurrected Lord invites us not to be afraid and to trust more strongly than ever in the power of love. He invites us not to remain sunk in despair, nor to allow ourselves to be overcome by fear or discouragement. that we see around us and in our community. Easter signifies that life conquers death, truth conquers error and love conquers hatred. On this day, Christ has risen, and with him, our hope has been resurrected. 'We are Easter people and 'Alleluia' is our song,' preached St. Augustine of Hippo during the uncertain times in which he lived. He added, 'Let us sing here and now in this life, even though we are oppressed by various worries, so that we may sing it one day in the world to come, when we are set free from all anxiety.' That is true for the undocumented among us. Yes, 'Alleluia' is our song — but even with eyes raised to heaven, we cannot remain indifferent to present challenges and sufferings here on Earth and around us. For millions of Catholics, Easter is our return every year to our own baptism — our own 'pass over' or Pascha into new life in Christ. But in the gift of Easter lie the demands of Easter: 'If you were raised with Christ, seek what is above,' said Saint Paul. Faith in Jesus' passion, death and his resurrection gives us the inner strength to exercise our baptismal commitment: to live, in different ways, lives of service and significance. May he help us build communities where unity, justice and solidarity reign, where no one feels alone in their suffering, and the human dignity of everyone — even the most vulnerable — is respected and protected regardless of social, economic or immigration status. Thomas Wenski is the Archbishop of Miami.
