Latest news with #JubileeYear
Herald Malaysia
3 days ago
- Business
- Herald Malaysia
Caritas: ‘Crippling' debt weighing down developing countries
Vatican officials, charity workers, and internationally-recognised economists come together to discuss debt reform in an online town hall organised by Caritas Internationalis. May 29, 2025 A participant at an International Monetary Fund meeting stands near the organisation's logo (Johannes P. Christo) By Joseph Tulloch3.3 billion people – or nearly half the world's population – live in countries that spend more money on debt than on healthcare. That was one of the more shocking statistics to emerge from a recent online town hall organised by Caritas Internationalis , the charitable arm of the Catholic Church. Held on Wednesday, the webinar brought together more than 200 individuals – humanitarian workers, internationally-recognised economists, and senior Vatican officials – to discuss debt, climate, and development. 'Turn debt into hope' Alastair Dutton, Caritas' Secretary-General, introduced the discussion. He suggested that the fact that so many countries spend more on servicing their debt than on healthcare and education shows that, in today's economy, human beings are secondary "to economic interest'. Dutton also highlighted that the subject of debt reform has already been raised by Pope Leo, just weeks into his pontificate. The topic was also seen as crucial, the Caritas chief noted, by the late Pope Francis – who, in 2024, called for a 'multinational mechanism' to manage debt between countries, avoiding an 'every man for himself' mentality in which 'it is always the weakest' who lose out. In his remarks, Dutton highlighted Caritas' Turn Debt Into Hope campaign, which calls for the forgiveness of unjust debt. The aim of the campaign – as Caritas officer Alfonso Apicella explained – is to build public pressure around unfair debt practises, particularly in view of the Catholic Church's ongoing 2025 Jubilee Year, a period traditionally associated with financial clemency. 'There are 1.4 billion Catholics in the world,' Apicella said, 'and we want to show that they have agency.' The impact of the debt system Among the other speakers at the event was Professor Martin Guzmán of Columbia University, a former Argentinian Minister of Economy. Professor Guzmán highlighted the devastating effects of the global debt system on the world's poorest countries, which, he said, are charged higher interest rates than their richer peers. He also discussed the work of the Vatican's Jubilee Commission of Experts, chaired by the Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz, which is producing a report on debt and development crises in the Global South. Meanwhile, Sister Alessandra Smerilli, Secretary of the Holy See's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, highlighted Pope Francis' notion of the 'ecological debt' owed by rich countries towards the poorer countries - which are suffering the effects of a climate crisis which they have contributed much less to causing. This was a topic also touched on by Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, who noted that the concept of ecological debt was also highlighted by Pope Francis in his Bull of Indiction for the Jubilee Year. Archbishop Caccia stressed the importance of clearly communicating the impact of the debt system on poor countries. 'It's not just a technical matter of economics,' he said, but 'a clear hindrance to integral human development.'--Vatican News
Euronews
24-05-2025
- Euronews
Explore Rome's religious treasures on a 16th-century pilgrimage route
Rome is a splendour of religious riches that attracts over 30 million visitors annually, and 2025 is a particularly significant year for this cradle of Catholicism. The Vatican is celebrating a Jubilee Year with dozens of events. The funeral of Pope Francis and the election of a new pontiff have also shone a spotlight on the Italian capital. If you are heading to Rome to marvel at its myriad religious monuments, it can be hard to know where to start. For a particularly meaningful way to visit Rome's major churches - and to sidestep the crowds - try following in the footsteps of a 16th-century saint. Though you may not expect it, the Eternal City is a delight to explore on foot. In fact, a recent ranking by GuruWalk placed Rome first as the most walkable city in the world, describing it as 'an open-air museum that deserves to be explored thoroughly, step by step'. St Philip Neri conceived the Pilgrimage of the Seven Churches around the year 1553, and tracing the route has become one of Rome's oldest religious traditions. There are slight variations you can take, but it is roughly 25 kilometres and snakes around the whole city between the seven major basilicas. If you start early in the morning, it can make for an impressive full-day challenge. Otherwise, you can split it over days and easily take public transport to return to the place you left off. It is a good idea to begin the route at St Peter's Basilica. Given that the church is very busy at the moment, it makes sense to join the queue as early as possible for the shortest waiting time. It will make it easier to see the artistic treasures inside the cavernous church, from Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture to Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Baldacchino - a richly carved bronze canopy surmounting the high altar. To see sights en route during daylight and opening hours, it's best to make the next stop the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, around an hour's walk away. The route takes you past the hulking Sant'Angelo castle and over the homonymous bridge lined with drapery-clad stone angels with views down the Tiber River. The cobbled, atmospheric Via dei Coronari leads you to Piazza Navona, home to the aquatic theatrics of Bernini's Four Rivers Fountain. The road continues on, passing directly in front of the majestic Trevi Fountain. Another 20 minutes walking takes you to the second of Rome's major churches, where Pope Francis chose to be buried. Santa Maria Maggiore is a key place of worship for Marian devotion, containing a sacred Byzantine icon featuring the Virgin known as the Salus Populi Romani, or Protectress of the Roman people. A half hour's walk, passing in front of the Termini railway station and along the wide boulevard Via dei Ramni, takes you to the church of San Lorenzo Fuori le Mura. The building was reconstructed after bombing during the Second World War, but it lies on the ancient site of the martyrdom of St Lawrence, who was roasted alive on a grill in 258. The saint's relics are housed inside. Another half-hour stretch leads to the Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, passing the ancient Roman Porta Maggiore gateway and aqueducts en route. The pale stone Baroque structure was envisaged as a giant reliquary and houses some of the most famous relics in Christianity recovered by St Helen, mother of the Emperor Constantine, during her pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 325. Among them are the Holy Nail, some fragments of the True Cross, a thorn from the Crown of Christ and a bone from the finger of St Thomas the Apostle. From here, follow the ancient Aurelian walls along Via Carlo Felice for 15 minutes to the monumental Papal Basilica of San Giovanni in Laterano. This is the Cathedral of Rome, as well as the oldest and most important basilica in the West. Consecrated in the 4th century, it houses the relics of the heads of the Apostles of Rome, Peter and Paul, kept in an exquisite gilded Gothic canopy over the papal altar. The next stretch to the sixth church takes just over an hour, passing along the 3rd-century Aurelian Walls and down the Via Appia Antica, an ancient road where you lose the city for a moment and seem transported to bucolic countryside. The Basilica of San Sebastiano Fuori le Mura is simpler, at least compared to the majesty of the previous churches. It contains an arrow and part of the column from St Sebastian's martyrdom and the Bust of the Saviour, the last sculptural masterpiece by Bernini, rediscovered in 2001 in the adjacent convent. The final church is reached along the Via delle Sette Chiese, named for the seven churches pilgrimage. The peaceful road through Rome's outskirts leads to the Basilica of San Paolo Fuori le Mura, the second-largest church in Rome. Founded in the 4th century, it was rebuilt in neo-classical style following a fire in the 19th century. Make sure you visit the cloister, a vestige from the 13th century, and its graceful, mosaic inlaid columns. If you time your day right, you can then meander for a sunset-tinged hour back along the banks of the Tiber, with a little detour through the characterful, labyrinthine Trastevere neighbourhood, to return to St Peter's. Planning a summer blowout? Don't count on booking an Airbnb to host it. The popular short-term rental platform says it is once again deploying anti-party technology to block 'high-risk' bookings. The system uses machine learning to screen guests based on warning signs, such as short stays, last-minute reservations and how far they live from the listing. If a booking is flagged, users are blocked from renting entire homes – though alternative accommodation options are suggested. The move is part of the company's push to 'promote responsible travel and help hosts safeguard their spaces' during peak demand. Since launching a global 'party ban' in 2020, Airbnb says reports of disruptive events have dropped by half. This is the fourth year Airbnb has used the system. In 2024, the company claims it stopped over 51,000 would-be partiers during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends in the US – two of the most popular travel weekends in the country. While Airbnb cracks down on parties, the wider impacts of short-term rentals remain under scrutiny. That is especially true in European cities where the platform is blamed for rising rents, housing shortages and neighbourhood disruption. Czechia, for example, has introduced limits on short-term rentals like Airbnb in its city centres to cut down on noise disturbances – a move welcomed by district councillors. Amsterdam limits property owners to 60 rental days per year, one of many efforts to address overtourism, noise pollution and housing issues before they worsen. The city also introduced a 'Stay Away' campaign and interactive quiz to test visitors on behavioural etiquette to clamp down on rowdy parties and noise. But few places have made Airbnb as big of a flashpoint as Spain – especially Barcelona. The Catalonian capital already required permits for tourist rentals and imposed taxes and rental limits before it set out to ban the platform entirely. Barcelona later announced plans to eliminate all 10,000 licensed short-term rental apartments by 2028. The move was made to prioritise housing for permanent residents and reduce the kinds of disturbances that have plagued its downtown, as well as cities such as Seville and Valencia. Spain's central government recently upped the pressure on Airbnb, ordering 65,000 holiday listings removed nationwide for failure to follow rules and regulations. Founded in 2007 as a peer-to-peer platform, Airbnb has grown into a globe-spanning ecosystem that rivals the hotel industry. But as the platform has boomed, it has faced pressure from cities struggling to balance tourism growth with quality of life. Airbnb says its anti-party screening is just one element of a broader strategy to ensure responsible stays and support hosts. The platform also uses machine learning to screen global reservations for risky bookings and offers free noise sensors, a round-the-clock safety line and a support channel for law enforcement to report concerns. Questions remain about the efficacy of these tools, but the message is clear: if you're planning to party, don't expect Airbnb to roll out the welcome mat.
Business Wire
15-05-2025
- Business Wire
American Travelers Invited to Witness History in Rome with Expat Explore's New Italy Offer
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, Expat Explore is offering U.S. travelers an exclusive opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural heart of Catholicism in 2025. American travelers receive a discounted rate when they book any Expat Explore tour visiting Rome by using the promo code POPE at checkout. 'With Pope Leo XIV commencing his papacy, U.S. travelers have a rare opportunity to witness history unfold in the Eternal City and form a deeper connection with their faith with help from Expat Explore.' Share 'There has never been a more significant time for Americans to visit Rome,' stated Carl Cronje, co-founder of Expat Explore. 'With Pope Leo XIV commencing his papacy, U.S. travelers have a rare opportunity to witness history unfold in the Eternal City and form a deeper connection with their faith with help from Expat Explore.' Rome, long revered as the epicenter of the Catholic Church, is home to sacred landmarks, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and the Catacombs. With the added significance of the Jubilee Year and the presence of a newly elected American Pope, 2025 offers a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage opportunity. 'Our tours are designed to showcase the rich beauty, history, and hospitality of Italy, and free days in Rome give travelers meaningful access to the Vatican and its treasures to explore and enjoy at their own pace,' added Jakes Maritz, co-founder of Expat Explore. Eligible Tours Include: Highlights of Southern Italy and Sicily Tour – Explore ancient Rome, walk the ruins of Pompeii, relax along the Amalfi Coast, and marvel at Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel with an expert guide. – Explore ancient Rome, walk the ruins of Pompeii, relax along the Amalfi Coast, and marvel at Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel with an expert guide. Italian Delights Tour – Experience la dolce vita from Venice to the Amalfi Coast. Visit Pompeii, Assisi, San Marino, and enjoy a free day in Rome to explore the Vatican or attend a Papal audience. – Experience la dolce vita from Venice to the Amalfi Coast. Visit Pompeii, Assisi, San Marino, and enjoy a free day in Rome to explore the Vatican or attend a Papal audience. Italy Explorer Tour – A 16-day grand tour featuring Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, and an optional visit to the Vatican City. Perfect for travelers seeking cultural depth and historical insight. – A 16-day grand tour featuring Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, and an optional visit to the Vatican City. Perfect for travelers seeking cultural depth and historical insight. Italy in Low Season Tour – A 10-day escape through Northern Italy's lesser-known gems with fewer crowds. Includes visits to Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. American travelers can book now at and use promo code POPE to save 5% on their 2025 Rome adventure. About Expat Explore Founded in 2005 by travel enthusiasts Carl Cronje and Jakes Maritz, Expat Explore celebrates 20 years of adventure in 2025. From its modest beginnings with European tours, the company has expanded to offer expertly crafted itineraries across Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Expat Explore's value-for-money coach tours are designed for both seasoned travelers and first-time explorers. Each itinerary is carefully created by a passionate team of travel experts who thoughtfully balance iconic landmarks with hidden gems at every destination. For more information, visit
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
American Travelers Invited to Witness History in Rome with Expat Explore's New Italy Offer
Celebrate the First-Ever American Pope in the Heart of Catholicism with 5% on All Rome-Inclusive Tours in 2025 LONDON, May 15, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In celebration of the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, Expat Explore is offering U.S. travelers an exclusive opportunity to experience the spiritual and cultural heart of Catholicism in 2025. American travelers receive a discounted rate when they book any Expat Explore tour visiting Rome by using the promo code POPE at checkout. "There has never been a more significant time for Americans to visit Rome," stated Carl Cronje, co-founder of Expat Explore. "With Pope Leo XIV commencing his papacy, U.S. travelers have a rare opportunity to witness history unfold in the Eternal City and form a deeper connection with their faith with help from Expat Explore." Rome, long revered as the epicenter of the Catholic Church, is home to sacred landmarks, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and the Catacombs. With the added significance of the Jubilee Year and the presence of a newly elected American Pope, 2025 offers a once-in-a-lifetime pilgrimage opportunity. "Our tours are designed to showcase the rich beauty, history, and hospitality of Italy, and free days in Rome give travelers meaningful access to the Vatican and its treasures to explore and enjoy at their own pace," added Jakes Maritz, co-founder of Expat Explore. Eligible Tours Include: Highlights of Southern Italy and Sicily Tour – Explore ancient Rome, walk the ruins of Pompeii, relax along the Amalfi Coast, and marvel at Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel with an expert guide. Italian Delights Tour – Experience la dolce vita from Venice to the Amalfi Coast. Visit Pompeii, Assisi, San Marino, and enjoy a free day in Rome to explore the Vatican or attend a Papal audience. Italy Explorer Tour – A 16-day grand tour featuring Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, and an optional visit to the Vatican City. Perfect for travelers seeking cultural depth and historical insight. Italy in Low Season Tour – A 10-day escape through Northern Italy's lesser-known gems with fewer crowds. Includes visits to Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Leaning Tower of Pisa. American travelers can book now at and use promo code POPE to save 5% on their 2025 Rome adventure. About Expat Explore Founded in 2005 by travel enthusiasts Carl Cronje and Jakes Maritz, Expat Explore celebrates 20 years of adventure in 2025. From its modest beginnings with European tours, the company has expanded to offer expertly crafted itineraries across Europe, the UK, the USA and Canada, Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and South America. Expat Explore's value-for-money coach tours are designed for both seasoned travelers and first-time explorers. Each itinerary is carefully created by a passionate team of travel experts who thoughtfully balance iconic landmarks with hidden gems at every destination. For more information, visit View source version on Contacts Media Contact Jason GilbrethTrevelino/KellerJgilbreth@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Telegraph
12-05-2025
- General
- Telegraph
Pope Leo XIV is a beacon of light in our fallen world
On Thursday evening, in the Sistine Chapel, I was standing a few paces away from Cardinal Prevost. The leader of the conclave, Cardinal Parolin, stood before him and said: 'Do you accept your election as Supreme Pontiff?' Calmly, and with great deliberation Cardinal Prevost said, 'I accept'. 'By what name do you wish to be called?' 'I am to be called Leo', he replied. And the gathered Cardinals burst into enthusiastic applause. Then the voting papers were put into the stove and white smoke appeared to the huge waiting crowd in St Peter's Square and around the world. Once the new Pope appeared on the balcony, the serenity that had been the key emotion of the entire conclave was transformed into elation and joy. The cries of delight came to a brief halt only while everyone shared in a prayer together with the new Pope. Along with many other places, Rome went into festive overdrive. The party continued long into the night. On Saturday a festival of bands took place on the streets and squares of Rome, as part of the celebration of the Jubilee Year. They added to the festivities. Pope Leo sees his role as one of service to the human family. He will stand for the dignity of every person, the need to build bridges, not walls, in the search for peace; the vital importance of faith in God in the stability of the foundations on which we build our common life; the importance of dialogue with the full range of beliefs and convictions; and the joy with which the gift of life can be filled. His choice of the name 'Leo' itself carries rich resonances. Leo the Great, of the fifth century, was a champion of the full understanding that in Jesus of Nazareth we are given the unique presence of God together with the fullness of our human reality: Jesus the Christ is truly God and Man. Leo XIII, at the end of the nineteenth century, is the Pope who faced the challenge of the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the dignity of work and the exploitation of people. Pope Leo XIV said he had chosen this name because the world is facing another dramatic challenge. He pointed to the development of artificial intelligence and its impact on the dignity of the person, our creativity and our fundamental freedom. To understand the new Pope we also need to remember that he is an Augustinian, a son of St Augustine of Hippo, the great teacher and bishop of the fourth and fifth centuries in North Africa. After his dramatic conversion in 386, this Augustine became an outstanding theologian. In Augustine's autobiography, Confessions, he explored in great depth his relationship with Jesus Christ. He wrote the well-known saying that our hearts are restless until they find their rest in God. This gave rise to the great theme of Cardinal John Henry Newman's motto Cor ad cor loquitur, 'heart speaks to heart'. This was the motto taken for Pope Benedict's visit to the UK in 2010. All these themes will be central to the words and actions of this new Pope Leo. He will call for the greater good of all, supporting those marginalised by the economic ambitions of the powerful. He will, without doubt, speak against proposals which belittle the dignity of the person. One such proposal is the move being attempted in this country to combat fear, suffering and loneliness through offering assisted suicide. This is promoted by some in the name of dignity, yet it represents an existential threat to the most vulnerable. He will call ceaselessly for respect for the poor and neglected, not least migrants fleeing hunger and danger. Following in the footsteps of Pope Francis, he will continue to plead for peace on behalf of all caught up in violent warfare, especially civilian populations. Indeed, yesterday, in his first Sunday address, he pleaded for peace in Gaza, where the fate of civilians is increasingly perilous, while also appealing for the release of all hostages. And he will base every aspect of his ministry on the mercy of God towards us all, shown in the face of Jesus, and on the hope and joy to which Jesus alone can give rise in our hearts. The story of his life which is slowly emerging, and the photographs of him as a young Augustinian priest, show a man of profound dedication, of a calm and patient disposition, as well as a man of joy with a great sense of fun. This is the Pope we have been given. The first public words of this new Pope, as he appeared before the people of the world, were 'Peace be with you all!' Here is a champion of peace, bringing the light of Christ into our world. He is a gift to us all.
