Latest news with #St.FrancisofAssisi
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Where is Forest Park at in the road to recovery?
ST. LOUIS – It's been nearly a month since a deadly tornado went through St. Louis, leaving widespread destruction from Clayton to north St. Louis. While some progress has been made, there is a long journey ahead–including for Forest Park. During the storm on May 16, it went through the west and north sides of Forest Park, damaging over 4,000 trees, according to the park. 'Repairing and making Forest Park safe again will require a massive, expensive effort,' the park said in a release. Several areas of the park remain closed due to the extensive damage, which include: Trails and paths on or near: Lagoon Drive between Emerson Grand Basin and Picnic Island Skinker and Lindell boulevards St. Francis of Assisi statue, Korean War Memorial, Vandeventer Place Gates near Jewel Box Art Hill's allee of trees Kennedy Forest and boardwalks Cascades waterfall Dennis & Judith Jones Visitor and Education Center Anne O'C. Albrecht Nature Playscape Forest Park officials emphasized their request that visitors stay away from damaged areas, as there may be 'hangers' of large, loose limbs sitting in a tree above. Additionally, guests are asked not to remove any signs, barriers and cones on paths. One of the locations inside Forest Park to sustain damage was also The Muny, which lost many trees throughout the 11.5-acre campus. Communications and Public Relations Manager Gabe Hartwig told FOX 2 that the preshow stage at the west Purina Plaza was destroyed, but the main stage, theatre, and offices remained intact. 'Our Tony Awards Watch Party on Sunday at Ballpark Village also served as an opportunity to support disaster relief efforts across St. Louis. Generous Muny fans brought food items and toiletries for the St. Louis Area Foodbank, and we collected nearly $2,000 in donations for the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis,' Hartwig said. As cleanup is still underway, anyone who would like to donate to The Muny can click here. To donate to Forest Park Forever, click here. To volunteer in cleanup efforts throughout the park, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
NBC News
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
Artist Caravaggio's faith shines at churches run by Pope Leo XIV's order and in new exhibit
There's Caravaggio's first religious painting, St. Francis of Assisi, who's depicted in an angel's arms while one of his early companions, Brother Leo, is barely visible in the surrounding darkness. It's an early example of those "oscuri gagliardi" — a bold darkness, as a 17th century art critic quoted in an exhibit panel put it. "Gagliardo" is a slang word Romans still use today to mean everything from panini to people with a special flair and power. Two other religious paintings with the same innovative use of light and darkness take a gruesome turn. In Judith Beheading Holofernes, the Jewish hero frowns in seeming disgust at the blood spurting from his neck. In David with the Head of Goliath, the dripping severed head is a self-portrait. In what's probably the artist's last painting before dying at age 39, and the last exhibited in the new show, Caravaggio also portrayed himself. He's the man peeking, stunned and openmouthed, from the darkness at the soldier who's just shot an arrow into St. Ursula's chest. More of Caravaggio's religious paintings are in chapels downtown Rome. The Conversion of Saul, an early version of which is in the exhibit, and the Crucifixion of Peter are in Santa Maria del Popolo, also an Augustinian community. Three paintings about St. Matthew are in San Luigi dei Francesi church. Two blocks away, back at St. Augustine's, pilgrims and tourists continue to flock to see Caravaggio and other artwork. For Cormio, welcoming them is a chance to encourage Augustinian spirituality. "Augustine also left us this teaching — that through the beauty of creation and the beauty of human works, too, we can capture something of the beauty of God," he said.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Papal conclave: Why do Popes change their names — know the fascinating tradition
The conclave to select the successor of Pope Francis will begin at the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday afternoon, with a total of 133 cardinals expected to take part in the process in Rome. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's economy has much more to lose than India's due to the ongoing tensions, warns Moody's Ratings The day Pakistan got the power to poke India FM Sitharaman meets ADB chief and Italian FM, discusses economic issues; no mention of Pakistan All the cardinals, who are below the age of 80 years, are entitled to take part in the conclave, Reuters reported. How do Popes pick papal names? After being elected by the College of Cardinals, the new Pope can look forward to adopting a new name. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Moose Approaches Girl At Bus Stop In Merida - Watch What Happens Happy in Shape Undo Jorge Bergoglio did the same when he ascended to the papacy. He later went on to be known as Pope Francis. This was to honour the 13th-century friar, St. Francis of Assisi. He opted out of his family's wealth and dedicated his life to working for the poor communities, according to USA Today. The first one to choose this name, Pope Francis, had in 2013 discussed with the media why he opted for this time. Live Events According to the Catholic Herald, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes told Francis not to "forget the poor" and this was what struck him. He said that the immediate name that came to his mind was St. Francis of Assisi, whom he described as a "man of peace" and poverty. Francis, who died on April 21, served as the first Jesuit pope of the church. Apart from Pope Francis, several of his predecessors have taken on names that highlighted their own rich values and heritage. Also Read : Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower 2025: Here's when and how to catch the best view of the debris from Halley's comet Why is this tradition practiced? While several members of the Catholic religious orders have taken new names after selection, this has not been the same for all of them. Accepting the new name by a Pope marks his entry into an all-new community. It is symbolic of the new stage in his life and a way to serve God and the people. In the 2000-year-long history of the Catholic Church , the popes started opting for new names at an early stage, Sioux Falls Bishop's Bulletin states. After getting selected in 533, Mercurius decided to take on the name of his predecessor, John, and went on to become popular as John II. It became a common practice during the 10th century as several of them decided to go for new names. However, the last to stay with his original name was Marcellus II after his selection in 1555. Also Read : Cinco de Mayo 2025: Share these wishes, messages, and quotes on Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp to mark the special occasion FAQs What's the name of the first pope? St. Peter served as the maiden pope of the church. Which papal name remains the most used by popes? As of now, John remains the commonly used papal name, having been taken by 23 pontiffs.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Opinion: Pope Francis walked with all of us — an interfaith leader for a divided world
The news of Pope Francis's death is still settling in. It's hard to imagine our world without him — especially in this time of great division and conflict, where freedom and flourishing seem to be at bay. Yet his message throughout his ministry was to dare each of us to dream that life in its fullest — with a message of freedom and flourishing for all — was within reach, if we each leaned in to do our part. He was a shepherd who 'smelled like his sheep,' a moral leader who walked with the wounded, a bridge-builder in a time when so many chose walls. He was, like his namesake St. Francis of Assisi, a man disarmed of ego, disinterested in status and devoted — above all — to mercy. For many, he was also the world's most recognizable faith leader. But it was how he used that visibility that set him apart: not for doctrinal combat, not for political advantage, but to lift up the stories of our poorest neighbors, particularly those excluded and displaced, and to invite others to do likewise. For his thirteen-year papacy, he was a model for me, personally, as I matured in my own leadership, as a church planter and pastor, a diplomat and international aid practitioner, as well as an interfaith leader looking to build a stronger democracy. This is how I'm remembering Papa Francesco. From the start, Pope Francis set his sights not on the centers of wealth or power but on the 'existential peripheries.' He visited refugee camps before he visited palaces. He washed the feet of prisoners, Muslims and others, and embraced children with debilitating illnesses. In his work for climate resilience and peace, he lifted up Indigenous leaders, defended undocumented migrants, and reminded all of us that 'the poor are not a problem to be solved, but people to be loved.' He taught that true Christian discipleship has a direction — and it moves downward. Like Jesus, 'who emptied himself' as the Apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the believers in Philippi, Francis embraced descent as a form of holistic leadership. His choices — the modest papal apartment, his Ford Focus as personal transport, the name 'Francis' — were more than symbols. They were signals for a people that could rediscover its moral center not in dominance, but in service. Though the Vatican always plays a role in global diplomacy, Francis expanded the moral imagination of what a faith leader could be on the world stage. He deepened relationships with Muslim leaders, including his historic visit with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq, as well as signing the 'Document on Human Fraternity' with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi. He embraced Jewish leaders as partners in justice and memory, most recently, calling for a return of the hostages held in Gaza, while also calling for peace and mercy throughout Palestine. He welcomed Buddhists, Sikhs, Hindus and atheists alike into the circle of shared moral concern. He reminded us that faith, at its best, does not divide — it bridges despite our, at times, grave differences and binds us together. It dares us to find dignity in difference and holiness in one another's stories. In an era defined by suspicion and sectarianism, Pope Francis insisted on encounter. This was not naïveté. He was deeply aware of how religion had been used to justify war, exclusion, and fear — and of the harm that the Church itself had caused through the sex abuse scandals. But he believed — boldly — that religion could also be a wellspring of compassion, repair and truth-telling. He showed us what it meant to speak the truth in love without becoming partisan, to carry one's tradition with devotion and yet remain openhearted. If Francis's 2013 election surprised the world, his 2015 encyclical 'Laudato si'" changed it. For the first time, a pope framed the climate crisis as not just scientific or political, but as a spiritual and moral emergency. 'The earth, our common home,' he wrote, 'is crying out.' He named what so few global leaders had the courage to say: that the ecological crisis and the crisis of inequality were one and the same. That the suffering of the land and the suffering of the poor mirrored each other. And that we are called — not just as voters or consumers, but as people of faith and conscience — to respond. He called for a new 'culture of care.' He invited us to see the world not as raw material to be used, but as sacred relationship to be honored. For millions of young people, he not only redeemed, in a way, a timeless Catholic social teaching, but also made it radiant and more relevant than ever. Francis' vision of the Church was not triumphal. He called it a 'field hospital after battle.' He said the Church should be known less for dogma than for healing, less for gatekeeping than for grace. His tone toward LGBTQ+ Christians, divorced people and others long hurt by ecclesial judgment was revolutionary in its tenderness. 'Who am I to judge?' became a refrain that reshaped conversations, softened hearts and allowed many to hope again that they had a place at God's table. He did not rewrite ancient doctrine. But he offered a different tone and posture — always proximate to ordinary people along the way, as a fellow pilgrim. We live in a time of division. A time of nihilism, narcissism and fracturing nations. Francis understood this. And he offered not a fantasy of uniformity, but a deeper vision of unity with all the varied particularities of our difference. He taught that difference is not a threat, but a promise. That we need one another's gifts to heal, to build, to bless. Which is what pluralism — the promise that out of many diverse perspectives, a new people, bringing their diverse solutions for the challenges of the times — is all about. Perhaps the most Francis-like image of all is this: a man with a crooked gait, shoulders slightly hunched, walking forward slowly but surely, during the Covid-19 lockdowns that seemingly shut down our world for a season, threatening not just our health, but also our notions of belonging. The starkness of an aging man in the historic empty square of St. Peter's Basilica carried with it a new invitation for those that had eyes to see, a new sense of priorities — for others. Today, people of all traditions and none are mourning. Not just because a pope has died. But because a peacemaker has passed. A servant. A spiritual father. A moral compass in an age adrift. We give thanks for the life of Jorge Mario Bergoglio — Pope Francis. And we carry forward his hope that another world is possible. A world where mercy is not weakness. Where solidarity is not sentimental. Where love is not abstract. A world, as he once said, 'where no one is left behind.'
Hindustan Times
21-04-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Earth Day 2025: Top 10 quotes, wishes to share with loved ones
Earth Day is a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and preserve the planet for future generations. Celebrated annually on April 22, it encourages people across the globe to take action towards creating a healthier, more sustainable environment. Whether through planting trees, reducing waste, or supporting eco-friendly initiatives, Earth Day inspires individuals and communities to make positive changes. Also Read: Who was St. Francis of Assisi? Here's why Pope Francis named himself after the Italian saint To remind and celebrate with your loved ones, we have gathered some of the most impactful Earth Day quotes to mark this special occasion, to inspire action, reflection, and a deeper commitment to protecting our planet. Also Read: Pope Francis cause of death finally revealed; Vatican confirms pontiff died of a…
