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Herald Malaysia
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Apostolic Nuncio to EU: We need peace and the transmission of faith
The Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union says it is critical for families in Europe to transmit the faith and that young people are thirsting for this relationship with God, and likewise is reiterating the great concern for peace in the world always-more enveloped by war, even on European soil. May 24, 2025 Pope Leo XIV meets with Presidency of COMECE (@VATICAN MEDIA) By Deborah Castellano LubovThe Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union says it is critical for families in Europe to transmit the faith and that young people are thirsting for this relationship with God, and likewise is reiterating the great concern for peace in the world always-more enveloped by war, even on European soil. In an interview with Vatican News, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, made this observation, following the Presidency of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union, or COMECE's, encounter with Pope Leo on Friday morning. Speaking to Vatican Media in the interview this morning, he reflected on Pope Leo's 'intense' encounter with the Presidency of (COMECE), in which he openly listened to those before him. The Archbishop, along with the Presidency, had reiterated the Pope's great concern for the war in Ukraine, and the need for a just peace. Moreover, it was emphasized the Holy Father's dismay for an increased focus on military spending that may come at the expense of support for the most needy and vulnerable." Just and lasting peace needed in Ukraine Archbishop Auza had been appointed Nuncio to the European Union in late March and just began this latest role. He candidly shared, "I just arrived in Brussels yesterday. As a matter of fact, I have not been to the nunciature because when I arrive at the airport, I took the flight to come to Rome for this audience with the pope. So, I mean, it is providential and it's rare," and "such a coincidence that I'm just starting my new mission to the European Union and with the community received today." The last post of Archbishop Auza, who prior to his latest assignment as apostolic nuncio to the EU, was the nuncio to Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra. He also had long served as the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the United Nations in New York. Therefore, in a special way, the Nuncio remembered that at the encounter, working toward peace and making efforts to end war, especially that of Ukraine, were at the forefront on the conversations. Amid the "many wars in the world" and "so many conflicts," in places which, the Apostolic Nuncio suggested, it can be challenging to negotiate or find an agreement, "the Holy See could be able to contribute. At least, the Holy Father has made it very clear." Great thirst of the young for the faith Yet, Archbishop Auza, expressed that other themes were likewise treated with much attention, including the need for transmitting faith in families, the importance of combatting a demographic winter, and the need for migrants to be treated properly and with respect. In particular, Archbishop Auza discussed the renewed interest in the Church and the faith even among young people. "In so many countries," he said, "it seems there is really a renewed interest, and even a greater desire, to know more the Catholic Church." He said that the passing away of Pope Francis and the election of a new Pope also contributed to this rekindled interest. "Even those who are not really experts about the papacy would say something," he noted, saying the theme "entered into everybody's house, everybody's television set, everybody's internet connection. " The Filipino-born Archbishop suggested there is a great hope the Church will give "a new inertia." During the interview, the Apostolic Nuncio remembered that Pope Leo interjected to reaffirm the interest of young people and children for the faith, despite counter narratives trying to suggest otherwise. "The Pope mentioned that people, societies, governments will say that, 'you don't need to, or we don't want to talk to the young children, because the children or young people are not interested anymore about religion, about God." Renewed interest in Christ and the Church "The Holy Father said, that's not true," instead, "there is a thirst." In fact, Archbishop Auza recalled how COMECE Vice-President, Archbishop Antoine Hérouard of Dijon, said, 'that's very true,' and how that is reflected in some areas with a record number of baptisms, of people involved in catechism classes. "There's so much seems to be renewed energy in young people," in this regard, he suggested, acknowledging, this tendency had been "in a sense, lost, probably, for some years now." "There is still hope. And, you know, you will see that there is a moment of return after so much, probably, 'Oh, we haven't heard of this. We haven't heard of Jesus Christ.' So I think there is so much there that we could do." Need for families transmitting faith from one generation to the next The Archbishop reaffirmed how important it is to pass on the faith. "The question of New Evangelization is fundamentally the question of transmission of the faith from one generation to the next, and that is what constitutes really the structural problem, namely that there is no more channel of transmission, that the parents don't talk about the faith anymore, they don't go to church anymore." For these reasons, he lamented, children often have not been in churches, observing, "now there is a movement that even to prohibit children from being baptized or being taught about religion," with the thought that this would not be appropriate "until they become adults that they could choose for themselves." Yet, the Nuncio, maintains, when it comes to "the role of the family in the transmission of faith, I mean, there is no question about this. It's more important than the parish." "It's more than a transmission," Archbishop Auza argues, "It's more like an osmosis. You put a sponge in the water and it sponsors the whole family there, if you will. Everybody imbibes, you might say, the, the water into that whole space."--Vatican News
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Pope Leo XIV meets US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (2ndR) with his wife Jeanette Dousdebes (R) and US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance during a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in The Vatican. Image: Handout / VATICAN MEDIA / AFP Pope Leo XIV received US Vice President JD Vance and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Vatican Monday, a day after the new US pontiff's inauguration mass. The Vatican released photographs of Vance and Rubio smiling as they met with the Chicago-born pope, who was elected as head of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics on May 8. Vance then met with the Holy See's secretary for relations with states, Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican said. "During the cordial talks held at the Secretariat of State, satisfaction at the good bilateral relations was reiterated, and the collaboration between Church and State was discussed, as well as some matters of special relevance to ecclesial life and religious freedom," the Vatican said in a statement. "Finally, there was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved", it said. Vance and Rubio were among the 200,000 dignitaries, royals and faithful gathered Sunday to mark the official start of Leo's papacy in St Peter's Square. Before becoming pope, Leo reposted on his personal X account criticism of US President Donald Trump's administration over its approach to migration and also pilloried Vance. But Vance insisted Sunday that the United States was "very proud of him". "Certainly our prayers go with him as he starts this very important work," Vance said at a meeting with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. AFP
The Citizen
19-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Pope Leo XIV receives US VP Vance
The US Vice President is in The Vatican. This photo taken and handout on May 19, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows US Vice President JD Vance during a private audience with Pope Leo XIV in The Vatican. (Picture: AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA Pope Leo XIV received US Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican Monday, Vance's spokesperson said, a day after attending the new US pontiff's inauguration mass. The Vatican released photographs of a smiling Vance meeting the Chicago-born pope, along with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. © Agence France-Presse
eNCA
10-05-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Leo XIV, new pope and 'humble servant of God', visits Francis's tomb
VATICAN CITY - Leo XIV prayed at the tomb of Pope Francis on Saturday, just two days after being elected new head of the Catholic Church and hours after vowing to humbly follow in his predecessor's footsteps. Vatican News published a photo of the white-robed pope kneeling before Francis's simple marble tomb at the basilica in central Rome, where the faithful are still queueing to pay their respects. The surprise visit to Santa Maria Maggiore, a papal basilica in Rome beloved of Francis, who died on April 21 at age 88, capped a busy day for Leo. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP | Handout Earlier Saturday, Leo had praised Francis's "complete dedication to service" in a meeting at the Vatican with cardinals. He told them he intended to follow in the path of his predecessor during his pontificate. The meeting with the College of Cardinals -- some 133 of whom elected him pontiff Thursday -- revealed some clues as to the priorities and style of the largely unknown Augustinian. Leo explained his new choice of name reflected a commitment to social justice, while describing himself as St Peter's "unworthy Successor". Born Robert Francis Prevost, the first US pope is now charged with leading the world's 1.4 billion Catholics. Visits Augustinian shrine He told cardinals a pontiff was "a humble servant of God and of his brothers and sisters, and nothing more than this". He praised Francis's "complete dedication to service and to sober simplicity of life", according to a transcript of the gathering published by the Vatican. "Let us take up this precious legacy and continue on the journey, inspired by the same hope that is born of faith," he told the group, after they welcomed him with a standing ovation upon his arrival. Among the Church priorities championed by Francis, Leo said he intended to uphold "loving care for the least and the rejected" and his "courageous and trusting dialogue with the contemporary world in its various components and realities". He also mentioned "the missionary conversion of the entire Christian community" and the efforts of Francis to open the Church to welcome more voices. Saturday afternoon Leo paid a "private visit" to an important shrine for the Augustinian order, the Mother of Good Counsel Sanctuary in Genazzano, about 50 kilometres (31 miles) southeast of Rome, the Vatican said. Justice, labour Leo told cardinals he chose his papal name as a homage to Leo XIII, a 19th-century pontiff who had defended workers' rights. His namesake, he said, had "addressed the social question in the context of the first great Industrial Revolution". Today, the Church's social teaching is needed "in response to another Industrial Revolution and to developments in the field of artificial intelligence that pose new challenges for the defence of human dignity, justice and labour," Leo added. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP | Handout Leo is the first Augustinian pope, a religious order with a strong focus on missionary outreach and community, which experts say encourages collaboration and discussion before decision-making. In his first homily to cardinals on Friday, Leo urged the Church to restore the faith of millions around the world. Lack of faith, he warned, often went hand-in-hand with "the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society". The former missionary in Peru, who was made cardinal by Francis in 2023, is not a globally recognised figure. He had nevertheless been on many Vatican watchers' lists of potential popes ahead of the conclave. Over the coming days his actions and words will be closely scrutinised. 'Deep faith' On Sunday, Leo returns to the balcony of St Peter's Basilica where he was first introduced to the world to give the Regina Coeli prayer to assembled faithful in the square beneath him. Leo plans to meet with foreign diplomats to the Vatican next week. The following Sunday, May 18, he will preside over his inauguration mass at St Peter's Square, which expected to draw world leaders and thousands of pilgrims. Cardinals have described Leo as cast in the mold of Francis, with a commitment to the poor and disadvantaged, and a focus on those hailing from further-flung areas of the Church. VATICAN MEDIA/AFP | In an interview with Italian daily La Stampa published Saturday, US Cardinal Timothy Dolan, a conservative archbishop of New York, called the new pope "a man of deep faith, rooted in prayer and capable of listening. "This is what gives us hope; not a political programme or a communicative strategy but the concrete testimony of the Gospel," said Dolan.
Toronto Sun
10-05-2025
- General
- Toronto Sun
Survivor holds cautious hope amid claims new Pope mishandled clergy abuse allegations
Published May 10, 2025 • 1 minute read This photo taken and released on May 10, 2025 by The Vatican Media shows Pope Leo XIV paying his respects to late Pope Francis in front of his tomb at Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica in Rome. Photo by HANDOUT/VATICAN MEDIA / AFP via Getty Images ST. JOHN'S — An advocate for victims of clergy abuse says they are cautiously optimistic about Pope Leo XIV, but they are keeping a close eye on recently surfaced allegations that he previously sheltered those accused of abuse. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Newfoundlander Gemma Hickey is the board president of Ending Clergy Abuse, and they are in Rome this week to advocate for the church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy for clergy abuse. Hickey says survivors have mixed reviews about Leo, which is the name taken by Cardinal Robert Prevost upon his election Thursday, and it's too early to get a read on his past. In March, the Chicago-based group Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests filed complaints about Prevost with Vatican officials, alleging he failed to investigate claims of abuse by a priest in Peru. The group also said Prevost didn't alert authorities at a Chicago elementary school when a priest forbidden to be alone with minors because he was accused of sexual abuse was residing at a nearby friary in the early 2000s. But some advocates, including Pedro Salinas, a founding member of Ending Clergy Abuse, credits Prevost with supporting survivors of an abusive, Peru-based Catholic movement that was eventually dissolved by the late Pope Francis. — With files from The Associated Press Toronto & GTA Editorial Cartoons Columnists Toronto & GTA Columnists
