Latest news with #Vatican-area
Nahar Net
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Pope appeals for unity within Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 June 2025, 16:19 Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. "Today, I share this desire once more with all of you," he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: "For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian." During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. "In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion," Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. "The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us," he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the "crisis" in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. "Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest," he said. "We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough."
Winnipeg Free Press
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. 'Today, I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. Sundays Kevin Rollason's Sunday newsletter honouring and remembering lives well-lived in Manitoba. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the 'crisis' in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
San Francisco Chronicle
18 hours ago
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Pope Leo XIV appeals for unity within the Catholic Church in Holy Year messages to priests
ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV doubled down on Friday on his appeal for unity in the polarized Catholic Church, urging priests to act in communion with their superiors and be models of reconciliation in a world driven by conflicts and divisions. Leo appealed for unity in a triptych of messages to priests who are celebrating a special Holy Year week in Rome dedicated to clergy. He hosted a special meeting on Thursday afternoon, celebrated an ordination Mass on Friday morning and also delivered a written message to priests around the world. During the Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Leo ordained 32 new priests and recalled his appeal for unity during his installation Mass right after his May 8 election. 'Today, I share this desire once more with all of you,' he said. He quoted St. Augustine – the inspiration of his Augustinian religious order – in repeating the words he said on the night of his election: 'For you I am a bishop, with you I am a Christian.' During the meetings that preceded the conclave that elected the first American pope in history, cardinals made clear their hope that the next pontiff would heal some of the divisions within the church that deepened during the late Pope Francis' radical 12-year pontificate. Francis' progressive social justice priorities, his informal style, liturgical looseness and disdain for the capitalist economic system often alienated conservatives, particularly in Leo's native United States, who begged for a new pope who could pacify divisions. Leo's consistent reference to unity in the church suggests he has heard those appeals and is working to respond. In a message to priests around the world Friday, Leo offered encouragement in his appeal for unity, not a browbeating as Francis often gave priests. 'In a world marked by growing tensions, even within families and ecclesial communities, priests are called to promote reconciliation and foster communion,' Leo said. He added that priests should not be afraid of their own weaknesses. 'The Lord does not look for perfect priests, but for humble hearts that are open to conversion and prepared to love others as he himself loved us,' he said. He gave a similar message Thursday to thousands of priests who gathered in a Vatican-area auditorium for a Jubilee rally that ended with Leo giving English-language shoutouts to priests from various parts of the world, including his native Chicago. In the encounter, Leo acknowledged the 'crisis' in priestly vocations, which have been falling consistently in traditionally Christian parts of the world for years even as the overall global Catholic population grows. According to Vatican statistics, there were 407,730 priests globally at the end of 2022, down 142 from the previous year. Europe saw the greatest decline, losing 2,745 priests — a figure that was only compensated for globally by the addition of 1,676 priests in Africa and 1,160 in Asia. 'Thank you for who you are, and remind everyone that it's beautiful to be a priest,' he said. 'We aren't perfect, but we are friends of Christ … and that's enough.' ___
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pope Francis' friends around Rome pray for him as he fights pneumonia
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis was a frequent visitor to Rome long before he became pope, and over time found his favorite shops and artisans who are now pulling for him as he battles double pneumonia. 'The pope is by now a friend, a beloved person for me, not a customer,' said Francis' optician, Alessandro Spiezia. 'I am praying for his recovery.' Francis' occasional unannounced visits to Spiezia's shop, on the tony Via del Babuino near Piazza del Popolo, often created mob scenes as tourists and Romans alike realized the pope was inside. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Francis has popped in a few times since becoming pope in 2013 to get new lenses for his glasses, arriving in a simple Ford or Fiat with minimal security detail and waving to well-wishers as he came and went. The Argentine pope also has his favorite ice cream flavors, and a shop near his Vatican hotel has catered for years to his sweet tooth. When Argentine ice cream maker Sebastian Padrón opened his gelato laboratory around the corner from the Santa Marta hotel, his dulce de leche ice cream, a typical Argentine caramel dessert, became the pope's favorite. 'He called me on the phone after COVID to invite me,' Padròn told The Associated Press. 'He wanted to meet me since he had been eating our ice cream for a few years. We went with my family, we talked to him for a long time. A very nice meeting, very friendly, very simple, as if we were neighbors and as if we had known each other our whole lives.' Padròn added: 'After we came to know of the hospitalization we sent him our greetings, and as he always says, we must pray for him,' he said. A Vatican-area tailor also was following news of Francis' hospitalization. 'We are all saddened and we all pray for the recovery of the pope,' said Raniero Mancinelli, who sold the modest pectoral cross that Francis has been wearing for the past few decades. Before Francis' papacy, Mancinelli sold lavish crosses set with gemstones to cardinals and bishops. But afterward, the clerical style shifted to simpler crosses made of silver, Mancinelli said. They are similar to the one that a bishop friend purchased in 1998 and later gave to the future pope, who at the time was archbishop of Buenos Aires. According to Mancinelli, the current cross that the pope still wears was bought in his shop. 'Francis immediately went on a much simpler and essential style,' he explained as he cut the fabric for a bishop's garment in his historic workshop, steps away from the Vatican. When he became pope in 2013, Francis decided not to live in the lavish, baroque papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square, but to stay in an austere room at the Santa Marta hotel inside Vatican City. He has lamented that he can't walk around freely as he did when he lived in Buenos Aires, when he was known for taking public transportation. As an archbishop, Francis came to Rome frequently on periodic visits to the Vatican and frequented his favorite shops, including a record shop where he would stock up on his beloved classical music and tango. In 2022, when he went to bless the newly renovated shop and visit its owners, a Vatican reporter happened to be nearby and filmed him exiting. Francis later reached out and mused about the attention he draws during his local outings. 'I won't deny that it was (bad luck) that after taking all the precautions, there was a journalist waiting," Francis later wrote the journalist, Javier Martinez-Brocal. 'You can't lose your sense of humor.'
Boston Globe
26-02-2025
- Health
- Boston Globe
Pope Francis' friends around Rome pray for him as he fights pneumonia
Francis has popped in a few times since becoming pope in 2013 to get new lenses for his glasses, arriving in a simple Ford or Fiat with minimal security detail and waving to well-wishers as he came and went. Advertisement The Argentine pope also has his favorite ice cream flavors, and a shop near his Vatican hotel has catered for years to his sweet tooth. When Argentine ice cream maker Sebastian Padrón opened his gelato laboratory around the corner from the Santa Marta hotel, his dulce de leche ice cream, a typical Argentine caramel dessert, became the pope's favorite. 'He called me on the phone after COVID to invite me,' Padròn told The Associated Press. 'He wanted to meet me since he had been eating our ice cream for a few years. We went with my family, we talked to him for a long time. A very nice meeting, very friendly, very simple, as if we were neighbors and as if we had known each other our whole lives.' Padròn added: 'After we came to know of the hospitalization we sent him our greetings, and as he always says, we must pray for him,' he said. A Vatican-area tailor also was following news of Francis' hospitalization. 'We are all saddened and we all pray for the recovery of the pope,' said Raniero Mancinelli, who sold the modest pectoral cross that Francis has been wearing for the past few decades. Before Francis' papacy, Mancinelli sold lavish crosses set with gemstones to cardinals and bishops. But afterward, the clerical style shifted to simpler crosses made of silver, Mancinelli said. Advertisement They are similar to the one that a bishop friend purchased in 1998 and later gave to the future pope, who at the time was archbishop of Buenos Aires. According to Mancinelli, the current cross that the pope still wears was bought in his shop. 'Francis immediately went on a much simpler and essential style,' he explained as he cut the fabric for a bishop's garment in his historic workshop, steps away from the Vatican. When he became pope in 2013, Francis decided not to live in the lavish, baroque papal apartments of the Apostolic Palace overlooking St. Peter's Square, but to stay in an austere room at the Santa Marta hotel inside Vatican City. He has lamented that he can't walk around freely as he did when he lived in Buenos Aires, when he was known for taking public transportation. As an archbishop, Francis came to Rome frequently on periodic visits to the Vatican and frequented his favorite shops, including In 2022, when he went to bless the newly renovated shop and visit its owners, a Vatican reporter happened to be nearby and filmed him exiting. Francis later reached out and mused about the attention he draws during his local outings. 'I won't deny that it was (bad luck) that after taking all the precautions, there was a journalist waiting,' Francis later
