Latest news with #diplomaticcorps
The Independent
17-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
New Pope says marriage only ‘between a man and a woman'
Pope Leo XIV, in his inaugural address, has affirmed the Catholic Church 's stance against gay marriage and abortion. He emphasised the Church's definition of family as being based on a union 'between a man and woman', and the inherent dignity of unborn children and the elderly. The new Pope also addressed international relations and highlighted interfaith dialogue as essential for world peace. This address was part of a standard meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps, representing nearly 200 countries. It comes ahead of the pontiff's official installation Mass which is scheduled for Sunday, May 18.
CTV News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Pope Leo XIV affirms family is based on union between a man and a woman, unborn has inherent dignity
Bells rang out in downtown Vancouver Thursday to celebrate the election of the 267th pope, who is also the first American pontiff. VATICAN CITY — Pope Leo XIV affirmed Friday that the family is founded on the 'stable union between a man and a woman,' and that the unborn and elderly enjoy dignity as God's creatures, articulating clear Catholic teaching on marriage and abortion at the start of his pontificate. Leo, the first American pope, also called for reviving multilateral diplomacy and promoting dialogue between religions in the search for peace, in his first meeting with the Vatican diplomatic corps. The audience was private, but the Vatican released Leo's prepared text and that of the dean of the diplomatic corps. The encounter is one of the protocol requirements after a conclave, allowing a new pope to greet representatives of world governments ahead of his formal installation Mass this Sunday. The Holy See is a sovereign state under international law, has diplomatic relations with over 180 countries and enjoys observer status at the United Nations. Leo, a member of the Augustinian religious order, has emphasized peace as a priority of his pontificate, from the first words he uttered on the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica after his May 8 election, 'Peace be with you all.' In his remarks, he said the search for peace was one of the pillars of the papacy. He insisted that peace isn't just the absence of conflict but a 'gift' that requires work, from an end to the production of weapons to choosing words carefully. 'For words too, not only weapons, can wound and even kill.' He said it was up to governments to build peaceful societies 'above all by investing in the family, founded upon the stable union between a man and a woman.' 'In addition, no one is exempted from striving to ensure respect for the dignity of every person, especially the most frail and vulnerable, from the unborn to the elderly, from the sick to the unemployed, citizens and immigrants alike,' he said. Pope Francis strongly reaffirmed core Catholic teaching opposing abortion and euthanasia, saying they were evidence of today's 'throwaway culture.' But he also made reaching out to LGBTQ2S+ Catholics a hallmark, insisting they are welcome in the church. He never changed church doctrine defining marriage as a union between man and woman and homosexual acts as 'intrinsically disordered.' As the then-head of the Augustinian order, the Rev. Robert Prevost in 2012 criticized the 'homosexual lifestyle' and the role of mass media in promoting acceptance of same-sex relationships that conflicted with Catholic doctrine. A decade later, during Francis' pontificate, he acknowledged Francis' call for a more inclusive church, and said he didn't want people excluded just on the basis of their lifestyle. 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. Nicole Winfield, The Associated Press
Free Malaysia Today
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
JPJ to stop converting foreign driving licences from May 19
From Monday, foreigners who need to have a Malaysian driving licence must complete the necessary procedures that all Malaysians have to go through. (Bernama pic) PETALING JAYA : The road transport department (JPJ) will stop taking applications to convert foreign driving licences to Malaysian licences from May 19. This means that, from Monday, foreigners who need to have a Malaysian driving licence must complete the necessary procedures that all Malaysians have to go through. However, exemptions are given to individuals under the diplomatic corps, Malaysia My Second Home participants and Malaysians who only hold foreign driving licences. JPJ said this move was aimed at improving road safety, particularly involving foreigners on Malaysian roads. 'For foreigners in Malaysia for less than 12 months, if their home country is a signatory to the 1949 and 1968 convention on road traffic, they are allowed to drive in Malaysia with an international driving permit issued by the relevant authority of their home country. 'For citizens of Asean countries, they only need to have their driving licence from their home country,' it added.
