Pope ‘deeply saddened’ after powerful 7.4 magnitude quake strikes Taiwan April 4, 2024By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis expressed his condolences to the people of Taiwan after a powerful earthquake struck the island nation’s eastern shore.
Aid workers in Gaza, including at least one Catholic, killed by Israeli strike April 2, 2024By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, News, World News World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organization that delivers food in war-torn countries, expressed outrage after seven of its workers were killed in an Israeli missile strike in Gaza.
Monte Cassino Abbey: Tragic anniversary offers lesson to world at war February 15, 2024By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News On Feb. 15, 1944, over 100 heavy and medium bombers dropped more than 1,000 tons of explosives, turning the centuries-old monastery, which was founded by St. Benedict of Nursia in 529, into a fiery pile of rubble.
Italy grants citizenship to critically ill 8-month-old refused further treatment in UK November 7, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: News, Respect Life, World News The Italian government granted citizenship to Indi Gregory, an 8-month-old child suffering from a degenerative disease who is at the center of a legal battle in the U.K. to keep her on life support.
Initiative urges pope to write encyclical on nonviolence; patriarch cites ‘horrors’ of war October 24, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Amid wars around the world, particularly in Ukraine and the Holy Land, the Catholic Church needs to speak out on nonviolence as a necessary option for any hope of peace, said a representative of Pax Christi International, urging the pope to write an encyclical on nonviolence and just peace.
Palestine ambassador says Vatican should play role in mediating end of ‘carnage’ October 19, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Feature, News, Vatican, World News The Vatican, especially Pope Francis, must double its efforts and urge the international community to end the massacre of Palestinians killed in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war, Palestine’s ambassador to Denmark said.
Hamas attack a catastrophe of ‘biblical dimensions,’ says Israeli ambassador October 9, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Israel, Feature, News, World News The shock of the surprise attack by Hamas militants on Israel, in which hundreds were killed, wounded or kidnapped, has left a traumatic mark on Israeli citizens, said the country’s ambassador to the Vatican.
Attacks on Odesa prove Russia is a ‘terrorist’ state, Ukraine ambassador says July 24, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, World News Ukraine’s ambassador to the Holy See said the onslaught of attacks on Odesa and several surrounding cities shows that Russia’s actions are no different than the actions of a terrorist organization.
Heroic Catholic pilgrim protects children in France knife attack; children recovering from injuries June 12, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Calling on Catholics to pray for the victims of a stabbing at a local playground, French Bishop Yves Le Saux of Annecy said the horrific attack was an indication of growing societal violence.
After visit to Ukraine, Swedish cardinal says he hopes for ‘just peace’ May 31, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Crisis in Ukraine, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Cardinal Arborelius and Bishop Varden visited Ukraine May 9-10 on behalf of the Nordic bishops’ conference, which comprises Sweden, Norway, Finland, Denmark and Iceland. The purpose of the visit, Cardinal Arborelius said, was “to convey our solidarity and prayers to the faithful of Ukraine.”
Gunman attacks Jehovah’s Witness hall in Germany; 7 reported dead, including gunman March 10, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Gun Violence, News, World News Seven people, including an unborn baby, were killed in a shooting at a Jehovah’s Witness meeting hall in Hamburg, Germany.
After papal visit, spirit of Iraq continues to revive, Dominican priest says March 5, 2023By Junno Arocho Esteves OSV News Filed Under: Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, Feature, News, World News “Revive the Spirit of Mosul” is an initiative that intends to rebuild the ancient city and its historical and religious landmarks that were destroyed or heavily damaged during the devastating occupation of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, commonly known as ISIL.