Archbishop José Ángel Saiz Meneses of Seville urged unity among Catholics upset over the recent restoration of a 17th-century statue of the Virgin Mary known as the Virgin of La Macarena, or Our Lady of Hope of Macarena.
Cuban bishops urge leaders to address nation’s economic crisis
The bishops of Cuba said the island nation’s economic situation and its people’s dire circumstances can no longer be ignored and must be addressed by its leaders.
Pope ‘deeply saddened’ by tragic Air India plane crash
Pope Leo XIV expressed his closeness to victims’ families after an Air India flight headed to London Gatwick airport crashed shortly after takeoff in the western city of Ahmedabad.
In Syria, doubts raised about discovery of body said to be that of kidnapped priest
The announcement of the discovery of a body believed to be that of Jesuit Father Paolo Dall’Oglio has prompted church officials in Syria, including the apostolic nuncio, to urge prudence as investigations continue.
Pope Leo to inaugurate his papacy May 18; a look at his May calendar
Pope Leo XVI will officially inaugurate his papacy with Mass in St. Peter’s Square May 18.
As conclave begins, it’s business as usual at the Vatican … sort of
In Rome, the conclave is the talk of the town: from speculation over a morning espresso about who will be the next pope to taxi drivers complaining about how roadblocks have made their work even more difficult.
Papal ring, insignia destroyed at cardinals’ final meeting
On the eve of the conclave that will decide the next pontiff, the ring and lead seal of the late Pope Francis were destroyed in the presence of members of the College of Cardinals in the Vatican’s New Synod Hall.
Child protection commission urges prayers for cardinals in conclave
As the College of Cardinals continues to discuss the church’s most pressing issues before the conclave, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors said it was encouraged that protecting children and vulnerable people was a priority in those discussions.
To love and be loved is Christian way, French cardinal says
Only through loving others and accepting love in spite of one’s own failures can Christians truly understand and proclaim the joy of Christ’s victory over death, said French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline of Marseille.
Convert in a conclave: Swedish cardinal remains in the spotlight
Le Figaro had described Cardinal Arborelius as “first and foremost a man of prayer but also a noted theologian, committed to ecumenism.” It also said his leadership of a church in “a highly secularized country where Catholicism is in the minority” is an advantage.
At final memorial Mass, Pope Francis remembered as tireless shepherd
On the final day of official mourning for the death of Pope Francis, the late pontiff was remembered as someone who was determined to live out the mission entrusted to him and serve others, even when his health deteriorated.
Cardinals must remember primary call to serve, Argentine cardinal says
As successors to the apostles, members of the College of Cardinals are called to follow the example of Christ who came to serve and not be served, the subdean of the college said.