Pope in first post-lockdown outing goes to Assisi to sign text
Assisi, ItalyAP Pope Francis travelled to the tomb of his nature-loving namesake and signed an encyclical Saturday laying out his vision of a post-COVID world built on solidarity, fraternity and care for the environment. In his first outing from Rome since late February, Francis celebrated Mass in the crypt of the Basilica of St Francis […]
Two women named as cabinet ministers in a first for Bougainville
Thomson Reuters Foundation The new President of Bougainville, an autonomous part of Papua New Guinea, appointed two female cabinet ministers on Friday, a rare move in a region where women are often sidelined in politics. Papua New Guinea is one of only three countries worldwide to have no female lawmakers, though Bougainville has made some […]
In the US, Notre Dame president has virus. Senator leaves Atlanta faith conference to quarantine
RNS At least two people in addition to President Trump who attended a ceremony last Saturday, 26th September, in the White House Rose Garden to present Judge Amy Coney Barrett as Trump’s Supreme Court nominee have been infected with the coronavirus. Rev John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame University, announced on Friday that he has […]
Explainer: What happens to the US presidential election if a candidate dies or becomes incapacitated?
Reuters US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he had tested positive for COVID-19 and was going into isolation. Trump has mild symptoms, according to White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows. But the diagnosis, less than five weeks before the 3rd November election, has raised questions about what happens if a presidential candidate […]
Scholars call out Putin and the ‘escalation’ of persecution against Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia
RNS A group of 50 religion scholars from around the world is calling on President Vladimir Putin and his administration to end the persecution of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Russia. The scholars’ statement, released Thursday, follows the Center for Studies on New Religions’ one-day conference, “Jehovah’s Witnesses and Their Opponents: Russia, the West, and Beyond,” held […]
“When will this end?”: As the world passes a million COVID deaths, Italian priest reflects on loss, lessons
MARIA GRAZIA MURRU and NICOLE WINFIELD, of the Associated Press, report from Italy…
COVID-19 vaccine roll-out expected in less than three months in UK – The Times
Bengaluru, IndiaReuters A mass roll-out of a COVID-19 vaccine in Britain could be finished in as little as three months, the Times reported, citing government scientists. Scientists working on the Oxford vaccine hope regulators approve it before the beginning of 2021, the newspaper said. A full COVID-19 immunization programme, which would exclude children, could be […]
Brazil’s Bolsonaro baffles evangelicals with top court pick
Sao Paulo, BrazilAP Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Friday nominated a judge with a record of flexible rulings to the country’s Supreme Court, frustrating evangelical members of his conservative base who had been promised one of their own for the opening. Bolsonaro announced his nomination of Kassio Marques on Thursday during a live broadcast on […]
Faith leaders offer prayers as President Trump tests positive for COVID-19
RNS As news of President Donald Trump’s positive COVID-19 test spread, prayers began flowing for his recovery and for the recovery of First Lady Melania Trump. Among the first to pray: former Vice President Joe Biden, Trump’s rival in the current presidential race. President Trump tweeted the news of his positive test shortly after midnight […]