Pope’s Ukraine peace envoy blasts war as a “pandemic” that affects everyone
Rome, ItalyAP Pope Francis’ peace envoy for Ukraine, a veteran of the Catholic Church’s conflict-mediation efforts, blasted war as a “pandemic” on Tuesday and said all Christians are called to be peacemakers. In his first public comments since being named Ukraine envoy, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi called for the creation of a culture of peace to […]
Italy’s migrant rescue ship decree should be scrapped – Catholic bishop
Rome, Italy Reuters Italy’s new anti-immigration decree that aims to curtail NGO rescue ships should be scrapped as it violates international law, a top Catholic bishop said, in an unusually blunt attack against Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government. The decree, which was introduced in December, forces charity-run ships to request a port and sail to it […]
Italy’s Catholic Church reintroduces handshakes during Mass
Rome, Italy Reuters Italy’s Catholic Church is reintroducing handshakes for the “sign of peace” during Mass as part of a wider relaxation of anti-COVID-19 measures. “It will be possible to restore the usual form of exchanging the sign of peace,” the Italian Bishops’ Conference (CEI) said in a letter to bishops. A limited number of […]
New Italian church head faces demands for abuse inquiry
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis on Tuesday named a bishop in his own image, Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, as the new head of the Italian bishops conference, as the Italian Catholic Church comes under mounting pressure to confront its legacy of clerical sexual abuse with an independent inquiry. Francis’ widely expected choice was announced during the second […]
With caution and concern, Catholic Masses scheduled to resume in Italy
Vatican CityRNS Italian authorities on Thursday gave the go-ahead for public Masses starting on 18th May, after the government and Catholic bishops struggled to find an accord that would ensure safety measures amid the coronavirus pandemic. A protocol allowing Catholic faithful to attend Mass was signed Thursday by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte; the president of the […]