Vatican to unveil nativity scene celebrating the 800th anniversary of the crèche
Vatican CityRNS A life-size crèche representing the nativity will be unveiled at St Peter’s Square on Saturday, celebrating the 800th anniversary of a Catholic tradition long since adopted by Christians across denominations. The crèche has enjoyed great popularity in Italy and beyond ever since St Francis of Assisi created the first one in 1223 in […]
Health Insight: ‘Tis the season to be jolly – singing Christmas carols together isn’t just a tradition, it’s also good for you
In an article first published on The Conversation, WENDY HARGREAVES and MELISSA FORBES, of the University of Southern Queensland, say group singing engages many beneficial biological, psychological, behavioural and social processes…
Pope appeals to the young to save the planet, find peace
Assisi, Italy AP Pope Francis, visiting Assisi, the birthplace of his namesake saint who was close to nature, called on Saturday for “courage” in abandoning fossil fuels and lamented that older generations didn’t know how to protect the planet and secure peace. He told young people he was pinning his hopes on their efforts in […]
Inspired by Pope Francis, graffiti artist brings pop message to young people in Assisi
Vatican City RNS Pope Francis’ economic vision meets graffiti art in a new show by Roman artist Mauro Pallotta, or Maupal, who hopes his work will inspire the thousands of young adults gathering in Assisi this week as they imagine a new kind of global economy. The artist’s nine most influential works are on exhibit in […]
Pope offers hope to poor in visit to namesake’s Assisi home
Assisi, Italy AP Pope Francis travelled to the hilltop town of his namesake for the fifth time in his pontificate on Friday to honour the poorest and most marginal and urge that they be welcomed and cared for by the church. In one of his first outings in Italy since the coronavirus pandemic, Francis took […]
Sight-Seeing: “No man is an island,” wrote John Donne on a grim Christmas amid a pandemic
In an article first published by Religion News Service, ANDREW MCGOWAN, Anglican priest and dean of Berkeley Divinity School at Yale, reflects on how the recognition that death is not the end may help Christians in what is a “grim” Christmas for many…
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 […]
Pope set to make first trip since pandemic to saint’s town
Vatican CityAP Pope Francis is next month set to make what would be his first visit outside Rome since Italy was put under lockdown in early March when it became the first country in Europe to feel the full brunt of the coronavirus pandemic. The Pope is to journey to Assisi, the birthplace in the […]
As Christmas season starts, Pope defends nativity scenes in public places
Rome, ItalyReuters Pope Francis on Sunday defended the display of nativity scenes in town squares and other public places, which has become an annual contentious issue at Christmas time in countries such as the United States and France. The Pope travelled to the town of Greccio, east of Rome, to visit the spot where St […]
GOING GREEN: FROM BETTER BULBS TO MORE TREES, ITALY’S ASSISI TAKES ON CLIMATE CHANGE
As the world meets to discuss action on climate change in Bonn, ALEX WHITING, of the Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports on how this talian pilgrimage town, home to St Francis, is looking to cleaner energy and greener living…