Vatican news As Pope Francis reiterates his call for world peace, his thoughts are with all those who are persecuted because of their religion, a tragedy that affects people of all beliefs, everywhere. By Francesca Merlo During Sunday’s Angelus, Pope Francis calls for peace in conflict zones, solidarity with the marginalized and prayerful action against…
Olympic, Paralympic athletes and refugees come together in Rome to share stories and experiences. “Sport is a miracle,” says Mahdia Sharifi, a taekwondo player from Afghanistan. “It saved my soul.” By Joseph Tulloch Over the past month, Rome hosted the Synod on Synodality, which brought together bishops, laity, priests and religious for a month of…
The Taliban have banned women from speaking and singing in public – the latest in a series of laws passed by the Kabul government that violate the human rights of Afghan women, exactly three years after the withdrawal of US troops from the country. By Alessandro Gisotti Imagine that you leave your house tomorrow morning…
Vatican news Addressing a delegation from the Afghan Community Association in Italy, Pope Francis reiterated that religion must never be used to incite hatred and violence. By Lisa Zengarini “No one may invoke the name of God to foment contempt, hatred and violence towards others.” Pope Francis strongly reaffirmed this position on Wednesday during his…
Vatican news Vatican News speaks with former superior of the Missio sui iuris, the last priest to be in Afghanistan, Fr. Giovanni Scalese, about Pope Francis' appeal on behalf of those who suffer and are killed by massive flooding, and suggests this is helping to break a “wall of silence” that has until now left…