ZENIT - The World Seen From Rome

Vermont Approval of Euthanasia Seen as Slippery Slope in Action

2013-05-21T09:39:12-04:00

Cardinal Seán O’Malley of Boston, chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, warned of an “alarming trend nationwide” after Vermont legalized physician-assisted suicide, May 20. He called for “all people of good will to fight the future passage of such laws.” “I e...

Civil Marriage Ceremonies

2013-05-21T09:32:18-04:00

Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy and dean of theology at the Regina Apostolorum university. Q: My fiancée would like to be married within the Catholic Church. She is an Irish citizen and I am American. We are planning to marry in Ireland, but because of immigration issu...

Oklahoma Archbishop: We Will Walk Together

2013-05-21T09:26:20-04:00

As the death toll remains uncertain in Oklahoma following Monday's massive tornado, the local archbishop is assuring the Church's spiritual presence and practical assistance. Archbishop Paul Coakley of Oklahoma City noted that his initial primary concern is for the victims, and he expressed his gratitude and prom...

Terra Sancta Museum to Open in Jerusalem

2013-05-21T09:16:44-04:00

In 2015, in the heart of the Old City of Jerusalem, the Terra Sancta Museum – the only museum in the world dedicated to the roots of Christianity and the preservation of the Holy Places – will open: a permanent exhibit established by the Custody of the Holy Land to shed light on the history of this extraordinary la...

Vatican Museums Hosts Study Day on Pieta's Reconstruction

2013-05-21T08:32:32-04:00

On 21 May 1972, Michelangelo's Pieta, exhibited to the public in St. Peter's Basilica, was attacked by a hammer-wielding tourist who had managed to elude the sanctuary's guards. Hungarian-born Australian geologist Laszlo Toth, who suffered from sever mental problems, threw himself at the sculpture shouting, “I am J...

Pope's Telegram to Victims of Oklahoma Tornado

2013-05-21T08:15:31-04:00

Here is the telegram sent by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican Secretary of State, to Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City expressing Pope Francis' sympathy for the victims of the tragic tornado that struck Oklahoma City yesterday. * * * The Holy Father has followed with deep concern the aftermath of th...

Final Declaration from the IV Christian-Buddhist Colloquium

2013-05-21T07:58:54-04:00

Here is the text of the Final Declaration made during the IV Buddhist-Christian Colloguium held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University on May 6th, under the theme "Inner Peace, Peace among Peoples. The Holy See made the text available yesterday afternoon. * * * 1. The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialo...

Bringing a Living Christ Forward

2013-05-21T07:55:09-04:00

Pope Francis’ meeting with the movements, new communities, and ecclesial associations on Saturday brought hundreds of thousands of people to greet the Holy Father. A palpable excitement filled the streets of Rome as the Pope waved to the crowds in his popemobile not only in St. Peter’s Square, but also the thousand...

Pope Expresses Sympathy for Oklahoma Tornado Victims

2013-05-20T20:00:00-04:00

Pope Francis sent a message via Twitter expressing his sympathy to the victims of the tornado that struck Oklahoma yesterday. The death toll has reached 51, including 20 children, when the nearly two mile wide tornado touched down in Oklahoma City. Local authorities stated that the death toll is expected to rise ...

Fr. Lombardi: Pope Francis Did Not Perform Exorcism

2013-05-21T03:17:16-04:00

Fr. Federico Lombardi, director of the Holy See Press Office, denied reports that Pope Francis performed an exorcism after the Pentecost Mass celebrated in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday. As customary after public celebrations or general audiences, Pope Francis greeted and blessed the sick. A priest presented a whe...

Catholic Bishop in Egypt Notes Hopes for Strengthened Ties With Copts

2013-05-20T10:13:27-04:00

A Coptic Catholic bishop has expressed hopes that the historic meeting May 10 between Pope Francis and Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II will lead to the Coptic Orthodox Church recognizing Catholic baptism. Bishop Kyrillos William of Assiut described to Aid to the Church in Need his hopes for what he called a “wat...

Focolare President Promises Pope Testimony of Joy

2013-05-20T09:58:30-04:00

Focolare President Maria Voce greeted Pope Francis on Saturday, in an event with various leaders of the ecclesial movements and lay associations gathered around the Pope for Pentecost celebrations. Voce assured him of the commitment of the Focolare "to give this testimony of a courageous and joyful Christianity."...

Cardinal Dolan's Address at Notre Dame Commencement

2013-05-20T09:54:31-04:00

Here is the address given Sunday by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, archbishop of New York and president of the US bishops' conference, at the University of Notre Dame commencement. * * * Thank you, Notre Dame, for the joy of your company, the gracious invitation, the warm welcome, and the high honor of this degree. ...

Cardinal Tauran: Politics Can Be a Path to Holiness

2013-05-20T09:24:50-04:00

The president of the Vatican's council for interreligious dialogue says that politics can be a path to holiness, but that one has to enter public service without seeking anything in return. Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran made that reflection in his prologue to the new French edition of a book about Robert Schuman, co...

Holy See to UN on Human Trafficking

2013-05-20T08:18:03-04:00

Here is the statement by Archbishop Francis Chullikatt, apostolic nuncio and permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations, at the UN High-level Meeting of the General Assembly on the Global Plan of Action to Combat Trafficking in Persons. The meeting was May 13-14. * * * Mr. President, Today’s mee...

Excerpts From Pope Francis' Q-and-A at Vigil With Movements

2013-05-19T20:00:00-04:00

Here is a translation provided by Vatican Information Service of excerpts from Francis' question-and-answer session with members of movements, communities and ecclesial associations. The q-and-a session was held Saturday in St. Peter’s Square, in the context of the Pentecost gathering of the Pope with ecclesial mov...

Neocatechumenal Way Initiators Meet with Pope Francis

2013-05-19T20:00:00-04:00

Kiko Argüello, Carmen Hernández and Fr. Mario Pezzi, the initiators of the Neocatechumenal Way, were present during the Holy Father’s morning mass at Domus Sanctae Marthae on Saturday morning. The Neocatechumenal Way, an itinerary of Christian formation, were among the communities, movements and lay associations ...

Francis Meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel

2013-05-20T06:23:32-04:00

On Saturday morning, the Holy Father met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Vatican Apostolic Palace. According to a communique released by the Holy See, Pope Francis and Chancellor Merkel discussed several topics of mutual interest, especially the current socio-political, economic, and religious situati...

Conducting the Symphony of Truth

2013-05-19T20:00:00-04:00

When I was in high school, I went to the symphony for the first time. I was impressed by the sound, the acoustics of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. But I didn’t get the conductor. He didn’t play any instrument, and the musicians all had the music in front of them, anyway. Seemed like useless hand-waving, wind...

Pontiff Calls Movements and Communities Part of the Riches of the Church

2013-05-20T05:49:38-04:00

Before concluding the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of Pentecost, Pope Francis thanked the thousands of pilgrims gathered from various movements, ecclesial communities and associations who were present. The Holy Father’s address was followed by the recitation of the Regina Caeli. The Year of Faith celebrations w...

Pope Francis: 'Be Open to the Newness of the Holy Spirit'

2013-05-20T05:37:15-04:00

Over 200,000 people from all over the world gathered in Rome to celebrate the Solemnity of Pentecost with Pope Francis on Sunday. The Mass was the concluding event of the two day pilgrimage of ecclesial movements, communities, and lay associations which was one of the many Year of Faith celebrations this year. Th...

On Pentecost

2013-05-18T20:00:00-04:00

Here is the translation of the Holy Father's address prior to the recitation of the Regina Caeli at the conclusion of the Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost. * * * Dear brothers and sisters, This feast of faith, which began yesterday with the vigil and culminated this morning with the Eucharist, is about to...

Pope Francis' Homily at Pentecost Mass

2013-05-18T20:00:00-04:00

Here is the translation of Pope Francis' homily at Mass for the Solemnity of Pentecost which was celebrated this morning at St. Peter's Square. * * * Dear Brothers and Sisters, Today we contemplate and re-live in the liturgy the outpouring of the Holy Spirit sent by the risen Christ upon his Church; an event...

Irish Senator Supports One of Us Campaign

2013-05-17T09:39:34-04:00

Here is an interview of Ronan Mullen by Elisabetta Pittino, regarding the One of Us campaign, and the current legal battle over abortion in Ireland. * * * Senator Ronan Mullen is from Ahascragh in Co Galway, Ireland. He was elected as an independent senator in July 2007 and was re-elected, topping the poll, ...

Ongoing Formation for US Priests Tackles Modern Issues

2013-05-17T08:33:11-04:00

In the Spring of 2014, the Pontifical North American College (PNAC) will continue its newly restructured ongoing formation program for priests, this time focusing on the following themes: spiritual direction; Scripture studies of Mary, Saint John, and Saint Paul; and answering today's moral questions. The PNAC's ...