Pope Francis will open the Holy Year of the Catholic Church in St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday evening. In a solemn ceremony on Christmas Eve, the 88-year-old pontiff will open the Holy Door, which is otherwise walled up from the inside, and pass through it. The Catholic Church normally celebrates a Holy Year, also known…
Pope Francis has said that allegations of genocide in Gaza should be “carefully investigated”, marking some of his most substantial criticism yet of Israel’s war with Hamas. “According to some experts… what is happening in Gaza has the characteristics of a genocide,” Vatican News, the Holy See’s official news outlet, cited the pontiff as writing…
Pope Francis on Monday highlighted the values of migrants amid a debate in many countries on limiting immigration. “Many countries need migrants,’’ the Head of the Catholic Church said, pointing to declining birthrates and an ageing population. “Let’s not forget that migrants must be welcomed, accompanied, promoted and integrated,’’ he said during an audience in…
