Pope Francis

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/world-day-of-migrants-and-refugees-to-focus-on-right-to-stay.html

World Day of Migrants and Refugees to focus on right to stay
21 March 2023, 11:57

The Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development announces the theme of this year’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees focused on the right to choose migration as an option for livelihood and personal development.
By Lisa Zengarini

Pope Francis has chosen “Free to choose whether to migrate or to stay” as the theme for the 109th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, to be celebrated on 24 September.

The Day is observed every year on the last Sunday of September as an occasion to express support and concern for people who are forced to flee their homes, to encourage Catholics worldwide to remember and pray for those displaced by conflict and persecution, and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers. It was first celebrated in 1914.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253903/christ-is-our-future-vatican-announces-theme-schedule-for-pope-francis-budapest-trip

‘Christ is our future’: Vatican announces theme, schedule for Pope Francis’ Budapest trip
By Hannah Brockhaus
Rome Newsroom, Mar 21, 2023 / 12:00 pm

Pope Francis will travel to Budapest, Hungary, in just over a month for an April 28–30 visit to the capital of the central European country.

The theme of the papal trip is “Christ is our future.” The logo is a stylized drawing of Budapest’s Chain Bridge, the oldest Hungarian bridge over the River Danube.

According to the Vatican, the bridge “was originally built to connect the cities of Buda and Pest” and “evokes the idea, often referred to by the Holy Father, of the importance of building bridges between people.”

A circle around the bridge symbolizes the Eucharist. In 2021, Budapest hosted the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress, for which Pope Francis celebrated the final Mass.

According to 2019 statistics from the Vatican, approximately 61% of Hungary’s 9.7 million people identify as Catholic. The country’s second-highest religious demographic is those with no religious faith.

Schedule
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253905/disney-doc-features-pope-francis-talk-with-gen-z-on-lgbtq-issues-abortion

Disney doc features Pope Francis’ talk with Gen Z on LGBTQ issues, abortion, and more
By Peter Pinedo
Washington D.C., Mar 21, 2023 / 13:30 pm

Disney will release a new documentary April 5 titled “The Pope Answers,” airing an extended conversation between Pope Francis and 10 members of Generation Z, discussing the Church’s stance on LGBTQ+ issues, abortion, clergy abuse, feminism, and more.

Shot in Rome and directed by left-leaning Spanish filmmakers Jordi Évole and Marius Sanchez, the documentary is entirely in Spanish and will be released exclusively on Hulu in the U.S.

Évole’s production company Producciones del Barrio (Neighborhood Productions) is known for such documentaries as “Mr. Trump, Pardon the Interruption,” investigating the impact of Trump’s border policies on Hispanic communities, and “What You Give Me,” which explores the meaning of life with the late Spanish musician Pau Dones.

Évole is also known for hosting, directing, and producing the Spanish news show “Salvados” (“Saved,” 2008-2019), which sparked controversy for its criticism and satiric humor directed at the Catholic Church. In one episode, Évole visited Opus Dei’s Torreciudad Shrine and was filmed serving as an altar boy at Mass.

The trailer for “The Pope Answers,” which you can watch here, shows an informal conversation between Francis and a small group of young people discussing some of the Church’s most controversial positions and some of society’s most difficult problems.

Among the questions fielded by the pope:
 

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https://cruxnow.com/news-analysis/2023/03/pope-franciss-vatican-doesnt-share-western-alarm-over-xi-putin-summit

Pope Francis’s Vatican doesn’t share Western alarm over Xi-Putin summit
By John L. Allen Jr.
Mar 21, 2023

ROME – As President Xi Jinping of China continues his “journey of friendship, cooperation and peace” to Moscow to cement ties with President Vladimir Putin, the outing is setting off alarms in Western capitals, where officials are worried, among other things, that Beijing’s heretofore tacit support for Russia’s war in Ukraine might turn overt.

More broadly, Western leaders seem to fear the leaders of the world’s two largest and most powerful authoritarian states are cementing an anti-democratic alliance. White House national security spokesman John Kirby groused that “these are two countries that have long chafed at U.S. leadership around the world,” while American Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warned that Xi’s visit just after Putin had been indicted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes will “provide diplomatic cover for Russia to continue to commit those very crimes.”

As Financial Times columnist Gideon Rachman put it, “Russia and China remain close partners — linked by their joint hostility to America and its allies.”

Yet there was one traditionally Western center of power that seemed immune to the anxiety: The Vatican under Pope Francis.
 

https://www.ncregister.com/news/vatican-largely-silent-as-china-forces-catholics-to-adapt-to-socialist-society
Vatican Largely Silent as China Forces Catholics to ‘Adapt to Socialist Society’
For many years, knowledgeable voices have been warning the Vatican about the dangers of Sinicization.
Edward Pentin Vatican March 20, 2023

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253860/vatican-china-deal-not-the-best-deal-possible-top-holy-see-diplomat-says
Vatican-China deal ‘not the best deal possible,’ top Holy See diplomat says
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Mar 14, 2023 / 08:54 am

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-consecrates-voice-of-the-unborn-bell-for-zambia.html

Pope Francis consecrates ‘Voice of the Unborn Bell’ for Zambia
22 March 2023, 13:46

Ahead of Wednesday’s General Audience, Pope Francis solemnly blesses a “Voice of the Unborn” Bell, which will eventually peal in the Cathedral of Lusaka, Zambia.
By Vatican News staff reporters

During the Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis stressed that the Feast of the Annunciation of the Lord, celebrated on 25 March, is recalled in Poland as the Day of the Sanctity of Life.

The Holy Father also pointed out that the 'Voice of the Unborn' Bells are a reminder of the need to protect life from conception to natural death.
“As a sign of the need to protect human life from conception to natural death, the 'Yes to Life' Foundation is donating to Zambia the Voice of the Unborn, a bell I have blessed. May its sound carry the message that every life is sacred and inviolable," said Pope Francis at the General Audience. Ahead of the Audience, the Pope blessed the Voice of the Unborn Bell.
 

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Video, with English commentary, at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-at-audience-the-first-means-of-evangelization-is-witness.html
Pope at Audience: The first means of evangelization is witness
22 March 2023, 10:14

Pope Francis continues his weekly catechesis at his General Audience and urges all those present to re-read Saint Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation "Evangelii nuntiandi", as each person goes forth in their journey of evangelizing and evangelization.
By Francesca Merlo

Addressing the faithful gathered in St Peter's Square for his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis spoke of evangelization, and opened his catechesis by referring to Saint Paul VI's Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi. He noted that "evangelization is more than just simple doctrinal and moral transmission but rather that it is first and foremost, the witness of the personal encounter with Jesus Christ, the Incarnate Word in which salvation is fulfilled". The witness of Christ, continued the Pope, "is at the same time the first means of evangelization and an essential condition for its efficacy, so that the proclamation of the Gospel may be fruitful"
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-audience-appeal-world-water-day-primary-good.html
Pope on World Water Day: No to water wars, abuse and waste
22 March 2023, 10:33

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-russia-ukraine-mary-immaculate-heart.html
Pope urges renewed consecration of Ukraine and Russia to Mary
22 March 2023, 11:02

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2023.index.html
Audiences 2023
General Audience of 22 March 2023 - Catechesis. The passion for evangelization: the apostolic zeal of the believer 8. The first way of evangelization: witness" (cfr. Evangelii nuntiandi)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-alphonsian-academy-pontifical-conference.html

Pope Francis: Beware of 'cold, desktop morality'
23 March 2023, 11:47

Amid today's vast challenges, Pope Francis calls for holding close to Christ and warns against a cold, desktop morality, when addressing participants in a two-day course on 'St. Alphonsus: Pastor of the Last and Doctor of the Church' at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.
By Deborah Castellano Lubov

Pope Francis on Thursday warned against a cold, desktop morality, and called for giving reasons for our hope, as he addressed participants in a two-day course on 'St. Alphonsus: Pastor of the Last and Doctor of the Church' at the Alphonsian Academy in Rome.

The Alphonsian Academy is a Higher Institute of Moral Theology located in Rome, Italy, founded in 1949 by the Redemptorists. Since 1960, the Academy has specialized in moral theology as a part of the Faculty of Theology of the Pontifical Lateran University. As such, the Academy grants both licentiate and doctoral degrees in Moral Theology.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To Participants in the Conference promoted by the Alphonsianum Academy (23 March 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-work-of-mercy-coincides-with-missionary-vocation-of-chuch.html

Pope: Work of mercy coincides with missionary vocation of Church
23 March 2023, 11:48

Pope Francis emphasizes the importance of the Sacrament of Confession, in an address to the participants in the 33rd Course on the Internal Forum organized by the Apostolic Penitentiary.
By Christopher Wells

“There is an inseparable link between the missionary vocation of the Church and the offering of mercy to all men,” Pope Francis said on Thursday.

The Holy Father was addressing participants in the annual course on the Internal Forum, organized each year by the Apostolic Penitentiary – the Vatican Dicastery “competent in all matters regarding the internal form and indulgences as expressions of divine mercy.”
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To Participants in the Course on the Internal Forum organized by the Tribunal of the Apostolic Penitentiary (23 March 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-audience-comece-crociata-europe-unity-peace.html

Pope tells EU Bishops to advance the cause of peace
23 March 2023, 11:50

Pope Francis addresses EU bishops who have just elected Mariano Crociata as their new president, and invites them to continue to pursue the cause of peace.
By Linda Bordoni

Pope Francis addressed European Union’s bishops and their new President, Archbishop Mariano Crociata, and asked them to never lose sight of the “the two great dreams of Europe’s founding fathers: the dream of unity and the dream of peace.”

Present for the audience on Thursday morning, were the Delegates of the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) who elected Crociata on Wednesday at the conclusion of their Spring Plenary Assembly. On the same occasion, four Vice-Presidents were also elected: Bishops Antoine Hérouard, Nuno Bras da Silva Martins, Rimantas Norvila and Czeslaw Kozon.

The Pope invited the EU bishops to continue keeping their eyes on a horizon defined by the inspiring values of the Europe project: unity and peace.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To Participants in the Plenary Assembly of the Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) (23 March 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-decrees-saints-croci-flanagan-battista-pereira.html

Pope Francis recognizes heroic virtues of 5 women and a priest
23 March 2023, 12:08

Pope Francis approves decrees to promote 3 religious women, 2 laywomen, and 1 Salesian missionary priest along the path toward sainthood.
By Tiziana Campisi

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, met Thursday with Pope Francis, who approved decrees related to 6 new Venerables.

With the decrees, the Pope recognized the heroic virtues of a priest, 3 women religious, and 2 laywomen.

The new Servants of God are: Fr. Carlo Crespi Croci, an Italian-born Salesian missionary in Ecuador; Mother Mary Catherine Flanagan, an British-born Brigidine sister; Sr. Leonilde di San Giovanni Battista, an Italian-born religious of the Congregation of the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary; Sr. María do Monte Pereira, a Portuguese-born religious of the Hospitaller Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; Teresa Enríquez de Alvaredo, a Spanish-born laywoman and mother of four; and, Maria Domenica Lazzeri, an Italian-born laywoman and stigmatist.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-reiterates-call-for-ensuring-human-right-to-water.html

Pope reiterates call to ensure fundamental human right to water
23 March 2023, 18:37

Pope Francis sends a message to participants in an event connected to the framework of the UN Water Conference taking place in New York, and calls for “concrete and effective” action to ensure the universal human right to access water, calling it is a right to life.
By Lisa Zengarini

As the international community observes World Water Day this week, Pope Francis has reiterated his urgent call for a renewed international effort to achieve universal access to clean water and sanitation, which the United Nations recognized in 2010 as a fundamental human right.

“We must join forces, involving the entire international community cooperating to create a consensus so as to allow the integral development of humanity,” the Pope said.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-audience-families-dead-miners-coal-accident-poland.html

Pope tells bereaved families of Polish miners 'sometimes anger is prayer'
24 March 2023, 12:12

Pope Francis receives in audience the families of Polish miners who died in two coal mine accidents in April 2022 and prays with them in silence.
By Linda Bordoni

Eighteen people died in April last year in southern Poland and many others were injured after two coal mine accidents in a single week.

Ten miners lost their lives at the Pniowek mine on 20 April when a tremor at the site caused methane gas to be discharged, and eight died three days later at the Boreynia-Zofiowka mine where a firestorm caused an explosion.

Pope Francis on Friday received family members of the victims of those accidents, expressed his closeness, and prayed with them in silence.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To the families of the Polish miners who perished in coal mines on 20 and 23 April 2022 (24 marzo 2023)

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-highlights-need-to-help-parents-with-hospitalized-children.html

Pope highlights need to help parents with hospitalized children
24 March 2023, 15:09

Pope Francis sends a message for the inauguration of the "Casa Fabrizio Frizzi" in Milan, Italy, that assists parents with children who are hospitalized. He underscores the need to assist parents so they can be close to their children dealing with illness.
By Vatican News

Pope Francis has underscored the importance of families having the possibility to be at the side of their infirm children in a messagge addressed to Italy's "Unitalsi Lombarda", the Lombardy branch of an association that assists the sick in making pilgrimages to Lourdes and other international shrines. The association just inaugurated its "Casa Fabrizio Frizzi" dedicated to welcoming the parents of hospitalized children.

The Pope writes that this initiative realizes "the dream of a home that can welcome with a smile those who are having to deal with illness, and especially the mothers and fathers who struggle alongside their children who are often very young." The Pope notes in his message how for every child who falls ill, care and recovery involves doctors and nurses but also requires "the love, tenderness and closeness of mothers and fathers" who can be there with them, especially because serious illness often requires specialized care that is often found in hospitals far from home.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253933/pope-francis-asked-catholics-to-renew-marian-consecration-of-russia-and-ukraine-here-s-what-that-means

Pope Francis asked Catholics to renew Marian consecration every March 25. Here’s what that means
By Jonah McKeown
St. Louis, Mo., Mar 24, 2023 / 12:30 pm

March 25 marks one year since Pope Francis consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Earlier this week, the pope encouraged “each believer and community, especially prayer groups,” to renew the consecration of the whole world every March 25 on the solemnity of the Annunciation. But what does all this mean? Here’s what you need to know.
 
What am I being asked to do now?

Here’s what Pope Francis said:

“Let us not tire of entrusting the cause of peace to the Queen of Peace. I would therefore like to invite every believer and community, especially prayer groups, to renew every March 25 the act of consecration to Our Lady, so that she, who is Mother, may preserve us all in unity and peace. And let us not forget, in these days, troubled Ukraine, who is suffering so much.”

What is the prayer I’m being asked to pray?

The text of the prayer can be found here.
 

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/250756/vatican-pope-francis-text-for-march-25-consecration-prayer
Vatican releases text for March 25 consecration prayer for Ukraine, Russia
By CNA Staff
Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Mar 22, 2022 / 10:41 am

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Update: Murder of Bishop David O’Connell

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253932/housekeeper-s-husband-pleads-not-guilty-to-murder-of-bishop-david-o-connell
Housekeeper’s husband pleads not guilty to murder of Bishop David O’Connell
By Joe Bukuras
Boston, Mass., Mar 24, 2023 / 12:00 pm

Carlos Medina, the man charged with murdering Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell in February, pleaded not guilty at his arraignment in court Wednesday.

News of O’Connell’s Feb. 18 murder shocked the nation after it was reported that he died after suffering multiple gunshot wounds at his Hacienda Heights home. The local and wider Catholic community mourned O’Connell, who was remembered as a man of peace dedicated to serving the poor and immigrants.

Medina, 61, is the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper, and it remains unclear what the motive for the murder might have been. He is being held on more than $2 million bail and will have his next court hearing May 17.

Before his not guilty plea, Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón said in a Feb. 22 press conference that Medina admitted to the murder.
 

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The movie: “The Pope’s Exorcist”

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253928/exorcists-worry-russell-crowe-movie-will-distort-vatican-exorcist-gabriel-amorth
Here’s what real exorcists are saying about Russell Crowe’s Vatican exorcist movie
By Kevin J. Jones
Denver, Colo., Mar 24, 2023 / 09:56 am

The trailer of the upcoming Russell Crowe movie “The Pope’s Exorcist” indicates that the film might not do justice to the Italian exorcist Father Gabriel Amorth or the rite of exorcism as practiced in the Catholic Church, according to an exorcist organization Amorth himself helped to found.

The International Association of Exorcists on March 7 voiced concern that the film seems to fall under the category of “splatter cinema,” which it calls a “sub-genre of horror.”

The Vatican, the statement said, is filmed with a high-contrast “chiaroscuro” effect seen in film noir.

This gives the film a “‘Da Vinci Code’ effect to instill in the public the usual doubt: Who is the real enemy? The devil or ecclesiastical ‘power’?” the exorcists’ association said.

While special effects are “inevitable” in every film about demonic possession, “everything is exaggerated, with striking physical and verbal manifestations, typical of horror films,” the group said.

“This way of narrating Don Amorth’s experience as an exorcist, in addition to being contrary to historical reality, distorts and falsifies what is truly lived and experienced during the exorcism of truly possessed people,” said the association, which claims more than 800 exorcist members and more than 120 auxiliary members worldwide.

“In addition, it is offensive with regard to the state of suffering in which those who are victims of an extraordinary action of the devil find themselves,” the group’s statement added. The statement responded to the release of the movie trailer and promised a more in-depth response to the film’s April 14 theatrical release.
 

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https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-to-italian-parishioners-always-walk-together-with-love.html

Pope to Italian Catholics: Always walk together with fraternal love
25 March 2023, 12:52

Meeting in the Vatican with a group of parishioners from the Italian city of Rho, in the Archdiocese of Milan, Pope Francis highlights the role of the parish as a community walking together at the service of all and animated by the same love of Christ.
By Lisa Zengarini

“The world doesn't end with ourselves, and we only really discover it by walking together, day by day.” Pope Francis stressed this on Saturday when meeting in the Vatican with some 2,000 pilgrims from two parishes of the northern Italian city of Rho, in the Archdiocese of Milan. The group was accompanied by the parish priest, Fr. Michele Di Tolve, whom the Pope has known personally since his days as a cardinal.
 
https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/speeches/2023/march.index.html
Speeches 2023 March
To the faithful of the parishes of Rho (Milan) (25 March 2023)

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Apostolic Letter: Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”)

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/pope-francis-modifies-vos-estis-lux-mundi-abuse-procedures.html
Pope confirms ‘Vos estis lux mundi’ procedures against abuse
25 March 2023, 12:00

Pope Francis promulgates an updated version of the Church’s norms to prevent and counter sexual abuse against minors and vulnerable adults, harmonizing various legislative reforms introduced since 2019 and extending the norms to cover lay leaders of international associations of the faithful recognized by the Holy See.
By Vatican News

Following nearly four years of experimentation and extensive consultation with bishops and the Dicasteries of the Roman Curia, Pope Francis has definitively promulgated procedures to prevent and counter sexual abuse within the Catholic Church.

The updated version of the motu proprio Vos estis lux mundi was published on Saturday, and enters into force on 30 April. It replaces the previous version published in May 2019, and confirms the Church’s desire to continue to combat crimes of sexual abuse.
 
https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2023-03/cardinal-blase-cupich-pope-francis-vos-estis-updated-text.html
Cardinal Cupich: Pope’s ‘Vos Estis’ update seeks to give justice to abuse victims
25 March 2023, 12:01

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2023-03/archbishop-scicluna-reflects-on-universal-law-protect-minors.html
Archbishop Scicluna on 'universal law' to protect minors
25 March 2023, 12:00

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253939/pope-francis-decrees-permanent-vos-estis-lux-mundi-legislation-to-counter-abuse
Pope Francis extends ‘Vos estis’ decree to counter both lay and clerical abuse
By Courtney Mares
Rome Newsroom, Mar 25, 2023 / 08:20 am

https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters.index.html
Apostolic Letters
Apostolic Letter in the form of “Motu Proprio” of the Supreme Pontiff Francis "Vos estis lux mundi" (Updated) (25 March 2023)

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Video at the link...

https://www.vaticannews.va/en/world/news/2023-03/abrahamic-family-house-uae-abu-dhabi-interreligious-dialogue.html
Abrahamic Family House welcomes UAE residents, visitors for worship
25 March 2023, 13:37

The Abrahamic Family House offers a tranquil haven for the faithful of Christianity, Judaism, and Islam to worship in Abu Dhabi and engage in interreligious dialogue.
By Guendalina Dainelli*

Encompassing three separate houses of worship – a mosque, a church, and a synagogue – the Abrahamic Family House began welcoming visitors on 1 March 2023.

Located in the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi, the Abrahamic Family House is rooted in the UAE’s values of bringing people and cultures together. The site has already become an attractive destination for people from various cultural and religious backgrounds.

Weekly religious rituals

All prayers, including Friday prayers, are held at Eminence Ahmed El-Tayeb Mosque. Mass is conducted in English every Sunday at 12 noon at St. Francis Church. Daily services take place at Moses Ben Maimon Synagogue.

Each building has the capacity for anywhere from 200 to 350 worshippers. Visitors are guided around the site by signs written in Arabic, English, and Hebrew. Among the first media outlets to visit the site was the Emirates News Agency (WAM), which interacted with worshippers, visitors, and employees.

Centre of interfaith dialogue

The centre is also a first-of-its-kind site for learning and interfaith dialogue. Guided tours are offered to visitors in English or Arabic and are free of charge.

In addition to the three houses of worship, there is a large reception area that includes a pleasant cafe, a library corner, and a curated gift shop.

As part of that area called the forum there is the Wall of Intentions, where visitors are invited to write down their wishes and intentions. The triangular plates are covered with messages of love and peace in different languages.

A few metres away, the signatures of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates; His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai; Pope Francis; and His Eminence the Grand Imam of Al Azhar, Dr. Ahmed El Tayeb, are framed on a marble surface.
 

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https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/253940/pope-francis-accepts-resignation-of-vice-president-of-german-bishops-conference

Pope Francis accepts resignation of vice president of German bishops’ conference
By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Mar 25, 2023 / 08:56 am

Pope Francis accepted the resignation of a German bishop on Saturday who played a key role in the German Synodal Way and had come under pressure over his handling of clerical sexual abuse in his diocese.

Bishop Franz-Josef Bode had previously refused to step down, despite an abuse report finding he had mishandled cases in his diocese in northwestern Germany.

The Holy See announced March 25 that Pope Francis had accepted the bishop of Osnabrück’s request to resign, CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, reported. There was no indication prior to Saturday's announcement that Bode had offered to resign.

The 72-year-old bishop had been vice president of the German bishops’ conference since 2017.

Reacting to the news, Bishop Georg Bätzing — the conference president — said on Mar. 25: “Today I lose my closest companion on the Synodal Way, which still has many stages ahead of us.”