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Tag: Vatican

  • Vatican suspends Acutis ceremony

    Vatican suspends Acutis ceremony

    The canonisation of the first saint of the millennial generation, Carlo Acutis, has been suspended due to Pope Francis’ death, the Vatican said in a statement on Monday.

    Acutis was originally set to be made a saint at a ceremony in St. Peter’s Square on April 27.

    Acutis was born on May 3, 1991, in London, to Andrea Acutis and Antonia Salzano.

    From a young age, Carlo displayed a profound love for God and the Church that inspired his parents.

    “Before Carlo’s birth, I was really caught up in the culture of our time,” his mother says.

    “I was a prisoner of everything that is relative and limited.” But “Carlo showed me how to live in my century while turning toward eternity.”

    His family later moved to Milan, Italy, where Carlo’s passion for computer programming blossomed alongside his deepening faith.

    Acutis, known for his deep devotion to the Catholic faith and his adept use of technology to share religious content, was set to become the first millennial saint.

    Pope Francis had officially recognised a second miracle attributed to Acutis and approved his canonisation.

    Acutis, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 15 due to leukemia, has been admired for his work in creating a website documenting Eucharistic miracles worldwide.

    His beatification took place in October 2020, and the recent recognition of a second miracle – an essential step in the process – marks the final phase towards sainthood.

    Acutis is celebrated not only for his piety but also for his ability to integrate his faith with modern technology, resonating deeply with young Catholics around the globe.

    Carlo’s life was characterised by a remarkable integration of faith and reason.

    In spite of his young age, he exhibited an exceptional intellect and a keen interest in understanding the mysteries of technology and Catholicism.

    He spent many hours honing his skills as a computer programmer while remaining committed to prayer and devotion.

    At the age of seven, Carlo began participating in daily Mass and developed a deep love for the Eucharist.

    “My secret is to contact Jesus every day,” he said.

    He also prayed the rosary often, demonstrating his profound devotion to Jesus’ Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary: “The Virgin Mary is the only woman in my life.”

  • Pope Francis had a ‘peaceful night’, says Vatican

    Pope Francis had a ‘peaceful night’, says Vatican

    Pope Francis, who is suffering from a severe lung infection, spent a night in hospital without any additional complications, the Vatican said on Wednesday morning.

    The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church had a “peaceful night” and is now resting, a spokesman said.

    The Argentinian native has been receiving treatment at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome since the middle of the month.

    He has now been in the hospital longer than ever before during his pontificate.

    Earlier on Tuesday evening, the Vatican stated in a health bulletin: “The Holy Father’s clinical condition remains critical, but stable.” Francis has not experienced further episodes of breathlessness since the weekend, it said, adding that his blood values are also stable.

    Meanwhile, prayers for Francis are being offered up around the world.

    On St Peter’s Square, a rosary was recited for him again on Tuesday evening.

    The Vatican is providing written updates on his health condition in the morning and evening.

    Francis has been the leader of the Catholic Church, with its approximately 1.4 billion faithful worldwide, since March 2013.

  • Vatican releases update on Pope’s condition

    Vatican releases update on Pope’s condition

    The clinical condition of Pope Francis, who is suffering from pneumonia, has improved slightly, the Vatican said late on Thursday.

    The 88-year-old pontiff also has no fever, a spokesman said.

    Francis was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Friday last week.

    There is currently no indication when he might be discharged.

    A few days ago, doctors diagnosed pneumonia in both lungs.

    Francis had resisted going to hospital since mid-December, in spite of evident health problems.

    Italian Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi on Thursday said he thought the pope would consider resigning if his health deteriorated.

    “If he found himself in a situation where he was compromised in his ability to have direct contact with people, then I believe he might consider resigning,” Ravasi said in a radio interview.

    He described the pope’s condition as “complex, but not critical.”

    French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline also did not rule out resignation. Regarding speculation that Francis could follow the example of his predecessor, Benedict XVI, Aveline said: “Everything is possible.”

    Benedict XVI resigned in 2013 and lived a secluded life in the Vatican until his death at the end of 2022.

    Pope Francis has repeatedly rejected rumours of his possible resignation.

    However, some time ago he announced that he had deposited a signed letter of resignation at the Vatican Secretariat of State at the beginning of his term of office – but only to take effect if he were incapacitated and too severely affected by a serious illness to carry out his duties.

    The health of the leader of 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide has been poor for a long time.

    Pneumonia can sometimes be life-threatening, especially at such an advanced age and with various pre-existing conditions.

    French Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline called for prayers to be said for Pope Francis during a news conference in the Vatican earlier on Thursday.

    “He is tired. He is one of those people who have to be taken to hospital if we really want them to get better.

    “Otherwise they never recover,” the influential archbishop of Marseille told journalists.
    Aveline said he had no more precise information and would not engage in speculation. But he also expressed his concern. The 66-year-old cardinal is among the possible successors to Francis.

    Earlier on Thursday, the Corriere della Sera newspaper reported that Francis had been in jovial mood when Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni popped in to visit him in hospital.

    “The doctors have said that I have to watch my health, otherwise I would go straight to heaven,” the 88-year-old pontiff said, according to the report.

    “I know that there are people outside there who say my time has come,” he added.

    Meloni visited the pope on Wednesday, for an audience lasting around 20 minutes.

    Her office subsequently reported that Francis had been awake and alert.

    “We joked constantly. He has not lost his proverbial sense of humour,” Meloni said after the visit.

    The Vatican reported that the pope had spent a sixth “restful night” in hospital without further complication.

    He had got up and taken breakfast in an armchair, the Vatican statement said.

    The pope was admitted after falling ill with bronchitis. Concerns grew following a Tuesday update in which the Vatican reported that he was suffering from double pneumonia.

    While there are more than 250 cardinals around the world, only 138 of them are currently under the age threshold of 80 and would participate in the conclave to elect the next pope.

    The conclave sits in secrecy in the Sistine Chapel. A plume of white smoke from the chapel’s chimney indicates that a decision has reached.

  • Just in: Jubilation as Vatican appoints new Apostolic Nuncio for Nigeria

    Just in: Jubilation as Vatican appoints new Apostolic Nuncio for Nigeria

    It was Jubilation in Nigeria as the Vatican announced the appointment of Apostolic Nuncio for Nigeria,

    His Excellency, Archbishop Michael Francis CROTTY.

    The Catholic Church in Nigeria warmly welcomes the new Apostolic Nuncio:
    His Excellency, Archbishop Michael Francis CROTTY.

    This was contained in a statement, issued and signed by Lucius Iwejuru UGORJI
    Archbishop of Owerri
    President, CBCN.

    “With joy and gratitude to God, I extend a hearty welcome to Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty on behalf of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN), clergy, religious, and lay faithful in Nigeria.

    “We are thankful to His Holiness, Pope Francis, for appointing Archbishop Michael Francis Crotty as the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria to build on the good works of his predecessor, Archbishop Antonio Filipazzi.
    His appointment is a testament to the strong spiritual bond between our countries, recalling that many Irish missionaries played a significant role in spreading the faith in Nigeria. We also celebrate the historic connection between our nations, as Archbishop Crotty becomes our first Apostolic Nuncio from Ireland, just as Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo, who served as the first Apostolic Nuncio from Nigeria in Ireland.

    “We appreciate Archbishop Crotty’s acceptance of serving in Nigeria and assure him of our full support and cooperation.
    “We pray for a fruitful mission and a blessed tenure for Your Excellency.

  • Gay Slur Statement: Pope Francis tenders apology

    Gay Slur Statement: Pope Francis tenders apology

    Pope Francis has tendered his apologies for his reported use of a gay slur in a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops last week.

    According to a statement released from the Vatican, states the Pope did not mean to offend anyone and apologized to those who were “hurt by the use of a word”.

    “The pope never intended to offend or express himself in homophobic terms and he extends his apologies to those who felt offended by the use of a term, reported by others.

    It was reported that the Pope while meeting with than 250 bishops last week, was said to have used an offensive term while expressing his opposition to openly homosexual men joining training colleges for priests, even if they ARE committed to celibacy.

    According to two Italian newspapers, Francis said there was already too much “frociaggine” in seminaries, using an offensive Roman term which translates as “faggotry”.

    The Pope’s  statement made headlines and generated a lot of reactions from both LGTBQ groups and practicing Catholics.

    Some social commentators addd that the Argentine pope did not know what he was saying.

    The Vatican statement did not confirm that he used the word but referenced newspaper articles.

    “As he had the opportunity to state on several occasions: ‘In the Church, there is room for everyone, everyone! Nobody is useless, nobody is superfluous, and there is space for everyone. Just as we are, all of us,” the statement said.

  • Canadian cardinal accused of sexual assault cleared by the Vatican

    Canadian cardinal accused of sexual assault cleared by the Vatican

    A Canadian cardinal accused of involvements in sexual assault has been exonerated by the panel of inquiry ordered by Pope Francis.

    According to reports from the findings, the Canadian Cardinal is innocent of the sexual allegations and any other wrongdoings leveled against him.

    It would be recalled that Cardinal Gerald Lacroix, the 66-year-old archbishop of Quebec and a member of the pope’s C9 advisory council, had been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the 1980s.

    “In the light of the facts examined by the judge, the report does not permit to identify any actions that amount to misconduct or abuse on the part of Cardinal Gerald C. Lacroix,” the Vatican said in a statement.

    “Consequently, no further canonical procedure is foreseen.”

    The claims against Lacroix date back to 1987 and 1988, when the alleged victim was 17, and are part of a class action suit against more than 100 priests in the archdiocese.

    Lacroix, Quebec’s archbishop since 2011 and a cardinal since 2014, denies the allegations.

    In January, he said he would pause his duties until the situation was cleared up, but he attended a Council of Cardinals meeting at the Vatican last month.

     

  • Pope hospitalised after hosting ‘general audience’

    Pope hospitalised after hosting ‘general audience’

    Pope Francis was taken to hospital for an examination after holding his weekly general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday, the Vatican announced.

    The head of the Catholic Church returned to the Vatican shortly afterward.

    According to the Vatican, the pope has been suffering from a “mild flu” for a few days, which is why he cancelled several public appearances.

    Before visiting the hospital, during the audience, the pope said: “I still have a bit of a cold.”

    The pontiff plans to meet Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz in a private audience for the first time on Saturday.

    The pope’s health condition has been the subject of concern for some time now.

    Recently the pope also had issues with inflammation of the respiratory tract.

    Last year, he was hospitalised twice.

    He is often in a wheelchair during public appearances due to a knee condition.

    The pope, born in Argentina, has been in office since 2013.

    He was the successor to German Pope Benedict XVI, and will mark 11 years in office next month.

  • Pope Francis stable after surgery – Vatican

    Pope Francis stable after surgery – Vatican

    The Vatican said, Pope Francis had a second good night in the hospital recovering from surgery to remove intestinal scar tissue and repair a hernia in his abdominal wall.

    The Holy See press office said early Friday that further medical updates were expected later in the day. The Vatican has said Francis’ condition is stable and his post-operative recovery deemed normal.

    The 86-year-old Francis was admitted to the Gemelli hospital on Wednesday for his second major abdominal operation in two years, following a 2021 procedure to remove part of his colon. During the procedure, doctors removed adhesions, or internal scarring, on the intestine that had caused a partial blockage. They also repaired a hernia that had formed over a previous scar, placing a prosthetic mesh in the abdominal wall.

    Francis is expected to remain at Gemelli for several days.

  • Pope Francis not infected with COVID-19, feeling better – Vatican

    Pope Francis not infected with COVID-19, feeling better – Vatican

    A Coronavirus infection has been ruled out of Pope Francis’ health situation as Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruno says he is doing better after a “quiet night” at the hospital.

    Bruno said on Thursday, as reported by Italy’s ANSA news agency, that the head of the Catholic Church had “recovered well,” and that his condition was continually improving and his treatment continued as planned.

    The pontiff worked and read some newspapers in the morning.

    In the private apartment within Gemelli University Hospital, he prayed in a small chapel and received the Holy Communion, Bruni added.

    The 86-year-old was taken to the hospital on Wednesday for a respiratory infection, according to the Holy See.

    “Pope Francis is touched by the many messages he has received and is grateful for the closeness and prayer,” Bruno said.

    Journalists, camera crews, visitors and hospital patients were observing the tenth floor from the hospitals entry court, where the shades remained closed.

    Many Christians wished the pope a speedy recovery, including U.S. President Joe Biden and Italy’s head of state Sergio Mattarella.

    ANSA quoted sources from the Gemelli University Hospital on Thursday morning as saying that medical staff were “very optimistic” that the Pope could be back in the Vatican in just a few days, in time for Palm Sunday and ahead of what is a busy season for the Catholic leader.

    According to ANSA, the pope has bronchitis. A report about pneumonia by the Italian daily Corriere della Sera was denied by other media. The Vatican did not comment on the report.

  • Pope Francis calls for prayers as Pope Benedict XVI illness worsens

    Pope Francis calls for prayers as Pope Benedict XVI illness worsens

    Head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, has asked the faithful to pray for the ill Pope Benedict XVI after the general audience.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that Pope Benedict is under constant medical attention.

    Pope Francis announced that the former Pope Benedict XVI was very sick. He asked the faithful for prayers to the retired pope. Pope Francis surprised the people after his sudden appeal at the end of his general audience.

    Pope Francis did not provide any details of his illness to Pope Benedict, but the Vatican has stated the condition of ill Pope Benedict.

    According to the Vatican, the condition of Pope Benedict worsened in recent hours due to his age and illness. Pope Francis went to see him after his general audience.

    The Vatican added that Pope Benedict is under constant medical care, and his condition is currently stable. The health of the 96-year-old pope is deteriorating due to old age.

    Pope Benedict XVI announced his retirement from the papacy in 2013. He was the first pope to retire in 600 years. Since his retirement, he has been living in a convent in the Vatican, medicating most of his time in prayers and meditation.

    Pope Francis said at the end of his audience that he would like to ask all for a special prayer for Pope Emeritus Benedict, sustaining the church in silence.

    The Pope noted that Pope Benedict was sick and asked the lord to console and support him in the witness of love for the church until the end.

    Pope Benedict is the first German pope in 1000 years. He was elected in 2005 and succeeded Pope John Paul II. Pope Benedict, the birth name Joseph Ratzinger, left Germany in 1982. He wrote about 60 books from 1962 to 2013.

    After his retirement in 2013, many questions were pointed at his decision. Some cardinals questioned his retirement and his decision to wear a white cassock even after retirement.

    Another question brought up after his retirement was regarding the continued usage of the name Benedict and not converting back to Joseph Rotzinger. Critics have also said Pope Benedict’s presence in the Vatican creates confusion and threatens the church’s unity.