(ZENIT News / Vatican City, 04.24.2024).- On the morning of Wednesday, April 24th, Pope Francis delivered a new catechesis, the 16th in the series on vices and virtues. On this occasion, the catechesis focused on the theological virtues and served as an introduction to what may possibly follow: a further exploration or deepening of each of them. The Pope’s catechesis, as part of the Wednesday general audience, took place in St. Peter’s Square. Below is the English translation of the Pope’s catechesis: *** In recent weeks we have reflected on the cardinal virtues: prudence, justice ..read more

(ZENIT News / Los Angeles, 23.04.2024).- To enter Religious Orders and/or Seminaries, debts must first be paid, such as student debts, although some Communities are willing to help. In 2021 Kendra Baker moved to Seattle after graduating from Western Washington University. She always lived her Catholic faith. Her father fell from the roof of their home and suffered wounds that put his life in danger. The family called a priest to pray with them. Hours later her father opened his eyes. “The doctors had told us to prepare ourselves for a funeral. He learned to walk again, to speak, to drive and c ..read more

(ZENIT News / Barcelona, 23.04.2024).- The loss of a family member or a dear one is usually devastating for the family or closest circle. The pain and sadness often makes people wonder how God can permit such a thing. In face of these problems, many coaches or psychologists are unable to understand the background of pain that only faith can soften. Hence, an initiative has arisen that intends to offer support and accompaniment to people affected by the loss of a loved one. The Resurrection Group is a Movement made up of people that seek to accompany, evangelize and heal those in mourning. ZENI ..read more

(ZENIT News – Asia News / Jerusalem, 04.23.2024).- The controversial story relating to the disputed properties in Sheikh Jarrah, a suburb of East Jerusalem, is made up of a new chapter after the sentence issued in recent days by an Israeli court, destined to fuel controversy and conflict between the parties. The judges ordered the forced removal of three Palestinian families from their homes, giving the members – around twenty people in total as reported by the Palestinian agency Wafa – until mid-July to leave their homes and move elsewhere, freeing up the properties. The decades-long dispute ..read more

Michael Cook (ZENIT News – BioEdge / Brussels, 04.23.2024).- The president of Belgium’s biggest health care fund, Christian Mutualities (CM), has called for a radical solution to the problem of an ageing population. Luc Van Gorp told Belgian media this week that people who are tired of life should be allowed to end it. Like all other European countries and, indeed, the rest of the world apart from sub-Saharan Africa, Belgium faces a huge increase in its elderly. Over-80s will double by 2050, from around 640,000 today to 1.2 million. Financial pressure on healthcare, medication and nu ..read more

(ZENIT News / Fada N’gourma, 04.23.2024).- A catechist was kidnapped and killed by suspected terrorists on the night of Thursday, April 18th, in Fada N’gourma, eastern Burkina Faso. The lifeless body of Edouard Yougbare was discovered at the Saatenga parish on the morning of Friday, April 19th, according to local reports received by the Catholic organization Aid to the Church in Need (ACN). John Pontifex, ACN (UK) Head of Press and Public Affairs, said: “Edouard gave his life on the front line of persecution. He is a martyr who offered his life for God and in service of his community. “At a ti ..read more

(ZENIT News / Colombo, 04.23.2024).- Thousand of people have signed a petition calling for the beatification of 171 Catholics slain during the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka. Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo 21st April received the appeal from Catholics in his diocese calling for the slaughtered Christians to be beatified – a step along the way to being declared saints. Father Gregory Vajira Silva of St Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, said his parishioners are martyrs because they died for choosing to come to Mass on Easter to proclaim their faith in the risen Christ ..read more

(ZENIT News / Bukavu, 04.23.2024).- Congolese bishops have painted a harrowing picture of the severe challenges facing the population because of internal armed conflict and international exploitation. In a statement, a copy of which was sent to Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), the six bishops of Bukavu ecclesiastical province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) asked the nation’s leaders to serve their people and “stop running the country as if it was your private domain”. The bishops criticised the Congolese government for abandoning the population and the internati ..read more

(ZENIT News / Rome, 22.04.2024).- The arrest of American Moisés Tejada in the vicinity of Saint Peter’s Square on Wednesday, April 10, has  sparked shock and worry, given that the individual is sought by the New York Authorities for his alleged participation in a series of violent crimes. According to reports furnished by the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica,” Tejada was arrested while carrying several pocket knives just on the day (April 10) that the Holy Father was holding the General Audience in the Square, in the presence of hundreds of faithful. During the interrogation after his arr ..read more

Darío Salvi (ZENIT News – Asia News / Jerusalem, 04.22.2024).- Layan Nasir, a young Palestinian Christian woman, was arrested last week. “There are no reasons and no basis [for her arrest] other than the fact that we live under a colonial-settler occupation that has enjoyed impunity for so long and feels entitled to destroy the lives of millions,” said Rev Munther Isaac speaking to AsiaNews. For the clergyman, who serves as pastor at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Bethlehem, “Layan has been placed under ‘administrative detention’, just like close to 4000 other Palestinians. This ..read more