Pope Francis surprised a group of teenagers on April 23 in St. Peter’s Square, telling them that happiness is not a downloadable app and then hearing the confessions of 16 teens as he joined 150 other priests offering the sacrament of reconciliation. • Bishop Ägidius Zsifkovics of Austria refused to allow the installation of a fence on church property by border officials, arguing on April 21 that the barrier, meant to keep out refugees, was contrary to the spirit of the Gospel. • Zambians are shocked and ashamed of the xenophobic violence primarily against Rwandans in the capital, Lusaka, a church spokesperson said on April 22. • On the same day that Pope Francis brought 12 Syrian refugees to Rome from Greece, April 20, a merchant ship picked up 41 refugees in the Mediterranean who told human rights workers they had seen as many as 500 people drown when their boat capsized. • Pope Francis’ plea for humanitarian aid for Ukraine is bringing needed attention to a forgotten war, said Ukrainian Catholic leaders, as parishes throughout Europe prepared to take up a special collection the pope requested for Ukraine on April 24.
News Briefs
Show Comments (
)
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
The latest from america
The conclave that begins next Wednesday to elect a successor for Pope Francis is the first in 46 ½ years for which the Vatican hasn’t ordered a set of cassocks from the two best-known papal tailors.
Papabile: How do conclave watchers come up with their lists of the next pope—and should we trust them?
The people of God see the bishop of Rome as a teacher, but they also unquestionably see him as a father.
Since the death of Pope Francis, lists of his possible successors have proliferated on social media and in newspapers. Should you trust them?