Tens of thousands of people of all ages were gathered for the vigil on the wide-open diocesan field at Soamandrakizay Sept. 7; the older folks came because the pope was scheduled to celebrate Mass there the next morning.
Pope Francis
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis tells Madagascars bishops: Be sowers of faith, hope and peace in this land of contradictions
Pope Francis encouraged the bishops of Madagascar “to be sowers of hope and peace” in the midst of the contradictions that are so evident in this land.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis calls on Madagascar’s leaders to fight corruption, eliminate poverty and protect the environment
On his first day in Madagascar, Pope Francis issued a strong call to the governmental authorities of this island of 27 million people to fight “with determination” against “endemic forms of corruption and speculation,” to “confront” the situations that “create conditions of inhumane poverty,” and to protect the environment against damage to nature and the people.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis to Mozambicans: ‘You have a right to peace’
Before leaving the country on Sept. 6, Francis made a last, passionate appeal for reconciliation and the healing of wounds from the nation’s long civil war.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
The anti-poverty project Pope Francis will visit in Madagascar
During his sojourn in Madagascar on Sept. 8, Pope Francis will drive six miles from the center of Antananarivo, the capital city of this country of 27 million people, to visit the cooperative association Akamasoa.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis celebrates the fruits of peace in Mozambique
He praised “the efforts made in recent decades to ensure that peace is once more the norm and reconciliation the best path to confront the difficulties and challenges that you face as a nation.”
Posted inFaith, Politics & Society
Pope Francis visits Mozambique, Madagascar and Mauritius
Pope Francis visited the African Republics of Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius between Sept. 4 and Sept. 10.
Posted inFaith, Features
Steve Bannon’s dubious crusade
The former political advisor to Donald Trump shares the view of Pope Francis that Europe is spiritually sick, writes Bill McCormick. But Mr. Bannon’s divisive ideas have only the veneer of Christianity.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis to journalist: ‘I am honored that the Americans attack me.’
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni told journalists that “in an informal context, the pope wished to say that he always considers criticisms as an honor, particularly when they come from authoritative thinkers, and in this case from an important nation.”
Posted inFaith, Podcasts
Pope Francis chooses 13 new cardinals in the ‘Francis mold’
This week on “Inside the Vatican,” we update you on who Pope Francis has chosen to make cardinals next month, and why the Bolsonaro government is nervous about the Synod on the Amazon.