Rafael Llanes, Author at ZENIT - English

Articles By Rafael Llanes

US Embassy in Israel Takes a Stand Against Israeli Measure Hindering Visas for Christian Groups

On July 21, the US Embassy in Israel said, in a post on X, that the case had been resolved, thanking the Minister of the Interior and Attorney Calev Myers, representing some 15 Christian groups in Israel, whose intervention «was decisive.»

Aug 04, 2025 18:03

Rafael Llanes

Holy Land•Justice and Peace

Ten Years After the Vatican’s Recognition of Palestine as a State, the UN Visits Catholic Parish in Gaza

On July 1, a United Nations delegation (specifically the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs) visited the Holy Family parish, a Latin Rite Catholic church in Gaza, where hundreds of Catholic, Orthodox, and Muslim people are sheltered, displaced by the war.

Jul 23, 2025 20:19

Rafael Llanes

Analysis Opinion

Vatican Gives New Guidelines for Implementing Synodality: Now Under Pope Leo XIV

What will happen now with the arrival of Pope Leo? Sister Nathalie Becquart commented: «The plan approved by Pope Francis and confirmed by Pope Leo includes local, national, and continental assemblies, up to the Ecclesial Assembly in Rome.»

Jul 20, 2025 08:14

Rafael Llanes

Jubilee 2025•Rome•Vatican City

A Truly Inclusive Jubilee: Vatican Presents Inclusive Itinerary for the Holy Door

The inclusive signage routes for access to St. Peter’s Basilica begin in Piazza Risorgimento, Piazza Pia, and Piazza Sant’Uffizio, which are points near St. Peter’s Square where crowds of people gather on their way to the Vatican Basilica.

Jul 13, 2025 12:09

Rafael Llanes

Church and World•Good News

Asteroid Dedicated to Catholic Priest: Who He Is and Why?

Luca Peyron is a cheerful Italian priest, writer, and founder of the Digital Apostolic Service of the Archdiocese of Turin.

Jul 10, 2025 06:50

Rafael Llanes

Local Church

Angolan Catholic Archbishop Calls for Outlawing Fortune-Telling and Penalizing Healers

Archbishop Imbamba made the declaration during his pastoral visit to the parishes of Dala, in the province of Luda Sur, in the east of the country and near the border with the Republic of Congo. He explained that superstitious practices are «destructive for families, divisive for communities, and an obstacle to development.»

Jul 10, 2025 06:47

Rafael Llanes

Local Church•Testimonies

Inspiring: More Than 400 Iraqi Children Make Their First Communion

In his homilies, Archbishop Hanno highlighted the vital role of Catholic families for the cultivation of the faith in their children: «When father and mother are united in faith, the family becomes a fortified castle, capable of resisting temptation, evil, and moral deviation.»

Jul 10, 2025 06:44

Rafael Llanes

Causes of Saints•Good News•Pope Leo XIV•Testimonies

First Woman with Dwarfism on the Path to Canonization Thanks to Leo XIV

Pope Leo XIV recognized her heroic virtues as a next step in her Cause for Canonization, pending miracles verified through her intercession.

Jul 09, 2025 22:40

Rafael Llanes

Analysis Opinion

Will Leo XIV Remove Restrictions on The Traditional Mass? A Cardinal Has Asked Him to Do So. This Is What He Said

There is information about his work as Bishop of Chiclayo, Peru, where he oversaw the application of Summorum Pontificum in his diocese, and there is no record that he restricted the Traditional Latin Mass.

Jun 30, 2025 17:42

Rafael Llanes

Cardinals and Bishops•Justice and Peace

Israel Asks for Peace Yet Invades Iran: The Logic of Reasoning of the Only «Iranian Cardinal»

Iran is home to Christian communities with a small number of Catholics among its population of 82 million, the vast majority of whom are Muslim: 90% Shi’ite and 5% Sunni. There are 22,000 Catholics among Assyrian, Armenian, and Latin-Rite faithful, in addition to immigrant foreigners.

Jun 22, 2025 07:27

Rafael Llanes

Justice and Peace

Israel’s Popularity Plummets As Gaza’s Civilian Population Is Being Exterminated

Sympathy for the Palestinian cause is growing, with the percentage of people identifying with Israel going from 18% to 33% to 7% to 18%.

Jun 18, 2025 06:38

Rafael Llanes

Holy Land•Justice and Peace

Caritas-Jerusalem Denounces Failure to Distribute Humanitarian Aid in Gaza

Anton Aafar explains the core of the problem: «We don’t just need a ceasefire, we need the opening of the corridors. They are all blocked now, so significant amounts of aid are not reaching Gaza.

Jun 13, 2025 14:06

Rafael Llanes

[PHOTO GALLERY] In the Vatican Gardens, Pope Leo XIV opens a World Week of Prayer for Peace with hundreds of children

The initiative runs from 1 to 7 October and unites children, families, schools, parishes, and communities around the world in a single prayer.

Leo XIV Goes to Argentina: How Popular Is the Pope in Francis’s Home Country? Study Published

The figures, released on September 23 by the polling firm Zuban Córdoba, provide an early indication of the reception Leo XIV may encounter when he reaches Argentina from Uruguay. The survey was conducted from September 16 to 19 among 2,000 people across the country, with a 95 percent confidence level, according to the pollster.