Analysis Opinion•Pope Francis•Vatican Diplomacy

World Leaders of the Left and Right Pronounce Themselves on Pope’s Health

Some have reacted with a good disposition regarding the person of the Pontiff. Others have taken advantage of the situation to support their own lines of government. Some have remained silent. To observe the accents of their statements and the omission of reference to faith serves to detect the interested or sincere use of each politician in regard to the Pope’s health.

Mar 06, 2025 20:25

Rafael Llanes

Analysis Opinion•Cardinals and Bishops•Pope Francis

Is There a Pre-Conclave Atmosphere in the Vatican? Cardinals From Around the World Break the Silence Given the Pope’s Health

Individuals closest to Pope Francis give a close look at the situation, offering different focuses given the speculations about a possible Conclave to elect a new Pontiff and about the Holy Father’s renunciation for reasons of health.

Mar 06, 2025 07:20

Rafael Llanes

Causes of Saints•Local Church

Is The Author of “The Lord of the Rings” a Saint? This Is the State of His Process of Canonization

In 2015, Father Daniele Ercoli of Turin, and English Catholic Associations asked Archbishop Bernard Longley of Birmingham to begin the author’s Process of Canonization.

Mar 02, 2025 18:56

Rafael Llanes

Justice and Peace•Local Church

Catholic Parish Priest in Greenland Explains Reaction of Faithful to USA’s Possible Appropriation

Father Tomaž Majcen pointed out that ”Christians were not too bothered by Trump’s statement or, at least, it’s the sensation I had. The people I’ve talked to about the subject are not too worried, but they say that, while the Danish Government is with them, Greenlanders will be happy and peaceful.”

Feb 23, 2025 06:48

Rafael Llanes

Religious Freedom

Iraqi Man Burns The Koran and Is Shot Dead in Sweden

Sweden’s dominant culture puts freedom of expression above the aggression that exists when destroying publicly a sacred book. In many Islamic countries, the action of burning or trampling on the Koran entails the death penalty or life in prison.

Feb 13, 2025 18:17

Rafael Llanes

Good News•Local Church•Virgin Mary

Europe’s Largest Statue of Virgin Mary Will Be in Poland, Financed by One of the Country’s Richest Men

The construction of the statue has already begun and is expected to end in mid 2026.

Feb 08, 2025 22:19

Rafael Llanes

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

France, The Country Where More Churches Are Set On Fire

The causes of the fires vary. Investigations have shown the weight of the antiquity of the infrastructure. But why do fires not happen in other countries that have equally ancient churches, including the same materials? Negligence in the maintenance was noted, although this weakness seems more notorious in France, the country that receives the largest number of tourists worldwide.

Jan 29, 2025 09:41

Rafael Llanes

Local Church•Persecuted Christians

Pro-Russian Regime Sentences Catholic Priest to 11 Years in Prison

An additional ten priests were arrested in Byelorussia during 2023; three of them still remain detained, reported the Pontifical Foundation Aid to the Church in Need.

Jan 23, 2025 08:29

Rafael Llanes

Persecuted Christians

Two Nuns Are Kidnapped in a Country Where Anti-Catholic Persecution is Growing

Nigeria has a similar number of Christians and Muslims. The Christian community has suffered violence for decades, especially by the Muslim guerrilla. In 2024, eleven priests were kidnapped in Nigeria and three remain disappeared. A priest was murdered at the end last year, although it was an isolated case.

Jan 13, 2025 17:50

Rafael Llanes

Vatican City

Vatican Court Issues Sentences for Embezzlement in the Sistine Chapel Choir

The case arose in 2023 after complains and controversies posed by parents of the Pueri Cantores, members of the children’s choir. They denounced that the children’s participation in public acts was not aligned with the Choir’s original mission, founded in 1471 as “College of Singing Chaplains.”

Dec 20, 2024 09:43

Rafael Llanes

Gender Ideology

United Kingdom: Setback for Gender Ideology as Puberty Blockers Are Banned

A comprehensive Report of pediatrician Dr Hilary Cass highlighted the significant risks of the medication and the lack of evidence of the alleged benefits of the blockers during puberty. LGBTI activists challenged the sentence because they were “concerned about the safety and wellbeing of trans youngsters in the United Kingdom.” The Kingdom’s Higher Court confirmed the ban in July of 2024.

Dec 20, 2024 09:37

Rafael Llanes

Holy Land•Local Church

Syria: Muslim Jihadists Assure They Will Not Go Against Christians

Given the former relations with Al Qaeda and the Islamic State, there is mistrust of the leaders now governing Syria. After a meeting with some of them, Monsignor Audo concluded: “We were all present: Bishops, Priests and Religious. The meeting was very positive.”

Dec 17, 2024 07:43

Rafael Llanes