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Articles By ZENIT Staff

Pope Francis

Pope’s baptism of 21 children in the Sistine Chapel

The annual tradition of baptizing the children of Vatican staff began in 1981 under Pope John Paul II. While the first ceremonies were held in the Pauline Chapel, the Sistine Chapel has hosted this sacred event since 1983. Pope Francis has carried forward this legacy, adding his own touch of pastoral care and accessibility.

Pope Francis•Vocations

Pope Francis Intervenes in Two of the Most Vocationally Flourishing Congregations: The Incarnate Word and the Women’s Branch

Monsignor José Antonio Satué Huerto, Bishop of Teruel and Albarracín, has been designated Papal Legate for the Incarnate Word Institute, whereas Sister Clara Echarte will be the Papal Legate for the Handmaids of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matará, the women’s Institute of this same Religious Family. Both Communities, of diocesan right, have roots in the diocese of San Rafael, Argentina. Currently they operate from their main quarters in Valletri-Segni, Italy.

Persecuted Christians•Vocations

Vocations grow in Burkina Faso despite terrorism

Almost 40% of the young men at the inter-diocesan philosophy seminary come from dioceses in the “red zone” which are badly affected by terrorism. Despite all the difficulties, the number of seminarians in the country continues to grow. Just at St Peter and St Paul, the number of seminarians has increased from 254 in the 2019-2020 academic year – when terrorism began to affect the Church in Burkina Faso – to 281 for 2024-2025.

Persecuted Christians

Murder of young Suleman Masih shocks Christian community in Pakistan

According to information provided to the pontifical foundation Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) by the Pakistani priest, Fr Lazar Aslam OFM, Suleman Masih was a very hardworking and entrepreneurial young man. He began his journey collecting waste materials and with a lot of efforts eventually acquired agricultural machinery to work on wheat and rice fields. Over the past year, he achieved considerable success, managing 25 acres of land and owning a vehicle.

Justice and Peace•Local Church

Lebanon elects Catholic General Joseph Aoun as president amid political turmoil

The election did not occur in isolation. Foreign mediators, including France’s Jean-Yves Le Drian, U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein, and Saudi Arabia’s Yazid bin Farhan, played a pivotal role in breaking the deadlock. Their involvement reflects Lebanon’s status as a geopolitical chessboard, where rival powers wield significant influence over domestic factions.

Analysis Opinion•Justice and Peace

Recognition of the State of Palestine Is Insufficient

Throughout 2024, several countries, such as Ireland, Spain and Norway, formally recognized the State of Palestine. Today, 149 countries do so, in addition to States such as Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Great Britain, which have expressed their willingness to do so. Since 2012, when the UN General Assembly recognized the Palestinian Authority as a non-member Observer State, the PNA has signed almost 200 Treaties and has adhered to numerous unilateral bodies. However, international recognition does not solve the problems on the ground