There’s a very catchy jingle that was repeated over and over again on radio commercials and ringtones during the recent Islamic holy month: “Ramadan fi masr haga tanya,” meaning something like “Ramadan in Egypt is something else.” It was certainly true, and the same might be said for the celebration of Easter which is about…
After the funeral of Pope Francis, the focus is on the future. What qualities should the new pope have? Opinions differ on this. Also among church representatives from Germany. The preliminary phase of the papal election began even before the funeral services for the late Pope Francis. “Last Tuesday, the so-called pre-conclave began with the…
“The digital world is not a parallel or purely virtual world, but part of the daily experience of many people, especially the younger generations. It is where they seek meaning, relationships, and truth.” – Pope Francis, World Communications Day Message, 24 Jan. 2024 In our fast-paced digital world, we constantly receive social media messages,…
Historically, the time had once again been ripe for a religious man in the papal office. And the Jesuit Francis obviously wanted this to continue in the near future. Jorge Mario Bergoglio has brought many superlatives to papal history from his native Argentina: he was the first Latin American, the first Argentinian, the first pope…
The Catholic Church in Germany has published instructions for the blessing of remarried and homosexual couples. According to the authors, this is in the spirit of the late Pope. Nevertheless, there is criticism. Germany now has rules on how remarried divorcees and homosexuals can be blessed in church. As announced by the German Bishops’ Conference…
Pope funerals are more than just religious ceremonies. They create rare encounters – even between leaders of conflicting states. What potential does the funeral of Pope Francis have? “The funeral of a pope is no ordinary event,” says historian René Schlott. It is a religious and at the same time highly political moment, staged on…
Cardinal Schönborn from Vienna, himself a candidate for decades and recently retired, formulates requirements for the next pope. And reveals how he personally experienced the late Francis. Cardinal Christoph Schönborn from Vienna does not believe that anyone is suitable for the papacy for 1.4 billion Catholics worldwide. It would be too much of a challenge…
Garry: I’m here this morning with Fr Joe Mullen, who is moderator and priest of Mount Merrion in Dublin. Have I got that correct, Joe? Fr Joe: Okay, so I have a partnership of three parishes. So I’m parish priest and moderator of Clonskeagh, which is the Church of the Miraculous Medal on Bird Avenue,…
2013 March 13 – Pope Francis is elected: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is elected pope on the second day of the conclave becoming the first Pope from the Southern Hemisphere and the first non-European elected in almost 1,300 years. The Jesuit was also the first member of his order to be…
A boy dies of leukaemia at 15. Now Carlo Acutis is canonised because he was pious and socially committed. In addition to enthusiasm, the early honour also triggers criticism, even because of alleged anti-Semitism. The brown-haired boy in the red polo shirt smiles somewhat shyly into the camera, carrying a rucksack over his shoulders. Carlo…