Among the vast corpus of Pope Francis’ encyclicals, apostolic exhortations, letters and homilies, there are many inspiring and memorable quotations that he left us as part of his spiritual and pastoral legacy. One quote I believe will be remembered for many years to come and will guide the Church’s self-understanding and mission long into the…
Pope Francis was a quite unique figure, a pastor whose achievements and teachings will come to be more and more appreciated in the decades, even centuries to come. Through him the Catholic Church, perhaps even the wider realm of Christianity as a whole, in all its varieties, may find a new and fitting direction, replete…
I remember seeing Pope Francis at World Meeting of Families back in 2018. His reserved reception of the higher echelons of Irish society in Dublin Castle contrasted nicely with his off-script and familiar remarks to us who went to see him in Croke Park. I felt like he was standing up for us who have…
Dear Editor, As the worldwide Catholic family mourns the death of its spiritual leader, Pope Francis, it is important to examine his legacy on current issues. He is rightly remembered for his 2015 landmark encyclical “Laudato Si” which focused on care for the environment, justice for the marginalised and activism to save the planet. Included…
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…
It is not only in Christian countries that the dead Pope is being honoured. In Muslim Jordan, too, flags of mourning are being flown today and over the next few days. The flags at Jordan’s state and public institutions have been flying at half-mast since Tuesday. Prime Minister Jafar Hassan ordered a three-day flag of…
ACI Africa Caritas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has launched an appeal for humanitarian assistance for the victims of the April 5-6 flooding that left a trail of destruction in the country’s capital city, Kinshasa. At least 33 people were reported dead and thousands displaced following the April 5-6 flooding that cut…
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…
This year, Christians in Rome, Istanbul and Moscow are celebrating Easter on the same day. In other years it is different: different church calendars are to blame. Now the Vatican is making a new push to change this. Question: Cardinal Koch, this year Christians all over the world are celebrating Easter on the same day.…
Two are currently being canonised; the third was good for political miracles throughout his life. The united Europe, whose spiritual strength is once again in demand, rests on the shoulders of men of Christian conviction. The existence of the EU, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, can be traced back to the foresight of Christian…
Peter Costello