Vatican News

Pope sends message of joy, hope to Korea before trip

Vatican City, Aug 11, 2014 / 09:35 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Amid preparations for his Aug. 14-18 trip to South Korea, Pope Francis has sent a video message greeting the people of the country and offering special encouragement to the youth and elderly.

The Pope recalled the words of Isaiah, “Arise, shine!”

He reflected that “it is the Lord who invites you to receive his light, to welcome it in the heart, to reflect it in a life full of faith, of hope and of love, full of the joy of the Gospel.”

Pope Francis takes to twitter in appeal for Iraqi citizens

Vatican City, Aug 11, 2014 / 05:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Since Friday Pope Francis has been tweeting three times a day asking faithful and parishes to both pray for those affected by violence in Iraq, as well as to offer material support.

“I ask all men and women of goodwill to join me in praying for Iraqi Christians and all vulnerable populations,” the first tweet from the Roman Pontiff on Aug. 8 read.

In Korea, Pope Francis to visit cemetery for aborted babies

Vatican City, Aug 10, 2014 / 04:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During his upcoming trip to South Korea, Pope Francis will pray for the unborn at the “Cemetery for Aborted Children” as part of his visit to the Kkottoghnae Home for the sick.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi also noted in an Aug. 8 press conference that the Pope will deliver his addresses in English and will follow local customs such as removing his shoes before entering certain places.

Pope appeals for peace in Iraq, Gaza during Sunday angelus

Vatican City, Aug 10, 2014 / 06:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After leading faithful in the Marian prayer, Pope Francis again urged prayers and international help for the current conflict in Iraq and Gaza, revealing that his personal envoy to Iraq will leave Monday.

“Dear brothers and sisters: The news reports coming from Iraq leave us in dismay and disbelief: thousands of people, including many Christians, driven from their homes in a brutal manner,” the pontiff stated during his Aug. 10 weekly Sunday Angelus address.

Obama authorizes Iraq airstrikes to prevent religious genocide

Vatican City, Aug 8, 2014 / 10:15 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Late Thursday night the Obama administration announced that it has launched a military and humanitarian operation to protect both U.S. personnel and Iraqi civilians against ISIS attacks.

“At the request of the Iraqi government we have begun efforts to help save Iraqi civilians stranded on the mountain,” President Obama stated in an Aug. 7 address to the nation.

Church on front line against Ebola outbreak, official says

Vatican City, Aug 8, 2014 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Catholic Church plays a fundamental role in responding to the worst outbreak of Ebola infections in history, a Holy See collaborator has explained.

“The Catholic Church manages health facilities, and so it will be able to care for Ebola-affected people whenever the structures have the capacity to keep the infected people in isolation,” Monsignor Robert J. Vitillo told CNA.

Pope issues urgent appeal for global help of Iraqi Christians

Vatican City, Aug 7, 2014 / 08:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As Iraq’s largest Christian city fell into the hands of the Islamic State, Pope Francis issued an urgent appeal asking for peace, and called for worldwide efforts to assist those affected by increasing violence.

“In light of the very distressing events, the Holy Father renews his spiritual closeness to the many who are experiencing this extremely painful trial,” an Aug. 7 statement from the Vatican read.

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