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In interview, Pope Francis dismisses rumors about his health as 'court gossip'
… of an absolute monarchy." Francis said it was a "painful" decision to postpone his trip to Congo and South Sudan, planned for July 2-7, "but the doctor told me not to do it because I am …
Catholic groups outline priorities for defense of oceans, biodiversity ahead of UN summits
… is "in peril." During that pre-COP15 negotiating session, Catholic organizations from Africa's Congo Basin also gathered in Nairobi to devise and deliver a Catholic position on protecting … to "irresponsible use and abuse" by humans, with nature declining at increasing rates. In the Congo Basin, the world's second-largest tropical rainforest and a critical "lung" of the Earth, … the poor and the Earth," the statement said. SECAM, joined by the Ecclesial Network on the Congo Basin Forest, or REBAC, and the Laudato Si' Movement, called on governments to commit to at …
Church leaders push to expand their peacekeeping role in Africa
… he said June 27, after chairing a panel of peacemaking experts from Burundi, Niger and Congo during a four-day online conference. He said the Catholic Church in much of Africa was … in Ukraine. Jesuit Fr. Rigobert Minani, regional coordinator of the Ecclesial Network of the Congo Basin Forest, told the conference the church's frequent absence from regional peace … thus creating imbalances in the church's national and regional engagement." He said in Congo, Burundi and Rwanda, the church has been very active at grassroots level, but had little …
Pope to send Cardinal Parolin to Congo, South Sudan
… Catholic News Service … Although he postponed his own trip to Congo and South Sudan, Pope Francis has asked Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his secretary of state, to … 1-8, the Vatican press office said. Francis had been scheduled to visit Kinshasa and Goma, Congo, July 2-5 and to make an ecumenical pilgrimage for peace to Juba, South Sudan, July 5-7. … has been forced to postpone, with regret, his apostolic journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo and to South Sudan." The pope himself apologized June 12 for the change. "I truly feel …
Pope gives master class in ministry at World Meeting of Families
… Seddiki, the widow of Luca Attanasio, the Italian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, who was killed in an ambush in 2021. Seddiki, a Muslim, spoke about the way she and her …
Vatican releases pope's Canada itinerary, in sign trip is on
… plug after one was released. The Vatican published the itinerary for Francis' planned trip to Congo and South Sudan on May 28. It announced on June 10 that the pope's visit would have to be …
Opening World Meeting of Families, pope says small steps can lead to holiness
… delegates to the gathering and told Francis the five families -- from Rome, Ukraine and Congo -- that shared their stories "are not perfect families ... because, as you always say, … heaven," the pope said. "I thank you for this witness of faith!" Paul and Germaine Balenza of Congo spoke of the crises in their marriage, including infidelity, and how members of the … hope." Zakia Seddiki, a Moroccan Muslim and widow of Luca Attanasio, the Italian ambassador to Congo killed in an ambush in 2021 at the age of 43, also spoke at the event. Seddiki had told the …
Pope Francis plans to remain pope 'for as long as God allows it,' bishops say
… increased after the Vatican announced the cancellation of his planned July papal visit to Congo and South Sudan , citing knee pain. It's unclear whether the pope will make his expected …
Knee pain places unusual limits on Francis, a pope used to being a 'street priest'
… description of recent months for Pope Francis, who recently had to postpone plans to travel to Congo and South Sudan in early July due to problems with his knee. In February, Francis began a …
Pope nixes procession but plans Mass for Congolese on July 3
… audience June 13. He said he was saddened to have to cancel his planned July 2-7 pilgrimage to Congo and South Sudan but said he hoped to make it up to Rome's sizeable Congolese community with … for over a month and the Vatican last week announced he had to cancel his planned trip to Congo and South Sudan in order not to jeopardize his recovery. On June 13, the Vatican announced … the Eucharist is exhibited publicly. Francis has apologized to the governments and faithful in Congo and South Sudan, and on June 12 asked for prayers "so that with the help of God and medical …