On Saturday, Pope Francis marked All Souls' Day by holding a Mass at the Laurentino cemetery in Rome and visiting the "Garden of Angels," a section dedicated to the graves of unborn and miscarried children. Francis emphasized the importance of remembering and honoring all those who have passed, including the most vulnerable and innocent lives lost.
Pope Francis, the leader of the Catholic Church, is set to preside over the All Souls' Day Mass at the Laurentino Cemetery in Rome. The Mass is a tradition observed by Catholics on November 2 to pray for the departed souls in purgatory. This will be the second time Pope Francis leads the All Souls' Day Mass at the cemetery, which includes a special service for children and the unborn. Those interested can tune in to watch the Mass live at 5 pm (Manila time) on Saturday.
On the one-year anniversary of an attack on Israel by Hamas, Pope Francis addressed a letter to Catholics in the Middle East, expressing his solidarity with those who are suffering due to ongoing conflict in the region. To show support, the pope called for a day of prayer and fasting and also prayed a rosary for peace at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. In response, participants of the ongoing Synod on Synodality in the Vatican have also been echoing the pope's call for prayers and solidarity with the war-ravaged communities of the Middle East. Deacon Adel Abolouh, a synod delegate from Syria, described attending the pope's rosary as a "beautiful experience" that inspires people to become "missionaries of peace."
Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad, a 51-year-old priest from Kerala, India, has been elevated to the rank of Cardinal by the Vatican. He is responsible for organizing Pope Francis' international travels since 2020 and joined the Vatican Diplomatic Service in 2006. Koovakad has held various roles in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela before becoming an official in the Vatican's Secretariat of State. The formal ceremony for the creation of these Cardinals is scheduled for December 8, on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Prime Minister Narendra D Modi met with Pope Francis at the G7 summit and gave him his signature embrace. During their encounter, Modi assured the Pope that he would do everything in his power to safeguard churches and Christians in India from any violence or persecution. In a heartfelt message, Modi emphasized his government's unwavering commitment to the security and welfare of all Indians, regardless of their religious beliefs.
Pope Francis, with his moral authority and star power, will address G7 leaders at their annual summit in Italy and push for stronger regulations on AI development and usage. His concerns about AI, beyond a viral deepfake incident, are based on values of compassion, mercy, morality and forgiveness, which he believes are crucial for guiding the development and use of this technology. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni has invited Francis, knowing the potential impact of his participation to elevate and bring global attention to this shared concern.
In a rare public apology, Pope Francis expressed remorse for using a derogatory term to describe the 2SLGBTQ+ community during a meeting with Italian bishops. The Vatican stated that the Pope did not intend to use homophobic language and remains committed to a welcoming church for all. His reported comments have stirred controversy and surprise, as the Pope has been praised for his previous efforts towards inclusivity.
Advocates for the Catholic LGBTQ+ community are urging for greater acceptance and understanding after the Pope was quoted using a derogatory term for gay men in a meeting about the ban on gay priests. This has sparked widespread backlash and calls for more inclusive language and attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community in the Catholic Church. The controversy highlights the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance for the LGBTQ+ community within religious institutions.
During a closed meeting with Italian Catholic bishops, Pope Francis used a derogatory term for homosexuality while discussing a ban on homosexuals from seminaries. Matteo Bruni, the director of the Holy See Press Office, issued a statement relaying the Pope's apology for using the term. Many speculate that Francis, whose native language is Spanish, may have mistakenly used the Italian word without being fully aware of its derogatory connotations.
In an unusual move, Pope Francis issued an apology on Tuesday after reportedly using a gay slur during a meeting with Italian bishops. The Vatican stated that the 87-year-old pontiff never intended to offend and extends his apologies to those who were offended. While the Vatican did not confirm the use of the offensive term, reports from two Italian newspapers brought attention to the incident and caused dismay from the LGBTQ community and practicing Catholics.