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India.com
17-07-2025
- India.com
Inside Goa's Most Haunted Places: Where Brave Souls Go Ghost Hunting
Goa, a state in western India, is home to stunning beaches, exciting nightlife, and an impressive architecture. Along with its breathtaking Oberoi Hotels & Resorts, Goa is also a place steeped in mystery with its own share of folklore. The vibrant markets and sun-soaked beaches hide a dark paranormal edge, drawing thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts alike. Ghost hunting in Goa is not merely about chasing shadows; it's about exploring the legends, wonderful places, and spine-chilling experiences that haunt the minds of many. If you seek the mysterious, check out the most haunted places in Goa City along with their creepy stories. 1. The Old Goa Churches Not only are the churches of Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, renowned for their magnificent beauty, they are also a hub for paranormal activity. The most famous ones include Old Goa's Church of St. Francis of Assisi and the Basilica of Bom Jesus. Locals and visitors have claimed spotting shadowy silhouettes, experiencing otherworldly sensations, and ghostly sounds. These occurrences reportedly intensify as the sun starts to set. One of the most well-known legends is of a headless priest who allegedly haunts the corridors of the Basilica of Bom Jesus. He was reportedly beheaded during an invasion, and his tormented spirit has been unable to find peace. Some people claim to have seen his ghostly figure meandering around the tomb of St. Francis Xavier, while others assert that they have witnessed the sound of footsteps echoing in the empty corridors. 2. The D'Mello House Situated at the center of Goa City, the D'Mello House is an abandoned mansion with an infamous story. It is said that the D'Mello family, who once occupied the house, came to a rather tragic end under unknown circumstances. The house has been kept deserted for decades, but the locals are certain that it is anything but vacuous. There have been reports by paranormal investigators about disembodied footsteps echoing laughter through the halls, windows rattling for no reason, and doors closing by themselves. Some have even reported seeing the ghostly figure of a woman wearing a white saree standing at the balcony, believed to be the spirit of the lady of the house who died by suicide after her entire family was killed. 3. The Assagao Cemetery Like anywhere in the world, cemeteries are usually places rumored to be haunted and The Assagao Cemetery in Goa is no different. This burial ground is ancient, lies in heavy undergrowth, and is said to be the resting place for wandering ghosts. People from the neighboring towns stay away during the night, while paranormal activity enthusiasts seek its strange vibe. Visitors have reported plenty of morbid happenings like floating spherical lights above the burial sites, sorrowful sounds of mourning, and inexplicable feelings of fear. One of the most frightening accounts is of a shadowy figure that tracks people around the burial ground, only to disappear at the time of confrontation. Some believe it is the spirit of a young girl who was buried alive many centuries ago. 4. The Chapora Fort The Portuguese built Chapora Fort during the 17th century and it remains a hot spot for tourists seeking to appreciate nature's beauty as it stands atop a hill overlooking the Chapora River. The fort boasts stunning views, but once the sun sets, these views turn dark and sinister. The fort has been the site of numerous battles and deaths over the years. Ghost hunters have claimed that they hear the harmonious clashing of swords, accompanied by the cries of soldiers which suggests that there are battles that are reenacted in the spirit world. Some others claim that they have spotted soldiers' ghosts standing on the fort's ramparts but vanished at a moment's notice. The most renowned ghostly inhabitant is believed to be a Portuguese soldier, who was said to have been betrayed by his fellows. He now resides in the fort and seeks vengeance. 5. Saligao's White Lady's Curse Saligao's ghost story is arguably one of its oldest tales and is referred to as the White Lady's legend. The lore goes that a maiden was deceived by her partner which led her to dying from a broken heart. Her spectral manifestation can be seen roaming around the Saligao fields and roads, adorned in an ethereal white dress. Countless people have claimed they met the White Lady who is able to appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. Witnesses have claimed to either listen to her sobbing, or feel a freezing hand grasping their shoulder. Many people in the town strongly believe this legend which is why in the back of their minds, they greatly reduce the chances of walking alone at night. 6. The Phantom Vessel of Vagator Beach Vagator Beach, famous for its imposing cliffs and lively nightlife, also has an unsettling aspect. It is said that a ghostly ship is sighted on the horizon during full moon nights. It is thought to be some kind of pirate ship from the 18th century and is believed to be cursed, with the crew forever doomed to sail the seas. Fishermen and persons frequenting the beach claim to have seen the silhouette of the ship in moonlight, accompanied by the familiar sound of creaking wood and distant voices. Some people even claim to have spotted the ghostly forms of pirates on the deck, swords brandished aloft. Tips for Ghost Hunting in Goa City If you're planning on going on a ghost hunting expedition in Goa, here are a few pointers that you should keep in mind: Capture Your Experience: Carry a camera, voice recorder, or EMF meter to catch any unusual activities. Conclusion Goa City keeps its history and culture while crafting a place for ghost hunters to enjoy. The stories and sightings attached to these haunted places are spine-chilling whether you believe in the paranormal or not. For those aspiring to dive into the undiscovered, these spots are not for the timid, so gear up. The supernatural world is filled with surprises, and anything could happen at any time.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From Peter to Linus to Francis: How do popes pick their papal names?
Kendrick Lamar once said, "If I'm gonna tell a real story, I'm gonna start with my name." It's a long way from hip hop to the Holy See, but that sentiment is something both realms have in common: Names matter, and they can help tell a person's story. Each new pope, once chosen by a conclave of the College of Cardinals, can take on a new name, one infused with meaning, history and tradition. When Jorge Bergoglio ascended to the papacy, he chose to become Pope Francis in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, a 13th century friar who rejected his family's wealth and went to live, minister and work among the poor. Francis was the first pope from the Americas, and the first Jesuit pope. He was also the first pope to choose the name Francis. Meeting with journalists in 2013, shortly after he became pope, he explained how he settled on the name: According to the Catholic Herald, a friend, Brazilian Cardinal Claudio Hummes, "embraced me and kissed me and said, 'Don't forget the poor,' and that struck me. ... Immediately I thought of St. Francis of Assisi. Francis was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation." Other popes have chosen names that reflected their own values, their own heritage or their own heroes. Why do popes choose new names? Not all members of Catholic religious orders change their names upon entering ministry. But for those who do, accepting or choosing a new name is symbolic of that person's new stage in life, their entry into a new community and a new way of serving God and other people. According to the Sioux Falls Bishop's Bulletin, popes began choosing new names early in the Catholic Church's history. In 533, a new pope was selected. His name, Mercurius, though, honored a Roman god, Mercury, and was considered a pagan name. He took the name of the prior pope, John, becoming John II, who'd been martyred. Still, many popes continued to keep their given names until the 10th century, when it became a more common practice for popes to choose new names. The last pope to keep his given name was Marcellus II, elected in 1555. Pope Francis gestures from a balcony while delivering an Easter Sunday message in St. Peter's Square. The pontiff died the following day. What was the first pope's name? St. Peter was the first pope, one of the twelve Apostles and the man who Catholics believe was ordained by Jesus himself. According to the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said to the man who'd been known as Simon, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church." Catholics believe that after Jesus' death and resurrection, Peter became the earthly leader of the nascent church, spreading the Gospel and evangelizing throughout the Roman Empire. He is believed to have settled in Rome, where it's thought he was martyred around 64 AD. What papal names have been used most? John has been the most commonly chosen papal name: 23 pontiffs have taken that name. Part of the reason for that is a papal tradition of taking the name of one's predecessor. Another reason: There are dozens of Catholic saints named John (at least 126 of them, according to the Catholic news outlet Aleteia), including John the Baptist, John the Apostle (also called John the Evangelist for his work spreading Jesus' story), St. John of the Cross and St. John Damascene. Francis' predecessor, Joseph Ratzinger, chose the second-most-used papal name when he became Benedict XVI. There have also been 16 popes named Gregory. Clement, Innocent, Leo and Pius have also been used often throughout church history. Are there any names used just once? Many popes have chosen names not used before or since, including (but not limited to): Lando (who served from 913-914), Romanus (897), Formosus (9891-896), Valentine (827), Zachary (741-752), Conon (686-687), Agatho (678-681), Vitalian (657-672), Severinus (638-640), Silverius (536-537), Hormisdas (514-523), Symmachus (498-514), Simplicius (468-483), Hilarius (461-468), Mark (336-337), Dionysius (259-268), Fabian (236-250) and Linus (64-76). Peter, the first pope, was also the only one to have that name. (This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.) This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How do popes pick their papal names? What you need to know
New Straits Times
26-04-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Pope Francis was a reformist, environmentalist and peace advocate
BY the time you read this, Jorge Bergoglio, the first pope to choose the name Francis, would have been buried. Coming from the Society of Jesus, commonly called the Jesuit Order, one would have thought the name was chosen in honour of St Francis Xavier, one of its founding members (and, coincidentally, a saint who had visited the Malay peninsula centuries ago). However, the name was chosen in honour of St Francis of Assisi. According to some reports, Pope Francis — the first Latin American pope, from Argentina — was a "divisive" figure during his 12 years as the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. But, was he really divisive? Not any more than any other person, especially one in a position of leadership. Francis set about renewing the church, making some changes to the way things were done. In doing so, he earned himself some critics. Conservatives branded him too liberal. On the other hand, Francis' changes were deemed not good enough by the liberals, who demanded more. They branded him too conservative. Either way, the pope "lost". No matter what he did. After all, one cannot please everyone. Pope Francis, however, did not take things to heart. He did things his way and continued to do so, encouraged by the love and support of the vast majority of the church. He led by example. At a penitential service organised to encourage Catholics to return to Confession or Reconciliation — a vital sacrament in the Catholic Church — Francis was being escorted to his seat when he broke away, went to another priest, and made his Confession. And, like his namesake, he was a simple and humble man. Francis the saint was a man of peace, a man of poverty, a man who loved and protected creation. So was Francis the pope. He eschewed the Apostolic Palace, choosing instead to live in the Vatican guesthouse. He often rode to papal events in an old little Fiat that belonged to him instead of the big luxury vehicle owned by the Vatican. This was a man who not only was the first Latin American pope, but the first from the Americas and the first Jesuit to rise to the highest position in the Catholic Church. Yet, he lived as simply as he could. Like the saint he revered, he also had a love of all God's creations, many times advocating for the environment particularly. He dedicated his second encyclical letter, titled "Laudato si" (Latin for "Praised be"), to the climate crisis the world is going through. Above all, this was a man who loved peace, just as Francis of Assisi did in the 13th century. The pope prayed and hoped for it and always made this known to the world and its leaders. Francis died on the Monday immediately following Easter, the most important day in the Catholic calendar. He was still recovering from a bout of pneumonia that had nearly killed him. Despite this, the pope made an appearance at St Peter's Square and granted a private audience to United States Vice-President J.D. Vance. He was too weak, however, to celebrate mass, entrusting someone else to deliver his sermon. Parts of his sermon focused — yet again — on peace, from Gaza (of which he was a great advocate) to Ukraine and other parts of the world that are seeing conflict. Pope Francis' last will, perhaps, was a testament that speaks to the humility of the man. His will speaks only about the arrangements for his burial. Instead of being buried beneath St Peter's Basilica in three different coffins, one placed in another, Francis will be placed in a single coffin made of wood and lined in zinc. His remains will then be buried in the Santa Maria Maggiore Basilica outside the walls of the Vatican. This is because Francis was devoted to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and often prayed at the basilica before and after his overseas trips. His grave will be simply marked with his name — Franciscus. There will be no indication that this was a pope, the leader of 1.4 billion people. The Catholic Church has lost a humble and pious leader. The world has lost a remarkable leader. The writer is NST news editor. Keywords: News Argentina Nst Pope Francis Analysis Opinion Catholic Church Roman Catholic Church Malaysia News Society Of Jesus Related Articles
26-04-2025
- General
Pope Francis funeral updates: Funeral for Francis begins in Vatican City
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old. Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years. ABC News Live streaming coverage of the funeral will begin on Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET, while it will also air on local ABC stations and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
26-04-2025
- General
Pope Francis funeral updates: Services for pontiff set to get underway soon
Pope Francis, the 266th pope of the Roman Catholic Church, will be buried Saturday at the Basilica of Saint Mary Major after dying one week ago at 88 years old. Francis, who took his name after Saint Francis of Assisi, was known for his outreach to the poor and those in poverty and that will be reflected in his minimalist burial at Saint Mary Major. He is the first pope to be buried outside the Vatican in over a century and the first to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore in more than 300 years. ABC News Live streaming coverage of the funeral will begin on Saturday at 3:30 a.m. ET, while it will also air on local ABC stations and streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
