Latest news with #HolySee
Shafaq News
2 days ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
First call with Palestinian President: Pope urges protection of civilians
Shafaq News – Vatican City On Monday, Pope Leo XIV held a phone call with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, stressing the urgent need to protect civilians and uphold international humanitarian standards, according to the Vatican. During the conversation, the Pope underscored the obligation to preserve sacred sites, prevent indiscriminate violence, and reject the forced displacement of Palestinians. The Vatican said the "Holy Father" also voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis and called for swift, unhindered access to aid for those most at risk. In a symbolic note, he recalled the tenth anniversary of the Comprehensive Agreement between the "Holy See" and the State of Palestine—signed in 2015 and in force since 2016—reaffirming the Vatican's commitment to a just peace. This latest appeal follows Pope Leo's recent call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 20, during which he urged an immediate ceasefire and condemned the war's 'barbarism,' calling for a peaceful resolution.
Al-Ahram Weekly
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Pope has first call with Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas - Region
Pope Leo spoke by phone on Monday to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmud Abbas, about the conflict in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, the Vatican said. It was the first official conversation between the two men since Leo's papacy began. "The Holy Father repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected, emphasising in particular the obligation to protect civilians and sacred places, the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of force and of the forced transfer of the population," the Vatican wrote. The pope emphasised "the urgent need to provide assistance to those most vulnerable to the consequences of the conflict and to allow the adequate entry of humanitarian aid", it said. It followed a call on Friday between the pope and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after a strike by Israel on Gaza's only Catholic Church that killed three people. On Sunday, Leo condemned the "barbarity" of the war in Gaza and again called for a peaceful resolution. The Holy See, which supports a two-state solution, formally recognised the state of Palestine through an agreement signed in 2015, one of the first states in Europe to do so. In 2014, Israeli and Palestinian presidents Shimon Peres and Abbas planted an olive tree alongside Pope Francis in the Vatican gardens. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Pope has first call with Palestinian chief Abbas
Find out what's new on ST website and app. It was the first official conversation between the two men since Pope Leo's papacy began. Vatican City - Pope Leo spoke by phone on July 21 to the president of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmud Abbas, about the conflict in Gaza and violence in the West Bank, the Vatican said. It was the first official conversation between the two men since Leo's papacy began. 'The Holy Father repeated his appeal for international humanitarian law to be fully respected, emphasising in particular the obligation to protect civilians and sacred places, the prohibition of the indiscriminate use of force and of the forced transfer of the population,' the Vatican wrote. The Pope emphasised 'the urgent need to provide assistance to those most vulnerable to the consequences of the conflict and to allow the adequate entry of humanitarian aid', it said. It followed a call on July 18 between the Pope and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a day after a strike by Israel on Gaza's only Catholic Church that killed three people. On July 20, Leo condemned the 'barbarity' of the war in Gaza and again called for a peaceful resolution. The Holy See, which supports a two-state solution, formally recognised the state of Palestine through an agreement signed in 2015, one of the first states in Europe to do so. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia At least 19 killed as Bangladesh air force plane crashes into college campus Singapore Subsidies and grants for some 20,000 people miscalculated due to processing issue: MOH Singapore 2 workers stranded on gondola dangling outside Raffles City Tower rescued by SCDF Business Why Singapore and its businesses stand to lose with US tariffs on the region Singapore NTU introduces compulsory cadaver dissection classes for medical students from 2026 Singapore Fine, driving ban for bus driver who hit lorry in BKE crash, causing fractures to passenger Singapore Jail for man who conspired with another to bribe MOH agency employee with $18k Paris trip Singapore New research institute will grow S'pore's talent in nuclear energy, safety In 2014, Israeli and Palestinian presidents Shimon Peres and Abbas planted an olive tree alongside Pope Francis in the Vatican gardens. AFP
Scroll.in
4 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Civil society group submits memorandum to Vatican on ‘targeted violence' against Christians in India
Civil society group United Christian Forum has submitted a memorandum to the Vatican about the increase in 'targeted violence and hostility' against Christians in India, The Hindu reported on Saturday. The memorandum was handed over to Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, foreign minister of the Vatican, on Thursday during his week-long visit to the country to meet Indian officials and church functionaries. It urged Gallagher to talk about attacks on Christians while meeting Indian officials. On Thursday, the archbishop held a meeting with India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. After the meeting, Jaishankar on social media said that he was pleased to meet the archbishop, adding that the two leaders had a 'good conversation about the importance of faith, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts'. Pleased to meet Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations of the Holy See. A good conversation about the importance of faith, and the need for dialogue and diplomacy to address conflicts. 🇮🇳 🇻🇦 — Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) July 17, 2025 The visit comes months after the United Christian Forum released a report on January 10, which said that the number of attacks against Christians had increased from 127 in 2014 to 834 in 2024. In its memorandum submitted to Gallagher, the civil society group referred to the report on the rise in 'incidents of violence and hostility towards Christians', adding that the 'primary reason for these attacks has been false allegations of fraudulent conversions', The Hindu reported. Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh were the top two states where such allegations had led to 'either attacks on people at prayer or their illegal arrest by the police', the civil society group said citing its report. 'A large number of Catholic priests and nuns faced arrests, attacks, and legal actions in northern India,' the memorandum added, according to The Hindu. 'It is an alarming situation for missionaries.' Jose Vallikkatt, a Catholic priest based in Punjab's Bathinda city, told the newspaper that while the 'physical and mental torture is abominable, what is more alarming is the denial of religious rights of Christians. That's a constitutional violation'.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- New Indian Express
One tireless Jesuit keeps alive a pilgrim path for St. Ignatius in Spain
Besides celebrating Mass and dishing out historical and spiritual knowledge about Ignatius, he often carries a can of spray paint to touch up the hundreds of orange arrows he left on rocks and sign posts to mark the way. He even pitches in helping a server with orders at a bar that served as a refueling post. 'From rising in the morning until going to bed, I take care of everything,' said Iriberri, walking briskly through the sunbaked countryside. 'He's so knowledgeable and so deep. But also just like a fun person to be around,' said pilgrim Amanda Murphy. 'I feel like he's always got a tidbit to surprise you or help you learn more.' Following Ignatius' transformational journey Iriberri had worked for the Jesuits Refugee Service in Morocco and had walked Spain's popular Camino de Santiago, or St. James' Way, six times when he was assigned the gargantuan task of creating from scratch a Camino Ignaciano. The idea was to try to mimic some of the success of the Camino de Santiago, which drew nearly half a million walkers last year. Walking the nearly 600-km (370-mile) Camino Ignaciano can take a month, broken into 27 stages by Iriberri. Most pilgrims, like the teachers from the U.S., do a shorter version in just over a week that combines bus rides with daily walks. Iriberri charted the route along public footpaths, including some stretches of the Camino de Santiago in the opposite direction, to reconstruct the journey Ignatius made in 1522 from his hometown of Loyola in northern Spain to northeastern Manresa, about an hour from the Mediterranean coast. That journey was part of a profound religious transformation of Íñigo the man-of-arms into Ignatius the man-of-God who would go on to found one of the most influential Catholic orders. The Society of Jesus today has over 14,000 members around the world and has left an indelible imprint on modern education and humanistic thought. The late Pope Francis was the first Jesuit to head the Holy See. Christian Zombek is a 29-year-old Jesuit in formation who teaches in Washington, D.C. He said he would never forget his week in Spain. 'It just moves me to gratitude and honestly to tears to be able to pray in front of the same statues, pray the same churches that Ignatius was at, and recognize a man who's done so much for me and helped me to grow in our relationship,' he said. 'Now I can see how God did it with him.' The culmination of the pilgrimage is the cave in Manresa where Ignatius meditated and found inspiration for the Spiritual Exercises, a central tract of Catholic how-to spirituality. To enhance the pilgrim experience, Iriberri wrote a guidebook for the Camino Ignaciano. Besides practical information, it recommends daily spiritual exercises drawn from Ignatius' foundational text. They include meditations on Ignatius' teachings, on Christ and on the pilgrim's own life and relation to God. 'When you go on a pilgrimage, it is difficult to find an internal guide. You have external guides, the signposts, the route markings, but nothing to help you internally,' Iriberri said. 'And that is what the Camino Ignaciano is, it is an internal pilgrimage.' The pilgrimage faces an uncertain future Iriberri received a boost last month when the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education granted him patronage for the pilgrim path. That recognition could potentially increase awareness of the path, but it doesn't come with any financial support. Almost 4,000 registered pilgrims have completed the trail since its creation, with around 400 people doing it each of the last six years — with the exception of 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many were personally guided by Iriberri, who this year plans to lead nine groups of pilgrims. Iriberri admits that those numbers are not enough to reach the needed 'critical mass' whereby the path can survive without his stewardship. He says more help is needed from local authorities to promote it as well as more hostels for pilgrims on some of the more isolated stages to ensure his work doesn't end up a quixotic quest. Pilgrim Dawn Kelly, a retired teacher from Houston, says the route is 'very specific' for those interested in Ignatius and the Jesuit tradition. 'You have to be into wanting to know about Ignatius,' Kelly says, even though Iriberri insists that it is open to people of all faiths and even avid hikers seeking an alternative to the sometimes crowded Camino de Santiago. Fortunately for the Camino Ignaciano, Iriberri is going strong even at retirement age. He already has three pilgrimages lined up for next year and has open dates for more. Wiry, with a graying, trimmed beard, he swings his walking stick at the front to set the pace, or stays behind his pilgrims on climbs like a shepherd worried he'll lose a stray. He exhorts the American pilgrims in fluent English to keep their feet moving when the going gets tough. The discomfort, after all, deepens the experience, he teaches. 'The idea is to bring the head, the heart and the body together,' Iriberri said. 'The sweat, the foot pain, the blisters, the hunger, they help you understand little by little that ultimately it doesn't all depend on you. There is something else that carries you forward.'
