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Extra.ie
06-07-2025
- General
- Extra.ie
Pope Leo XIV praises the ‘faith' of Irish teacher group
Pope Leo XIV had warm praise for a group of Irish teachers, who he described as 'models of faith', during a meeting at the Vatican yesterday. The pontiff met with a delegation of teachers from Ireland and the UK, led by Bishop Paul Connell of Ardagh and Clonmacnois and Archbishop William Nolan of Glasgow, Scotland. Bishop Connell said: 'We came to Rome hoping to strengthen our faith and reflect on the work we do as teachers in Catholic schools.' Pope Leo XIV had warm praise for a group of Irish teachers, who he described as 'models of faith', during a meeting at the Vatican yesterday. Pic: VATICAN MEDIA / Catholic Press Photo Directly addressing the teachers, Pope Leo said: 'Children will look up to you as models of faith, particularly in how you teach and live. 'I hope that, each day, you will nurture your relationship with Christ, who gives us the pattern of all authentic, so that, in turn, you may guide and encourage those entrusted to your care to follow Christ in their own lives.' Following the papal audience, Bishop Connell said of the visit: 'Since our arrival, there has been a wonderful bonding among the entire group. The education context is different in each of our countries, but we are learning so much from each other.'
Herald Malaysia
05-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo dialogues with children: "Build bridges from an early age"
Pope Leo has a dialogue with children participating in the Vatican's summer camp who gathered with him yesterday in the Paul VI Hall. With them also a group of around 300 young students from Ukraine, hosted in Italy by Caritas for the summer. Jul 05, 2025 Pope Leo XIV during his dialogue with children of the Vatican summer camp (@VATICAN MEDIA) By L'Osservatore Romano"Even as children, we can learn to be builders of bridges and seek opportunities to help others." This is the conviction of Pope Leo XIV, who, in response to questions from children he met yesterday in the Vatican, encouraged them to seek friendship with Jesus by attending Mass, welcoming those who are different, and committing themselves to building peace. The occasion was a midday visit to the Paul VI Hall, where more than 300 participants in the Vatican's annual summer camp program had gathered, joined shortly beforehand by an equal number of children from Ukraine hosted by Caritas Italiana. Responding to three questions posed by three children representing various age groups, the Pope engaged in an informal dialogue with those present. One of the event's leaders introduced the initiative, now in its sixth year. Coordinated by Salesian priest Father Franco Fontana and organized in a similar way to the youth centers of St. John Bosco. The theme for discussions at the summer camp looks at how to help children overcome prejudice in a time when it's increasingly difficult to talk, connect, and share words, thoughts, and even playtime with others. Attending Mass as a child The first question came from Giulia, who asked if the Pope went to Mass as a child. "Of course!" he answered enthusiastically. "Always, every Sunday, with Mom and Dad." He then shared memories from his childhood in Chicago: "Around age six, I was also an altar server in my parish. Before going to school — it was a parish school — we would attend 6:30 a.m. Mass. Mom always woke us up saying, 'Let's go to Mass.'" Serving at Mass was something he truly enjoyed. "From an early age, I was taught that Jesus is always near, that He is your best friend, and Mass was a way to find that friend, to be with Jesus — even before my First Communion." Pope Leo also recalled that back then Mass was in Latin: "We had to learn Latin for Mass, but then it changed to English for me since I was born and raised in the U.S." However, he emphasized, "What mattered wasn't the language of the celebration, but the experience of being with other kids serving Mass, the friendship, and that closeness to Jesus in the Church. It was always something beautiful." Building bridges Next came a question from Edoardo, who, referring to the summer camp's theme, asked how children can welcome those who are different. The Pope greeted the Ukrainian group in English, noting, "Experiences like this — meeting people from different countries, lands, languages, with so many differences between us — are very important." He encouraged the children to embrace "the experience of encounter, of meeting one another, of mutual respect, and learning to be friends with one another." Switching back to Italian for the rest of the group, he reminded them that Ukraine is 'a land that is suffering greatly because of the war.' Speaking to the challenges of communication due to language differences, he acknowledged, "Yes, it can be hard to understand each other." But he emphasized that when there is an opportunity to meet someone different, it is vital to learn mutual respect. "Don't focus on the differences," he said. "See how to live an encounter with respect — to build bridges, build friendship, recognize that we can all be friends, brothers, sisters. That way, we can walk together and move forward." The Pope admitted this isn't always easy: "Sometimes it takes special effort, because we think, 'He's not like me, she's different, doesn't speak like me… looks different…'" Still, he stressed the need to "learn to respect each other, to know that we can live together as friends." Working for peace Finally, Damiano returned to the topic of the conflict in Ukraine, asking what young people can do to build peace. The Pope responded that "even from a young age, we can all learn to be builders of peace and friendship." He offered practical advice: "Don't go to war, don't get into fights, never promote hatred. There are many small things even for you — like when you look at someone and think, 'I like those shoes, and I don't have them…' and then you feel envy or something unpleasant in your heart." Instead, he said, "Jesus calls us to learn to be friends, brothers and sisters to all. In that experience, whether we are Italian, American, Ukrainian — whatever our country — we are all sons and daughters of God." He urged them to learn from childhood "to have mutual respect," to "see the other as someone like me," and to understand that "they're not so different. 'They speak another language; I can't talk to them' — that's not true! There are also gestures. There are ways to approach the other. You can share a bit of bread, find a way to help." Pope Leo XIV concluded, "Even the smallest can start seeking opportunities to be promoters of peace, promoters of friendship and love among all."--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
03-07-2025
- General
- Herald Malaysia
Ukrainian and Vatican summer camp children receive visit by Pope Leo
Pope Leo XIV meets with over 600 children in the Paul VI Hall, including participants from the Vatican's summer camp and Ukrainian children hosted by Caritas Italiana. Jul 03, 2025 The meeting with the children (@VATICAN MEDIA) VATICAN: Shortly before noon and following the conclusion of his audiences, Pope Leo XIV took the time to greet over 300 children and young people participating in the 'Estate Ragazzi in Vaticano' summer camp, gathered in the Paul VI Hall. They were joined by another 300 children and adolescents from Ukraine, welcomed to Italy for the summer by Caritas Italiana. After being welcomed by the young volunteers working at the summer camp, the Pope spent time speaking with the children and answering several of their questions. Recalling his own childhood, he shared memories of attending Mass, a place where he encountered other children and friends, but above all, 'the best friend of all: Jesus.' Reflecting on the themes of diversity and welcome, Pope Leo addressed the Ukrainian children with words of greeting in English. He highlighted the importance of mutual respect and the need to look beyond differences: 'It is important to build bridges, to create friendship. We can all be friends, brothers, and sisters,' he said. Builders of peace and friendship In response to a question about war, the Holy Father encouraged the children to become builders of peace and friendship, even from a young age. 'Do not enter into war or conflict. Never promote hatred or envy,' he said, reminding them that 'Jesus calls us all to be friends,' and he explained the importance of 'learning from childhood to respect one another and to see the other as someone like myself.' The children presented Pope Leo with a variety of gifts, including handmade crafts created during the summer camp, as well as drawings and artwork prepared by the Ukrainian children. At the conclusion of the encounter, after taking group photos, Pope Leo invited everyone to pray the Hail Mary together and imparted his blessing on all those present.--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV receives Vice-President of Vietnam
After an audience with Pope Leo XIV, the Vice-President of Vietnam meets with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. Jun 30, 2025 Pope Leo XIV receives the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Vatican (@VATICAN MEDIA) VATICAN: The Holy See Press Office released the following statement about Pope Leo XIV's meeting on Monday morning with the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Pope Leo XIV received in audience, in the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican, the Vice-President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Her Excellency Madam Vo Thi An Xuan, who subsequently met with His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations. During the cordial discussions which took place in the Secretariat of State, warm appreciation was expressed for the positive developments in the relations between the Holy See and Vietnam, in particular in the implementation of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Pontifical Representative in Vietnam, while underscoring the contribution of the Catholic Church to Vietnamese society. An exchange of views then took place on the socio-political situation of the country, as well as on regional and international developments.--Vatican News
Herald Malaysia
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Herald Malaysia
Pope Leo XIV thanks faithful for support of Peter's Pence Collection
On the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, Pope Leo XIV expresses gratitude for the faithful's support of the Peter's Pence collection, highlighting its significance as a sign of communion with the papacy. Jun 30, 2025 Pope during Angelus (@VATICAN MEDIA) Speaking after the Angelus prayer on Sunday, 29 June, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the spiritual and ecclesial significance of the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul by thanking the faithful worldwide for their participation in the Peter's Pence collection and extending heartfelt greetings to pilgrims in Rome for the feast of the city's patron saints. 'Today also marks the celebration of the Peter's Pence collection, a sign of communion with the Pope and participation in his apostolic ministry,' the Pope said. 'I warmly thank all those who, with their offering, support my first steps as the Successor of Peter.' Observed annually, the collection enables the Pope to fund charitable works, provide disaster relief, and support vulnerable communities around the world. Feast of Rome's patron saints Greeting pilgrims and citizens of Rome, Pope Leo also extended a special message to the priests who serve in its parishes, offering gratitude and encouragement for their pastoral work. 'I want to send a heartfelt thought to the parish priests and all the priests working in the Roman parishes, with gratitude and encouragement for their service,' he said. Metropolitan Archbishops The Pope also had words of welcome for pilgrims from various countries accompanying the Metropolitan Archbishops who received the Pallium during the morning Mass in St. Peter's Basilica. In particular, he said to those from war-struck Ukraine: 'I always pray for your people.' The Pallium, a liturgical vestment conferred on the new Archbishops, signifies their communion with the Bishop of Rome and their pastoral responsibility as shepherds within the Church's hierarchy. Quo Vadis initiative Pope Leo also praised the Quo Vadis initiative, a spiritual pilgrimage through key sites in Rome connected to Saints Peter and Paul, as an opportunity to deepen knowledge of the Church's foundations and grow in devotion to the Apostles. 'I bless all those participating in the event called 'Quo Vadis', through the Roman sites linked to the memory of Saints Peter and Paul,' he said. 'I thank those who have worked with dedication to organise this initiative.'--Vatican News
