An American citizen, Robert Woodland, imprisoned in Russia on drug charges, has had his sentence reduced, according to reports. His lawyer, Stanislav Kshevitsky, announced on Tuesday that Woodland’s original sentence of 12.5 years has been shortened to 9.5 years. The reason for the sentence reduction remains unclear. A spokesperson told Digital that the U.S. embassy […]
Since the time of Jesus Christ’s death in the 30s AD, there have been 266 popes in the Catholic Church, up to and including Pope Francis – Jorge Mario Bergoglio – who passed away on Easter Monday at the age of 88. St. Peter, the first to hold the title of pope, is widely regarded […]
During his 12-year papacy, Pope Francis has been both lauded for his influence and criticized for his modernizing, sometimes anti-traditional approach. His legacy is one of expansion, as he worked to shape the Catholic Church’s future and broaden its reach beyond the U.S. and Europe. “If you consider how he has approached appointing cardinals,” Tim […]
On Tuesday, the initial photographs of Pope Francis’ body were released following his passing. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning. The images depict Francis in a wooden coffin, adorned in red vestments and his bishop’s miter. The Vatican Secretary of State is shown praying over him in the chapel of the Domus Santa Marta […]
Following Pope Francis’ death from a cerebral stroke that resulted in heart failure, Vatican officials have released his will, which details his burial wishes. The will begins, “Feeling that the sunset of my earthly life is approaching and with lively hope in the Eternal Life, I wish to express my testamentary will only with regard […]
` tags. ` A notable and debated action during Francis’s papacy is his limiting of the Traditional Latin Mass, an older form of Catholic worship. Francis stated that his reason for restricting the Latin Mass stemmed from concerns that its practice was causing disunity within the Church. He believed the traditional mass was “being used […]
The U.S. and Iran are slated to hold a third round of discussions this week in Muscat, Oman, following a meeting in Italy facilitated by Omani mediators to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions on Saturday. While details of the talks remain undisclosed, and concrete progress on curbing Iran’s nuclear program is uncertain, a high-ranking U.S. official […]
Despite some controversy, the Edward Berger-directed mystery thriller “Conclave,” featuring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Stanley Tucci, earned an Oscar nomination in 2025 and explores the traditions surrounding papal elections by Catholic cardinals. The real-life conclave will reconvene following the Vatican’s announcement of Pope Francis’ death on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, […]
Following the announcement of Pope Francis’s death on Monday, global leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, have released statements. “Rest in Peace Pope Francis! God bless him and everyone who cherished him!” Trump stated on Truth Social. Vice President , who recently met with the Pope on Easter, expressed his gratitude for the meeting, noting […]
` tags. Shortly after his election, Pope Francis expressed his wishes regarding his burial arrangements. He was chosen as Pope in March 2013 by the College of Cardinals after Pope Benedict XVI resigned due to health issues. According to constructive theologian Neomi DeAnda, Pope Francis believed his papacy might be short. “He was already in […]
Following the death of a pope, the Catholic Church elects a successor through the “papal conclave,” an age-old procedure. Since at least 1276, this conclave has involved the College of Cardinals, comprised of the Church’s leading bishops from around the world. While over 240 cardinals exist, only those under 80 can vote, and the number […]
The upcoming funeral for Pope Francis will incorporate many traditional elements but will also omit some of the more elaborate customs, reflecting the changes he made to the Catholic Church’s papal funeral rites. Pope Francis passed away on Monday at the age of 88, according to the Vatican. While many traditions associated with papal funerals, […]
Following the death of Pope , 88, the oldest pope in over a century, on Monday morning, discussions about his potential successor have reportedly already commenced. While technically any male Catholic could be selected as the next pope, historically, the Sacred College of Cardinals has chosen popes since 1378, according to . Currently, the body […]
JOHANNESBURG: The possibility of the next Pope hailing from Africa is gaining traction among analysts, citing the continent’s booming Christian population. Catholicism is experiencing a surge in Africa, with more individuals embracing the faith there than anywhere else globally. Millions of Africans remain devoted to their beliefs, even in the face of persecution and death. […]
` tags. ` Pope Francis passed away at 88 years old on Monday morning, according to Vatican Camerlengo Cardinal Kevin Farrell. Farrell announced, “This morning at 7:35, Francis, the Bishop of Rome, passed on. He dedicated his life to serving the Lord and His Church.” The announcement continued, “He showed us how to live out […]
Nigerian Christians are facing a grim and anxious Easter season. Attacks by Islamist militants, aiming to establish a Muslim caliphate in Nigeria, continue unabated despite Christians accounting for nearly half of the population (46%). Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern (ICC), characterized the situation as a potential “genocide,” stating that “Nigeria’s Christians are being […]
Canada’s Jewish community is increasingly concerned about rising antisemitism following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack. The issue has become a focal point ahead of the April 28 federal election, with antisemitic incidents reaching record highs last year. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a leading contender against Prime Minister Mark Carney, recently criticized pro-Hamas demonstrators for […]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has expressed doubts about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announced Easter ceasefire. Following the announcement, Zelenskyy noted on X that air raid sirens were sounding and Russian attack drones had been detected. “The presence of Shahed drones in our skies demonstrates Putin’s true feelings toward Easter and human life,” he stated. The […]
Reports citing local authorities indicate that at least 148 people have died after a wooden motorized boat caught fire and capsized. The incident occurred on Tuesday in the Congo River, in the northwestern part of the country. The boat was reportedly carrying around 500 passengers, including women and children. Boat accidents are frequent in Congo […]
Pastor Josh Sullivan, an American, has expressed his gratitude to God following his rescue from captivity after a violent shootout in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. In a released statement, Sullivan stated he was thankful to God for his deliverance from what he called “the worst experience” of his life. He attributed his survival to […]