News

Vatican condemns Paris Olympics opening ceremony skit

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The Vatican has expressed deep sadness over a controversial segment in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, which it perceived as offensive to Christians and other religious believers.

In an unusual weekend press release issued in French, the Holy See joined the chorus of voices criticising what appeared to be a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” painting… Read more »

Pope thanks circus workers for the smiles they bring to people’s faces

  Ostia, Italy

Pope Francis took a break from his July “summer vacation” to spend the afternoon of Wednesday 31 July visiting with workers and those who offer pastoral assistance to them at a historic amusement park just about an hour southwest of Rome. Travelling to the Luna Park of Ostia Lido, the Pope gave them his warm wishes and support, saying he wished to personally express his gratitude as they help bring smiles on the faces of people… Read more »

The Church of St Francis of Assisi in Qawra celebrates 25 years of consecration

In 1954 two garages were bought and served as a chapel. In those days, shepherds were still tending to their flocks and farmers tilled the harsh soil of most of Buġibba and Qawra.

Some years later a small church was constructed to serve mainly summer residents. In 1979 the new church of Buġibba was consecrated and dedicated to St Maximillian Kolbe. The Franciscan Conventual Friars of St Paul’s Bay were preparing themselves for the expansion of the community in Buġibba… Read more »

New President for St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation

Mgr Prof. Emmanuel Agius

Mgr Prof. Emmanuel Agius has been appointed as the new President of St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation. This will be the third time for Mgr. Prof. Agius to be serving as President of the Foundation.

Archbishop Charles Scicluna appointed Mgr Prof. Agius as a member of the Metropolitan Cathedral Chapter on 25th January 2018, and as a member of The St John’s Co-Cathedral Foundation on 1st August 2019… Read more »

Liturgical celebrations of Archbishop Charles Scicluna in July 2024

Ritratt: L-Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta – Ian Noel Pace

Matul ix‑xahar ta’ Awwissu, l‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta xxandar il‑quddiesa kuljum fid‑9:30am fuq TVM, Knisja.mt u Newsbook Malta. Mit‑Tnejn sas‑Sibt tixxandar it‑talba tar‑rużarju fuq Knisja.mt, Newsbook Malta, u Facebook u YouTube tal‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta. Kull nhar ta’ Ħadd, il‑quddiesa tixxandar fuq TVM, Knisja.mt u Newsbook Malta, l‑istazzjon tar‑radju RTK 103, u Facebook u YouTube tal‑Arċidjoċesi ta’ Malta… Read more »

Opening of St Francis Home in Żejtun

L-Arċisqof Charles Scicluna jinawgura u jbierek Dar San Franġisk, ir-raba’ dar fil-komunità fiż-Żejtun għall-persuni b’diżabilità mmexxija mill-Fondazzjoni Nazareth. Attendew ukoll il-Prim Ministru Robert Abela u s-Sinjura Abela, il-President Emeritu Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, u l-Ministru għall-Inklużjoni u l-Volontarjat Julia Farrugia Portelli fost l-oħrajn.

Is-serata bdiet b’quddiesa ta’ radd il-ħajr lil Alla mmexxija mill-Arċisqof Scicluna fil-knisja parrokkjali taż-Żejtun. Miegħu kkonċelebraw Dun Anġ Seychell, il-fundatur ta’ Fondazzjoni Nazareth; Dun Martin Micallef, il-Vigarju Episkopali għad-Djakonija; Dun Anton Galea-Scannura u Dun Bernard Micallef, Kappillan u Viċi Kappillan tal-parroċċa taż-Żejtun; u Dun Michael Galea, Direttur ta’ Fondazzjoni Arka f’Għawdex… Read more »

Seoul holds launch event for World Youth Day 2027

Under the theme “Hope Ignites in Seoul. Success for WYD Seoul 2027,” the ceremony, held on July 28, marked the beginning of preparations for the highly anticipated international gathering.

The event drew a diverse crowd of over 1,000 young attendees, including North Korean defectors, youth with disabilities, and military personnel. 

The launch event kicked off with a colorful flag parade, where young Koreans and international participants carried 193 flags into the cathedral. 

This parade symbolized the universal call and enthusiasm for WYD, highlighting Seoul’s role as a global hub for young Catholics… Read more »

Meeting for the SDC youth group

Nhar il-Ħamis 18 ta’ Lulju 2024 fl-iskola St Michael, saret laqgħa oħra għall-grupp taż-Żgħażagħ SDC. Il-laqgħa bdiet b’riflessjoni bit-tema ta’ kif wieħed jista’ jagħmel kollox għall-glorja t’Alla, ibbażata fuq it-tagħlim tal-fundatur, San Ġorġ Preca.

Iż-żgħażagħ kellhom mument ta’ qsim ta’ ħsibijiet fi gruppi żgħar, fejn kulħadd kellu ċ-ċans jaħseb u jitkellem dwar sfidi, eżempji u benefiċċji ta’ din il-virtù. Wara, kien hemm ħin soċjali ikkaraterizzat minn logħba futbol fil-grawnd tal-iskola u ħin tal-ikel… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Savour God’s everyday miracles

  Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel of the Liturgy tells us about the miracle of the loaves and fishes (cf. Jn 6:1-15). A miracle, that is a “sign”, a “sign”, whose protagonists perform three gestures that Jesus will come to repeat at the Last Supper. What are these gestures? Offeringgiving thanks, and sharing… Read more »

300,000 children in Southern Africa threatened by severe acute malnutrition

In 2024, almost 300,000 children are threatened by severe acute malnutrition in six drought-affected countries in Southern Africa, reported the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF, in a July 25 statement.

Increasing food insecurity and malnutrition, challenges in accessing safe water and sanitation, as well as risks to disease outbreaks such as cholera, UNICEF deplores, are “a serious threat.”

7.4 Million in child food poverty

“Thousands of children are on the brink of being irreversibly impacted in their health and growth,” it decries, “because of the climate-related crisis and this warning should not go unheard by the international community.”

In Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, UNICEF highlights, 7.4 million children are living in child food poverty, of which over 2 million are surviving on extremely poor diets that include at most two food groups… Read more »