Employment

The global issue of unemployment points to a structural problem that was identified well before the onset of the world financial crisis, according to the Holy See. But its consequence is a scenario that “we must do our very best to avoid.”

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, permanent representative of the Holy See to the U.N. offices in Geneva, made this observation last Wednesday at the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference… Read more »

Violence and more attacks

As the situation in Syria drags on, it could be that fewer and fewer people have hope in dialogue, but the Vatican continues to call for it, saying it’s the solution to the conflict.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, turned his attention to Syria in the most recent edition of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies.”

He followed the Pope’s own speaking-out on the months-long conflict… Read more »

July 2 – 3, 2011: young people give an unusual start to their summer with “Check-in”, in St Julian’s. Hundreds of youth are offering their breaks up for voluntary work in Malta and abroad. Others are making the much-anticipated pilgrimage to Madrid marking the World Youth Day. Though every experience of these is unique, they are all deep-changing expressions of faith.

Check-in is an overnight experience bringing all the separate lines together… Read more »

Click here to watch the latest edition of ‘QalbinNies’.

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Feast of the Holy Spirit

Benedict XVI says that the Holy Spirit, celebrated on the feast of Pentecost, fills the universe and prepares unity among nations.

The Pope reflected on the role of the Third Person of the Blessed Trinity before he prayed the midday Regina Ceoli with those gathered in St. Peter’s Square.

Pentecost, he said, is the fulfillment of the paschal mystery, “the powerful effusion of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles gathered together with Mary, the Mother of the Lord, and the other disciples… Read more »

Libya happenings

The top church official in Libya expressed fear that the protracted conflict there would generate fighting among factions and tribes, but said he believed a negotiated solution was still possible, the Vatican’s missionary news agency reported.

Bishop Giovanni Martinelli of Tripoli, Libya, also told the Fides news agency June 8 that “whoever thinks they can resolve everything with bombs is mistaken.” Bishop Martinelli has been an outspoken critic of the NATO bombing campaign against Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s forces, which have been battling to put down a widespread rebellion since late February… Read more »

Croatia's EU membership

Croatia has the responsibility to promote Christian values and the role of the family in education and social life as it prepares to enter the European Union, Pope Benedict XVI said. In his first public appearance since returning from a pastoral trip to Croatian capital of Zagreb June 4-5, the pope also emphasized the essential role of marriage and marital fidelity in a Europe, which has rising rates of divorce and separations… Read more »