Pope Francis has said that the Earth will become uninhabitable if there is no concrete action taken on climate change. He further asserted the complexity of the ecological crisis.

Pope Francis talks about climate change, pollution and development

Pope Francis used his short time in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday to urge his bishops to embrace diversity and send a message to the country’s hard-right, anti-migrant leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, that God is not a strongman who silences enemies and that religious roots, while vital for a country, also allow it to open up and extend “its arms toward everyone.”

The seven-hour visit, ostensibly a spiritual layover to celebrate the concluding Mass of a weeklong international conference on the Eucharist, was the first international trip for Francis since undergoing major surgery this summer. It opened a four-day visit to neighboring Slovakia, and the disparity of time spent in the two countries has prompted Hungarian prelates to lobby for a longer stay and allies of Orban to excoriate the pope, who regularly criticizes “national populism,” for the perceived snub.

Orban has portrayed himself as a defender of Christian Europe, and he has ramped up connections to church traditionalists, many of whom are critical of Francis, before expected elections in April. Some in the Hungarian church worried that Orban would exploit the pope’s visit for electoral gain. His government, they argue, has already essentially bought the independence and the silence of the church by showering it with many millions of dollars in subsidies.

On Sunday, Francis met for about 40 minutes with Orban and with other civil authorities in a gaping hall at the Museum of Fine Arts. The pope and his top foreign policy officials sat without masks and at a considerable distance across from Orban and Hungary’s president, Janos Ader.

But Orban quickly posted photographs of his greeting Francis on his Facebook page, writing that he had asked the pope “not to allow Christian Hungary to perish.” Hungarian media, where Orban’s government holds great sway, splashed the picture of the handshake on their homepages and reported that Orban, who has referred to the influx of migrants to Europe in 2015 as an “invasion,” gave Francis a copy of a letter sent by a 13th-century Hungarian king to the pope at the time. In the letter, the king complained that pleas to the church for help against an invasion from Mongol armies had resulted in only empty words.

The issue of migration apparently did not come up in the meeting, according to the Vatican, but, as anticipated by some of his confidants, the pope addressed the issue head-on in his subsequent meeting in the museum with a group of Hungarian bishops.

“Your country is a place in which people from other populations have long lived together,” he said. “Various ethnicities, minorities, religions and migrants have also transformed this country into a multicultural environment.”

Francis said that at the beginning, “diversity always causes some fear because it puts at risk the acquired security and upsets the achieved stability,” but he added that it was a great opportunity to reach out in brotherhood. “In front of cultural, ethnic, political and religious diversity,” the pope said, “we can have two reactions: close ourselves in a rigid defense of our so-called identity, or open ourselves to meet the other and cultivate together the dream of a fraternal society.”

He said that he wanted the Hungarian church to build new bridges of dialogue, to show, he said, its “true face” and become a “bright symbol for Hungary.”

In Francis’ public remarks — in the Heroes’ Square adjacent to the museum, which was spilling over with tens of thousands of people, including Orban in a front-row seat — the pope seemed to touch on those issues, if in biblical and religious terms.

Appearing strong after having about 13 inches of his colon removed in early July, Francis, 84, spoke about how religious sentiment, with which Orban imbues much of his political talk, “not only invites us to be well rooted, it also raises and extends its arms towards everyone.” He said that while it was important to keep the “roots firm,” it was also important to do so “without defensiveness.”

Francis also seemed to warn against the conflating of religion and politics.

“There is God’s side and the world’s side,” he said. “The difference is not between who is religious or not, but ultimately between the true God and the god of ‘self.’ How distant is the God who quietly reigns on the cross from the false god that we want to reign with power in order to silence our enemies.”

On the early plane ride to Budapest from Rome, Francis told reporters that he was happy to be traveling again, as the coronavirus pandemic and his own health challenges had kept him in the Vatican. “If I’m alive, it’s because bad weeds never die,” he joked. In Budapest, he rode in the so-called popemobile along avenues crowded with faithful waving flags. Hardly anyone on the streets, or in the square, or in the city’s bars or restaurants, for that matter, wore masks, and they all crammed closely together.

But Francis took breaks when he could. When, after his meeting with Orban, he met with Christian and Jewish leaders, he explained that he had to deliver his speech while sitting because “I’m not 15 anymore.”

In that speech, he expressed wariness about “the threat of anti-Semitism still lurking in Europe and elsewhere,” and he frequently used his familiar imagery of building bridges and breaking down walls.

During the pope’s morning meetings, prelates and faithful gathered in the square under hats and white umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun, and five members of the defunct Hapsburg empire, which ruled over Hungary and much of Europe for centuries, stood in a line together on the side of a stage that had been set up for Francis. Orban has appointed two of them as his ambassadors in the hopes of improving access in Western Europe.

Eduard Hapsburg, Orban’s ambassador to the Holy See, who worked with the Vatican to extend the pope’s stay, said he had met Francis at the airport. The pope, he said, told him that Hungarian was the language of heaven because it takes an eternity to learn. Hapsburg said that he had pretended not to know the joke and had laughed.

“I didn’t have the impression of a grim atmosphere,” he said. “It was very cheerful, enjoying very much, and yes, for us it’s incredible.”

His father, Archduke Michael Hapsburg-Lothringen, agreed with the rest of his family that the world unfairly treated Hungary as a pariah. He said he was deeply happy with Orban’s government, its handling of the migrant crisis and its advocacy of Hungary as a Christian nation. “I say we live in paradise,” he said. “Compared to neighbor countries, even. I mean, there is so much confusion.”

But Hungary, under Orban, is increasingly isolated in Europe. And as Francis and Orban met, some of those who had crowded around Heroes’ Square sensed the tension and felt torn between the two.

“For me, Catholicism is one thing, and politics is another,” said Eva Tamar, 34, who came from the Hungarian town of God. “I know what is right in religion, but in real life and in politics, I don’t know who to follow. It’s hard.”

Others clearly knew what side they were on.

Balazs Nacy, 23, an ethnic Hungarian who was born and raised in neighboring Slovakia, said he thought the short stay in Hungary was “a political message.”

“He doesn’t really agree with things happening here in Hungary and what Orban does here,” Nacy said. “They say it’s Christian politics, but I don’t think it’s Christianity what they do here. The pope is sending a message.”

Pope Francis used his short time in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday to urge his bishops to embrace diversity and send a message to the country’s hard-right, anti-migrant leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, that God is not a strongman who silences enemies and that religious roots, while vital for a country, also allow it to open up and extend “its arms toward everyone.

Pope Francis used his short time in Budapest, Hungary, Sunday to urge his bishops to embrace diversity and send a message to the country’s hard-right, anti-migrant leader, Prime Minister Viktor Orban, that God is not a strongman who silences enemies and that religious roots, while vital for a country, also allow it to open up and extend “its arms toward everyone.” The seven-hour visit, ostensibly a spiritual layover to celebrate the concluding Mass of a weeklong international conference on the Eucharist, was the first international trip for Francis since undergoing major surgery this summer. It opened a four-day visit to neighboring Slovakia, and the disparity of time spent in the two countries has prompted Hungarian prelates to lobby for a longer stay and allies of Orban to excoriate the pope, who regularly criticizes “national populism,” for the perceived snub. Orban has portrayed himself as a defender of Christian Europe, and he has ramped up connections to church traditionalists, many of whom are critical of Francis, before expected elections in April. Some in the Hungarian church worried that Orban would exploit the pope’s visit for electoral gain. His government, they argue, has already essentially bought the independence and the silence of the church by showering it with many millions of dollars in subsidies. On Sunday, Francis met for about 40 minutes with Orban and with other civil authorities in a gaping hall at the Museum of Fine Arts. The pope and his top foreign policy officials sat without masks and at a considerable distance across from Orban and Hungary’s president, Janos Ader. But Orban quickly posted photographs of his greeting Francis on his Facebook page, writing that he had asked the pope “not to allow Christian Hungary to perish.” Hungarian media, where Orban’s government holds great sway, splashed the picture of the handshake on their homepages and reported that Orban, who has referred to the influx of migrants to Europe in 2015 as an “invasion,” gave Francis a copy of a letter sent by a 13th-century Hungarian king to the pope at the time. In the letter, the king complained that pleas to the church for help against an invasion from Mongol armies had resulted in only empty words. The issue of migration apparently did not come up in the meeting, according to the Vatican, but, as anticipated by some of his confidants, the pope addressed the issue head-on in his subsequent meeting in the museum with a group of Hungarian bishops. “Your country is a place in which people from other populations have long lived together,” he said. “Various ethnicities, minorities, religions and migrants have also transformed this country into a multicultural environment.” Francis said that at the beginning, “diversity always causes some fear because it puts at risk the acquired security and upsets the achieved stability,” but he added that it was a great opportunity to reach out in brotherhood. “In front of cultural, ethnic, political and religious diversity,” the pope said, “we can have two reactions: close ourselves in a rigid defense of our so-called identity, or open ourselves to meet the other and cultivate together the dream of a fraternal society.” He said that he wanted the Hungarian church to build new bridges of dialogue, to show, he said, its “true face” and become a “bright symbol for Hungary.” In Francis’ public remarks — in the Heroes’ Square adjacent to the museum, which was spilling over with tens of thousands of people, including Orban in a front-row seat — the pope seemed to touch on those issues, if in biblical and religious terms. Appearing strong after having about 13 inches of his colon removed in early July, Francis, 84, spoke about how religious sentiment, with which Orban imbues much of his political talk, “not only invites us to be well rooted, it also raises and extends its arms towards everyone.” He said that while it was important to keep the “roots firm,” it was also important to do so “without defensiveness.” Francis also seemed to warn against the conflating of religion and politics. “There is God’s side and the world’s side,” he said. “The difference is not between who is religious or not, but ultimately between the true God and the god of ‘self.’ How distant is the God who quietly reigns on the cross from the false god that we want to reign with power in order to silence our enemies.” On the early plane ride to Budapest from Rome, Francis told reporters that he was happy to be traveling again, as the coronavirus pandemic and his own health challenges had kept him in the Vatican. “If I’m alive, it’s because bad weeds never die,” he joked. In Budapest, he rode in the so-called popemobile along avenues crowded with faithful waving flags. Hardly anyone on the streets, or in the square, or in the city’s bars or restaurants, for that matter, wore masks, and they all crammed closely together. But Francis took breaks when he could. When, after his meeting with Orban, he met with Christian and Jewish leaders, he explained that he had to deliver his speech while sitting because “I’m not 15 anymore.” In that speech, he expressed wariness about “the threat of anti-Semitism still lurking in Europe and elsewhere,” and he frequently used his familiar imagery of building bridges and breaking down walls. During the pope’s morning meetings, prelates and faithful gathered in the square under hats and white umbrellas to shade themselves from the sun, and five members of the defunct Hapsburg empire, which ruled over Hungary and much of Europe for centuries, stood in a line together on the side of a stage that had been set up for Francis. Orban has appointed two of them as his ambassadors in the hopes of improving access in Western Europe. Eduard Hapsburg, Orban’s ambassador to the Holy See, who worked with the Vatican to extend the pope’s stay, said he had met Francis at the airport. The pope, he said, told him that Hungarian was the language of heaven because it takes an eternity to learn. Hapsburg said that he had pretended not to know the joke and had laughed. “I didn’t have the impression of a grim atmosphere,” he said. “It was very cheerful, enjoying very much, and yes, for us it’s incredible.” His father, Archduke Michael Hapsburg-Lothringen, agreed with the rest of his family that the world unfairly treated Hungary as a pariah. He said he was deeply happy with Orban’s government, its handling of the migrant crisis and its advocacy of Hungary as a Christian nation. “I say we live in paradise,” he said. “Compared to neighbor countries, even. I mean, there is so much confusion.” But Hungary, under Orban, is increasingly isolated in Europe. And as Francis and Orban met, some of those who had crowded around Heroes’ Square sensed the tension and felt torn between the two. “For me, Catholicism is one thing, and politics is another,” said Eva Tamar, 34, who came from the Hungarian town of God. “I know what is right in religion, but in real life and in politics, I don’t know who to follow. It’s hard.” Others clearly knew what side they were on. Balazs Nacy, 23, an ethnic Hungarian who was born and raised in neighboring Slovakia, said he thought the short stay in Hungary was “a political message.” “He doesn’t really agree with things happening here in Hungary and what Orban does here,” Nacy said. “They say it’s Christian politics, but I don’t think it’s Christianity what they do here. The pope is sending a message.”

In Orban’s Hungary, pope urges bishops to embrace diversity

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary portrays himself as the defender of Christian Europe against migrants and multiculturalism. After years of his weakening of democratic institutions, the far-right strongman has prepared for coming elections in Catholic-majority Hungary by strengthening his links to Catholic traditionalists in Europe and the United States.

On Sunday, Orban will get a visit from the leader of the Roman Catholic world himself when Pope Francis drops into town to celebrate Mass. Allies of Orban, who is increasingly isolated and rarely receives high-profile visits from Western leaders, desperately sought to ensure face time with the pontiff, and the Vatican has confirmed a private courtesy meeting before the Mass.

But it is also possible, people close to Francis say, that Orban might get more than he asked for when he meets with perhaps the globe’s leading champion of migrants and a clear voice against creeping authoritarianism and nationalism in Europe.

“One of my ways is not to go around with a script,” Francis said in an interview with Spanish radio network COPE last month when asked what he expected to say to Orban. “When I am in front of a person, I look him in the eyes and let things come out.”

Whether Francis reads Orban the riot act on his first trip to Hungary — and his first trip abroad after major colon surgery in July — the meeting between two leaders with starkly different visions for Europe has already set off its fair share of intrigue, drama and name-calling.

Francis originally had planned to visit Budapest for only a few hours, before continuing on for three full days to neighboring Slovakia, which is led by a young, pro-environment woman.

Hungary’s top clerics and government officials lobbied the Vatican for more time, while Orban’s allies in the news media, where his party holds great sway, applied less polite pressure, excoriating Francis for insulting Hungary, “behaving in an anti-Christian manner” and “causing extraordinary damage to the Christian world.”

The Vatican tried to lower the temperature by knocking down the notion — first floated by Francis and later amplified in conservative Catholic media outlets — that a meeting with Orban was ever in doubt. The visit to Hungary was of layover length, the Vatican said, because it was spiritual in nature, with the pope there to preside over the final Mass of a weeklong Catholic Congress.

But the disparity between the duration of the trips to Hungary and Slovakia, Francis’ allies suggested, was perhaps no accident.

“You can interpret the fact that he is not making a long visit,” said the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit priest and confidant of Francis who will travel with him. “It is a short visit. Also, this can have a significance.”

Spadaro said he had no idea what Francis would say to the prime minister, but he expected the real message to Orban about his government’s policies would come after their private encounter, when the pope addresses about 35 Hungarian bishops.

“The confrontation with the country will happen at the moment he speaks to its bishops,” said Spadaro, adding that he would most likely address the context, and the government, within which his bishops had to operate. “That’s the right space for it.”

After years of surging populism, when Orban and other nationalists seemed on the upswing and Francis found himself in the political wilderness, the pope again has prominent allies in the United States and throughout Europe on issues like climate change.

But many of Hungary’s bishops are torn between their pontiff, who wants his priests to be on the front lines helping migrants and the destitute, and an Orban government, which showers the church with millions of dollars in subsidies for restorations and schools; enacts what the government calls pro-family “Christian” policies; and establishes offices to protect persecuted Christians in far-off lands.

“The primary problem is that the big funding from the government is compromising the church’s independence,” said Bishop Miklos Beer, one of Hungary’s few bishops willing to speak critically of Orban. “There is silence on the part of the church on the issue of migration, and this is the issue where we need” to represent what the pope says, he added.

That lack of independence was dangerous, Beer said Friday, because it potentially tied the Hungarian church’s fate and financial assistance to Orban’s electoral success. He said that Orban was perilously wrapping himself in Christian imagery; reaching out to Catholic traditionalists, many of whom oppose Francis; and seeking to meet the pope — all to win the election expected in April.

“I don’t think there is any question about how he hopes to protect his voter base,” Beer said.

Some Hungarian clerics worked hard to ensure that the meeting happened and that the pope stayed as long as possible.

Asked about his role in extending the pope’s trip so Francis could meet local authorities, Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary’s most powerful prelate, said in an email that “the fact that the Holy Father, despite his brief time, could meet the representatives from the political world” as well as leaders of other faiths is a “great sign of his friendship.”

Monsignor Norbert Nemeth, an adviser to the Hungarian Embassy to the Holy See, said he worked with the Vatican on preparing the pope’s trip.

“The Hungarian bishops wanted him to stay longer, for the afternoon and even the next day,” said Nemeth, who insisted that a meeting with Orban was always on the books because the pope “could not avoid these meetings of protocol.” He added that Francis “is not meeting a person who doesn’t accept Christian values.”

He said the Vatican told the Hungarians to keep the pope’s visit centered next to the Square of the Heroes, where Sunday’s Mass is scheduled.

“We wanted to help the Holy Father in this sense, because he is elderly and just had a surgery,” Nemeth said.

After about seven hours in Budapest, Francis will spend the following three days on planes and in motorcades traversing much of Slovakia in an exhausting schedule of speeches and meetings. “So we sacrificed his trip a little,” Nemeth said, “according to the wishes of the Holy See.”

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary portrays himself as the defender of Christian Europe against migrants and multiculturalism. After years of his weakening of democratic institutions, the far-right strongman has prepared for coming elections in Catholic-majority Hungary by strengthening his links to Catholic traditionalists in Europe and the United States.

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary portrays himself as the defender of Christian Europe against migrants and multiculturalism. After years of his weakening of democratic institutions, the far-right strongman has prepared for coming elections in Catholic-majority Hungary by strengthening his links to Catholic traditionalists in Europe and the United States. On Sunday, Orban will get a visit from the leader of the Roman Catholic world himself when Pope Francis drops into town to celebrate Mass. Allies of Orban, who is increasingly isolated and rarely receives high-profile visits from Western leaders, desperately sought to ensure face time with the pontiff, and the Vatican has confirmed a private courtesy meeting before the Mass. But it is also possible, people close to Francis say, that Orban might get more than he asked for when he meets with perhaps the globe’s leading champion of migrants and a clear voice against creeping authoritarianism and nationalism in Europe. “One of my ways is not to go around with a script,” Francis said in an interview with Spanish radio network COPE last month when asked what he expected to say to Orban. “When I am in front of a person, I look him in the eyes and let things come out.” Whether Francis reads Orban the riot act on his first trip to Hungary — and his first trip abroad after major colon surgery in July — the meeting between two leaders with starkly different visions for Europe has already set off its fair share of intrigue, drama and name-calling. Francis originally had planned to visit Budapest for only a few hours, before continuing on for three full days to neighboring Slovakia, which is led by a young, pro-environment woman. Hungary’s top clerics and government officials lobbied the Vatican for more time, while Orban’s allies in the news media, where his party holds great sway, applied less polite pressure, excoriating Francis for insulting Hungary, “behaving in an anti-Christian manner” and “causing extraordinary damage to the Christian world.” The Vatican tried to lower the temperature by knocking down the notion — first floated by Francis and later amplified in conservative Catholic media outlets — that a meeting with Orban was ever in doubt. The visit to Hungary was of layover length, the Vatican said, because it was spiritual in nature, with the pope there to preside over the final Mass of a weeklong Catholic Congress. But the disparity between the duration of the trips to Hungary and Slovakia, Francis’ allies suggested, was perhaps no accident. “You can interpret the fact that he is not making a long visit,” said the Rev. Antonio Spadaro, a Jesuit priest and confidant of Francis who will travel with him. “It is a short visit. Also, this can have a significance.” Spadaro said he had no idea what Francis would say to the prime minister, but he expected the real message to Orban about his government’s policies would come after their private encounter, when the pope addresses about 35 Hungarian bishops. “The confrontation with the country will happen at the moment he speaks to its bishops,” said Spadaro, adding that he would most likely address the context, and the government, within which his bishops had to operate. “That’s the right space for it.” After years of surging populism, when Orban and other nationalists seemed on the upswing and Francis found himself in the political wilderness, the pope again has prominent allies in the United States and throughout Europe on issues like climate change. But many of Hungary’s bishops are torn between their pontiff, who wants his priests to be on the front lines helping migrants and the destitute, and an Orban government, which showers the church with millions of dollars in subsidies for restorations and schools; enacts what the government calls pro-family “Christian” policies; and establishes offices to protect persecuted Christians in far-off lands. “The primary problem is that the big funding from the government is compromising the church’s independence,” said Bishop Miklos Beer, one of Hungary’s few bishops willing to speak critically of Orban. “There is silence on the part of the church on the issue of migration, and this is the issue where we need” to represent what the pope says, he added. That lack of independence was dangerous, Beer said Friday, because it potentially tied the Hungarian church’s fate and financial assistance to Orban’s electoral success. He said that Orban was perilously wrapping himself in Christian imagery; reaching out to Catholic traditionalists, many of whom oppose Francis; and seeking to meet the pope — all to win the election expected in April. “I don’t think there is any question about how he hopes to protect his voter base,” Beer said. Some Hungarian clerics worked hard to ensure that the meeting happened and that the pope stayed as long as possible. Asked about his role in extending the pope’s trip so Francis could meet local authorities, Cardinal Peter Erdo, Hungary’s most powerful prelate, said in an email that “the fact that the Holy Father, despite his brief time, could meet the representatives from the political world” as well as leaders of other faiths is a “great sign of his friendship.” Monsignor Norbert Nemeth, an adviser to the Hungarian Embassy to the Holy See, said he worked with the Vatican on preparing the pope’s trip. “The Hungarian bishops wanted him to stay longer, for the afternoon and even the next day,” said Nemeth, who insisted that a meeting with Orban was always on the books because the pope “could not avoid these meetings of protocol.” He added that Francis “is not meeting a person who doesn’t accept Christian values.” He said the Vatican told the Hungarians to keep the pope’s visit centered next to the Square of the Heroes, where Sunday’s Mass is scheduled. “We wanted to help the Holy Father in this sense, because he is elderly and just had a surgery,” Nemeth said. After about seven hours in Budapest, Francis will spend the following three days on planes and in motorcades traversing much of Slovakia in an exhausting schedule of speeches and meetings. “So we sacrificed his trip a little,” Nemeth said, “according to the wishes of the Holy See.”

Meeting Hungary’s strongman, Pope treads a fine line with an embattled leader

Vatican’s Pope Francis criticised the 'forever war' in Afghanistan and blamed west’s two-decade long involvement in it. He expressed his emotions by quoting words of Vladimir Putin, but incorrectly attributed them to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

During a radio interview on Wednesday, the Pope was questioned about the recent crisis in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the South Asian country.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-takes-time-out-with-some-foosball-407253" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-takes-time-out-with-some-foosball-407253&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu_finheDyAhVeILcAHZVBAVEQFnoECAEQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2C3QWsh_vtK9CoP2Fw9MpX" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-takes-time-out-with-some-foosball-407253" target="_blank">Pope&nbsp;Francis takes time out with some Foosball</a>

"It is necessary to put an end to the irresponsible policy of intervening from outside and building democracy in other countries, ignoring the traditions of the peoples," the Pope said.

Pope assumed these words were spoken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel whom he called "one of the world's greatest political figures". However, the words were actually said by Russian President Vladimir Putin when Merkel was visiting Moscow last month.

Putin had said these words on August 20 while criticising the West over its involvement in Afghan crisis. The Russian leader believes that the Western countries have forcefully enforced their own version of democracy but have not been able to help the Afghans appropriately.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/learn-to-switch-off-says-pope-francis-after-successful-surgery-398866" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/learn-to-switch-off-says-pope-francis-after-successful-surgery-398866&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiu_finheDyAhVeILcAHZVBAVEQFnoECAAQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2CWAi0hrwDmLr8V8NRwN7N" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/learn-to-switch-off-says-pope-francis-after-successful-surgery-398866" target="_blank">Learn to switch off, says&nbsp;Pope&nbsp;Francis after successful surgery</a>

Merkel had then joined his narrative and agreed that the operation has failed to substantiate a proper and democratic future for Afghans, as the Taliban took control of the country.

"We did not want to force any system on Afghanistan," Merkel had said. "But we saw that millions of girls were glad to go to school and that women could participate. There are many in Afghanistan who are very, very unhappy about developments now."

Merkel’s spokesperson has said her stand on the Afghan crisis is well known and has been repeated during recent speech in German Parliament. However, there has been no official statement on the Pope slip-up.

Meanwhile, the radio station has claimed that they had assumed the content was vetted by the Pope himself and his team.

"I don’t know whether there will be a review or not (about what happened during the withdrawal), but certainly there was a lot of deception perhaps on the part of the new (Afghan) authorities," Pope had added. "I say deceit or a lot of naivety."

Vatican’s Pope Francis criticised the 'forever war' in Afghanistan and blamed west’s two-decade long involvement in it. He expressed his emotions by quoting words of Vladimir Putin, but incorrectly attributed them to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel.

Vatican’s Pope Francis criticised the 'forever war' in Afghanistan and blamed west’s two-decade long involvement in it. He expressed his emotions by quoting words of Vladimir Putin, but incorrectly attributed them to the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel. During a radio interview on Wednesday, the Pope was questioned about the recent crisis in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the South Asian country. Also read | Pope Francis takes time out with some Foosball "It is necessary to put an end to the irresponsible policy of intervening from outside and building democracy in other countries, ignoring the traditions of the peoples," the Pope said. Pope assumed these words were spoken by German Chancellor Angela Merkel whom he called "one of the world's greatest political figures". However, the words were actually said by Russian President Vladimir Putin when Merkel was visiting Moscow last month. Putin had said these words on August 20 while criticising the West over its involvement in Afghan crisis. The Russian leader believes that the Western countries have forcefully enforced their own version of democracy but have not been able to help the Afghans appropriately. Also read | Learn to switch off, says Pope Francis after successful surgery Merkel had then joined his narrative and agreed that the operation has failed to substantiate a proper and democratic future for Afghans, as the Taliban took control of the country. "We did not want to force any system on Afghanistan," Merkel had said. "But we saw that millions of girls were glad to go to school and that women could participate. There are many in Afghanistan who are very, very unhappy about developments now." Merkel’s spokesperson has said her stand on the Afghan crisis is well known and has been repeated during recent speech in German Parliament. However, there has been no official statement on the Pope slip-up. Meanwhile, the radio station has claimed that they had assumed the content was vetted by the Pope himself and his team. "I don’t know whether there will be a review or not (about what happened during the withdrawal), but certainly there was a lot of deception perhaps on the part of the new (Afghan) authorities," Pope had added. "I say deceit or a lot of naivety."

Pope quotes Putin on Afghan crisis, attributes it to Germany's Merkel

We all need some break no matter our jobs. We wanted to head home in pre-pandemic times and are now yearning to go out in what seem like endless Work From Home sessions.&nbsp;

If such is our condition, we can understand if a global personality takes a little break from daily tasks. Pope Francis did just that. He played Foosball, or table football for those who don't know what Foosball is.

The table is usually a fixture in pubs, but Friday was a day it was allowed to be carried into &nbsp;Paul VI hall in the Vatican. A young man was the challenger to Pope Francis himself.

The short match was held after the pontiff's weekly General Audience.

With a smile on his face, the pontiff briefly played against the young man, his hands gripping the rods of the red tiny football players.

Pope Francis has been an avid football&nbsp;fan since his childhood and he is a lifelong fan of the Argentinian Buenos Aires San Lorenzo soccer team.

(With inputs from agencies)

We all need some break no matter our jobs. We wanted to head home in pre-pandemic times and are now yearning to go out in what seem like endless Work From Home sessions.

We all need some break no matter our jobs. We wanted to head home in pre-pandemic times and are now yearning to go out in what seem like endless Work From Home sessions. If such is our condition, we can understand if a global personality takes a little break from daily tasks. Pope Francis did just that. He played Foosball, or table football for those who don't know what Foosball is. The table is usually a fixture in pubs, but Friday was a day it was allowed to be carried into Paul VI hall in the Vatican. A young man was the challenger to Pope Francis himself. The short match was held after the pontiff's weekly General Audience. With a smile on his face, the pontiff briefly played against the young man, his hands gripping the rods of the red tiny football players. Pope Francis has been an avid football fan since his childhood and he is a lifelong fan of the Argentinian Buenos Aires San Lorenzo soccer team. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis takes time out with some Foosball

Pope Francis says people should learn to switch off. Research shows digital detox can help improve our mental and physical health.

Gravitas: Pope Francis: Learn to take a break

Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation.

"Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone," Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square.

84-year-old Pope Francis underwent a surgery on July 4. This was the first time that the Pope had faced significant health concern during his eight-year papacy.

Hundreds of people were gathered in the sunny square and cheered when he appeared at the open window.

As is often the case, at the end of his address the pope mentioned some of the events dominating world headlines.

He urged an end to the recent public unrest in South Africa and called for peace and dialogue in Cuba after unprecedented, protests rocked the Communist-run country.

"I am also close to the dear people of Cuba in these difficult times, in particular to the families who especially suffer," Francis said to cheers.

He also referred to catastrophic floods in recent days in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which have killed more than 180 people.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation.

Pope Francis made a suggestion on Sunday and told the faithful to take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life. This was his first public appearance post his hospitalisation. "Let us put a halt to the frantic running around dictated by our agendas. Let us learn how to take a break, to turn off the mobile phone," Pope Francis said in his weekly address from a window overlooking St. Peter's Square. 84-year-old Pope Francis underwent a surgery on July 4. This was the first time that the Pope had faced significant health concern during his eight-year papacy. Hundreds of people were gathered in the sunny square and cheered when he appeared at the open window. As is often the case, at the end of his address the pope mentioned some of the events dominating world headlines. He urged an end to the recent public unrest in South Africa and called for peace and dialogue in Cuba after unprecedented, protests rocked the Communist-run country. "I am also close to the dear people of Cuba in these difficult times, in particular to the families who especially suffer," Francis said to cheers. He also referred to catastrophic floods in recent days in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, which have killed more than 180 people. (With inputs from agencies)

Learn to switch off, says Pope Francis after successful surgery

Pope Francis took a significant step toward putting the Roman Catholic Church’s liturgy solidly on the side of modernization Friday by cracking down on the use of the old Latin Mass, essentially reversing a decision by his conservative predecessor.

The move also dealt a blow to church conservatives who have long complained that the pope is diluting the traditions of the church.

Francis, in a papal Motu Proprio — or a document issued under the pope’s own legal authority — placed new restrictions on where the traditional Latin Mass can be celebrated, who can celebrate it and requiring new permissions from local bishops for its use.

Those hurdles made it clear that Francis believes that champions of the old Latin Mass are exploiting it to oppose more recent church reforms and to divide the church. Since the 1960s, the church has used a more modern and vernacular liturgical book to make the faith more accessible to the faithful.

Beyond the so-called Liturgy wars of the church, Francis’ new law also perhaps served as an answer to questions about whether his recent health scare would slow him down, or speed up his upheavals in the church.

Francis was released from the hospital after colon surgery Wednesday. The new law, dated July 16 and issued at Saint John Lateran in Rome, sends a strong sign that Francis, who has repeatedly noted his awareness that he will lead the church for only a finite time, intends to make his changes stick.

Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, had relaxed the restrictions on the old Latin Mass, also called the Tridentine Mass, in 2007. It was a move seen as a microcosm of the church’s shift toward traditionalism during his papacy.

In statements released by the Vatican on Friday, Francis argued that the change, designed to bring unity to the church and bring its most traditionalist and schismatic corners back into the fold, had become a cause of division and a cudgel for conservative opponents of the Second Vatican Council, the major church meetings of the 1960s that ushered in many modernizing reforms.

Francis cited those reforms, especially liturgical rules enacted in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, in explaining his law. Many analysts see Francis’ pontificate as the restoration of those reforms after three decades of leadership by conservative popes who thought they went too far.

Pope Francis took a significant step toward putting the Roman Catholic Church’s liturgy solidly on the side of modernization Friday by cracking down on the use of the old Latin Mass, essentially reversing a decision by his conservative predecessor.

Pope Francis took a significant step toward putting the Roman Catholic Church’s liturgy solidly on the side of modernization Friday by cracking down on the use of the old Latin Mass, essentially reversing a decision by his conservative predecessor. The move also dealt a blow to church conservatives who have long complained that the pope is diluting the traditions of the church. Francis, in a papal Motu Proprio — or a document issued under the pope’s own legal authority — placed new restrictions on where the traditional Latin Mass can be celebrated, who can celebrate it and requiring new permissions from local bishops for its use. Those hurdles made it clear that Francis believes that champions of the old Latin Mass are exploiting it to oppose more recent church reforms and to divide the church. Since the 1960s, the church has used a more modern and vernacular liturgical book to make the faith more accessible to the faithful. Beyond the so-called Liturgy wars of the church, Francis’ new law also perhaps served as an answer to questions about whether his recent health scare would slow him down, or speed up his upheavals in the church. Francis was released from the hospital after colon surgery Wednesday. The new law, dated July 16 and issued at Saint John Lateran in Rome, sends a strong sign that Francis, who has repeatedly noted his awareness that he will lead the church for only a finite time, intends to make his changes stick. Francis’ predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, had relaxed the restrictions on the old Latin Mass, also called the Tridentine Mass, in 2007. It was a move seen as a microcosm of the church’s shift toward traditionalism during his papacy. In statements released by the Vatican on Friday, Francis argued that the change, designed to bring unity to the church and bring its most traditionalist and schismatic corners back into the fold, had become a cause of division and a cudgel for conservative opponents of the Second Vatican Council, the major church meetings of the 1960s that ushered in many modernizing reforms. Francis cited those reforms, especially liturgical rules enacted in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, in explaining his law. Many analysts see Francis’ pontificate as the restoration of those reforms after three decades of leadership by conservative popes who thought they went too far.

Pope restricts use of Old Latin mass, in a blow to Conservatives

Pope Francis on Sunday made his first public appearance since major intestinal surgery last week. The 84-years-old Pope stepped out from his hospital balcony and stood there for 10 minutes greeting his well-wishers.

Pope Francis makes first appearance since intestinal surgery

Pope Francis greeted supporters and led prayers on Sunday from 10th floor balcony of his hospital. He is recovering from colon surgery.

"I am glad to be able to keep the Sunday Angelus appointment, even here" at the hospital, he said.&nbsp;

"I have deeply felt your closeness and the support of your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told 200 people gathered below.

The Vatican said on Friday (July 9) that the Pope is not well enough to return to the Vatican in time for his Sunday blessings.

This was the first time since his election in 2013 that Pope Francis didn't read prayers from the Vatican except for when he was away on trips.

The Catholic-run hospital and medical university traditionally treats popes, and part of its 10th floor is permanently reserved for them. It includes its own intensive care unit.

Pope John Paul II, who reigned from 1978 to 2005, was in the same hospital about 10 times and read the Sunday prayer from there, either from the window or with only audio when he was too ill to get out of bed.

Francis underwent a three-hour operation on Sunday (July 4) night. It was the first time he had been hospitalized since his election as pope in 2013.

He timed the surgery for the start of July, a month in which his only public commitments are his Sunday blessings.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis greeted supporters and led prayers on Sunday from 10th floor balcony of his hospital. He is recovering from colon surgery. "I am glad to be able to keep the Sunday Angelus appointment, even here" at the hospital, he said.

Pope Francis greeted supporters and led prayers on Sunday from 10th floor balcony of his hospital. He is recovering from colon surgery. "I am glad to be able to keep the Sunday Angelus appointment, even here" at the hospital, he said. "I have deeply felt your closeness and the support of your prayers. Thank you from the bottom of my heart," he told 200 people gathered below. The Vatican said on Friday (July 9) that the Pope is not well enough to return to the Vatican in time for his Sunday blessings. This was the first time since his election in 2013 that Pope Francis didn't read prayers from the Vatican except for when he was away on trips. The Catholic-run hospital and medical university traditionally treats popes, and part of its 10th floor is permanently reserved for them. It includes its own intensive care unit. Pope John Paul II, who reigned from 1978 to 2005, was in the same hospital about 10 times and read the Sunday prayer from there, either from the window or with only audio when he was too ill to get out of bed. Francis underwent a three-hour operation on Sunday (July 4) night. It was the first time he had been hospitalized since his election as pope in 2013. He timed the surgery for the start of July, a month in which his only public commitments are his Sunday blessings. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis leads prayers from hospital

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis is doing well after the intestinal surgery after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised for the first time since his election in 2013.

Vatican: Pope Francis is 'doing well' after intestinal surgery

After a successful colon operation, Pope Francis is now recovering in hospital and will stay under observation at least for the next week.

"A stay of about seven days is expected, barring complications," Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-doing-well-after-intestinal-surgery-says-vatican-395817" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-doing-well-after-intestinal-surgery-says-vatican-395817&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiNjI_IuszxAhWy5nMBHcwFCeMQFjAAegQIAxAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1J8t5dgIgPAI9zxT0cpQW1" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-doing-well-after-intestinal-surgery-says-vatican-395817" target="_blank">Pope&nbsp;doing well after intestinal surgery, says Vatican</a>

The 84-year-old supreme pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday where he was operated under general anaesthetic for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon.

Bruni assured the Pope has reacted well to the surgery that lasted for nearly three hours. He added that the leader is in "good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously", and is on the road to recovery.

Also read |&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-in-hospital-for-scheduled-surgery-on-colon-395767" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-in-hospital-for-scheduled-surgery-on-colon-395767&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiNjI_IuszxAhWy5nMBHcwFCeMQFjADegQIARAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1y6u-VkGYRbmXrBMTZtk6K" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-in-hospital-for-scheduled-surgery-on-colon-395767" target="_blank">Pope&nbsp;Francis in hospital for 'scheduled surgery' on colon</a>

His scheduled operation was kept under cover for some time. However, it is believed Pope Francis hinted about the same on the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. "I ask you to pray for the&nbsp;pope, pray in a special way. The&nbsp;pope&nbsp;needs your prayers," he had said.

Pope Francis has been admitted to the same hospital suite as Pope&nbsp;John Paul II, according to a Catholic website Cruxnow.com. The corridor on the 10th floor is being guarded by the Italian and Vatican police, local media claimed.

After a successful colon operation, Pope Francis is now recovering in hospital and will stay under observation at least for the next week. "A stay of about seven days is expected, barring complications," Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni said.

After a successful colon operation, Pope Francis is now recovering in hospital and will stay under observation at least for the next week. "A stay of about seven days is expected, barring complications," Vatican spokesman, Matteo Bruni said. Also read | Pope doing well after intestinal surgery, says Vatican The 84-year-old supreme pontiff was admitted to Rome's Gemelli hospital on Sunday where he was operated under general anaesthetic for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon. Bruni assured the Pope has reacted well to the surgery that lasted for nearly three hours. He added that the leader is in "good general condition, alert and breathing spontaneously", and is on the road to recovery. Also read | Pope Francis in hospital for 'scheduled surgery' on colon His scheduled operation was kept under cover for some time. However, it is believed Pope Francis hinted about the same on the eve of the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. "I ask you to pray for the pope, pray in a special way. The pope needs your prayers," he had said. Pope Francis has been admitted to the same hospital suite as Pope John Paul II, according to a Catholic website Cruxnow.com. The corridor on the 10th floor is being guarded by the Italian and Vatican police, local media claimed.

Vatican: Pope Francis recovering but will remain in hospital for 7 days

A Vatican judge on Saturday ordered 10 people, including an Italian cardinal, to stand trial for alleged financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of office.

Those indicted include Cardinal Angelo Becciu as well as the former heads of the Vatican's financial intelligence unit and two Italian brokers involved in the Vatican's purchase of a building in a luxury area of London.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-announces-surprise-resignation-of-top-cardinal-330154">Vatican announces surprise resignation of top cardinal</a>

Becciu, who Pope Francis fired last year and who has always maintained his innocence during a two-year investigation, became the highest-ranking Vatican based Church official to be indicted for alleged financial crimes.

As per Church law, the pope personally approved the judge's decision to investigate and indict Becciu. The charges against him include embezzlement and abuse of office. An Italian woman who worked for Becciu was charged with embezzlement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-facilitates-vatican-prosecutions-for-cardinals-bishops-381714">Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops</a>

Italian brokers Gianluigi Torzi and Raffaele Mincione were indicted on charges of embezzlement, fraud and money laundering. Torzi, for whom Italian magistrates issued an arrest warrant in April, was also charged with extortion.

Both have denied wrongdoing.

Four companies associated with individual defendants, two in Switzerland, one in the United States and one in Slovenia, were also indicted.

The trial is due to start on July 27 in the Vatican, a statement said.

A Vatican judge on Saturday ordered 10 people, including an Italian cardinal, to stand trial for alleged financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of office.

A Vatican judge on Saturday ordered 10 people, including an Italian cardinal, to stand trial for alleged financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of office. Those indicted include Cardinal Angelo Becciu as well as the former heads of the Vatican's financial intelligence unit and two Italian brokers involved in the Vatican's purchase of a building in a luxury area of London. Also read | Vatican announces surprise resignation of top cardinal Becciu, who Pope Francis fired last year and who has always maintained his innocence during a two-year investigation, became the highest-ranking Vatican based Church official to be indicted for alleged financial crimes. As per Church law, the pope personally approved the judge's decision to investigate and indict Becciu. The charges against him include embezzlement and abuse of office. An Italian woman who worked for Becciu was charged with embezzlement. Also read | Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops Italian brokers Gianluigi Torzi and Raffaele Mincione were indicted on charges of embezzlement, fraud and money laundering. Torzi, for whom Italian magistrates issued an arrest warrant in April, was also charged with extortion. Both have denied wrongdoing. Four companies associated with individual defendants, two in Switzerland, one in the United States and one in Slovenia, were also indicted. The trial is due to start on July 27 in the Vatican, a statement said.

Vatican judge indicts 10, including a cardinal, for alleged financial crimes

Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital on Sunday afternoon for "scheduled surgery" on his colon later in the day, the Vatican said.

Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope, 84, was suffering from "symptomatic diverticular stenosis" of the colon, a condition that can cause recurrent abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits.

Bruni said the operation would take place later on Sunday in Rome's Gemelli hospital, which is the institution where popes receive medical treatment. Another statement would be issued afterwards.

It is the first time the pope has been admitted to hospital since his election in 2013.

The pope appeared to be in fine health several hours earlier when he addressed thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his Sunday blessing and announcing a trip to Slovakia and Budapest for September.

Francis is sometimes short of breath because a part of one of his lungs was removed following an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina.

Francis also suffers from sciatica, a condition that causes pain that radiates from the lower back along the sciatic nerve to the legs.

He is sometimes seen walking with difficulty because of the pain and receives regular physical therapy for it.

The condition forced him to miss several events at the beginning of this year. Last year, a bad cold kept him from taking part in a week-long Lenten retreat with his with senior aides south of Rome.

In 2014, a year after he was elected pope, Francis was forced to cancel several engagements because of what was believed to be a stomach ailment.

Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital on Sunday afternoon for "scheduled surgery" on his colon later in the day, the Vatican said. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope, 84, was suffering from "symptomatic diverticular stenosis" of the colon, a condition that can cause recurrent abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits.

Pope Francis was admitted to a Rome hospital on Sunday afternoon for "scheduled surgery" on his colon later in the day, the Vatican said. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said the pope, 84, was suffering from "symptomatic diverticular stenosis" of the colon, a condition that can cause recurrent abdominal pain, bloating and changes in bowel habits. Bruni said the operation would take place later on Sunday in Rome's Gemelli hospital, which is the institution where popes receive medical treatment. Another statement would be issued afterwards. It is the first time the pope has been admitted to hospital since his election in 2013. The pope appeared to be in fine health several hours earlier when he addressed thousands of people in St. Peter's Square for his Sunday blessing and announcing a trip to Slovakia and Budapest for September. Francis is sometimes short of breath because a part of one of his lungs was removed following an illness when he was a young man in his native Argentina. Francis also suffers from sciatica, a condition that causes pain that radiates from the lower back along the sciatic nerve to the legs. He is sometimes seen walking with difficulty because of the pain and receives regular physical therapy for it. The condition forced him to miss several events at the beginning of this year. Last year, a bad cold kept him from taking part in a week-long Lenten retreat with his with senior aides south of Rome. In 2014, a year after he was elected pope, Francis was forced to cancel several engagements because of what was believed to be a stomach ailment.

Pope Francis in hospital for 'scheduled surgery' on colon

Pope Francis and Lebanon's Christian leaders began a summit on Thursday to discuss how religion can help the country overcome its worst crisis since its civil war ended in 1990.

Francis and the patriarchs of Lebanon's various Christian groups walked from the Santa Marta residence where he lives into St. Peter's Basilica.

The pope, dressed in his white cassock, and the leaders, dressed in black, lit candles and prayed before the tomb of St. Peter under the basilica's main altar.

The Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Syrian Orthodox and Protestant Churches were among those represented.

From the Basilica, the pope and the patriarchs moved to the Clementine Hall in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for a day of primate meetings. A public ceremony, including a closing addressed by the pope was due to start on Friday afternoon.

Francis has said he wants to visit Lebanon, but wants fractious politicians to agree on a new government.

The Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said last week the visit could take place late this year or early next year. He suggested the pope could go even without a government in place.

"The Christian community is weakening, there is a risk that the internal balance in Lebanon itself will be destroyed, endangering the presence of Christians in the Middle East," Gallagher said.

Prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri has been at loggerheads for months with President Michel Aoun over cabinet positions.

Lebanon's three main Christian groups are Maronite Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Melchite Catholics. There are a number of other smaller Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic groups.

Lebanon is still reeling from a huge chemical explosion at the Beirut port last year that killed 200 people and caused billions of dollars worth of damage, further weakening an economy already facing meltdown.

The crisis has pushed much of the population into poverty and poses the biggest threat to stability since the 1975-1990 civil war.

Hariri, a three-time prime minister, resigned in 2019 after nationwide protests against a political elite blamed by demonstrators for pushing the country into crisis.

Pope Francis and Lebanon's Christian leaders began a summit on Thursday to discuss how religion can help the country overcome its worst crisis since its civil war ended in 1990.

Pope Francis and Lebanon's Christian leaders began a summit on Thursday to discuss how religion can help the country overcome its worst crisis since its civil war ended in 1990. Francis and the patriarchs of Lebanon's various Christian groups walked from the Santa Marta residence where he lives into St. Peter's Basilica. The pope, dressed in his white cassock, and the leaders, dressed in black, lit candles and prayed before the tomb of St. Peter under the basilica's main altar. The Maronite, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Syrian Orthodox and Protestant Churches were among those represented. From the Basilica, the pope and the patriarchs moved to the Clementine Hall in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace for a day of primate meetings. A public ceremony, including a closing addressed by the pope was due to start on Friday afternoon. Francis has said he wants to visit Lebanon, but wants fractious politicians to agree on a new government. The Vatican's foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, said last week the visit could take place late this year or early next year. He suggested the pope could go even without a government in place. "The Christian community is weakening, there is a risk that the internal balance in Lebanon itself will be destroyed, endangering the presence of Christians in the Middle East," Gallagher said. Prime minister-designate Saad al-Hariri has been at loggerheads for months with President Michel Aoun over cabinet positions. Lebanon's three main Christian groups are Maronite Catholics, Eastern Orthodox and Melchite Catholics. There are a number of other smaller Protestant, Orthodox and Catholic groups. Lebanon is still reeling from a huge chemical explosion at the Beirut port last year that killed 200 people and caused billions of dollars worth of damage, further weakening an economy already facing meltdown. The crisis has pushed much of the population into poverty and poses the biggest threat to stability since the 1975-1990 civil war. Hariri, a three-time prime minister, resigned in 2019 after nationwide protests against a political elite blamed by demonstrators for pushing the country into crisis.

Pope, Lebanon Christian heads begin summit on country's crisis

Pope Francis on Monday held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The discussion came in the wake of a decision by American Catholic bishops that could lead them to deny communion to President Joe Biden.

It was not clear if the topic came up during the talks.

Blinken held 40 minutes of private talks with the Pope at the Vatican. Earlier Blinken also had a separate meeting with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican`s foreign minister.

The visit follows a conference at which US Roman Catholic bishops voted to draft a statement on Communion that may admonish Catholic politicians, including Biden, who support a woman`s right to abortion despite opposing the practice personally.

The bishops decided to move forward with the document, mostly disregarding a Vatican warning that it would be highly divisive.

The topic did not appear in statements by State Department spokesperson Ned Price and the Vatican and, when asked specifically at a news conference afterwards, Blinken would not be drawn.

He said the meeting with the pope was "extremely warm and very wide ranging" but he did not answer directly, saying that domestic politics was not part of his job.

Price said that Blinken in his talks with Parolin and Gallagher discussed various topics including human rights and religious freedom in China.

Price said Blinken also discussed China with the pope, as well as refugees, climate change, Lebanon, Syria and Ethiopia.

Since the Vatican and Beijing signed an agreement in 2018 on the naming of bishops in China, critics of the deal have appealed to the Vatican to speak out more about religious freedom in Hong Kong and mainland China.

NATO took a tough line on China at Biden`s debut summit earlier this month.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the atmosphere was cordial and that it gave the pope a chance "to express his affection for and attention to, the people of the United States of America".

The Vatican and the Biden administration agree on the dangers of climate change, which was a main point of contention with the White House while Donald Trump was president.

Trump was dismissive of the problem as he dismantled climate policies and regulations on fossil fuels.

The pope criticised Trump`s withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming. The Vatican welcomed Biden`s return to the accord.

Blinken gave the pope a gold and silver sculpture of a dove holding an olive branch and pope gave him copies of several of his writings, including the landmark 2015 encyclical "Laudado Si" on the protection of the environment.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis on Monday held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The discussion came in the wake of a decision by American Catholic bishops that could lead them to deny communion to President Joe Biden.

Pope Francis on Monday held talks with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The discussion came in the wake of a decision by American Catholic bishops that could lead them to deny communion to President Joe Biden. It was not clear if the topic came up during the talks. Blinken held 40 minutes of private talks with the Pope at the Vatican. Earlier Blinken also had a separate meeting with Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican`s foreign minister. The visit follows a conference at which US Roman Catholic bishops voted to draft a statement on Communion that may admonish Catholic politicians, including Biden, who support a woman`s right to abortion despite opposing the practice personally. The bishops decided to move forward with the document, mostly disregarding a Vatican warning that it would be highly divisive. The topic did not appear in statements by State Department spokesperson Ned Price and the Vatican and, when asked specifically at a news conference afterwards, Blinken would not be drawn. He said the meeting with the pope was "extremely warm and very wide ranging" but he did not answer directly, saying that domestic politics was not part of his job. Price said that Blinken in his talks with Parolin and Gallagher discussed various topics including human rights and religious freedom in China. Price said Blinken also discussed China with the pope, as well as refugees, climate change, Lebanon, Syria and Ethiopia. Since the Vatican and Beijing signed an agreement in 2018 on the naming of bishops in China, critics of the deal have appealed to the Vatican to speak out more about religious freedom in Hong Kong and mainland China. NATO took a tough line on China at Biden`s debut summit earlier this month. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said that the atmosphere was cordial and that it gave the pope a chance "to express his affection for and attention to, the people of the United States of America". The Vatican and the Biden administration agree on the dangers of climate change, which was a main point of contention with the White House while Donald Trump was president. Trump was dismissive of the problem as he dismantled climate policies and regulations on fossil fuels. The pope criticised Trump`s withdrawal of the United States from the 2015 Paris accord to limit global warming. The Vatican welcomed Biden`s return to the accord. Blinken gave the pope a gold and silver sculpture of a dove holding an olive branch and pope gave him copies of several of his writings, including the landmark 2015 encyclical "Laudado Si" on the protection of the environment. (With inputs from agencies)

Blinken meets Pope, speculations on discussion over US bishops' vote

Pope Francis meets Spider-Man at weekly audience, see images here

After reports of children being sexually harassed in Catholic institutions, senior UN rights experts have urged the Vatican to end child sex abuse in these institutes and punish the victims.

Four special rapporteurs have revealed that they had written to the Vatican in April, voicing their "utmost concern about the numerous allegations around the world of sexual abuse and violence committed by members of the Catholic Church against children".

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These rapporteurs do not represent the United Nations (UN) but submit their findings to the UN, and have now released their letters that they sent to the UN.

The experts called for "all necessary measures" to stop any kind of future sexual abuse to children and accused that the Catholic institutes "protect alleged abusers, cover up crimes, obstruct accountability of alleged abusers, and evade reparations due to victims".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/were-all-pained-canada-indigenous-leaders-dismiss-pope-remarks-on-chidrens-remains-in-school-389842">'We're all pained': Canada indigenous leaders dismiss Pope remarks on chidren's remains in school</a>

In addition to this, the experts have also urged authorities to punish those who are behind these crimes and added that it should be made sure that "reparations are paid to victims".

This report is a reminder of the slow response from the authorities on serious matters as experts revealed that they had previously, too, sent a letter in 2019.

After reports of children being sexually harassed in Catholic institutions, senior UN rights experts have urged the Vatican to end child sex abuse in these institutes and punish the victims.

After reports of children being sexually harassed in Catholic institutions, senior UN rights experts have urged the Vatican to end child sex abuse in these institutes and punish the victims. Four special rapporteurs have revealed that they had written to the Vatican in April, voicing their "utmost concern about the numerous allegations around the world of sexual abuse and violence committed by members of the Catholic Church against children". Also read | Pope backs Myanmar bishops' appeal for humanitarian corridor These rapporteurs do not represent the United Nations (UN) but submit their findings to the UN, and have now released their letters that they sent to the UN. The experts called for "all necessary measures" to stop any kind of future sexual abuse to children and accused that the Catholic institutes "protect alleged abusers, cover up crimes, obstruct accountability of alleged abusers, and evade reparations due to victims". Also read | 'We're all pained': Canada indigenous leaders dismiss Pope remarks on chidren's remains in school In addition to this, the experts have also urged authorities to punish those who are behind these crimes and added that it should be made sure that "reparations are paid to victims". This report is a reminder of the slow response from the authorities on serious matters as experts revealed that they had previously, too, sent a letter in 2019.

UN experts urge Vatican to end child sex abuse in Catholic institutes

Pope Francis on Sunday made an appeal to Myanmar's military junta to allow air to reach hungry, displace people who have fled the fighting since February 1 coup. He also made an appeal to respect religious sites as places of sanctuary. He was speaking at his Sunday blessing in St Peter's Square.

Pope Francis said that he wanted to "add" his "voice" to appeal made by Myanmar's Catholic bishops last week.

The Pope spoke of "heartbreaking experience of thousands of people in that country who are displaced and are dying of hunger"

He backed Myanmar Bishops' appeal for a humanitarian corridor in order to get aid to displaced people and to respect churches, pagodas, monasteries, mosques, temples, schools and hospitals, as neutral places of refuge.

The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis on Sunday made an appeal to Myanmar's military junta to allow air to reach hungry, displace people who have fled the fighting since February 1 coup.

Pope Francis on Sunday made an appeal to Myanmar's military junta to allow air to reach hungry, displace people who have fled the fighting since February 1 coup. He also made an appeal to respect religious sites as places of sanctuary. He was speaking at his Sunday blessing in St Peter's Square. Pope Francis said that he wanted to "add" his "voice" to appeal made by Myanmar's Catholic bishops last week. The Pope spoke of "heartbreaking experience of thousands of people in that country who are displaced and are dying of hunger" He backed Myanmar Bishops' appeal for a humanitarian corridor in order to get aid to displaced people and to respect churches, pagodas, monasteries, mosques, temples, schools and hospitals, as neutral places of refuge. The United Nations General Assembly on Friday called for a stop to the flow of arms to Myanmar and urged the military to respect November election results and release political detainees, including detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope backs Myanmar bishops' appeal for humanitarian corridor

After the remains of 215 children were discovered at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, people toppled down a statue of Egerton Ryerson, an architect of the residential school system.

In this residential school, run between 1831 and 1996, more than 150,000 indigenous children were forcibly separated from their homes and subjected to rape, abuse and were malnourished. The school was earlier run by the Church.

Now, Pope Francis on Sunday said he was "pained" by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-expresses-sorrow-over-discovery-of-canada-school-childrens-remains-389904">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pope-francis-expresses-sorrow-over-discovery-of-canada-school-childrens-remains-389904/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, the community is not happy with the apology and says ‘we are all pained’ by the tragedy.

"We're all pained and saddened. Who isn't? This is a worldwide travesty," Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan, Bobby Cameron said. "How hard is it for the Pope to say: 'I'm very sorry for the way our organization treated the First Nations people, the First Nations students during those times, we are sorry, we pray."

The statue was toppled a month after the remains of 215 indigenous students were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia.

This demonstration was fueled by Pope’s apology that the indigenous community believes is not enough.

After the remains of 215 children were discovered at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, people toppled down a statue of Egerton Ryerson, an architect of the residential school system.

After the remains of 215 children were discovered at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, people toppled down a statue of Egerton Ryerson, an architect of the residential school system. In this residential school, run between 1831 and 1996, more than 150,000 indigenous children were forcibly separated from their homes and subjected to rape, abuse and were malnourished. The school was earlier run by the Church. Now, Pope Francis on Sunday said he was "pained" by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada. WATCH | However, the community is not happy with the apology and says ‘we are all pained’ by the tragedy. "We're all pained and saddened. Who isn't? This is a worldwide travesty," Chief of the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan, Bobby Cameron said. "How hard is it for the Pope to say: 'I'm very sorry for the way our organization treated the First Nations people, the First Nations students during those times, we are sorry, we pray." The statue was toppled a month after the remains of 215 indigenous students were discovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia. This demonstration was fueled by Pope’s apology that the indigenous community believes is not enough.

Egerton Ryerson's statue toppled after indigenous school scandal

Pope Francis on Sunday said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada and called for respect of the rights and culture of native people.

Pope Francis expresses sorrow over discovery of Canada school children's remains

Pope Francis on Sunday said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada and called for respect of the rights and culture of native peoples.

He urged Canadian political and religious leaders to "cooperate with determination" to shed light on the finding and to seek reconciliation and healing.

He stopped short of the direct apology that many Canadians had demanded, however, when speaking in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis on Sunday said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada and called for respect of the rights and culture of native peoples.

Pope Francis on Sunday said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children at a former Catholic school for indigenous students in Canada and called for respect of the rights and culture of native peoples. He urged Canadian political and religious leaders to "cooperate with determination" to shed light on the finding and to seek reconciliation and healing. He stopped short of the direct apology that many Canadians had demanded, however, when speaking in St. Peter's Square.

Pope calls for reconciliation, healing over Canada school grave discovery

Pope Francis met both Canadian cardinals based in Vatican on Saturday as Canada reels from discovery of remains of 215 children at a former school for indigenous students run by the Church.

The pope met Cardinal Michael Czerny and Cardinal Marx Ouellet. The Vatican mentioned the meetings in its daily announcement of papal appointments.

Cardinal Ouellet meets the pope on Saturday every week in his capacity as head of the Vatican department. The department oversees bishops.

Cardinal Czerny the Vatican's expert on migrants and refugees, does not have a regular weekly meeting with the pope. He is a Czech-born Canadian national whose family emigrated to Montreal when he was two years old.

Vatican has not made details of discussion during the meeting public.

Many Canadians have called on the pope to make a formal apology for the Catholic Church's role in the residential schools, which operated between 1831 and 1996 and were run by a number of Christian denominations on behalf of the government.

Francis, who was elected pope in 2013, has already apologised for the Church's role in colonialism in the Americas but he has mostly chosen to make such apologies while visiting countries. No papal visit to Canada is scheduled.

Visiting Bolivia in 2015, Francis apologised for the "many grave sins were committed against the native people of America in the name of God".

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday the Catholic Church must take responsibility for its role in running many of the schools.

The residential school system forcibly separated about 150,000 children from their homes. Many were subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 called "cultural genocide".

Run by the government and various Christian Churches, their stated aim was to assimilate indigenous children.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis met both Canadian cardinals based in Vatican on Saturday as Canada reels from discovery of remains of 215 children at a former school for indigenous students run by the Church.

Pope Francis met both Canadian cardinals based in Vatican on Saturday as Canada reels from discovery of remains of 215 children at a former school for indigenous students run by the Church. The pope met Cardinal Michael Czerny and Cardinal Marx Ouellet. The Vatican mentioned the meetings in its daily announcement of papal appointments. Cardinal Ouellet meets the pope on Saturday every week in his capacity as head of the Vatican department. The department oversees bishops. Cardinal Czerny the Vatican's expert on migrants and refugees, does not have a regular weekly meeting with the pope. He is a Czech-born Canadian national whose family emigrated to Montreal when he was two years old. Vatican has not made details of discussion during the meeting public. Many Canadians have called on the pope to make a formal apology for the Catholic Church's role in the residential schools, which operated between 1831 and 1996 and were run by a number of Christian denominations on behalf of the government. Francis, who was elected pope in 2013, has already apologised for the Church's role in colonialism in the Americas but he has mostly chosen to make such apologies while visiting countries. No papal visit to Canada is scheduled. Visiting Bolivia in 2015, Francis apologised for the "many grave sins were committed against the native people of America in the name of God". Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday the Catholic Church must take responsibility for its role in running many of the schools. The residential school system forcibly separated about 150,000 children from their homes. Many were subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition in what the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2015 called "cultural genocide". Run by the government and various Christian Churches, their stated aim was to assimilate indigenous children. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope meets Canadian cardinals month after indigenous school scandal

Pope Francis has issued the most sweeping revision to Catholic church law in decades. Toughening regulations for clerics who abuse minors and vulnerable adults. The Pope has revised church law to explicitly criminalise the sexual abuse of adults by priests who abuse their authority.

Pope Francis revises Catholic church law, expands rules on sexual abuse

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