Pope Francis warned on Monday warned that the world leaders meeting later this month for a UN climate summit must offer solutions to an "unprecedented ecological crisis."

"COP26 in Glasgow represents an urgent summons to provide effective responses to the unprecedented ecological crisis and the crisis of values that we are presently experiencing, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations," Francis said.

Pope is hoping to attend the UN talks and has issued the plea in writing to members of a Vatican-hosted conference called Faith and Science: Towards COP26.

It brought together scientists and religious leaders.

The Vatican participants were due to sign an appeal denouncing the "seeds of conflict -- greed, indifference, ignorance, fear, injustice, insecurity and violence", which in turn "cause the serious wounds we are inflicting on the environment, such as climate change, desertification, pollution and loss of biodiversity", the pope said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/women-must-play-a-greater-role-at-the-cop26-summit-say-rights-groups-415781">Also read |&nbsp;Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups</a>

Anglican leader Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, one of the religious leaders attending the Vatican conference, said the world needed "a pilgrimage to a clean economy, which decreases carbon emissions and increases renewable energy development and use".

"We have in the last 100 years declared war on the creation," he said, calling for a "dramatic and rapid change in taxation and trade rules" in favour of a more sustainable economic model.&nbsp;

"The world has just enough time to get this right," he insisted.

Meanwhile, a coalition of feminist groups recently said that women must be enabled to play a greater role at the Cop26 summit.

This is because the needs of women and girls are being overlooked amid the global climate crisis.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-offers-prayers-for-the-victims-of-ecuadors-worst-ever-prison-riot-417925">Also read |&nbsp;Pope Francis offers prayers for the victims of Ecuador's worst-ever prison riot</a>

The Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice urged for action at the UN general assembly, including demands that world leaders meeting at Cop26, in Glasgow must end fossil fuel expansion and move to 100 per cent renewable energy.

Also, more than 120 groups have signed the call. This also includes demands to promote women’s leadership and equity, protect the rights of indigenous peoples, improve food security, recognise a human right to water, and to protect forests, oceans and other ecosystems.

Pope Francis warned on Monday warned that the world leaders meeting later this month for a UN climate summit must offer solutions to an "unprecedented ecological crisis.

Pope Francis warned on Monday warned that the world leaders meeting later this month for a UN climate summit must offer solutions to an "unprecedented ecological crisis." "COP26 in Glasgow represents an urgent summons to provide effective responses to the unprecedented ecological crisis and the crisis of values that we are presently experiencing, and in this way to offer concrete hope to future generations," Francis said. Pope is hoping to attend the UN talks and has issued the plea in writing to members of a Vatican-hosted conference called Faith and Science: Towards COP26. It brought together scientists and religious leaders. The Vatican participants were due to sign an appeal denouncing the "seeds of conflict -- greed, indifference, ignorance, fear, injustice, insecurity and violence", which in turn "cause the serious wounds we are inflicting on the environment, such as climate change, desertification, pollution and loss of biodiversity", the pope said. Also read | Women must play a greater role at the Cop26 summit, say rights groups Anglican leader Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, one of the religious leaders attending the Vatican conference, said the world needed "a pilgrimage to a clean economy, which decreases carbon emissions and increases renewable energy development and use". "We have in the last 100 years declared war on the creation," he said, calling for a "dramatic and rapid change in taxation and trade rules" in favour of a more sustainable economic model. "The world has just enough time to get this right," he insisted. Meanwhile, a coalition of feminist groups recently said that women must be enabled to play a greater role at the Cop26 summit. This is because the needs of women and girls are being overlooked amid the global climate crisis. Also read | Pope Francis offers prayers for the victims of Ecuador's worst-ever prison riot The Global Women's Assembly for Climate Justice urged for action at the UN general assembly, including demands that world leaders meeting at Cop26, in Glasgow must end fossil fuel expansion and move to 100 per cent renewable energy. Also, more than 120 groups have signed the call. This also includes demands to promote women’s leadership and equity, protect the rights of indigenous peoples, improve food security, recognise a human right to water, and to protect forests, oceans and other ecosystems.

COP26 must address 'unprecedented' climate crisis, Pope Francis warns

Pope Francis offered his prayers to victims of a prison riot at one of Ecuador's largest prisons that killed 118 inmates.

"I am very saddened by what has happened in recent days in the prison of Guayaquil, in Ecuador, where a terrible outbreak of violence between inmates belonging to rival gangs has killed more than 100 people and injured many", Francis told the gathered people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly Angelus prayer.

"May God helps us heal the plagues of crime that enslave the poorest and help those who work every day to make prison life more humane," the pontiff added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-wounded-in-fresh-inmate-clash-at-riot-hit-ecuador-prison-417827">Also read |&nbsp;Four wounded in fresh inmate clash at riot-hit Ecuador prison</a>

Meanwhile, four people were wounded and police were shot on Saturday in a new clash between prisoners at the Ecuadorian prison where 118 people were killed just days earlier in the country's deadliest inmate riot.

Police commander Tannya Varela said there was a shootout between inmates at the prison in Guayaquil.

Officers neutralised the confrontation and maintained control of the prison, the police force said.

Two rifles, three pistols, ammunition and cell phones were seized in the prison, police said. The jail has space for 5,300 inmates, but it houses 8,500, which is 60 per cent more than capacity.

Pope Francis offered his prayers to victims of a prison riot at one of Ecuador's largest prisons that killed 118 inmates. "I am very saddened by what has happened in recent days in the prison of Guayaquil, in Ecuador, where a terrible outbreak of violence between inmates belonging to rival gangs has killed more than 100 people and injured many", Francis told the gathered people in St.

Pope Francis offered his prayers to victims of a prison riot at one of Ecuador's largest prisons that killed 118 inmates. "I am very saddened by what has happened in recent days in the prison of Guayaquil, in Ecuador, where a terrible outbreak of violence between inmates belonging to rival gangs has killed more than 100 people and injured many", Francis told the gathered people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly Angelus prayer. "May God helps us heal the plagues of crime that enslave the poorest and help those who work every day to make prison life more humane," the pontiff added. Also read | Four wounded in fresh inmate clash at riot-hit Ecuador prison Meanwhile, four people were wounded and police were shot on Saturday in a new clash between prisoners at the Ecuadorian prison where 118 people were killed just days earlier in the country's deadliest inmate riot. Police commander Tannya Varela said there was a shootout between inmates at the prison in Guayaquil. Officers neutralised the confrontation and maintained control of the prison, the police force said. Two rifles, three pistols, ammunition and cell phones were seized in the prison, police said. The jail has space for 5,300 inmates, but it houses 8,500, which is 60 per cent more than capacity.

Pope Francis offers prayers for the victims of Ecuador's worst-ever prison riot

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

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 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

Pope Francis' recovery from colon surgery at a Rome hospital continues to be 'regular and satisfactory', the Vatican said on Wednesday. 
 
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the 84-year-old pope was eating regularly and that he was no longer receiving medication intravenously. 
 
He said the final results of a biopsy on the removed part of the colon confirmed that the pontiff had been suffering from "severe diverticular stenosis," which is a narrowing of the colon. 
 
Bruni said the pope was touched by the many messages of good wishes and prayers he had received since he entered hospital on Sunday.

Pope Francis' recovery from colon surgery at a Rome hospital continues to be 'regular and satisfactory', the Vatican said on Wednesday. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the 84-year-old pope was eating regularly and that he was no longer receiving medication intravenously.

Pope Francis' recovery from colon surgery at a Rome hospital continues to be 'regular and satisfactory', the Vatican said on Wednesday. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the 84-year-old pope was eating regularly and that he was no longer receiving medication intravenously. He said the final results of a biopsy on the removed part of the colon confirmed that the pontiff had been suffering from "severe diverticular stenosis," which is a narrowing of the colon. Bruni said the pope was touched by the many messages of good wishes and prayers he had received since he entered hospital on Sunday.

Pope's post-operative condition continues satisfactorily, says Vatican

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

Pope Francis is doing well following intestinal surgery, the Vatican said on Sunday after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised for the first time since his election in 2013. 
 
Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the pontiff 'responded well' to the surgery, which was done under general aesthesia and which the Vatican had said earlier had been scheduled and not prompted by an emergency. 
 
He gave no further details about the surgery or how long it lasted and did not say how long the pope would remain in Rome's Gemelli hospital. 
 
The pope entered the hospital early on Sunday afternoon and the statement was issued just before midnight Rome time. 
 
Francis underwent surgery for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon, a condition where sac-like pouches protrude from the muscular layer of the colon, leading it to become narrow. The operation was carried out by a 10-person medical team. 
 
In addition to causing pain, the condition can lead to bloating, inflammation, and difficulty in bowel movement. It tends to affect older people more. 
 
The pope appeared to be in fine health several hours earlier when he addressed thousands of people in St&nbsp;Peter's Square for his Sunday blessing and announced a trip to Slovakia and Budapest for September. 
 
The sprawling Catholic-run Gemelli hospital and medical school in the northern part of Rome traditionally treats popes and a part of its 10th floor is permanently reserved for them.

As he does every year in July, Francis already had suspended all of his general and private audiences for the month. The surgery appeared to be timed to coincide with a period in which he has only one public commitment - his Sunday blessing in St&nbsp;Peter's Square.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis is doing well following intestinal surgery, the Vatican said on Sunday after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised for the first time since his election in 2013.

Pope Francis is doing well following intestinal surgery, the Vatican said on Sunday after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised for the first time since his election in 2013. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the pontiff 'responded well' to the surgery, which was done under general aesthesia and which the Vatican had said earlier had been scheduled and not prompted by an emergency. He gave no further details about the surgery or how long it lasted and did not say how long the pope would remain in Rome's Gemelli hospital. The pope entered the hospital early on Sunday afternoon and the statement was issued just before midnight Rome time. Francis underwent surgery for symptomatic diverticular stenosis of the colon, a condition where sac-like pouches protrude from the muscular layer of the colon, leading it to become narrow. The operation was carried out by a 10-person medical team. In addition to causing pain, the condition can lead to bloating, inflammation, and difficulty in bowel movement. It tends to affect older people more. 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 announced a trip to Slovakia and Budapest for September. The sprawling Catholic-run Gemelli hospital and medical school in the northern part of Rome traditionally treats popes and a part of its 10th floor is permanently reserved for them. As he does every year in July, Francis already had suspended all of his general and private audiences for the month. The surgery appeared to be timed to coincide with a period in which he has only one public commitment - his Sunday blessing in St Peter's Square. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope doing well after intestinal surgery, says Vatican

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

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome.

Yair, a centrist is the mastermind behind the coalition that unseated veteran Benjamin Netanyahu.

Blinken is in Rome as a part of his three-nation tour of Europe, and Lapid will be flying to the Italian capital to see the US secretary of state.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/very-hard-to-rejoin-iran-nuclear-deal-if-talks-drag-on-blinken-393936">'Very hard' to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks drag on: Blinken</a>

This meeting comes as President Joe Biden’s administration moves ahead with nuclear deal talks with Israeli arch-enemy Iran, a move strongly opposed by the country.

Bien and Blinken are also eager to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, that after weeks of the fighting took effect on May 21.

Considered to be the worst fighting since 2014, the resulting bloodshed triggered a very strong criticism in the memory of the US congress. Some members of the Democratic party were also seen accusing Netanyahu of using excessive force and of backing far-right Jewish groups looking to change the delicate status quo in the holy city of Jerusalem.

The freshly installed Israeli government seeks a combative approach with its main ally Washington. Lapid, who took office less than three weeks ago under nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accuses Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israel's once rock-solid support in the United States by openly rallying behind former president Donald Trump's Republican Party.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/stop-benefitting-from-forced-labour-blinken-warns-countries-against-taking-advantage-of-uighurs-393444">'Stop benefitting from forced labour': Blinken warns countries against taking advantage of Uighurs</a>

Although the new government still considers Iran a major threat to Israel, it has pledged to put the alliance with Washington first and to try to keep differences private. Reportedly the new coalition government has also launched its own strikes on the Gaza Strip

Given that the tensions are still high after recent fighting, and with a new government uncertainties are still nigh, Washington has made clear that it is not rushing in to make any grand Middle East peace initiatives.

The Biden administration hopes to be less involved in Middle East hotspots and focus more on repairing rifts with its European allies, rifts that were created under Trump, all as part of its strategy to focus long-term attention on managing the rise of China.

Blinken started his tour by meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. In the coming days, he’ll be meeting with the Pope, and taking part in the upcoming meetings in Italy.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome.

On Sunday, in the first face to face meeting of the United States with the new Israeli government, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet Israel's new top diplomat Yair Lapid in Rome. Yair, a centrist is the mastermind behind the coalition that unseated veteran Benjamin Netanyahu. Blinken is in Rome as a part of his three-nation tour of Europe, and Lapid will be flying to the Italian capital to see the US secretary of state. Also read | 'Very hard' to rejoin Iran nuclear deal if talks drag on: Blinken This meeting comes as President Joe Biden’s administration moves ahead with nuclear deal talks with Israeli arch-enemy Iran, a move strongly opposed by the country. Bien and Blinken are also eager to preserve a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, that after weeks of the fighting took effect on May 21. Considered to be the worst fighting since 2014, the resulting bloodshed triggered a very strong criticism in the memory of the US congress. Some members of the Democratic party were also seen accusing Netanyahu of using excessive force and of backing far-right Jewish groups looking to change the delicate status quo in the holy city of Jerusalem. The freshly installed Israeli government seeks a combative approach with its main ally Washington. Lapid, who took office less than three weeks ago under nationalist Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, accuses Netanyahu of jeopardizing Israel's once rock-solid support in the United States by openly rallying behind former president Donald Trump's Republican Party. Also read | 'Stop benefitting from forced labour': Blinken warns countries against taking advantage of Uighurs Although the new government still considers Iran a major threat to Israel, it has pledged to put the alliance with Washington first and to try to keep differences private. Reportedly the new coalition government has also launched its own strikes on the Gaza Strip Given that the tensions are still high after recent fighting, and with a new government uncertainties are still nigh, Washington has made clear that it is not rushing in to make any grand Middle East peace initiatives. The Biden administration hopes to be less involved in Middle East hotspots and focus more on repairing rifts with its European allies, rifts that were created under Trump, all as part of its strategy to focus long-term attention on managing the rise of China. Blinken started his tour by meeting Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin. In the coming days, he’ll be meeting with the Pope, and taking part in the upcoming meetings in Italy. (With inputs from agencies)

US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid amid Iran moves

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo.

When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing.

It will also set the scene for a visit to the pope by Joe Biden, only the second Catholic US president, expected for October.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-blinken-to-meet-israels-top-diplomat-lapid-amid-iran-moves-394294" hreflang="en">US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid, amid Iran moves</a>

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 abortion rights despite opposing the practice personally.

Pompeo's visit last September was widely seen as a diplomatic blunder.

He irked the Vatican before arriving, saying on Twitter and in an editorial that it was "endangering its moral authority" by continuing a bilateral deal with China over the appointment of bishops there.

Pompeo published the editorial in a conservative Catholic journal that has been highly critical of Pope Francis and whose editor in 2019 wrote a long critique titled "A Failing Papacy".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-endangers-its-moral-authority-pompeo-on-deal-with-china-331174">'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China</a>

One Vatican official rebuked Pompeo for violating "one of the rules of diplomacy" by making public demands. Another said his request for an audience with the pope was denied because it was too close to the US presidential election and the Vatican did not want it used for domestic political purposes.

"Pompeo did an own goal on China. The way he broached it in such a brusque, arrogant way made it easier for the Vatican to justify the renewal of the deal," said Massimo Franco, a columnist for Italy's Corriere della Sera who has written extensively on US-Vatican relations.

"The Biden administration will be much more subtle in reminding the Vatican about freedom of religion in China," Franco told Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vatican-accuses-pompeo-of-playing-politics-pope-francies-refuses-to-meet-him-331608">Vatican accuses Pompeo of playing politics, Pope Francies refuses to meet him</a>

After NATO took a tough line on China at Biden's debut summit, Washington could press the Vatican to be more outspoken on human rights in China and Hong Kong, said Alberto Melloni, an Italian Church historian and advisor to the European Commission.

"The question is 'will the US let the Vatican be exempt from criticising China just because of its deal on the bishops'?" he told Reuters.

Climate Change

One of the main points of contention between the Vatican and the White House, while <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> was US president, was climate change. 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.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-kerry-calls-pope-powerful-voice-on-climate-385271">US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate</a>

Francis, who in May received Biden's climate envoy, Roman Catholic John Kerry, has urged nations to work together to save the planet.

"We see working together (with the Vatican) as an opportunity to raise countries' collective ambition and to address the climate crisis by raising and implementing national emissions reduction targets, for instance," said Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs.

The Vatican will host world religious leaders and scientists before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Britain, which many expect the pope to attend.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pope-francis-criticizes-those-who-build-walls-sow-fear-about-strangers-192644">Pope Francis criticises those who 'build walls', 'sow fear'</a>

In another scratchy moment, the pope criticised Trump's pledge to build a wall along the US-Mexican border as "not Christian". Trump said it was "disgraceful" for the pope to question his faith but later called him "a wonderful guy". They met at the Vatican in 2017.

Blinken and Vatican officials are also expected to discuss ways to combat human trafficking and encouraging debt relief for poor countries.&nbsp;

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo. When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing.

The last time a US secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo. When Antony Blinken meets the pope and top Vatican officials on Monday, the new secretary of state's visit will put relations between Washington and Holy See on a new footing. It will also set the scene for a visit to the pope by Joe Biden, only the second Catholic US president, expected for October. Also read | US Blinken to meet Israel's top diplomat Lapid, amid Iran moves 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 abortion rights despite opposing the practice personally. Pompeo's visit last September was widely seen as a diplomatic blunder. He irked the Vatican before arriving, saying on Twitter and in an editorial that it was "endangering its moral authority" by continuing a bilateral deal with China over the appointment of bishops there. Pompeo published the editorial in a conservative Catholic journal that has been highly critical of Pope Francis and whose editor in 2019 wrote a long critique titled "A Failing Papacy". Also read | 'Vatican endangers its moral authority': Pompeo on deal with China One Vatican official rebuked Pompeo for violating "one of the rules of diplomacy" by making public demands. Another said his request for an audience with the pope was denied because it was too close to the US presidential election and the Vatican did not want it used for domestic political purposes. "Pompeo did an own goal on China. The way he broached it in such a brusque, arrogant way made it easier for the Vatican to justify the renewal of the deal," said Massimo Franco, a columnist for Italy's Corriere della Sera who has written extensively on US-Vatican relations. "The Biden administration will be much more subtle in reminding the Vatican about freedom of religion in China," Franco told Reuters. Also read | Vatican accuses Pompeo of playing politics, Pope Francies refuses to meet him After NATO took a tough line on China at Biden's debut summit, Washington could press the Vatican to be more outspoken on human rights in China and Hong Kong, said Alberto Melloni, an Italian Church historian and advisor to the European Commission. "The question is 'will the US let the Vatican be exempt from criticising China just because of its deal on the bishops'?" he told Reuters. Climate Change One of the main points of contention between the Vatican and the White House, while Donald Trump was US president, was climate change. 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. Also read | US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate Francis, who in May received Biden's climate envoy, Roman Catholic John Kerry, has urged nations to work together to save the planet. "We see working together (with the Vatican) as an opportunity to raise countries' collective ambition and to address the climate crisis by raising and implementing national emissions reduction targets, for instance," said Philip Reeker, acting assistant secretary of state for European and Eurasian affairs. The Vatican will host world religious leaders and scientists before the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Britain, which many expect the pope to attend. Also read | Pope Francis criticises those who 'build walls', 'sow fear' In another scratchy moment, the pope criticised Trump's pledge to build a wall along the US-Mexican border as "not Christian". Trump said it was "disgraceful" for the pope to question his faith but later called him "a wonderful guy". They met at the Vatican in 2017. Blinken and Vatican officials are also expected to discuss ways to combat human trafficking and encouraging debt relief for poor countries.

Blinken visit to pope will reset US-Vatican ties after Trump years

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves. 
 
"I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. 
 
"I know that the Catholic church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken." 
 
Cowessess First Nation said on Thursday some 751 unmarked graves had been found at the site of Marieval Residential School in Saskatchewan, just weeks after 215 unmarked graves were discovered at a former school in British Columbia. 
 
The residential school system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, removed about 150,000 indigenous children from their families and brought them to Christian residential schools, mostly Catholic, run on behalf of the federal government. 
 
A federal commission's report found the residential school system enacted cultural genocide on Canada's indigenous people. 
 
"I have heard directly from many Catholics across this country who want to see the church play a positive role in this," Trudeau added. 
 
Earlier this month, Pope Francis stopped short of a direct apology but said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, he has asked the pope to come to Canada to apologise for the Catholic Church's role running residential schools for indigenous children, after nearly 1,000 bodies were found in two mass graves. "I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil," Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa. "I know that the Catholic church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken." Cowessess First Nation said on Thursday some 751 unmarked graves had been found at the site of Marieval Residential School in Saskatchewan, just weeks after 215 unmarked graves were discovered at a former school in British Columbia. The residential school system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, removed about 150,000 indigenous children from their families and brought them to Christian residential schools, mostly Catholic, run on behalf of the federal government. A federal commission's report found the residential school system enacted cultural genocide on Canada's indigenous people. "I have heard directly from many Catholics across this country who want to see the church play a positive role in this," Trudeau added. Earlier this month, Pope Francis stopped short of a direct apology but said he was pained by the discovery of the remains of 215 children and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. (With inputs from agencies)

Trudeau says Pope should apologise on Canadian soil for church's role in residential schools

Mass grave of 215 indigenous children found in Canada. Pope expresses 'sorrow', does not apologise for Catholic Church's heinous crime. Canada is guilty of cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples. We bring you heart-wrenching stories of survivors on WION Wideangle.

Canada's Cultural Genocide | WION Wideangle

Pope&nbsp;Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine.

"I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

"Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-analysis-about-350000-people-in-ethiopias-tigray-in-famine-390882">UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine</a>

The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party.

He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/people-face-horrific-situation-in-ethiopias-tigray-389967/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.&nbsp;

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer.

Pope Francis on Sunday offered his prayers to the people of Ethiopia's conflict-wracked Tigray region, which has been hit by famine. "I am particularly close to the people of the Tigray region in Ethiopia, struck by a serious humanitarian crisis which exposes the poorest to famine," he said during his Angelus prayer. "Today there is famine, there is hunger. Let us pray together for an immediate end to the violence, for everyone to be guaranteed food and health assistance, and for the return as soon as possible of social harmony." Also read | UN analysis: About 350,000 people in Ethiopia's Tigray in famine The UN has said that over 90 per cent of the more than five million people in the Tigray region need emergency food aid, and has urgently appealed for more than $200 million to scale up its response. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into the northern region in November to detain and disarm leaders of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region's former ruling party. He said the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. Though he vowed the conflict would be brief, fighting continues more than six months later and reports of atrocities, including the widespread use of rape, are proliferating.

Pope offers prayers for famine-hit Tigray

Indigenous leaders and school survivors on Sunday dismissed Pope Francis' expressions of pain at the discovery of 215 children's remains at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, saying the church needed to do much more. 
 
In his weekly blessing in St&nbsp;Peter's Square on Sunday, Francis said he was pained by the news about the former school for indigenous students and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. But he stopped short of the direct apology some Canadians had demanded.&nbsp; 
 
"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 organisation treated the First Nations people, the First Nations students during those times, we are sorry, we pray.'" 
 
The discovery last month at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which closed in 1978, reopened old wounds in Canada about the lack of information and accountability around the residential school system, which forcibly separated indigenous children from their families. 
 
On Sunday, demonstrators tore down a statue of Egerton Ryerson, one of the architects of the residential school system, at the Toronto university named for him. 
 
Kamloops survivor Saa Hiil Thut, 72, said people have not been held responsible for the suffering he endured during his years at the school. 
 
"The culprits sort of get off scot-free," he said. 
 
"The Pope won't say, 'You know what? I heard there was (thousands of) cases of physical and sexual abuse in those residential schools run by our church.' He won't say that. He won't say 'There's 215 children in an unmarked grave in Kamloops and probably every residential school in Canada.'" 
 
The system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, forcibly separated about 150,000 indigenous children from their homes, with many subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition. Most were run by the Catholic Church on behalf of the government. 
 
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, the church must take responsibility for its role in the schools. A spokesman for Trudeau declined further comment on Sunday. 
 
The Pope's statement "does not go far enough," said a spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett on Sunday. 
 
"(The) government calls again upon the Pope and Church to apologise for their role." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Indigenous leaders and school survivors on Sunday dismissed Pope Francis' expressions of pain at the discovery of 215 children's remains at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, saying the church needed to do much more.

Indigenous leaders and school survivors on Sunday dismissed Pope Francis' expressions of pain at the discovery of 215 children's remains at a former Catholic residential school in Canada, saying the church needed to do much more. In his weekly blessing in St Peter's Square on Sunday, Francis said he was pained by the news about the former school for indigenous students and called for respect for the rights and cultures of native peoples. But he stopped short of the direct apology some Canadians had demanded. "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 organisation treated the First Nations people, the First Nations students during those times, we are sorry, we pray.'" The discovery last month at the Kamloops Indian Residential School in British Columbia, which closed in 1978, reopened old wounds in Canada about the lack of information and accountability around the residential school system, which forcibly separated indigenous children from their families. On Sunday, demonstrators tore down a statue of Egerton Ryerson, one of the architects of the residential school system, at the Toronto university named for him. Kamloops survivor Saa Hiil Thut, 72, said people have not been held responsible for the suffering he endured during his years at the school. "The culprits sort of get off scot-free," he said. "The Pope won't say, 'You know what? I heard there was (thousands of) cases of physical and sexual abuse in those residential schools run by our church.' He won't say that. He won't say 'There's 215 children in an unmarked grave in Kamloops and probably every residential school in Canada.'" The system, which operated between 1831 and 1996, forcibly separated about 150,000 indigenous children from their homes, with many subjected to abuse, rape and malnutrition. Most were run by the Catholic Church on behalf of the government. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Friday, the church must take responsibility for its role in the schools. A spokesman for Trudeau declined further comment on Sunday. The Pope's statement "does not go far enough," said a spokesperson for Crown-Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett on Sunday. "(The) government calls again upon the Pope and Church to apologise for their role." (With inputs from agencies)

'We're all pained': Canada indigenous leaders dismiss Pope remarks on chidren's remains in school

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 said Sunday he would invite Lebanon's Christian leaders to the Vatican on July 1 to reflect and pray for "peace and stability" in the stricken Middle Eastern nation.

Lebanon is in the throes of a double economic and political crisis.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/protests-in-lebanon-over-economic-crisis-political-deadlock-368865">Protests in Lebanon over economic crisis, political deadlock</a>

It is experiencing its worst financial downturn since the 1975-1990 civil war, with more than half the population now living below the poverty line.

Meanwhile, bickering political leaders have yet to agree on a new government to replace the outgoing cabinet of caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab who resigned in the wake of last summer's deadly port explosion.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/caretaker-pm-threatens-to-stop-running-government-in-lebanon-368500">Caretaker PM threatens to stop running government in Lebanon</a>

"On July 1 I will meet in the Vatican with the main leaders of the Christian communities in Lebanon, for a day of reflection on the country's worrying situation and to pray together for the gift of peace and stability", the pope said.

Delivering his Sunday Angelus message, Francis urged the faithful "to accompany the preparation of this event with solidarity prayers, invoking a more peaceful future for that beloved country".&nbsp;

Pope Francis said Sunday he would invite Lebanon's Christian leaders to the Vatican on July 1 to reflect and pray for "peace and stability" in the stricken Middle Eastern nation.

Pope Francis said Sunday he would invite Lebanon's Christian leaders to the Vatican on July 1 to reflect and pray for "peace and stability" in the stricken Middle Eastern nation. Lebanon is in the throes of a double economic and political crisis. Also Read | Protests in Lebanon over economic crisis, political deadlock It is experiencing its worst financial downturn since the 1975-1990 civil war, with more than half the population now living below the poverty line. Meanwhile, bickering political leaders have yet to agree on a new government to replace the outgoing cabinet of caretaker prime minister Hassan Diab who resigned in the wake of last summer's deadly port explosion. Also Read | Caretaker PM threatens to stop running government in Lebanon "On July 1 I will meet in the Vatican with the main leaders of the Christian communities in Lebanon, for a day of reflection on the country's worrying situation and to pray together for the gift of peace and stability", the pope said. Delivering his Sunday Angelus message, Francis urged the faithful "to accompany the preparation of this event with solidarity prayers, invoking a more peaceful future for that beloved country".

Pope to host July 1 summit with Lebanon's Christian leaders

As the situation in Colombia is worsening, Pope Francis has urged "serious dialogue" to find a quick solution and has defended the right to peaceful protests.

Colombia needs to conduct "through serious dialogue, (whereby) fair solutions are found to the many problems it faces," Pope said.

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He also urged the security forces to let the locals carry peaceful protests and "avoid, for humanitarian reasons, behaviours harmful to the population in the exercise of their right to demonstrate peacefully".

Colombia has been observing continuous protests by locals over proposed tax reforms, which were quickly shelved due to the unpopular reaction.

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However, since then, there has been an anti-government sentiment in the country, even though the government has urged locals to stay indoors due to the rising covid infections.

The protests and massive unrest have led to an alarming increase in infections in Colombia in the past few weeks, taking the death toll to more than 80,000.

As the situation in Colombia is worsening, Pope Francis has urged "serious dialogue" to find a quick solution and has defended the right to peaceful protests. Colombia needs to conduct "through serious dialogue, (whereby) fair solutions are found to the many problems it faces," Pope said.

As the situation in Colombia is worsening, Pope Francis has urged "serious dialogue" to find a quick solution and has defended the right to peaceful protests. Colombia needs to conduct "through serious dialogue, (whereby) fair solutions are found to the many problems it faces," Pope said. Also read | Colombia calls for dialogue with protest leaders He also urged the security forces to let the locals carry peaceful protests and "avoid, for humanitarian reasons, behaviours harmful to the population in the exercise of their right to demonstrate peacefully". Colombia has been observing continuous protests by locals over proposed tax reforms, which were quickly shelved due to the unpopular reaction. Also read | Colombia's president withdraws tax reform after protests However, since then, there has been an anti-government sentiment in the country, even though the government has urged locals to stay indoors due to the rising covid infections. The protests and massive unrest have led to an alarming increase in infections in Colombia in the past few weeks, taking the death toll to more than 80,000.

Pope defends Colombia's right to peaceful protests

Pope Francis on Sunday said the loss of innocent lives in violence between Israel and Palestinians was "terrible and unacceptable", warning that the latest conflict could get even worse.&nbsp;

"In these days, violent armed clashes between the Gaza Strip and Israel have taken over, and risk degenerating into a spiral of death and destruction," said the pope following his Sunday Regina Caeli prayer.

"Numerous people have been injured, and many innocents have died. Among them there are also children, and this is terrible and unacceptable," the 84-year-old pontiff said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/do-not-give-in-to-evil-and-division-pope-tells-myanmar-community-385407">Do not give in to evil and division, Pope tells Myanmar community&nbsp;</a>

"I ask myself: where will hatred and revenge lead? Do we really think we will build peace by destroying the other?"

Francis' comments, addressed to a crowd in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, came after the pontiff held a special mass for Myanmar on Sunday morning.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-envoy-kerry-calls-pope-powerful-voice-on-climate-385271">US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate</a>

During mass, he repeated calls for an end to bloodshed in the country roiled by a violent crackdown on civilians by the military junta, urging its people not to lose hope.

Francis, who often speaks about current events in his Sunday addresses from the window of the Apostolic Palace, also urged for calm in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jerusalem-under-siege-as-israelis-and-palestinians-clash-384175">Jerusalem under siege as Israelis and Palestinians clash</a>

"I appeal for calm and, to those who have responsibility, to stop the din of arms and to walk the paths of peace, also with the help of the international community," he said.

Pope Francis on Sunday said the loss of innocent lives in violence between Israel and Palestinians was "terrible and unacceptable", warning that the latest conflict could get even worse.

Pope Francis on Sunday said the loss of innocent lives in violence between Israel and Palestinians was "terrible and unacceptable", warning that the latest conflict could get even worse. "In these days, violent armed clashes between the Gaza Strip and Israel have taken over, and risk degenerating into a spiral of death and destruction," said the pope following his Sunday Regina Caeli prayer. "Numerous people have been injured, and many innocents have died. Among them there are also children, and this is terrible and unacceptable," the 84-year-old pontiff said. Also read | Do not give in to evil and division, Pope tells Myanmar community "I ask myself: where will hatred and revenge lead? Do we really think we will build peace by destroying the other?" Francis' comments, addressed to a crowd in Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, came after the pontiff held a special mass for Myanmar on Sunday morning. Also read | US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate During mass, he repeated calls for an end to bloodshed in the country roiled by a violent crackdown on civilians by the military junta, urging its people not to lose hope. Francis, who often speaks about current events in his Sunday addresses from the window of the Apostolic Palace, also urged for calm in the Middle East. Also read | Jerusalem under siege as Israelis and Palestinians clash "I appeal for calm and, to those who have responsibility, to stop the din of arms and to walk the paths of peace, also with the help of the international community," he said.

Pope warns of 'spiral of death' in Middle East clashes

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy.&nbsp;

Myanmar's military seized power in a February 1 coup, derailing the country's tentative progress towards full democracy and triggering protests that have been met with a bloody crackdown. &nbsp;

Francis, who visited the Southeast Asian country in 2017, has repeatedly denounced the coup and on Sunday held a special service for the Myanmar faithful in St Peter's Basilica.&nbsp;

"Your beloved country of Myanmar is experiencing violence, conflict and repression," the pope said in a toughly worded homily, urging the congregation to draw inspiration from the final hours of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion.&nbsp;

"He does not resign himself to evil, he does not let himself be overwhelmed by grief, he does not retreat into the bitterness of the defeated and disappointed," he said.&nbsp;

Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country and is home to fewer than 800,000 Roman Catholics.&nbsp;

Francis, who has been one of the most outspoken global leaders on the Myanmar crisis, said people should not lose their faith or hope "even in the dark night of grief, even when evil seems to have the upper hand".&nbsp;

He also urged the people of Myanmar not to yield to "the logic of hatred and vengeance", nor to compromise their values. Unity was vital, he said.&nbsp;

Since grabbing power, the junta has struggled to govern. Protests, strikes and a civil disobedience campaign have crippled businesses and the bureaucracy, while an armed resistance has also taken hold in the northwest of the country.&nbsp;

The military has said its takeover was aimed at protecting democracy after a November election that it said was marred by fraud. The electoral commission rejected the military's claims of irregularities.&nbsp;

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy.

The people of Myanmar must not despair in the face of evil or allow themselves to be divided, Pope Francis said on Sunday at a special Mass for the Myanmar community in Italy. Myanmar's military seized power in a February 1 coup, derailing the country's tentative progress towards full democracy and triggering protests that have been met with a bloody crackdown. Francis, who visited the Southeast Asian country in 2017, has repeatedly denounced the coup and on Sunday held a special service for the Myanmar faithful in St Peter's Basilica. "Your beloved country of Myanmar is experiencing violence, conflict and repression," the pope said in a toughly worded homily, urging the congregation to draw inspiration from the final hours of Jesus Christ before his crucifixion. "He does not resign himself to evil, he does not let himself be overwhelmed by grief, he does not retreat into the bitterness of the defeated and disappointed," he said. Myanmar is a predominantly Buddhist country and is home to fewer than 800,000 Roman Catholics. Francis, who has been one of the most outspoken global leaders on the Myanmar crisis, said people should not lose their faith or hope "even in the dark night of grief, even when evil seems to have the upper hand". He also urged the people of Myanmar not to yield to "the logic of hatred and vengeance", nor to compromise their values. Unity was vital, he said. Since grabbing power, the junta has struggled to govern. Protests, strikes and a civil disobedience campaign have crippled businesses and the bureaucracy, while an armed resistance has also taken hold in the northwest of the country. The military has said its takeover was aimed at protecting democracy after a November election that it said was marred by fraud. The electoral commission rejected the military's claims of irregularities.

Do not give in to evil and division, Pope tells Myanmar community 

Pope Francis is a "convincing moral authority" in the fight against climate change, the US' special climate envoy&nbsp;John&nbsp;Kerry&nbsp;told Vatican News Saturday after a meeting with the pontiff.&nbsp;

"The Holy Father is one of the most powerful voices on the planet, if not the most powerful,"&nbsp;Kerry&nbsp;told the Vatican's information portal in an interview.&nbsp;

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"But because he is above politics and outside of national conflicts, I think he can shake people up a little bit and bring them to the table of dialogue with a better sense of our common duty."

Kerry, who is on a European tour that will take him to Britain and Germany after Rome, met with the Argentine pope at the Vatican a day after a meeting with Prime Minister Mario Draghi.

"The Pope is one of the great voices of reason and a convincing moral authority on the issue of the climate crisis,"&nbsp;Kerry&nbsp;said, adding he believed the pontiff would be attending November's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow.&nbsp;

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"We need everybody in this fight. All the leaders of the world need to come together and every country needs to do its part," he said.

The pope has called climate change "one of the principal challenges facing humanity" today. He has rebuked industrialised countries most responsible for the crisis while speaking up for the poor in developing countries who will feel its worst effects. &nbsp;

Last month, US President Joe Biden announced that the world's largest economy would cut emissions blamed for climate change by 50 to 52 per cent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels, doubling the country's previous commitments.

Kerry, a former senator who served as secretary of state under President Barack Obama, has said the next six months will be critical in shoring up support to upgrade commitments in the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The summit in Glasgow, he said in April, was "our last best hope to be able to coalesce the world in the right direction."

Pope Francis is a "convincing moral authority" in the fight against climate change, the US' special climate envoy John Kerry told Vatican News Saturday after a meeting with the pontiff.

Pope Francis is a "convincing moral authority" in the fight against climate change, the US' special climate envoy John Kerry told Vatican News Saturday after a meeting with the pontiff. "The Holy Father is one of the most powerful voices on the planet, if not the most powerful," Kerry told the Vatican's information portal in an interview. Also read | Pope Francis backs waivers on intellectual property rights for vaccines "But because he is above politics and outside of national conflicts, I think he can shake people up a little bit and bring them to the table of dialogue with a better sense of our common duty." Kerry, who is on a European tour that will take him to Britain and Germany after Rome, met with the Argentine pope at the Vatican a day after a meeting with Prime Minister Mario Draghi. "The Pope is one of the great voices of reason and a convincing moral authority on the issue of the climate crisis," Kerry said, adding he believed the pontiff would be attending November's United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow. Also read | 'Stop Clashes': Pope Francis calls for end to violence in Jerusalem "We need everybody in this fight. All the leaders of the world need to come together and every country needs to do its part," he said. The pope has called climate change "one of the principal challenges facing humanity" today. He has rebuked industrialised countries most responsible for the crisis while speaking up for the poor in developing countries who will feel its worst effects. Last month, US President Joe Biden announced that the world's largest economy would cut emissions blamed for climate change by 50 to 52 per cent by 2030 compared with 2005 levels, doubling the country's previous commitments. Kerry, a former senator who served as secretary of state under President Barack Obama, has said the next six months will be critical in shoring up support to upgrade commitments in the 2015 Paris Agreement. The summit in Glasgow, he said in April, was "our last best hope to be able to coalesce the world in the right direction."

US envoy Kerry calls pope 'powerful voice' on climate

An Italian&nbsp;judge&nbsp;murdered by the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;in Sicily&nbsp;takes&nbsp;a&nbsp;step&nbsp;towards&nbsp;sainthood&nbsp;Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II.

The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the&nbsp;Sicilian&nbsp;town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990.

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In a preface to a new book about the&nbsp;judge, Pope Francis hailed him as a "righteous man who knew he did not deserve that unjust death".

Livatino, who prayed in church every day before going to court, had been involved in a mass trial against mafioso and was about to launch a new case when he died.

He was found in a ditch by the roadside a few miles from his home. He had refused armed protection.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder">2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder</a>

Many of his notes were later found to be marked STD, for "sub tutela Dei", a Latin invocation meaning "under the protection of God" which judges of the Middle Ages used before taking official decisions.

The notes also showed he asked God's forgiveness for the risks his work exposed his parents to, once he learned that the bosses of the Cosa Nostra had him in their sights.

When John Paul II visited Livatino's parents in 1993, he said the&nbsp;judge&nbsp;was "a martyr for justice and indirectly for the faith".

Under Church law, if martyrdom is established, then beatification -- the penultimate accolade before canonisation -- moves ahead quickly without the proof of miracles required of other candidates for&nbsp;sainthood.

The two&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;members who&nbsp;killed&nbsp;Livatino, identified by a man who drove past at the moment of the crime, were given life sentences.

Livatino was one of the first investigating magistrates in Italy who moved to seize assets belonging to the&nbsp;mafia, according to Luigi Ciotti, a priest known for his own fight against organised crime.

"He understood that would lead to a weakening of the clans, their loss of control and also of social control," Ciotti wrote in another biography of the murdered&nbsp;judge.

Today, a cooperative of young people bears Livatino's name and cultivates land confiscated from the&nbsp;Sicilian&nbsp;mafia.

Less than two years after Livatino's death, anti-mafia&nbsp;prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were also murdered by the&nbsp;mob.

Since he was elected pope in 2013, Francis has spoken out repeatedly against organised crime groups.

In an open-air mass in Sicily in September 2018, during a trip to honour a priest&nbsp;killed&nbsp;by the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;25 years earlier, the Argentine pontiff condemned those who belong to the&nbsp;mafia&nbsp;as "blasphemous".

"You can't believe in God and belong to the&nbsp;mafia," he said.

His impassioned plea echoed the words of Jean Paul II who, during his May 1993 trip to the island, had also called on mobsters to abandon crime, and urged Sicilians to revolt against the&nbsp;mafia.

An Italian judge murdered by the mafia in Sicily takes a step towards sainthood Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II. The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the Sicilian town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990.

An Italian judge murdered by the mafia in Sicily takes a step towards sainthood Sunday, almost three decades after being declared a martyr by pope John Paul II. The beatification of Rosario Livatino will take place in the cathedral in Agrigento, the Sicilian town near where he was gunned down aged 38 on September 21, 1990. Also read | Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops In a preface to a new book about the judge, Pope Francis hailed him as a "righteous man who knew he did not deserve that unjust death". Livatino, who prayed in church every day before going to court, had been involved in a mass trial against mafioso and was about to launch a new case when he died. He was found in a ditch by the roadside a few miles from his home. He had refused armed protection. Also read | 2 American students handed life sentences in Italy for cop's murder Many of his notes were later found to be marked STD, for "sub tutela Dei", a Latin invocation meaning "under the protection of God" which judges of the Middle Ages used before taking official decisions. The notes also showed he asked God's forgiveness for the risks his work exposed his parents to, once he learned that the bosses of the Cosa Nostra had him in their sights. When John Paul II visited Livatino's parents in 1993, he said the judge was "a martyr for justice and indirectly for the faith". Under Church law, if martyrdom is established, then beatification -- the penultimate accolade before canonisation -- moves ahead quickly without the proof of miracles required of other candidates for sainthood. The two mafia members who killed Livatino, identified by a man who drove past at the moment of the crime, were given life sentences. Livatino was one of the first investigating magistrates in Italy who moved to seize assets belonging to the mafia, according to Luigi Ciotti, a priest known for his own fight against organised crime. "He understood that would lead to a weakening of the clans, their loss of control and also of social control," Ciotti wrote in another biography of the murdered judge. Today, a cooperative of young people bears Livatino's name and cultivates land confiscated from the Sicilian mafia. Less than two years after Livatino's death, anti-mafia prosecutors Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino were also murdered by the mob. Since he was elected pope in 2013, Francis has spoken out repeatedly against organised crime groups. In an open-air mass in Sicily in September 2018, during a trip to honour a priest killed by the mafia 25 years earlier, the Argentine pontiff condemned those who belong to the mafia as "blasphemous". "You can't believe in God and belong to the mafia," he said. His impassioned plea echoed the words of Jean Paul II who, during his May 1993 trip to the island, had also called on mobsters to abandon crime, and urged Sicilians to revolt against the mafia.

Sicilian judge killed by mafia takes step to sainthood

Pope Francis on Thursday hailed "tireless" work of medics in India during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic that has stretched the country's healthcare machinery beyond capacity. Pope urged the medics to stay strong in his message for India.

In a message to the Catholic Bishops' Conference in India, the pontiff offered his "heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness to all the Indian people".

"My thoughts go above all to the sick and their families, to those who care for them, and in particular to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones," he said.&nbsp;

"I think too of the many doctors, nurses, hospital workers, ambulance drivers and those working tirelessly to respond to the immediate needs of their brothers and sisters.&nbsp;

"With deep appreciation I invoke upon all of them God's gifts of perseverance, strength and peace."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sputnik-light-russias-single-dose-covid-vaccine-will-be-produced-in-india-383304">Sputnik Light, Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine will be produced in India</a>

India has seen patients dying even in streets outside hospitals due to shortage of beds and oxygen.

The country on Thursday reported almost 4,000 Covid-19 deaths and more than 412,000 infections -- both new records -- dashing hopes that the catastrophic recent surge may have been easing following several days of falling case numbers.

(With inputs from agencies)

Pope Francis on Thursday hailed "tireless" work of medics in India during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic that has stretched the country's healthcare machinery beyond capacity.

Pope Francis on Thursday hailed "tireless" work of medics in India during the second wave of coronavirus pandemic that has stretched the country's healthcare machinery beyond capacity. Pope urged the medics to stay strong in his message for India. In a message to the Catholic Bishops' Conference in India, the pontiff offered his "heartfelt solidarity and spiritual closeness to all the Indian people". "My thoughts go above all to the sick and their families, to those who care for them, and in particular to those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones," he said. "I think too of the many doctors, nurses, hospital workers, ambulance drivers and those working tirelessly to respond to the immediate needs of their brothers and sisters. "With deep appreciation I invoke upon all of them God's gifts of perseverance, strength and peace." Also Read | Sputnik Light, Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine will be produced in India India has seen patients dying even in streets outside hospitals due to shortage of beds and oxygen. The country on Thursday reported almost 4,000 Covid-19 deaths and more than 412,000 infections -- both new records -- dashing hopes that the catastrophic recent surge may have been easing following several days of falling case numbers. (With inputs from agencies)

Pope hails 'tireless' work of Indian medics in his message to India

Pope Francis has sent another message to Vatican-based cardinals and bishops about his intent to hold them accountable for criminal misconduct: He removed the procedural obstacles that had spared them from being prosecuted by the Vatican's criminal tribunal.

A new law published on Friday makes clear that Vatican city-state prosecutors have jurisdiction over cardinals and bishops and need only the pope's consent to proceed with investigations against them.

The law abrogated a regulation, upheld as recently as last year, that said only the tribunal's highest appeals court, which is composed of three cardinal judges, could assess the actions of cardinals and bishops accused of criminal offenses.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="Pope decries weapons spending during pandemic in his Easter message">Pope decries weapons spending during pandemic in his Easter message</a>

The reform is the latest sign that after eight years of preaching about ending corruption and other criminal activity in the Holy See, Francis is taking concrete steps to hold his own cardinals and bishops accountable.

On Thursday, he passed a different law forcing Vatican superiors to declare their finances are clean, and set a 40-euro (USD 48) cap on work-related personal gifts received by any Vatican employee.

The gift cap was seen as a way to cut down on the rampant practice of financial gift-giving to Holy See clerics and the chance that such money could grease favours.

Friday's reform follows Francis' decision last year to strip a senior Vatican official, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, of his rights and privileges as a cardinal in a move seen as laying the groundwork for Becciu to possibly be put on trial.

The allegations against him aren't clear, however, and Becciu hasn't been charged with any crime. 
Becciu has said Francis cited a 100,000-euro donation he made using Holy See funds that he had authority to disburse, to a charity run by his brother.

Becciu has denied wrongdoing, noting that the money was destined for the charity, not his brother, and the money never left the diocesan bank account.

Becciu was also involved initially in a London real estate venture that is now the subject of a Vatican corruption investigation, but the key transactions under scrutiny occurred after he was promoted to the Vatican's saint-making office.

The new procedural law Friday would presumably make unnecessary any move to strip any other cardinal of his privileges before an indictment is even handed down.

In an introduction to the law, Francis said it was necessary to hold everyone equal under the law, as recognized internationally.

The understanding of such values and principles, which have progressively matured in the ecclesial community, today require the Vatican code to more adequately conform&nbsp;to international standards, he wrote.

Within the church's in-house canon law system for church crimes, cardinals and bishops are judged only by the pope. That privilege extended also to the criminal code of the city-state's tribunal in ways that led to some anomalies in recent years.

In one famous case, prosecutors decided to not even investigate the cardinal whose Vatican apartment was renovated using a half-million dollars in donations intended for the pope's children's hospital.

The hospital president who diverted the funds was convicted by the Vatican tribunal, but the cardinal wasn't even called to testify, much less placed under investigation.

Pope Francis has sent another message to Vatican-based cardinals and bishops about his intent to hold them accountable for criminal misconduct: He removed the procedural obstacles that had spared them from being prosecuted by the Vatican's criminal tribunal.

Pope Francis has sent another message to Vatican-based cardinals and bishops about his intent to hold them accountable for criminal misconduct: He removed the procedural obstacles that had spared them from being prosecuted by the Vatican's criminal tribunal. A new law published on Friday makes clear that Vatican city-state prosecutors have jurisdiction over cardinals and bishops and need only the pope's consent to proceed with investigations against them. The law abrogated a regulation, upheld as recently as last year, that said only the tribunal's highest appeals court, which is composed of three cardinal judges, could assess the actions of cardinals and bishops accused of criminal offenses. Also read: Pope decries weapons spending during pandemic in his Easter message The reform is the latest sign that after eight years of preaching about ending corruption and other criminal activity in the Holy See, Francis is taking concrete steps to hold his own cardinals and bishops accountable. On Thursday, he passed a different law forcing Vatican superiors to declare their finances are clean, and set a 40-euro (USD 48) cap on work-related personal gifts received by any Vatican employee. The gift cap was seen as a way to cut down on the rampant practice of financial gift-giving to Holy See clerics and the chance that such money could grease favours. Friday's reform follows Francis' decision last year to strip a senior Vatican official, Cardinal Angelo Becciu, of his rights and privileges as a cardinal in a move seen as laying the groundwork for Becciu to possibly be put on trial. The allegations against him aren't clear, however, and Becciu hasn't been charged with any crime. Becciu has said Francis cited a 100,000-euro donation he made using Holy See funds that he had authority to disburse, to a charity run by his brother. Becciu has denied wrongdoing, noting that the money was destined for the charity, not his brother, and the money never left the diocesan bank account. Becciu was also involved initially in a London real estate venture that is now the subject of a Vatican corruption investigation, but the key transactions under scrutiny occurred after he was promoted to the Vatican's saint-making office. The new procedural law Friday would presumably make unnecessary any move to strip any other cardinal of his privileges before an indictment is even handed down. In an introduction to the law, Francis said it was necessary to hold everyone equal under the law, as recognized internationally. The understanding of such values and principles, which have progressively matured in the ecclesial community, today require the Vatican code to more adequately conform to international standards, he wrote. Within the church's in-house canon law system for church crimes, cardinals and bishops are judged only by the pope. That privilege extended also to the criminal code of the city-state's tribunal in ways that led to some anomalies in recent years. In one famous case, prosecutors decided to not even investigate the cardinal whose Vatican apartment was renovated using a half-million dollars in donations intended for the pope's children's hospital. The hospital president who diverted the funds was convicted by the Vatican tribunal, but the cardinal wasn't even called to testify, much less placed under investigation.

Pope facilitates Vatican prosecutions for cardinals, bishops

Pope Francis said on Sunday that "now is the time for shame" after 130 migrants were feared dead in the Mediterranean and a UN organisation accused states of not responding to distress calls.

Merchant vessels and a charity ship searching the Mediterranean for boats with migrants found 10 bodies floating near a capsized rubber boat in international waters near Libya believed to have had 130 people on board, French humanitarian organisation SOS Mediterranee said on Friday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-boat-with-130-aboard-capsizes-off-libya-ngo-379556">Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO</a>

"I confess to you that I am very pained over yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean," Francis said to hundreds of people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly blessing.

"They are people. They are human lives who for two entire days begged in vain for help, a help that never arrived. Brothers and sisters, let us all question ourselves over this, yet another tragedy. Now is the time for shame," he said.

The civilian hotline Alarm Phone had reported three boats were in distress on Wednesday, prompting SOS Mediterranee to launch a search.

Safa Msehli, a spokesperson for the U.N. International Organization for Migration (IOM), said on Friday that "states stood defiant and refused to act to save the lives of more than 100 people".

The pope asked for prayers for all migrants who die at sea as well as for "those who can help but prefer to look the other way. Let us pay in silence for them."

Libya, divided by civil conflict for years, is a major route for migrants seeking to reach Europe.

The IOM said the latest deaths would bring the tally for the central Mediterranean route to close to 500 people this year, more than triple the toll for the same period of 2020.

Pope Francis said on Sunday that "now is the time for shame" after 130 migrants were feared dead in the Mediterranean and a UN organisation accused states of not responding to distress calls.

Pope Francis said on Sunday that "now is the time for shame" after 130 migrants were feared dead in the Mediterranean and a UN organisation accused states of not responding to distress calls. Merchant vessels and a charity ship searching the Mediterranean for boats with migrants found 10 bodies floating near a capsized rubber boat in international waters near Libya believed to have had 130 people on board, French humanitarian organisation SOS Mediterranee said on Friday. Also read | Migrant boat with 130 aboard capsizes off Libya: NGO "I confess to you that I am very pained over yet another tragedy in the Mediterranean," Francis said to hundreds of people in St. Peter's Square for his weekly blessing. "They are people. They are human lives who for two entire days begged in vain for help, a help that never arrived. Brothers and sisters, let us all question ourselves over this, yet another tragedy. Now is the time for shame," he said. The civilian hotline Alarm Phone had reported three boats were in distress on Wednesday, prompting SOS Mediterranee to launch a search. Safa Msehli, a spokesperson for the U.N. International Organization for Migration (IOM), said on Friday that "states stood defiant and refused to act to save the lives of more than 100 people". The pope asked for prayers for all migrants who die at sea as well as for "those who can help but prefer to look the other way. Let us pay in silence for them." Libya, divided by civil conflict for years, is a major route for migrants seeking to reach Europe. The IOM said the latest deaths would bring the tally for the central Mediterranean route to close to 500 people this year, more than triple the toll for the same period of 2020.

Latest Mediterranean migrants tragedy a time for shame: Pope

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers.

The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions.&nbsp;

Among them, there were inmates of two Roman prisons and one youth detention centre; refugees from Syria, Nigeria and Egypt; and nursing staff from a nearby hospital.&nbsp;

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In his homily, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics stressed the importance for Christians of serving others.

"Sister, brother, do you want proof that God has touched your life? See if you can stoop to bind the wounds of others," he said.&nbsp;

"Let us not remain indifferent. Let us not live a one-way faith, a faith that receives but does not give... Having received mercy, let us now become merciful," Francis added.

The pope, who is 84 and was vaccinated for the coronavirus ahead of his trip to Iraq in early March, did not wear a face mask during the service.

Those who did readings from the bible were also unmasked, while everybody else in the church, including altar boys and other priests, had their masks on.

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers. The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions.

Pope Francis made a rare Sunday outing from Vatican grounds to celebrate a mass on "divine mercy" with prisoners, refugees and health workers. The service was held in a church just off St Peter's Square, in front of a reduced congregation of about 80 people, due to coronavirus restrictions. Among them, there were inmates of two Roman prisons and one youth detention centre; refugees from Syria, Nigeria and Egypt; and nursing staff from a nearby hospital. Also read | Pope Francis calls for equitable vaccine distributions In his homily, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics stressed the importance for Christians of serving others. "Sister, brother, do you want proof that God has touched your life? See if you can stoop to bind the wounds of others," he said. "Let us not remain indifferent. Let us not live a one-way faith, a faith that receives but does not give... Having received mercy, let us now become merciful," Francis added. The pope, who is 84 and was vaccinated for the coronavirus ahead of his trip to Iraq in early March, did not wear a face mask during the service. Those who did readings from the bible were also unmasked, while everybody else in the church, including altar boys and other priests, had their masks on.

Pope celebrates mass of 'mercy' with prisoners, refugees

On Easter, Pope urges nations to quicken Covid vaccines' distribution

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