News

• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Pontifical Mission Societies begin annual General Assembly Rome (Agenzia Fides) – On May 11, the Superior Council of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) began their General Assembly, which is being held in the Salesianum's Congress Center in Rome (see Fides 8/5/2009). Cardi ...
• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (8) - Blessing of the Foundation Stones of the Churches on the Jordan: “The foundation stone of a church is a symbol of Christ. The Church rests on Christ, is sustained by him and cannot be separated from him.” Bethany (Agenzia Fides) – On the afternoon of Sunday, May 10, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to “Bethany beyond the Jordan,” the region that was central to the activity of John the Baptist and the public lif ...
• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (9) - Farewell to Jordan: “I hold in my heart the people of the Hashemite Kingdom and all who live throughout this region. I pray that you may enjoy peace and prosperity.” Amman (Agenzia Fides) – On Monday, May 11, at 10am, in the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, a Farewell Ceremony was held for the Holy Father as he left Jordan. After the address given by His Majesty King Abdu ...
• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (10) - Arrival in Israel: “I come to pray at the holy places, to pray especially for peace - peace here in the Holy Land, and peace throughout the world” Tel Aviv (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father's plane traveling from Amman arrived at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv at 11am local time on Monday, May 11. Benedict XVI was received by the President of the St ...
• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (11) - Visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial: “I reaffirm - like my predecessors - that the Church is committed to praying and working tirelessly to ensure that hatred will never reign in the hearts of men again.” Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) - “I have come to stand in silence before this monument, erected to honor the memory of the millions of Jews killed in the horrific tragedy of the Shoah. They lost their lives, but they will n ...
• 12 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (12) - Meeting with organizations for interreligious dialogue: “Together we can proclaim that God exists and can be known, that the earth is his creation, that we are his creatures, and that he calls every man and woman to a way of life that respects his design for the world.” Jerusalem (Agenzia Fides) – After the visit to the Yad Vashem Memorial, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to the Notre Dame of Jerusalem Center, where an encounter was held with organizations for interreligious dia ...
• 11 May 2009
  ASIA/PAKISTAN - Refugee crisis in North-West Frontier Province worsens Islamabad (Agenzia Fides) – The humanitarian crisis in the Swat Valley (see Fides 7/5/2009) is worsening and could lead to a great tragedy. This is what has been observed by international organizations, who in a matter ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Pope Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (1) - Welcoming Ceremony: “I come to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that have played such an important part in some of the key events of Biblical history.” Amman (Agenzia Fides) – At 2:30pm on May 8, the Holy Father Benedict XVI was received by the King and Queen of Jordan at the Queen Alia Airport in Amman. “I come to Jordan as a pilgrim, to venerate holy places that h ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (2) - Visit to the Regina Pacis Center: “I come simply with one intention, a hope: to pray for the precious gift of unity and peace, most specifically for the Middle East.” Amman (Agenzia Fides) - “Unlike the pilgrims of old, I do not come bearing gifts or offerings. I come simply with one intention, a hope: to pray for the precious gift of unity and peace, most specifically for the Middl ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (3) - Visit to the Basilica of the Memorial of Moses: “Like Moses, we too have been called by name, invited to undertake a daily exodus from sin and slavery towards life and freedom.” Mount Nebo (Agenzia Fides) – The first event of the Holy Father on May 9 was his visit to the ancient Basilica of the Memorial of Moses on Mount Nebo. “It is appropriate that my pilgrimage should begin on this mounta ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (4) - Blessing of the Cornerstone of the University of Madaba: “those universities where the quest for truth goes hand in hand with the search for what is good and noble, offer an indispensable service to society.” Madaba (Agenzia Fides) – After the visit to Mount Nebo, on Saturday May 9, the Holy Father Benedict XVI traveled to Madaba, where he blessed the cornerstone of the University of the Latin Patriarchate. In his address, ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (5) - Meeting with Muslim religious leaders: “Muslims and Christians must today strive to be known and recognized as worshippers of God faithful to prayer, eager to uphold and live by the Almighty’s decrees, merciful and compassionate.” Amman (Agenzia Fides) – At 11:30 on May 9, the Holy Father Benedict XVI made a brief visit to the Hashemite Museum adjoining the “Al-Hussein Bin Talal” Mosque. At the close, he met with the Muslim religious leaders ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (6) - Celebration of Vespers: “The authentic voice of faith will always bring integrity, justice, compassion and peace!” Amman (Agenzia Fides) – At the Greek-Melkite Cathedral of Saint-Georges in Amman, at 5:30pm on Saturday, May 9, the Holy Father XVI presided the Celebration of Vespers according to the Greek-Melkite Rite, in the presen ...
• 11 May 2009
  VATICAN - Benedict XVI in the Holy Land (7) - Mass in Amman: “May the courage of Christ our shepherd inspire and sustain you daily in your efforts to bear witness to the Christian faith and to maintain the Church’s presence in the changing social fabric of these ancient lands.” Amman (Agenzia Fides) - “I prayed that the Church in these lands would be confirmed in hope and strengthened in her witness to the Risen Christ, the Savior of mankind.” These are the words with which the Holy Father ...
• 11 May 2009
  ASIA/INDIA - Bishop of Cochin resigns Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on May 8, 2009 accepted the the renunciation of the pastoral government of the Diocese of Cochin (India) presented by Bishop John Thattumkal, SSC, in conform ...