(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has sent a message to a two day “Summit of the Americas” in Panama where 35 nations are expected to participate. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin has been entrusted with the message to the Summit. The event is being perceived as being extraordinary due to Cuba’s first appearance at…
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(Vatican Radio) On Saturday Pope Francis will formally deliver the “bull of indiction” to announce the Holy Year of Mercy that begins later this year, on December 8th. The ceremony will include a reading of part of the official document in front of the Holy Door of St Peter’s Basilica and will be followed by…
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A survey in the Philippines has shown that people there have greater trust in Pope Francis than any other pontiff. The survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), conducted March 20-23, revealed that 87 percent of Filipinos have “much trust” in Pope Francis, while only six percent have “little trust”. Six percent were undecided. Those surveyed included Catholics, Muslims and Christians from other denominations. The result, released on Wednesday, showed that Pope Francis has the highest public trust rating in the history of SWS surveys, surpassing the 72 percent of Pope John Paul II logged in 1995. Pope Benedict’s net trust rating was at 58 in May 2005.
Pope Francis was in the Philippines for a five-day state and pastoral visit in January. Filipinos were greatly touched by the pontiff braving a tropical storm to meet typhoon victims during his visit to Tacloban City on January 17.
Feliciano Belmonte, the speaker of the Philippines’ House of Representatives, lauded the pontiff’s efforts to personally bring a message of hope, peace and renewal to the Philippines despite the bad weather. He said Pope Francis’s call for an end to conflict in the Philippines, “has made His Holiness a symbol of unity and promoter of peace”. “His openness to interreligious dialogue is of great significance to the present day reality,” Belmonte told ucanews.com on Thursday. (Source: UCAN)
(from Vatican Radio)…
A survey in the Philippines has shown that people there have greater trust in Pope Francis than any other pontiff. The survey by Social Weather Stations (SWS), conducted March 20-23, revealed that 87 percent of Filipinos have “much trust” in Pope Francis, while only six percent have “little trust”. Six percent were undecided. Those surveyed…
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(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Friday met with the President of Georgia, Giorgi Margvelashvili, who subsequently met with Msgr. Antoine Camilleri, under-Secretary for Relations with States, at the Secretariat of State.
A statement issued by the Holy See Press Office called the discussions “cordial”, and said the two men expressed their appreciation of the development of bilateral relations, and spoke about various themes of mutual interest, with particular reference to the positive contribution of the local Catholic community in the fields of charitable activity and education.
Attention then turned to concerns regarding the tensions that affect the region and, with emphasis on the importance of full respect for international law, the hope was expressed that every solution may be sought through peaceful negotiation between the interested Parties.
Finally, mention was made of what has recently been achieved by Georgia regarding its own role in Europe.
(from Vatican Radio)…