Pope Francis | African News Today

<strong>Pope Francis in Congo: Africa is the World’s Smile, Stop Choking Africa</strong>

1Feb

By Mary UgwuanyiNo Comments

News, Nigeria, Religion, Security

Pope Francis in Congo: Africa is the World’s Smile, Stop Choking Africa

Pope Francis has asked more advanced countries to see Africa beyond an opportunity to plunder the continent’s natural resources. He said this during a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC, on Tuesday. Pope Francis holds his pastoral staff as he celebrates Mass marking Sunday of the Word of God in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 22, 2023. The pope at the Mass formally installed lectors and catechists. (CNS photo/Vatican Media) The Pope spoke against the “terrible forms of exploitation, unworthy of humanity” in the country. He urged the more advanced countries to acknowledge the “catastrophic” injustices done in times past, and put an end to the ongoing plundering of the continent’s rich resources. The Pope said, “Hands off the Democratic Republic of the ...

Pope Francis Postpones Trip To DR Congo, South Sudan

11Jun

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Congo, News, Religion

Pope Francis Postpones Trip To DR Congo, South Sudan

Pope Francis has had to cancel an upcoming visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan because of a knee injury, the Vatican has announced. The head of the Catholic Church was scheduled to travel in July to the Congolese cities of Kinshasa and Goma, followed by a visit to South Sudan’s capital Juba. In Juba he was to lead a prayer vigil with Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland Rev Iain Greenshields. Read Also: Pope’s July Visit To Africa To Go Ahead Despite Health Issues The Vatican said the visit would take place at "a later date to be determined". The decision had been made "at the request of [the Pope's] doctors, and in order not to jeopardise the results of the therapy tha...

Pope’s July Visit To Africa To Go Ahead Despite Health Issues

29May

By Chukwuebuka FestusNo Comments

Congo, News, Religion, Security, Violence

Pope’s July Visit To Africa To Go Ahead Despite Health Issues

Pope Francis is set to make a gruelling trip to two African countries in July despite knee problems that have forced him to use a cane and wheelchair in recent weeks. The Vatican issued a full programme on Saturday for the July 2-7 trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. There had been speculation the pope's visit to Africa might be postponed, as was a trip to Lebanon scheduled for June. The 85-year-old pope has been undergoing treatment for knee pain, believed to be caused by a torn ligament. The trip's pace suggests the Vatican expects the pope's condition to improve in the next month, although officials say privately that he likely will use a wheelchair at least some of the time. The visit includes thousands of miles of travel, five flights and at least a...

World: Pope Francis Requests Roman Catholic Priests Be Given the Right to Get Married

13Apr

By adminNo Comments

News, Religion

World: Pope Francis Requests Roman Catholic Priests Be Given the Right to Get Married

Pope Francis has requested that Roman Catholic priests be given the right to get married. The request applies to priests in Brazil, and is on the agenda for an upcoming synod (church council) in the Amazon region. The controversial move would address the critical shortage of men joining the priesthood – but is likely to drive divisions through the church by enraging conservative factions. A small number of married Roman Catholic priests already exist, including previously married Anglican vicars who have joined the church. A request to lift the ban on marriage was made by Brazilian bishop Cardinal Claudio Hummes, who reportedly asked the Pope to consider ‘viri probati’, meaning married of great faith, as priests. Derry priest Father Paddy O’Kane suggested that Pope Francis m...