Former top Vatican official jailed in financial corruption scandal

New Vatican Document Urges Caution Over Supernatural Events

New Vatican Document , Urges Caution Over , Supernatural Events. Reuters reports that the Vatican has issued new guidelines regarding supernatural events, including weeping Madonnas and crucifixes dripping blood. . The new guidelines replace rules first put in place back in 1978. . According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. According to the Vatican's doctrinal office (DFF), supernatural incidents should be assessed cautiously, as they could be fraudulent or exploited for financial gain. The discernment may also deal with problems, such as delicts (wrongdoing), manipulation, damage to the unity of the Church, undue financial gain, and serious doctrinal errors that could cause scandals and undermine the credibility of the Church, Vatican DDF document, via Reuters. Supernatural incidents have often become the basis for Catholic shrines and pilgrimages. . These incidents include "stigmata," which are crucifixion wounds appearing on the hands and feet of Jesus appearing on saintly people or statues. Reuters reports that the DDF document suggests that in such cases bishops should issue a "nihil obstat.". Nihil obstat essentially allows for worship, while leaving the issue open for the Vatican to determine if it is "supernatural" in nature. . The document stresses that the purported supernatural events at the heart of many places of pilgrimage have not been authenticated by the Vatican. An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981. . An example of this would be the Bosnian shrine of Medjugorje, where multiple apparitions of the Virgin Mary have been reported since 1981.

This Day in History: Pope John Paul II Is Shot

This Day in History: , Pope John Paul II Is Shot. May 13, 1981. Mehmet Ali Agca shot Pope John Paul several times in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Agca was a Turkish terrorist and fugitive wanted for the murder of a journalist. The Pontiff was rushed to the hospital and survived the attack, asking for Catholics to pray for the would-be assassin. In a trial considered extraordinary because of its short length, Agca was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. In 1983, Pope John Paul visited Agca in prison and publicly forgave him for the shooting. In 2000, the Pope requested a pardon for Agca, which was granted. Agca was released from prison. 14 years later, Argca returned to Rome to lay white roses on John Paul's tomb

Vatican Denounces Gender Theory and Surrogacy

Vatican Denounces, Gender Theory and Surrogacy. On April 8, the Vatican released a statement declaring that gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy are violations of human dignity that reject God's plan for human life. Associated Press reports that the Vatican's doctrine office released the 20-page declaration titled 'Infinite Dignity.' . The document, approved on March 25 by Pope Francis, includes a rejection of "gender theory," or the idea that a person's gender can be changed. It follows that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception, “Infinite Dignity” Vatican doctrine, via Associated Press. AP reports that the document has been criticized as outdated by LGBTQ+ Catholics who call its release harmful and contrary to recognizing the "infinite dignity" of all people. . While it lays out a wonderful rationale for why each human being, regardless of condition in life, must be respected, honored, and loved, it does not apply this principle to gender-diverse people, Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, via Associated Press. The Vatican document also denounces countries that criminalize homosexuality, echoing the pope's 2023 statement that "being homosexual is not a crime." . However, the document also lays out that surrogacy is also a violation of dignity of both the child and the surrogate mother. Previously, the Vatican has focused on the potential for the exploitation of poor women as surrogate mothers. . Considering this, the legitimate desire to have a child cannot be transformed into a ‘right to a child’ that fails to respect the dignity of that child as the recipient of the gift of life, “Infinite Dignity” Vatican doctrine, via Associated Press

Pope Francis calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during a blustery Easter Sunday Mass

Despite health concerns, the pontiff led the service in front of tens of thousands of people who had gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.

Gaza War: Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire as he leads Easter Mass | Oneindia

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in his traditional Easter message delivered following renewed concerns over the health of the 87-year-old pontiff. In the message, delivered in front of tens of thousands gathered at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Francis addressed the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, condemning war as an “absurdity.” #GazaCeasefire #PopeFrancis #PopeFrancisGazaCeasefire #EasterMass #IsraelHamas #RussiaUkraine #WarCrises #PeaceCall #InternationalAppeal #GlobalConflict #HolyWeek ~HT.97~PR.152~ED.103~