Francis led Mass on Easter Monday in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican at noon in front of thousands of worshippers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition.
The pontiff also voiced concerns about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and expressed concerns about the welfare of Rohingya, thousands of whom have fled a bloody military crackdown in Myanmar.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:46Published
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, âInfinite Dignityâ 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criticized as outdated by LGBTQ+ Catholics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 âright to a childâ that fails to
respect the dignity of that child
as the recipient of the gift of life, âInfinite Dignityâ Vatican doctrine, via Associated Press
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Julie Nelson, Northern Ireland's women's record caps holder, says she would be open to a return to the international set-up under Tanya Oxtoby. BBC Sport
The police chief who led an inquiry into the activities of British Army double-agent âStakeknifeâ during âThe Troublesâ in Northern Ireland, has described claims that his actions saved countless lives as being âhugely exaggeratedâ. Speaking at the publication of his âOperation Kenovaâ report, chief constable Jon Boutcher from the Police Service of Northern Ireland insists the spyâs actions âresulted in more lives being lost than were savedâ. Report by Covellm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Lord David Cameron says the UK is "once again absolutely leading the way" on the international stage in its support for Ukraine. The foreign secretary is visiting Kyiv after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak committed to giving the country ÂŁ3bn every year "for as long as is necessary", as Russia's invasion continues. Cameron adds that the reccent US Congress vote to approve a $61bn aid package to Ukraine "should be celebrated". Report by Brooksl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Bulgaria's red Easter eggs and Ukraine's pysanky hold deep spiritual significance, bringing blessings of health and happiness to homes and families as Orthodox Christians in these two countries prepare for Easter Sunday celebrations.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:00Published
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. Peterâs Square at the Vatican, Francis addressed the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, condemning war as an âabsurdity.â
#GazaCeasefire #PopeFrancis #PopeFrancisGazaCeasefire #EasterMass #IsraelHamas #RussiaUkraine #WarCrises #PeaceCall #InternationalAppeal #GlobalConflict #HolyWeek
~HT.97~PR.152~ED.103~
Pope Francis said on Saturday he has not yet fully recovered from a recent illness, and had a Vatican official read out his message to patients of the Vatican-owned Rome children's hospital Bambino GesĂč.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 00:35Published
How Religions , Around the World , View Solar Eclipses.
With the upcoming April 8 total solar eclipse quickly
approaching, Fox News offered readers an
overview of how religions traditionally view eclipses.
Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism suggests that the karmic results
of positive and negative actions are magnified during
major astronomical events, including solar eclipses.
Christianity, Christian tradition connects eclipses with
a number of significant events, including
the death of Jesus and the "end times.".
Hinduism, In Hinduism, eclipses both solar and lunar
are generally regarded as bad omens.
Islam, Muslims see a solar eclipse as a time
for prayer and contemplating God.
The sun and the moon are two
signs amongst the signs of Allah
and they do not eclipse because
of the death of someone...
Whenever you see these
eclipses pray and invoke (Allah), Kaiser Aslam, Muslim chaplain at the Center for
Islamic Life at Rutgers University, via Fox News.
Judaism, Similarly to Hinduism, Judaism views
eclipses as "an ill omen for the world.".
Eclipses should be opportunities to
increase in prayer and introspection
â as opposed to prompting joyous
blessings. It is a sign that we really
could and should be doing better, Rabbi Menachem Posner, via Fox News.
Fox News reports that Rabbi Mordechai Becher cited Judaism's longstanding connections with astronomy
and the heavenly message eclipses deliver.
He created a system that would remind
us regularly that our choices can create
darkness, even at times when there
should be light. Our free will choices
can create a barrier between us and
the Divine light, but can also allow
Divine light to be seen here, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, via Fox News
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:31Published
In the lead-up to Easter Sunday, the town of Zdar nad Sazavou in the Czech Republic hosted its annual passion play, depicting the final days of the life of Jesus Christ.
Credit: euronews (in English) Duration: 01:12Published
5 Easter Traditions , From Around the World.
Every culture has its own
unique holiday traditions rooted
in that region's folklore and history.
Here are five popular Easter traditions from different locations around the world.
1. Florence, Italy.
The firework-packed cart is paraded through the city and set off by the Archbishop during Easter mass.
2. Sweden and Finland.
It is common for children to
dress up as witches and beg
for chocolate in the streets.
3. Corfu, Greece.
The tradition welcomes spring by
disposing of old pots so new ones
can be used to gather the season's crops.
4. BessiĂšres, France.
The tradition is said to have begun when Napoleon
passed through the town and ordered the townspeople to make a giant Omelette for his army.
5. Jerusalem, Israel.
Some who participate in the walk carry a
large cross to symbolize Jesusâ painful journey
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:09Published
This Is Why We Eat
Chocolate Bunnies
for Easter.
Though Easter is
celebrated by Christians
remembering Jesus'
crucifixion and resurrection.
chocolate bunnies can be
found everywhere.
But according to the
'Encyclopedia of Religion,'
"the Easter bunny has never received
any specific Christian interpretation.".
That's because much of the Easter bunny
tradition is derived from Ostara, the
Germanic pre-Christian fertility goddess.
The word "Easter" stems
from her name, and it is said that
she used to have a pet rabbit.
Her name spawned a fictional
character, Oschter Haws, a rabbit
who gave children eggs on Easter.
During the Industrial Revolution,
smooth, solid chocolate
was developed.
Meanwhile, Germany started
perfecting chocolate molds,
including the form of rabbits.
It wasn't until the
late 1800s that the chocolate
bunny made its way to America.
One of the best-known first sightings was a
five-foot chocolate rabbit outside a drugstore
in Pennsylvania around 1890.
The trend
caught on, and the
rest â is history
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:19Published
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