VATICAN CITY (CNS) Sitting in the Vatican Gardens with the dome of St. Peter's Basilica as a backdrop, Pope Francis told cardinals and diplomats, including the ambassadors of Israel and Palestine, "Every day I pray that this war will finally end." With a representative of Rome's Jewish community and a representative of the city's Muslim community in attendance June 7, the pope repeated his call for a cease-fire, his appeal to Hamas to release all the hostages it kidnapped Oct. 7 and his plea that Israel protect civilians in Gaza and allow humanitarian aid to reach them.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Entrusting to God's mercy all of their comrades-in-arms who have died serving their countries and defending peace, Pope Francis urged Catholic members of the military to let their faith inform their service. "The world needs you, especially at this dark moment in our history. We need men and women of faith capable of putting weapons at the service of peace and brotherhood," said the papal message to thousands of soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen and cadets making a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in France.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) The Vatican is expecting some 70,000 children between the ages of 5 and 12 and their chaperones to fill Rome's Olympic Stadium for the opening events of the first World Children's Day May 25 and to join Pope Francis for Mass in St. Peter's Square the next morning. Franciscan Father Enzo Fortunato, coordinator of the event, told reporters May 16 that, given school schedules and travel logistics, only about 10% of the participants will be children from outside of Italy. But, he said, 101 nations will be represented.
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Although a normal beatification process was not followed, Pope Francis has declared as "blessed" Guy de Montpellier, a 12th-century French knight and founder of the Hospitaller Order of the Holy Spirit."By Our Apostolic authority, We inscribe in the catalogue of the blesseds Guy de Montpellier," and decree that his feast day will be celebrated Feb. 7 by the religious orders and institutes of the Holy Spirit in Sassia, the pope wrote in a document dated May 18, the vigil of Pentecost.
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