7+ min ago (732+ words) YASIN AKGUL | AFP On the last morning of his time in Turkey, Pope Leo participated in two Orthodox moments of prayer, first with the Armenian Apostolic community and then joining Patriarch Bartholomew for Divine Liturgy (Mass). The Pope paid tribute to the Armenian people during a prayer service at the Armenian Apostolic Cathedral in Istanbul. As his predecessors Paul VI (1967), John Paul II (1979) and Benedict XVI (2006) had done, Pope Leo XIV greeted the Armenian Apostolic Church in its cathedral in Istanbul. He was welcomed by the Armenian Patriarch of Constantinople, Sahak II Mashalian, with whom he blessed the assembly in unison. In his brief message, the head of the Catholic Church paid tribute to the past sufferings of the Armenians. As expected, he did not use the term "genocide" to describe the persecution of Armenians between 1915 and 1923 on the territory…...

29+ min ago (602+ words) I love quoting another line, this one from Benedict XVI, who found that the pure greatness of music born from the Church "demonstrates the truth of Christianity." Many complain that in our day, music, art, architecture, etc., is nothing like in the glory days, even if many signs of renaissance can be found. But I would rather not focus on the negative! This Advent, I'm delighted to have discovered three unique, daily mailings that I think will make this Jubilee Advent singular. By the way, Christmas Eve falls on Monday this year, so we'll have one of the short Advents. There's no time to lose! Guide Jenny Lark Snarski is taking us on "Lumine Verbi - by the light of the Word" calling especially on poetry by Sister M. Madeleva Wolff, CSC, and other more well known poets. Sister Wolff was a…...

1+ hour, 22+ min ago (719+ words) Welcome to Liturgical Year A, the year where the Gospel readings at Mass are taken predominantly from the Gospel of Matthew. It is good to start the year by looking at what is unique in the first book of the New Testament. First, the Gospel of Matthew is all about the kingdom of heaven. If the language of "kingdom of heaven" is hard to wrap your mind around " which it might be, since we mostly meet kingdoms in fairy tales now " then the way the original Jerusalem Bible describes it might be helpful." It calls the Gospel of Matthew "the great charter of the new order which, in Christ, completes God's plan." He opens up a new order, a new kingdom, because, in Matthew, Jesus is proclaimed the Son of God. His apostles say so when he walks on water,…...

1+ hour, 53+ min ago (264+ words) One of the most unique symbols of St. Andrew is the cross that he was crucified on. Instead of a traditional T, the cross looks more like an X. This cross can be seen on a variety of national flags throughout the world, such as those of Scotland and the United Kingdom, and on the Russian Naval flag. Furthermore, it is believed that St. Andrew was bound to the cross, not nailed to it, in order to prolong his sufferings. In addition to these stories from his life, Dom Prosper Gu'ranger refers to St. Andrew as the "Apostle of the Cross" in his Liturgical Year. We should remember that Saint Andrew is the Apostle of the Cross. To Peter Jesus has given firmness of Faith, to John warmth of Love, the mission of Andrew is to represent the Cross of his…...

19+ hour, 17+ min ago (126+ words) ANDREAS SOLARO | AFP Zepour traveled three hours by car with her son and husband to attend this papal Mass. This Lebanese Armenian married a Turkish Armenian 13 years ago. "It's very emotional to be here," says the mother, standing next to her son in altar boy's robes, who waits patiently, tapping away on his phone. The message she expects from the Pope: "Peace and love. Nothing else!" Only one Christian church has been built in Turkey since the modern nation was established. "I sometimes hide my cross so as not to be identified," whispers an Armenian Catholic, happy and proud to be able to "show that we Christians are here" today. Read more about the Eastern Churches with this pdf from the Knights of Columbus....

21+ hour, 33+ min ago (1090+ words) This is the time of year when we all look at each other and murmur our annual astonishment that we can't believe it's Advent already. It's the time of year I have my traditional, curmudgeonly outburst (like clockwork right before Thanksgiving) about how annoyed I am of Christmas music already being played in the supermarketRead More" St. Hildegard, Advent, and a vision that will comfort you about time St. Hildegard, Advent, and a vision that will comfort you about time This is the time of year when we all look at each other and murmur our annual astonishment that we can't believe it's Advent already. It's the time of year I have my traditional, curmudgeonly outburst (like clockwork right before Thanksgiving) about how annoyed I am of Christmas music already being played in the supermarket and shake my head, wounded…...

21+ hour, 34+ min ago (255+ words) ANDREAS SOLARO | AFP The contrast with the beauty and ornate surroundings of the Patriarchate was notable, as Turkey's small Latin community gathered for the Mass. But Pope Leo spoke about the feast of St. Andrew -- the patron of the Orthodox Church -- as well as the start of Advent, with a three-part call to promote unity. First there is unity within the local Church united to Rome, which there has four different strains, Latin, Armenian, Chaldean, and Syriac. Then unity among all Christians. And finally unity with other non-Christians. We want to walk together by appreciating what unites us, breaking down the walls of prejudice and mistrust, promoting mutual knowledge and esteem in order to give to all a strong message of hope and an invitation to become "peacemakers" (Mt5:9). The Pope suggested, "let us make these values our resolutions for the…...

1+ day, 6+ min ago (282+ words) OZAN KOSE | AFP Within the liturgical feast of Andrew, St. Peter's brother and patron of the Orthodox Church, from Phanar, the seat of the Patriarchate of Constantinople, Leo XIV and Patriarch Bartholomew issued a new call for Christian unity. This November 29, 2025, the Pope said that the commemorations of the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea that were celebrated yesterday " which defined the foundations of the Christian faith " are an encouragement to return to "full communion among all Christians." Dressed in a mozzetta decorated with Peter and Paul " a red liturgical cape " the Pope arrived in the rain at the Patriarchal Church of St. George in the early afternoon. To the sound of bells ringing out, he walked down a red carpet, greeted on either side by a row of Orthodox dignitaries. In a brief greeting, the head of the Catholic…...

1+ day, 13+ min ago (369+ words) GIUSEPPE CACACE | AFP "For the Lebanese, this visit by the pope is a great sign of hope and peace," explains Marl'ne H'lou, former deputy director of a Catholic school in the Beirut metropolitan area, a few days before the pontiff's arrival. The entire country is mobilizing to honor the Pope's arrival. His portrait has replaced those of political leaders on large billboards along the roads, which have been repaired for the occasion with unusual efficiency. "We'd need two or three more visits from the pope to get all our roads paved," remark residents of the Lebanese capital, with a certain sense of self-deprecation. "People are afraid," acknowledges Marl'ne H'lou. She herself has been severely affected by the economic and medical difficulties linked to the collapse of institutions. She was also distressed by the Israeli strikes that shook Beirut again last…...

1+ day, 55+ min ago (721+ words) ANDREAS SOLARO | AFP During a 2-hour meeting with leaders of Christian churches and communities, Leo XIV expressed his desire to "walk together" toward the year 2033, which will be the 2,000th anniversary of the Redemption (traditionally, the year 33 AD is held to be the year of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus.) Gathered for more than two hours at the Syriac Orthodox Church of Mar Ephrem in Istanbul on November 29, 2025, the Christian leaders who made history the day before by reciting the Nicene Creed at the ruins of the Nicaea basilica, discussed their common desire for Christian unity. According to a statement released by the Holy See Press Office after the meeting, the Pope invited the Christian world to "walk together on the spiritual path that leads to the Jubilee of Redemption in 2033, with a view to returning to Jerusalem." Ignatius Ephrem…...