Iran’s regime unites after president’s accidental death
The death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash May 19 created momentary uncertainty in a region beset by conflicts. However, in Iran, power remains with the ultraconservatives working to ensure a swift transition.
Artificial Intelligence: The European Union sets unprecedented limits
The European Union’s new AI Act, classifies various uses of artificial intelligence uses according to four levels of risk, ranging from unrestricted authorization to outright prohibition.
Pope Francis to visit Belgium, Luxembourg in late September
Pope Francis, 87, will visit Luxembourg and Belgium from September 26 to 29. This trip comes just two weeks after his 12-day journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Back from Gaza, Patriarch of Jerusalem says “Nothing is recognizable anymore”
Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem who spent nearly four days with Catholics sheltering in parishes in northern Gaza, describes a resilient but exhausted community, questioning its future.
Pope Francis rules out female diaconate
In an interview with American television network CBS, Pope Francis excluded the possibility of women deacons with holy orders.
Cardinal Zuppi laments poverty in Italy (ANSA)
Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, president of the Italian Episcopal Conference, lamented poverty in Italy as he opened the conference’s 79th general assembly. The health of the country is of particular concern,” he said. “It is increasingly difficult to get out of the abyss of destitution.” “Furthermore, the generation gap is widening,” he added. “Young […]
After decades of non-stop increases, share of non-religious Americans has plateaued (Graphs about Religion)
Ryan Burge, a statistician and professor at Eastern Illinois University, has found that “the share of non-religious Americans has stopped rising in any meaningful way.” The share of “nones” rose from 21% to 30% between 2008 and 2013, but has plateaued around 35% in recent years, writes Burge. “The share of Catholics doesn’t really change […]
Papal condolences following Iranian president’s death (Vatican News)
Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolence to Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, following the death of the nation’s president and foreign minister in a helicopter crash. The Pontiff wrote that he was “entrusting the souls of the deceased to the mercy of the Almighty, and with prayers for those […]
Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender (RNS)
Brother Christian Matson, a diocesan hermit in the Diocese of Lexington, Kentucky, has come out as transgender. Matson, according to Religion News Service, “transitioned” in 2006, converted to Catholicism in 2010, was declined admission to the Jesuits and other religious communities, and was accepted as a vowed diocesan hermit by Bishop John Stowe. “My willingness […]
‘Eucharistic missionaries of fraternity’: prelates discuss upcoming International Eucharistic Congress (Vatican Press Office)
At a May 20 Vatican press conference, prelates discussed the upcoming 53th International Eucharistic Congress in Quito, Ecuador. “’Fraternity to heal the world’ was the theme chosen by Pope Francis for this Eucharistic Congress,” said Archbishop Alfredo Espinoza Mateus, SDB, of Quito. “We know that there are many wounds in the world, we cannot deny […]