Religion

Church must help the poorest, not dissect theology, pope says

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:16:37 +0000

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis shared personal moments with 200,000 people on Saturday, telling them he sometimes nods off while praying at the end of a long day and that it "breaks my heart" that the death of a homeless person is not news. Francis, who has made straight talk and simplicity a hallmark of his papacy, made his unscripted comments in answers to questions by four people at a huge international gathering of Catholic associations in St. Peter's Square. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

Pope leads pep rally at Vatican, meets with Merkel

Sat, 18 May 2013 19:48:52 +0000

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis toured St. Peter's Square to greet tens of thousands of people attending a rally of prayer, music and speeches Saturday, and he embraced the brother of a Pakistani politician who was assassinated in his country after calling for greater religious freedom for Christians there.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Pope and Merkel, mindful of Christian vote, discuss a Europe focused on values, assistance

Sat, 18 May 2013 16:16:23 +0000

VATICAN CITY - German Chancellor Angela Merkel, mindful of the weight of Christian voters in September elections, made a quick trip to Rome Saturday for a private meeting with Pope Francis, focusing on how Europe’s struggling economy should be at the service of the people.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Merkel and Pope talk about a ’strong’ Europe

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:03:31 +0000

VATICAN CITY (AP) — German Chancellor Angela Merkel, mindful of the weight of Christian voters in September elections, made a quick trip to Rome Saturday for a private meeting with Pope Francis, focusing on how Europe's struggling economy should be at the service of the people.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Egypt Muslim-Christian clashes leave 1 dead

Sat, 18 May 2013 14:11:11 +0000

CAIRO (AP) — Egyptian security officials say clashes between Muslims and Christians in the Mediterranean port city of Alexandria left one man dead of a heart attack.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Germany’s Merkel visits Pope, urges tougher market controls

Sat, 18 May 2013 13:41:20 +0000

By James Mackenzie VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel met Pope Francis on Saturday and, apparently responding to his criticism of a heartless "dictatorship of the economy", called for stronger regulation of financial markets. On Thursday, Francis appealed in a speech for world financial reform, saying the global economic crisis had made life worse for millions in rich and poor countries. Merkel visited Rome for a few hours specifically to meet the pontiff and spoke with him privately in his library for 45 minutes, unusually long for a private papal audience. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

Police recover historic artifacts from Victoria church days after theft

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:58:52 +0000

VICTORIA - Invaluable, historic artifacts stolen from the Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria last week have been recovered.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

85-year-old wife of Mormon church president dies

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:55:35 +0000

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The wife of the president of the Mormon church has died.

Original post by Associated Press and software by Elliott Back

Gaucho exhibition at Vatican a tribute to pope’s homeland

Fri, 17 May 2013 15:47:00 +0000

By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Gauchos, the legendary Argentine cowboys from the vast Pampas of Pope Francis's homeland, are being celebrated in a rare exhibition in no less a place than St. Peter's Square. Called "Argentina - The Gaucho, Tradition, Art and Faith," it opened on Friday in the Braccio Carlo Magno exhibition space under the square's left colonnade. But the pope, who is expected to visit it privately, had nothing to do with bringing a taste of his homeland's celebrated cowboy culture to the Vatican. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back

Psychiatrists unveil their long-awaited diagnostic “bible”

Fri, 17 May 2013 05:05:17 +0000

By Sharon Begley NEW YORK (Reuters) - The long-awaited, controversial new edition of the bible of psychiatry can be characterized by many numbers: its 947 pages, its $199 price tag, its more than 300 maladies (from “dependent personality disorder” and “voyeuristic disorder” to “delayed ejaculation,” “kleptomania” and “intermittent explosive disorder”), each limning the potential woes of being human. …

Original post by Reuters and software by Elliott Back