Vatican Financial News

Pope Francis expressed his sadness over the devastation caused by the recent wildfires in California, offering spiritual support to the victims in a telegram sent to the Archbishop of Los Angeles. «Saddened by the loss of life and the widespread destruction,» the pope conveyed his «spiritual closeness» to those affected, according to Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, reported the Associated Press. Among the most tragic losses were houses of worship, including the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, which was destroyed by the flames. Cantor Ruth Berman Harris, along with three others, risked their lives to rescue Torah scrolls from the temple as the fire approached. «It’s the heartbeat of any Jewish community,» Berman Harris of the Torah told the Associated Press. Her quick action, despite road closures, saved the sacred texts, but the synagogue itself was lost. «The flames were getting closer,» she explained, recalling how a nearby congregant called her to alert her about the danger. The temple, a cornerstone of the community for over 80 years, was reduced to a few walls and empty space. «There’s absolutely nothing except for a few walls and the empty space,» said Melissa Levy, the synagogue's executive director. Nevertheless, the AP report noted that many congregants have visited the site to say their farewells to a place where they celebrated family milestones and faith, reported the Associated Press.

Pope Francis warned on Thursday of the dangers of misinformation and its spread via social media and artificial intelligence (AI), cautioning it could be «misused to manipulate minds».

Much-vaunted new EU crypto laws will take effect in just a few weeks, but Brussels lawmakers are already wondering if they’re going to lose out to the new administration of Donald Trump.

ALSO READ: Why applying for a Schengen visa is 'humiliating' for Indians The year marks a Jubilee Year, also known as the Holy Year – a momentous occasion for Catholic worshippers who flock to Rome and Vatican City to seek forgiveness for their sins, says a Condé Nast Traveller report. During this time, Rome becomes a “focal point” for Catholic faith and traditions, the report adds. Held once every 25 years, the upcoming Jubilee Year will commence on Christmas Eve 2024 and conclude on January 6, 2026. Pilgrims will have a unique chance to walk through the Holy Doors of four papal basilicas—St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John Lateran, Saint Paul Outside the Walls, and Saint Mary Major—which are opened solely for this sacred occasion.

Pope Francis on Saturday again condemned Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, a day after an Israeli government minister publicly denounced the pontiff for suggesting the global community should study whether the military offensive there constitutes a genocide of the Palestinian people. Francis opened his annual Christmas address to the Catholic cardinals who lead the Vatican's various departments with what appeared to be a reference to Israeli airstrikes on Friday that killed at least 25 Palestinians in Gaza. «Yesterday, children were bombed,» said the pope. «This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to say this because it touches the heart.»

Pope Francis' future at the Vatican is now in fate's hands, after poor donation levels are becoming a huge headache for the global headquarters of the Catholic Church, latest reports have found. Retired staffs and existing fraternity of the Vatican are now feeling the jolt of this fund crunch at the Catholic Church's supreme headquarters, which is even extending to a level where their livelihood now hangs in the balance.

Prime Video, Peacock, Max have new movies for subscribers to watch this week. At least four films will be released on Prime Video, Peacock, Max. It was easy to miss Clint Eastwood’s «Juror No. 2» in cinemas, but the 94-year-old’s latest arrives Friday, December 20 on Max. And “Juror No. 2,” despite its small theatrical footprint, has been much praised by critics. In it, Nicholas Hoult plays a juror in a murder trial who’s struggling with a moral dilemma. What goes on inside the Vatican before white smoke flows out of the Sistine Chapel? “Conclave” (streaming now on Peacock), about the election of a new pope, is a gripping thriller that imagines how the gathering of cardinals could go. The film, directed by Edward Berger and based on Robert Harris’ 2016 novel, stars Ralph Fiennes as the cardinal tasked with running the conclave. Nominated for six Golden Globes, “Conclave” is a major Oscar contender and one of the rare recent adult-oriented dramas to succeed at the box office.

Xbox X/S, PC, Netflix users have interesting new video games to play this weekend. Two video games — "Indiana Jones and the Great Circle" and "Monument Valley 3" — are being released. «Raiders of the Lost Ark» has inspired dozens of video games, from Tomb Raider to Uncharted to Spelunky, but it’s been a while since Indiana Jones himself has taken center stage. The hiatus ends with Bethesda Softworks’ «Indiana Jones and the Great Circle», in which the intrepid archaeologist once again puts on his fedora and sets off in search of a stolen cat mummy. The quest bounces from the Vatican to the pyramids of Egypt to the temples of Thailand, mixing exploration, puzzle-solving and flashy action set pieces. Developer MachineGames is best known for its Wolfenstein series — experience that will no doubt come in handy when it’s time to punch some Nazis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his pride after Archbishop George Jacob Koovakad from Kerala was elevated to Cardinal post of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Francis at St Peter's Bascilica in Rome. In a post on X, PM wrote, «A matter of great joy and pride for India! Delighted at His Eminence George Jacob Koovakad being created a Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church by His Holiness Pope Francis. His Eminence George Cardinal Koovakad has devoted his life in service of humanity as an ardent follower of Lord Jesus Christ. My best wishes for his future endeavours.»

Archbishop George Koovakad of India will be created as a cardinal by Pope Francis, the Prime Minister's Office said on Saturday, asserting that it is a matter of immense pride for the country. The government of India has sent a delegation led by Union minister George Kurian to witness this ceremony in Vatican City. «It is a matter of immense pride for India that Archbishop George Koovakad will be created as a Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis,» the PMO said in a post on X.

Union Minister George Kurian on Saturday said the much-awaited visit of Pope Francis to India is likely to happen after 2025, which has been announced as the «Jubilee Year» by the Catholic Church. He said India had already invited the Pope officially and Prime Minister Narendra Modi directly extended him the invitation. The rest of the matters and procedures were to be decided by the Vatican. The visit would be scheduled as per the convenience of Pope Francis, he told media. Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs, Kurian was part of the delegation which reached Vatican to take part in the ordination of Monsignor George Jacob Koovakad, hailing from Kerala, as Cardinal by Pope Francis at a function to be held on Saturday.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Early this month, the seat of the Roman Catholic church--the Vatican, which has been blending tradition with science and cutting-edge tech for decades, unveiled an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered digital twin of St.

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Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Nasa’s Europa Clipper mission took off on 14 October to study Europa, one of Jupiter’s four moons discovered by Galilei Galileo in 1610. The Italian’s discovery came at great personal cost, but also spun off modern astronomy.

Pope Francis implored bishops not to cover up the sexual abuse of children, during an open-air mass on Sunday that capped a three-day visit to Belgium, which is still struggling with the legacy of past scandals. Gathered in bright morning sunshine, about 40,000 faithful, some waving Belgian and Vatican flags, packed the King Baudouin stadium north of the capital to hear the 87-year-old pontiff. «There is no place for abuse, there is no place for covering up abuse,» Francis said during a homily.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has met with Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni in Rome

Pope Francis arrived in Muslim-majority Indonesia on Tuesday to kick off a four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific that will be the longest and farthest of the 87-year-old's papacy. The head of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics touched down in Jakarta for a three-day visit devoted to inter-religious ties, and will then travel to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The 12-day tour will test the pontiff's increasingly fragile health, but he is often energised by being among his flock and he emerged from the 13-hour flight smiling and waving.

Blessed Carlo Acutis has become the first Millenial to be canonized as a saint, reports 'USA Today'. He died of Cancer at the age of 15. According to the Catholic News Agency, the College of Cardinals voted for his canonization and he will become a saint in 2025. Declaring his canonization, Bishop of Assisi, Domenico Sorrentino said that Carlo Acutis was an ordinary boy, who lived his childhood and youth between family, school, and the games children play.

July will be the most exciting month for Amazon Prime users as of July 2024, Amazon Prime Video has a wide range of new releases scheduled. It will offer an exciting mix of original series and classic films, including all five Rocky films, several Star Trek films, "Dances With Wolves," "Gladiator," "Lara Croft: Tomb Raider," «Saving Private Ryan,» «Taxi Driver,» «The 40-Year-Old Virgin,» and «The Silence of the Lambs», as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Italy plans to implement stricter regulations for its crypto market, including significant fines for market manipulation and insider trading.

The Vatican Library on Monday revealed plans to broaden Web3 adoption by granting non-transferable NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) to those who support its manuscript collections.