Partly it’s because it has been so long – 20 years – since a pope has died in office.

Benedict retired as Pope in February 2013, and his death nine years later, on 31 December 2022, was overtaken by the new year festivities.

Not since the death of John Paul II, six days after Easter in 2005, have we seen the traditions and rituals of a church mourning its reigning Pope.

But that alone does not explain the reaction of the public. His personality, more than anything else, endeared him to millions of people around the world.

His humility, sense of humour, approachableness, non-judgmental spirit; his willingness to engage in a conversation with the world rather than offer entitled proclamations; and his unpredictability, the sense we all had that he was unscripted and comfortable in his own skin – these were the aspects of Francis’s personality that led some to describe him as “the people’s Pope”.

In fact, many of the traits that could frustrate more conservative Catholics are what earned him a hearing from those outside his Church, those who struggle with faith, and those who have been hurt by religion in one form or another.

One pilgrim in St Peter’s Square told me she “loved” the Pope not because he was Pope but because he didn’t seem like a Pope.

He seemed like a simple pastor,” she said, “a wise friend, an older mentor, who walked alongside me”.

Just opposite the church where Pope Francis will be buried after today’s papal funeral, a large banner hangs from a building bearing a hand-painted slogan: “GRAZIE, FRANCESCO”.

The simple choice of words is telling: “Thank you, Francis”. Not “Your Holiness” or even “Holy Father”. Just “Francis”.

ALSO READ:

• Mahama signs book of condolence for Pope Francis [Photos]

• Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis’s body

The President in his tribute, described the late Pontiff as “a good man, personable and humane, with a good soul.”

“I pray that the Conclave be guided by God to choose a worthy successor, and I know one who will make a good Pope—our own Cardinal A.T,” he added.

This follows an earlier Facebook post following the Pope’s death on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, aged 88.

Mahama on behalf of his family and Ghana extended condolences to the Roman Catholic Church in Ghana and around the world.

“The world woke up to the sad news of Pope Francis’ passing. On behalf of my family and the people of Ghana, I extend heartfelt condolences to the Roman Catholic Church and all Catholic faithful in Ghana during this time of profound grief,” he mourned.

Recounting a visit to the Vatican with his wife Lordina where they met the late Pope, he described the encounter as a moment of honour and inspiration.

“His legacy of compassion, humility, and commitment to social justice will continue to inspire generations. His leadership and advocacy for the poor and marginalised resonate deeply,” the President noted.

ALSO READ:

• Tens of thousands queue to see Pope Francis’s body

• In pictures: Symbolism on show as Pope Francis lies in open coffin

On Thursday morning, the queue to see the Pope, who is in an open coffin, stretched out of St Peter’s Square and down the street – the longest the line had become since his body was moved to lie in state on Wednesday.

Entry to the church in Vatican City had been due to stop at midnight local time (22:00 GMT), but opening hours were extended to accommodate large crowds.

The pontiff died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. He had spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year with double pneumonia.

Pope Francis was the first Latin American leader of the Catholic Church and held the role for 12 years.

Red-robed cardinals and white-clad priests escorted the Pope’s coffin from his residence to the basilica on Wednesday.

Bells tolled during the 40-minute procession, while the crowd broke into applause – a traditional Italian sign of respect.

Swiss Guards, who are responsible for the Pope’s safety, escorted his coffin to the church’s altar.

Public viewing began at 11:00 local time on Wednesday. By mid-afternoon, tens of thousands of people lined the square.

The church was supposed to close at midnight, but police told the BBC that it would stay open all night so that crowds gathered on the square could file past the coffin.

“I think the Pope was an amazing man, so I wanted to see him,” 13-year-old Edoardo, waiting after midnight with his parents, told the BBC. “I am really sorry. But I think maybe he will enjoy heaven.”

Viewing continued until 05:30 on Thursday, then closed for an hour and a half, before reopening at 07:00. The crowd became so large that some turned away.

“It looks like five or six hours, so we’ll come back later,” Catherine, from Birmingham, said.

The Pope’s body will lie in state in the church until Friday evening, when his coffin will be sealed during a liturgical rite at 20:00, the Vatican said.

The ceremony will be overseen by Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the Pope’s “camerlengo”, or chamberlain, and runs the Vatican until a new Pope is chosen.

Luis and Macarena, from Mexico, had come to Rome for their honeymoon and hoped to see the Pope for a special blessing. Luis said seeing the Pope’s final resting place would help them to feel a connection.

“Pope Francis is a saint, and he will bless us from heaven,” Luis said.

Mary Ellen, an American who lives in Italy, said she had come to the Vatican on an overnight train to “say goodbye”.

“I love Papa Francesco,” she said. “He’s humble, kind, and he loves immigrants. I know he’s put up with a lot of difficult things in the Vatican. He’s fought against power and the power of the Vatican to be a true Christian, true Catholic.”

Inside St Peter’s on Wednesday, the atmosphere was quiet and solemn as some people kneeled and prayed, before slowly moving on.

Many lingered to admire the staggering beauty of the basilica.

Two women who had waited for five hours to see the Pope said it was important to them to say goodbye to the pontiff.

“All these years I followed all he did and it’s as if I travelled all over the world with him, even if I was just at home. He liked going everywhere and prioritises the poor,” one woman said.

Fredrik, who is from Ghana but travelled from Poland, said the Pope had “done his best” and “it is left to us to continue the good works”.

Eva Asensio, a Mexican on holiday in Italy, said she felt an affinity for the Pope.

“We saw him as a good Pope – someone who supported everyone, no matter your sexual orientation, no matter where you came from. He united us,” she said with tears in her eyes.

Margaux, who is French and lives in Rome, said it was “powerful to live this”.

To her, Pope Francis meant “hope”, and his more progressive social views were “very important”.

“I hope the next Pope will follow his path,” she said.

Dignitaries from all over the world, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Prince William, will attend the funeral on Saturday.

Pope Francis left clear instructions that he wanted a smaller ceremony in keeping with his simpler tastes as pontiff. He had arranged for a benefactor to pay for it all.

Unlike the vast majority of his predecessors, he will not be buried in St Peter’s, but in a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary in central Rome, beneath a tombstone inscribed only with his name.

Before being moved to St Peter’s, Pope Francis had been lying in an open coffin in the chapel of his home, flanked by Swiss Guards and cardinals in prayer.

His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday, during which he delivered brief remarks to the masses gathered in St Peter’s Square from a wheelchair.

He then greeted worshippers and blessed babies as he was driven in a car through the crowds.

His Papal apartments have been sealed, marking the start of the period known as the Sede Vacante – or empty seat – which continues until a new head of the church is elected.

We’ve taken a look at who was in the chapel and some of the symbolism on show in the images.

The most notable figure in the room is Irish-American Cardinal Kevin Farrell, who is the Pope’s “camerlengo” or chamberlain and runs the Vatican until a new Pope is chosen. The cardinal, in red mozzetta and cassock, is shown blessing the body of the late Pope during the rite of the declaration of death.

Pope Francis is dressed in red robes, holding a rosary and wearing the papal mitre – the large white ceremonial headdress. He is also wearing a simple silver ring.

During his inauguration, Pope Francis was given the Fisherman’s Ring – a symbol of his office – which Cardinal Farrell has the responsibility to destroy so it cannot be used by anyone else.

Pope Francis sometimes used this ring during ceremonies but was more often seen using the simple silver ring adorned with a cross.

One of the significant changes in tradition is the coffin that Pope Francis will be buried in. The coffins used for previous papal burials consisted of three nesting coffins made of cypress, lead and oak – but Pope Francis asked to be buried in a simple wooden casket.

He will remain in the open coffin for the lying in state, whereas other popes have been laid out resting on cushions on a platform.

The chapel itself is nestled within the Casa Santa Marta, a residential building containing more than 100 simple rooms that was built in 1996.

Triangular shapes are present throughout the chapel, in the construction of the ceiling and on the floor tiles, representing the Holy Trinity – a key belief in Christianity where God exists as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

On the ceiling behind the coffin is an inscription in Latin, which translates as “Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful”.

The Pope’s body is guarded by members of the Vatican’s Swiss Guard. They have protected the Pope since 1506, when Julius II first hired Swiss mercenaries for his personal protection.

Pope Francis will stay in the chapel until Wednesday morning, when his body will be transferred to St Peter’s Basilica in a procession starting at 09:00 local time. From then, he will lie in an open casket in the basilica, where mourners can pay their respects ahead of his funeral on Saturday.

Speaking in an interview on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong said the late pontiff’s humility, simplicity, and commitment to social cohesion should serve as a lesson to Christians across the world.

“His death is painful, but it glorifies God. He has done his part on this earth. Although I am not Roman Catholic, I admire his humbleness — it is something we all must learn,” he remarked.

The Executive Director of the Alliance for Christian Advocacy praised Pope Francis for living a life of service, noting that his leadership stood in sharp contrast to some church leaders who, rather than serve, seek to dominate or subvert others when placed in positions of power.

“The Pope came to serve, not to subvert. Unlike some pastors who use their position to look down on people, Pope Francis remained humble and accessible,” he said.

Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong stressed that the Pope’s life reflected the true essence of Christian leadership.

“He was simple; he lived among the people, and even though he suffered at the hands of some, his humility never changed. If God raises us to higher positions, we must learn to be humble like him,” he urged.

He further encouraged pastors and Christians alike to adopt the Pope’s approach to human relationships.

“If you’re a pastor and you don’t take care, pride can set in. But if we learn from Pope Francis, we will treat people with respect and humility,” he added.

The Vatican announced on Monday, April 21, that Pope Francis had passed away at the age of 88, days after being discharged from hospital where he had been treated for an infection.

For Rev. Dr. Opuni Frimpong, the Pope’s life leaves behind a lasting message.

“If everyone will learn from his ways, the world will be a better place. He lived a simple life, and that is something worth emulating.”

ALSO READ:

• Ghana Catholic Bishops request prayers following Pope Francis’ death
• ‘We have lost a shepherd’ – Some Accra Catholics mourn Pope…
• May his legacy inspire us – Bawumia mourns passing of Pope…

The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (GCBC) has called for prayers following the passing of Pope Francis, as the Church prepares hearts for the election of his successor.

This call was contained in a statement issued by the Bishop of Sunyani and President of the GCBC, Most Rev. Matthew Kwasi Gyamfi.

The Conference urged schools, seminaries, and other Catholic institutions to organise prayer services, talks, and discussions to help the faithful — especially the youth — reflect on the life and legacy of Pope Francis.

As part of its tribute, the GCBC also announced that a National Memorial Mass will be held in honour of the late pontiff at a date yet to be determined.

“All bishops, priests, religious, and lay faithful who are able to attend will be warmly invited to participate in this solemn liturgy,” the statement said.

Additionally, the Conference encouraged all archdioceses, dioceses, and parishes to organise local requiem Masses and special Holy Hours in memory of Pope Francis.

“These should be moments of prayerful reflection on his teachings and witness,” it added.

The Vatican officially announced the death of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21. The 88-year-old pontiff had been discharged from hospital only weeks earlier after treatment for an infection.

Pope Francis, who succeeded Pope Benedict XVI following his resignation in 2013, was widely admired for his humility, compassion, and commitment to the marginalized.

Meanwhile, preparations for the conclave — the process for electing a new pope — are expected to begin soon, typically held 15 to 20 days after the death of a pontiff.

ALSO READ:

• May his legacy inspire us – Bawumia mourns passing of Pope Francis

• Serie A postpones games after Pope Francis dies aged 88

Read the full statement below:

The Vatican announced on Monday, April 21, that Pope Francis had died at the age of 88, having recently been discharged from hospital following five weeks of treatment for an infection.

Many parishioners were overcome with emotion, recalling the Pope’s legacy of compassion, inclusivity, and devotion to the poor.

Speaking to JoyNews, one mourner shared:
“I’m sad. I was screaming in the crowd, very sad. There were tears in my eyes, and I pray to God that He should receive his soul, because he has been a wonderful Pope.”

Another parishioner remembered Pope Francis for his humility and progressive vision for the Church.
“I remember him for his love for the poor and his desire to open the Church. And we believe that God will grant us a successor who will continue his legacy.”

For many, the sense of loss felt deeply personal.
“He doesn’t discriminate, and when it is necessary for all of us Catholics to pray for something, he would come out openly and say so. I just felt that I have lost something. I’m hurt, in a way.”

Pope Francis was elected to lead the Catholic Church in 2013, succeeding Pope Benedict XVI. His passing marks the end of a transformative papacy, and for the faithful gathered in Accra, it is not just the loss of a pontiff, but of a spiritual father.

ALSO READ:

• Pope Francis dead at 88, Vatican confirms

• 10 interesting facts you didn’t know about Pope Francis

In a heartfelt statement, Dr. Bawumia noted that Pope Francis lived a life defined by inclusiveness and moral integrity, which endeared him to millions across the globe.

“It is with deep grief that I learned of the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis,” the Vice President said. “The late Pope was a man of unwavering peace and compassion. He lived a life of inclusiveness and humility, which was admired by many around the world.”

Reflecting on a personal encounter with the pontiff, Dr. Bawumia recalled his visit to the Vatican a year ago and the profound impression the Pope left on him.

“He left such a remarkable impression on me as one whose true essence and outlook on life was to live pure and right,” he stated.

Dr. Bawumia extended his condolences to the Catholic community in Ghana and across the world, calling on all to draw inspiration from Pope Francis’ legacy.

“May his legacy inspire us as we continue to pursue our individual mandates on earth,” he concluded.

Pope Francis, the first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit pontiff, passed away after years of global leadership marked by progressive reforms and calls for interfaith unity.

Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church and a lifelong football fan has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday. He was 88.

“Following the passing of His Holiness, Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A can confirm that today’s league games in Serie A and Primavera 1 have been postponed,” the league said in a statement.

Torino were set to host Udinese, Cagliari were due to face off against Fiorentina, while Lazio — fresh from their Europa League quarterfinal disappointment in midweek — were meant to travel to Genoa, and Parma were scheduled to play Juventus.

The fixtures have been rescheduled for Wednesday, with the Coppa Italia semifinal second leg between Inter Milan and AC Milan kicking off as originally scheduled.

A minute’s silence will be observed before all sports events this week, the Italian Olympic Committee said.

Serie A’s reigning champions and current league leaders Inter Milan paid tribute to Francis in a post on X which described him as “a man of faith, humility and dialogue who was able to speak to everyone’s heart.”

Roma described Francis’ death as “a loss that deeply saddens our city and the entire world,” in a post.

“His faith, his humility, his courage and his dedication have touched the hearts of millions of people, making him a moral reference of our time.”

From meetings with Diego Maradona to the passion for his beloved Buenos Aires club, San Lorenzo, Francis was an avid football fan. And a promoter of sports in general.

Francis’ passion for football became known almost immediately after he was elected pope in 2013 when Argentine club San Lorenzo posted a photo of him holding up the club’s crest.

San Lorenzo, one of the oldest teams in the Argentine Football Association, performed well after Francis was elected as the 266th pope in March 2013. The team won the title in 2013 and then claimed the Copa Libertadores for the first time a year later.

Club officials traveled twice to the Vatican carrying trophies to thank Francis for his support. A planned new San Lorenzo stadium is set to be named after him.

Francis met his fellow Argentine Maradona twice as pope. There was a special audience in connection with a charity football match in 2014 when Maradona presented the pontiff with a football shirt, emblazoned with the name “Francisco” — Spanish for Francis — and Maradona’s iconic No. 10.

“I think we all now realize he’s a [star],” Maradona said after another meeting in 2015. “I’m Francis’ top fan.”

When Maradona died in 2020, Francis remembered the football legend in his prayers.

“Francis was a special Pope, able to illuminate in his time like only the greatest can,” former Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon said in a post on Instagram. “He showed us the way with great courage and moved our souls. I will carry his example forever in my heart.”

Born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in the modest Buenos Aires neighborhood of Flores, Pope Francis has carved a unique path to the papacy, marked not only by his religious devotion but also by a series of fascinating life experiences that reflect his grounded nature and deep connection to ordinary people.

Pope Francis made history in 2013 when he was elected as the 266th pontiff of the Roman Catholic Church, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI.

His election was notable on several fronts: he became the first Jesuit pope, the first pope from Latin America, and the first non-European pope in more than 1,300 years, succeeding Pope Gregory III of Syria who was elected in 731.

The son of an Italian immigrant father and an Italian-Argentine mother, Pope Francis was the eldest of five children. His upbringing was modest, rooted in the working-class ethos of his family.

Before joining the priesthood, he led a life that many might find surprising for someone destined for spiritual leadership. As a young man, Bergoglio worked as a janitor and later as a nightclub bouncer.  He also trained as a chemical technician, showcasing his scientific curiosity before he ultimately turned toward theology.

Ordained as a Jesuit priest in 1969, he quickly rose through the ranks, becoming head of the Society of Jesus in Argentina and Uruguay by the age of 36—a position he held from 1973 to 1979. His tenure was marked by a commitment to humility and service, values that would come to define his papacy.

In 1992, Pope John Paul II appointed him as a bishop, and six years later, he became the Archbishop of Buenos Aires. In 2001, John Paul elevated him to the rank of cardinal. Throughout his rise in the church, Francis remained known for his simplicity and pastoral sensitivity; often choosing public transportation over private cars and residing in modest accommodations instead of the luxurious bishop’s residence.

Pope Francis’s background as a man of the people has shaped his tenure as pontiff. He has consistently emphasized compassion, social justice, and inclusivity, while also championing environmental stewardship and advocating for the poor.

From bouncing unruly patrons at Buenos Aires nightclubs to leading over a billion Catholics worldwide, Pope Francis’s 88-years on earth has inspire millions across the globe.

He headed the Catholic Church as Pope for 12 years.

He died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, as announced by the Vatican.

The first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church,  died at the age of 88 on Monday. He had suffered various ailments in his 12 year papacy, with severe complications in recent weeks.

In the statement, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis died on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88 at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

At 9:45 AM, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of Pope Francis from the Casa Santa Marta with these words:

“Dearest brothers and sisters, with deep sorrow I must announce the death of our Holy Father Francis. At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the house of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized. With immense gratitude for his example as a true disciple of the Lord Jesus, we commend the soul of Pope Francis to the infinite merciful love of the One and Triune God.”

The Pope was admitted to the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic Hospital on Friday, February 14, 2025, after suffering from a bout of bronchitis for several days.

Pope Francis’ clinical situation gradually worsened, and his doctors diagnosed bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18.

After 38 days in hospital, the late Pope returned to his Vatican residence at the Casa Santa Marta to continue his recovery.

In 1957, in his early 20s, Jorge Mario Bergoglio underwent surgery in his native Argentina to remove a portion of his lung that had been affected by a severe respiratory infection.

As he aged, Pope Francis frequently suffered bouts of respiratory illnesses, even cancelling a planned visit to the United Arab Emirates in November 2023 due to influenza and lung inflammation.

In April 2024, the late Pope Francis approved an updated edition of the liturgical book for papal funeral rites, which will guide the funeral Mass which has yet to be announced.

The second edition of the Ordo Exsequiarum Romani Pontificis introduces several new elements, including how the Pope’s mortal remains are to be handled after death.

The ascertainment of death takes place in the chapel, rather than in the room where he died, and his body is immediately placed inside the coffin.

According to Archbishop Diego Ravelli, Master of Apostolic Ceremonies, the late Pope Francis had requested that the funeral rites be simplified and focused on expressing the faith of the Church in the Risen Body of Christ.

“The renewed rite,” said Archbishop Ravelli, “seeks to emphasise even more that the funeral of the Roman Pontiff is that of a pastor and disciple of Christ and not of a powerful person of this world.”

Many in the crowd reached out to touch Francis’ hand or garments as he was brought in a wheelchair down a ramp to the main altar, where he issued his brief greeting into a microphone.

The 88-year-old pope was not wearing nasal tubes for supplemental oxygen, as he had during a similar appearance last Sunday.

On his way back to St. Peter’s Basilica from where he had emerged, Francis stopped to bless a rosary and offered candy to a boy who greeted him.

The 88-year-old Francis is entering his fourth week of convalescence, during which doctors have advised him to avoid crowds.

While Francis is clearly eager to show he is feeling better, he has not spoken more than a few words in public as he recovers from a severe respiratory crisis that has labored his speech.

The Vatican said it was waiting to advise on what role he may play in upcoming Holy Week events leading up to Easter Sunday.

It was his second time in St. Peter’s Square before a crowd since leaving the hospital, following last Sunday’s unexpected appearance that thrilled the faithful.

He also met privately with King Charles III and Queen Camilla this week, and made an impromptu tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, stopping to pray, and to thank a pair of restorers for their work on the basilica’s masterpieces.

On Saturday, the eve of Holy Week, Francis went to the St. Mary Major Basilica in central Rome to pray privately before a favorite icon of the Virgin Mary, Salus Populi Romani. The basilica, which he typically visits before and after his foreign trips, was also his first stop after leaving the Gemelli hospital on March 23.

In the traditional Sunday blessing, the pontiff thanked the faithful for their prayers. “At this time of physical weakness, they help me to feel God’s closeness, compassion and tenderness even more.” For the ninth week, including his five-week hospitalization starting Feb. 14, the blessing was delivered as a text.

The pope offered prayers for those suffering in the conflict in Sudan, which marks its second anniversary on Tuesday, and for Lebanon, where civil war began 50 years ago, as well as for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, Congo, Myanmar and South Sudan.

In a prepared Palm Sunday homily read by a top Vatican cardinal, Francis urged the faithful to carry the cross “of those who suffer around us” to mark the start of the solemn Holy Week.

Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, vice dean of the College of Cardinals, led the celebrations, leading a procession of cardinals around the piazza’s central obelisk carrying an ornately braided palm that recalls Jesus’ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem, when crowds waved palm branches to honor him.

The initial welcome contrasts with the suffering that follows, leading up to his crucifixion, which Christians observe on Good Friday, followed by his resurrection, celebrated on Easter Sunday.

The faithful emerged from St. Peter’s Square carrying blessed palm fronds or olive branches to mark the occasion.

While the pope’s appearance was widely expected, pilgrims acknowledged some concern that gusts of wind might keep him from entering the square.

“There was a bit of worry when a few drops fell and it was windy but then at the end he surprised us and it was a really great emotion,’’ said Luigi Mighali. “I think his words, ‘Happy Holy Week and Happy Palm Sunday,’ moved everyone.’’

Yesica Andagua, a Peruvian nun, said she was gratified to see the pope doing so well.

“The truth is that it has given me a lot of joy, at least for me, to see that he is getting better and may he get better soon, God willing,” she said.

The meeting took place on the third day of their state visit to Italy and ahead of a state banquet in Rome on Wednesday evening.

It is understood the meeting was only confirmed on Wednesday morning. It came after previous plans for the couple to meet the pontiff in a state visit to the Vatican were postponed because of the Pope’s ill health.

A still picture of the meeting, which lasted 20 minutes, is due to be released on Thursday morning.

The meeting took place on Wednesday afternoon at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, where Pope Francis has been convalescing since being released from Gemelli Hospital.

According to the Vatican, the Pope is showing signs of gradual improvement and he “reciprocated” the King’s “best wishes for a speedy recovery of his health”.

This was a reference to the Pope offering his own best wishes, after the King recently suffered side effects from his cancer treatment.

There was also an exchange of private gifts between Pope Francis and the royal visitors.

The King and Queen have been enjoying a warm welcome on their state visit to Italy, but it was a trip that originally had a significant focus on visiting the Vatican and planned events such as a service at the Sistine Chapel.

That had been no longer been possible after the serious health problems of Pope Francis – but with his health improving the King and Queen had the opportunity for a brief meeting.

After visiting the Pope, King Charles and Queen Camilla spent their wedding anniversary evening at a state banquet in Rome hosted by the President of Italy Sergio Mattarella.

The King joked to his Italian hosts at the Quirinale Palace about laying on such a spectacle for their anniversary.

“I must say it really is very good of you, Mr President, to lay on this small romantic, candle-lit dinner for two..,” the King told the banquet.

There were 150 guests at the dinner, including the singer Andrea Bocelli, chef Giorgio Locatelli, hotelier Rocco Forte and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy.

Earlier in the day, at the Italian Parliament, Queen Camilla had worn the same outfit she had worn at her civil wedding ceremony in 2005.

The ivory silk dress designed by Anna Valentine had been “repurposed” to wear again for this anniversary day.

The King’s speech at the state banquet, at the Italian presidential palace, touched on a mix of comic and serious themes about the long relationship between the UK and Italy, back to the ancient Romans.

“I for one, have never asked that question, made famous by Monty Python, ‘What have the Romans ever done for us?’,” the King joked.

“We see their imprint on what they knew as Britannia every day – from London to Carmarthen, from York to Hadrian’s Wall.”

But he also warned that “we are living in a very precarious and fragile world” and there was a need to stand up for “values and the liberty we hold so dear”.

“In difficult times, friends stand together,” he told his audience, in a speech that once again referenced the conflict in Ukraine.

The menu for the state banquet, in the splendour of the medieval palace, included bottoni pasta with aubergine caponata, salt encrusted sea bass, fried artichokes and roast potatoes.

That was followed by a fior di latte ice cream cake with raspberries.

This was the King’s second speech of the day, as earlier he had become the first UK monarch to address both houses of the Italian Parliament.

The King received a standing ovation from Italy’s lawmakers, in their ornately-decorated chamber in the Palazzo Montecitorio, with a rallying call to defend shared values and the need to reinforce the military partnership between the UK and Italy.

“We are both European countries,” he said, standing in front of the Italian and European Union flags.

He welcomed that the UK and Italy “stood by Ukraine in her hour of need”, but warned that images of wars were now reverberating across the continent.

“Our younger generations can see in the news every day on their smartphones and tablets that peace is never to be taken for granted,” said the King.

Such threats meant it was important that “Britain and Italy stand today united in defence of the democratic values we share”, he told Parliament.

Delivering some of the speech in Italian, he spoke of the long history between the UK and Italy, going back to the ancient Romans arriving on Britain’s “windswept shores”.

As head of the Commonwealth, he also spoke of the role of Canadian troops in helping to liberate Italy in the Second World War.

The speech went down well with the assembled Parliamentarians – with the applause so long at one point that an Italian official began to thank him, assuming that the King had finished.

The King began the day by meeting Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, receiving a ceremonial red-carpet welcome at the Villa Doria Pamphili, on the outskirts of Rome.

The Italian public has given a warm reception to the royal couple on their trip to Italy, including outside the Colosseum, when the King and Queen posed for photos near the ancient site of the Temple of Venus.

There were calls of “Carlo” – Italian for Charles – from crowds waiting to see the royal visitors and local media also seemed interested by their car, the claret coloured State Bentley.

The Royal Family’s official X account marked the wedding anniversary by posting a video which showed guards playing a version of Madness’s 1981 hit It Must Be Love.

Pope Francis is resting, but remains “critical” with respiratory and kidney problems, more than a week after being admitted to hospital, the Vatican has said.

“The night went well, the Pope slept and is resting,” a Monday morning statement said, after an update on Sunday said the Pope was still receiving high-flow oxygen therapy and had undergone blood transfusions.

Blood tests also showed he had “initial, mild, renal insufficiency” – a kidney problem – that is “currently under control”, it said.

The Pope was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on 14 February after experiencing breathing difficulties for several days, where he was first treated for bronchitis before being diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.

Francis has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week and was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on February 14.

The Vatican said in a statement that the pope had undergone a chest CAT scan on Tuesday afternoon which had revealed “the onset of bilateral pneumonia that requires further pharmacological therapy”.

Bilateral pneumonia is a serious infection that can inflame and scar both lungs, and makes breathing more difficult.

“Laboratory tests, chest X-ray, and the clinical condition of the Holy Father continue to present a complex picture,” the Vatican said.

It reiterated that the pope was suffering from a “polymicrobial infection”, saying this required corticosteroid and antibiotic therapy, which was “making treatment more challenging”.

“Nevertheless, Pope Francis remains in good spirits,” the Vatican statement added.

The pope is especially prone to lung infections because as a young adult he developed pleurisy and had part of one lung removed.

A Vatican official, who declined to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue, said earlier in the day that the pontiff had not been put on a ventilator and was breathing on his own.

Ahead of the latest statement, the Vatican announced that all public engagements on the pope’s calendar had been cancelled through Sunday.

The pope had been due to lead several events over the weekend for the 2025 Catholic Holy Year, which runs through to next January.

The Vatican said on Monday that doctors had changed the pope’s drug therapy for the second time during his hospital stay to tackle a “complex clinical situation”.

Doctors say a polymicrobial infection occurs when two or more micro-organisms are involved, and can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi.

The Vatican has said Francis will stay in hospital for as long as necessary.

The pope has been plagued by ill health in recent years, including regular bouts of flu, sciatica nerve pain and an abdominal hernia that required surgery in 2023.

The Vatican statement on Tuesday said he was grateful for all the support he has received in recent days. “With a thankful heart, (he) asks for continued prayers on his behalf,” it added.

ALSO READ:

• Pope Francis says Trump’s immigration raids would be a ‘disgrace’

• Pope assassination plot foiled by UK intelligence

In an Italian television interview, the pontiff said it would be a “disgrace” if Trump went forward with the plan, in unusually forceful language for the leader of the global Catholic Church.

“It would make the migrants, who have nothing, pay the unpaid bill,” said the pope. “It doesn’t work. You don’t resolve problems this way.”

The pope’s remarks were made during a video link from his Vatican residence with the “Che Tempo Che Fa” program on Italy’s Channel 9.

Francis, leader of the 1.4 billion-member church, is usually careful about weighing in on political issues.

The pope has made welcoming migrants a key theme of his nearly 12-year papacy, and he has previously criticized Trump’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.

During the 2016 election, he said Trump was “not Christian” in his view.

Incoming Trump administration officials said on Saturday that the president-elect was reconsidering plans, for immigration raids in Chicago next week, following reports about the plans.

Earlier on Sunday, Chicago’s Catholic archbishop, Cardinal Blase Cupich, also criticized the planned raids.

“This would be an affront to the dignity of all people and communities,” the cardinal said in a statement.

ALSO READ:

• Trump illegal migrant arrests to start on day one

• US deportations under Biden surpass Trump’s record

The Pope writes that, after landing in Baghdad in March 2021, he was told an event at which he was set to appear was being targeted by two suicide bombers.

Both attackers were subsequently intercepted and killed, he said in excerpts published by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The visit, which took place over three days during the coronavirus pandemic, was the first ever to Iraq by a pope and saw an intense security operation.

The years before had seen increased sectarian violence in Iraq, with fighting between Shia and Sunni Muslims as well as the persecution of religious minorities.

The country’s Christian community had shrunk dramatically, having been targeted in particular by the Islamic State group and other Sunni extremists.

In excerpts of his autobiography, the Pope says “almost everyone advised me against” the visit but he felt he “had to do it”.

He says the plot was uncovered by British intelligence, who warned Iraqi police, and they in turn told his security detail once he had touched down.

“A woman packed with explosives, a young suicide bomber, was heading towards Mosul to blow herself up during the papal visit,” he says.

“And a van had also set off at great speed with the same intention.”

The Pope adds that he asked a security official the following day what had happened to the would-be attackers.

“The [official] replied laconically: ‘They are no more’. The Iraqi police had intercepted them and blown them up,” he wrote.

The book, entitled Hope, is due to be published on 14 January.

The Vatican did not immediately respond to a request for comment, according to Reuters news agency.

ALSO READ:

• Pope pays house visit to veteran Italian abortion rights advocate

• Pope Francis decries grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, appeals for ceasefire

A photo posted by Bonino on social media showed them both sitting in wheelchairs on her sun-drenched terrace in Rome.

Bonino, 76, was released from hospital last month after suffering from respiratory and heart problems. Last year, she said she had recovered from an eight-year battle with lung cancer.

Francis, 87, has himself been dealing with occasional health issues.

He has frequently expressed opposition to abortion, calling it “murder” and tantamount to “hiring a hit man“. But he has also struck up relationships with several anticlerical Italian figures.

Bonino was first elected to the Italian parliament in 1976 as a member of the anti-establishment Radical Party, which pushed passage of a law to legalise abortion in 1978, later confirmed by a national referendum in 1981.

A human rights and social justice champion, she was also a member of the European Commission in the 1990s and served as foreign, trade and EU affairs minister in Italian centre-left governments of the 2000s and 2010s.

Francis was seen stopping in at her apartment in central Rome after a morning visit to the nearby Pontifical Gregorian University. The Vatican press office confirmed the pope’s visit, but said it would not provide further details.

In her social media post, Bonino praised Francis’ “extraordinary humanity” and said he had called her “an example of freedom and resistance”. He also brought her roses and chocolates, she said.

As he was leaving Bonino’s home, Francis was asked by a La Repubblica journalist how the politician was doing.

“Very well,” he replied, according to a video published by Italian media outlets.

ALSO READ:

• Pope Francis says US must choose ‘lesser of two evils’

• Draw inspiration from Pope Francis ahead of the elections – Cardinal Turkson to Bawumia,…

 He recalled the peoples of Ukraine, the Middle East, Palestine, Israel, Sudan, and Myanmar. And he prayed that “Mary Queen of Peace, whom we contemplate today in the glory of Paradise,” may “obtain for all consolation and a future of serenity and harmony.”

Grave humanitarian situation in Gaza

The Pope prayed in particular for the suffering people of Gaza where the humanitarian crisis has reached catastrophic levels. He appealed for “a ceasefire on all fronts, for the release of hostages, and for aid to the exhausted population.”

He also encouraged every effort to avoid any escalation in the conflict and that “paths of negotiation” be pursued so this tragedy can be stopped. He punctuated his remarks again, reminding all that war always marks a defeat.

“I continue to follow with concern the very serious humanitarian situation in Gaza, and I call once again for a ceasefire on all fronts, for the release of hostages, and for aid to the exhausted population. I encourage everyone to make every effort to ensure that the conflict does not escalate and to pursue paths of negotiation so that this tragedy ends soon! Let us not forget: war is a defeat.”

Praying for the gift of peace

On the Solemnity of the Assumption, the Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Patton, celebrated Mass at the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem, and echoed the Pope’s appeals for an end to the conflict.

His homily reflected the tragic circumstances the land has been endured for the past ten months and he entrusted to the Blessed Mother on her Solemnity the ardent desire for peace and for “a humanity finally reconciled.”

The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, invited everyone to pray earnestly for reconciliation and peace on today’s Feast, also in view of the Gaza ceasefire negotiations taking place in Doha on this day.

Gaza death toll over 40 thousand

Gaza’s health ministry reported on Thursday that the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip has killed over 40 thousand Palestinians and wounded over 92,400 since the 7 October attack by Hamas in Israel that killed 1,200 people and with the taking of 251 hostages.

Aid agencies have estimated up to 21 thousand children are missing and may be trapped beneath rubble or buried in unmarked graves.

Source: Vaticannews

Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of schism – meaning he has split from the Catholic Church – after years of fierce disagreement with the pontiff.

The 83-year-old ultra-conservative has previously called on the Pope to resign, accusing him of heresy and criticising his stances on immigration, climate change and same-sex couples.

Archbishop Vigano was a senior figure in the Church, serving as papal envoy to Washington from 2011 to 2016.

In 2018 he went into hiding after alleging that the Pope had known about sexual abuse by an American cardinal and failed to act. The Vatican rejected the accusation.

Over time, the archbishop became associated with US conspiracy theorists, criticising Covid vaccines and alleging a “globalist” and “anti-Christian” project by the UN and other groups – both familiar conspiratorial themes.

On Friday, the Vatican’s doctrinal office said his refusal to submit to Pope Francis was clear from his public statements.

“The Most Reverend Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of the reserved delict [violation of the law] of schism,” the statement said, adding that he had been excommunicated – or banished from the church.

Responding by a post on X, the archbishop linked to the decree that was emailed to him and said:

“What was attributed to me as guilt for my conviction is now put on record, confirming the Catholic Faith that I fully profess.”

Archbishop Vigano was charged with schism and denying the pope’s legitimacy last month. At the time, he write on X that he regarded the accusations against him as “an honour”.

“I repudiate, reject, and condemn the scandals, errors, and heresies of Jorge Mario Bergoglio,” he said, using the Argentine Pope’s given name.

Pope Francis has put himself at odds with traditionalist Catholics by making overtures towards the LGBTQ+ community, championing migrant rights and condemning the excesses of capitalism.

Last year, he took action against another ultra-conservative critic, dismissing Bishop Joseph E Strickland of Texas when he refused to resign after an investigation.

ALSO READ:

• Pope Francis appoints Msgr. Julien Kaboré Apostolic Nuncio to Ghana

• Pope Francis tells priests to keep preaching short as ‘people fall asleep’

Pope Francis is hosting the equivalent of a “conclave of comedians” by inviting Whoopi Goldberg, Jimmy Fallon, Chris Rock, Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien and others to Rome. Over 200 people are expected at the audience, with more than 100 comedians from 15 countries.

The 87-year-old pontiff is known for his sense of humor. He likes to crack jokes with people he meets, often telling them with a smile: “please pray for me… not against me!” He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of having a sense of humor, saying it is something that he prays for each day.

“A sense of humor lifts you up, it shows your life is short and to take things in the spirit of a redeemer,” Francis once said in an interview. “It is a human attribute, but it is the closest to God’s grace.”

Francis’ meeting on Friday with “artists from the world of humor” is part of his latest attempt to engage with contemporary culture, with the Vatican explaining in a statement that the meeting underlines how the “art of comedy can contribute to a more empathetic and supportive world.”

It follows on from his landmark visit to the Venice Biennale and his meeting last year with artists and directors in the Vatican.

The meeting also comes with the pope facing question marks over his outreach to LGBTQ+ Catholics after reportedly using a homophobic slur at private meetings.

Others from the US contingent include Tig Notaro, Jim Gaffigan with several Catholics among them: both Gaffigan and Colbert identify as Catholics while Fallon and O’Brien were both raised in the Catholic Church.

Also due to attend is Julia Louis-Dreyfus who told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour that she had “no idea” what to expect.

Fr. James Martin, a Jesuit priest sometimes dubbed “The Colbert Report’s Chaplain,” will also attend the meeting and Colbert talked about the upcoming papal audience on his show.

“Pope Francis is going to meet me at the Vatican!” he joked. “Am I excited? Is the pope Catholic?”

Colbert then gave a jokey warning to Chris Rock, referring to the incident when Rock was hit by actor Will Smith during the Oscars.

“Chris, please for safety’s sake I would just keep Mary Magdalene’s name out of your mouth. Because the pope wears a big ring!”

He also made reference to the controversy over the pope’s reported use of an anti-gay slur asking: “Why Pope Frankie, why?”

Meanwhile, Whoopi Goldberg, the star of “Sister Act,” has already met the pope during an audience in the Vatican last year.

At that meeting, Goldberg said she offered Francis a cameo in “Sister Act 3,” the film series about a singer who joins a convent.

A homily in a Roman Catholic service usually follows a reading from the Bible and is used to reinforce the teaching.

“Priests should keep their homilies short and speak for a maximum of eight minutes to prevent members of the congregation from nodding off,” Pope Francis has said.

The homily, or message delivered during a church service, “must be short: an image, a thought, a feeling”, the pope said during his weekly audience on Wednesday.

“It should not last longer than eight minutes “because after that time attention is lost and people fall asleep, and they are right,” said the 87-year-old pontiff.

“Priests sometimes talk a lot and you don’t understand what they are talking about.”

Francis has spoken in the past of the need for priests not to ramble on during sermons but his own use of language is now under scrutiny.

He caused controversy amid reports that he used a highly derogatory term to describe the LGBTQ+ community.

Francis apologised last month after Italian media attributed to him the use of the word “frociaggine”, a vulgar Italian term roughly translating as “faggotness” or “faggotry”, during a closed-door meeting with Italian bishops on May 20.

However, according to Italian news agency ANSA, Francis repeated the term on Tuesday as he met Roman priests.

The meeting took place on May 27, 2024.

Father Campbell has over five decades been caring for lepers in Ghana.

Father Campbell spoke to the portal, Catholic Trends after the apostolic encounter and narrated events leading to the meeting with the Pope and likened the encounter to a meeting with a “saint”.

“When I realised I was 50 years taking care of the lepers at Weija, I said, I must do something to commemorate 50 years of serving the marginalised in Weija. So I said, let me go to Rome. Let me go and meet the Holy Father,” he said.

Despite encountering obstacles along the way to achieving his goal, Father Campbell said he remained undeterred in his resolve to meet Pope Francis.

“I always admired him. He is a man of the poor. A man of the marginalised, you know and I wanted one day to shake hands with him. So, that’s the reason why I wanted to come to Rome and that’s what I did today. I feel so happy,” he said.

Father Campbell said the meeting was characterised by warmth and genuine concern.

Ghana’s Ambassador to Italy, Mrs. Merene Botsio Benyah, and her husband, Mr. Henry Benyah, as well as board member of the Lepers Aid Committee, Mr. Gabriel Asempa Antwi and his wife Mrs. Priscilla Asempa Antwi, joined Father Campbell for the visit to Pope Francis.

“It was a little chat with them, you know, we were five of us. He just had a chat with us, he listened to us,” Father Campbell recalled, highlighting the Pope’s ability to make everyone feel valued and understood.

During their conversation, Father Campbell shared insights into his work with the lepers of Ghana, underscoring the challenges faced by the most vulnerable members of society.

“I talked about my work with the lepers. We have been working in different settlements in Ghana. How we take care of them and look after them. How they are marginalised and how they are forgotten.”

He continued that, “I talked about the most neglected people, you know, in Ghana. And then I’m always begging for assistance because the cost of drugs, the cost of food, the cost of utilities and others are high. I told him I am a begger priest. Always asking people to come and help in one way or the other.  So I told him about the lepers and the hundred thousand street children on the streets of Accra. I work with prostitutes. I work with prisoners. So I mentioned all these people.”

In response, Pope Francis offered words of encouragement, saying “Encouraged, don’t give up. Keep on going. Keep on going. Keep on going, don’t give up, don’t give up.”

“You are brave Father, your brave. What did Jesus do? Jesus’ work was a work of healing. Bringing love and hope and care to the poor and the needy. You’re doing the work of Jesus,” Pope Francis said.

Reflecting on the experience, Fr. Campbell likened the encounter to sitting with a saint. “It was like sitting with a Saint, you know, this man is such a wonderful man.

A man of prayer. A man of courage. And it was just wonderful, just being in his library, sitting down beside him in his office and chatting with him. It is certainly something I will never forget in my life,” Fr. Campbell expressed.

Drawing inspiration from Saint Teresa of Kolkata, India, Fr. Andrew Campbell has devoted his life to serving the impoverished and marginalised communities of Ghana.

His impact has been profound, particularly in his efforts to support street children, individuals afflicted by disabilities like leprosy, and those who face systemic disadvantages within society.

ALSO READ:

• Father Campbell builds mosque for Weija Leprosarium [Photos]

• Italy: Bawumia meets Pope Francis [Photos]

The official notification was released by Rev. Monsignor Maher Chammas, Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in Accra.

Rev. Fr. Bomansaan, a member of the Missionaries of Africa (White Fathers), brings a wealth of experience and a diverse background in religious formation, spiritual direction, and psycho-spiritual counselling.

Born on January 19, 1962, Fr. Bomansaan took his final oath into the Society of Missionaries of Africa in 1990, and was ordained into the priesthood on July 27, 1991.

His extensive career includes key roles such as Vice Superior General of the Missionaries of Africa in Rome since 2022, and previously overseeing the Bethany Centre in Rome, a recovery facility for priests and religious individuals.

Rev. Fr. Bomansaan has also served as Novice Master and Rector at the International English-Speaking Novitiate in Kasama, Zambia, and as Provincial Superior for the Ghana/Nigeria Province in Tamale, Ghana.

Fr. Bomansaan’s academic pursuits have taken him across the globe, from the Missionary Institute in London to specialised studies in psycho-spirituality and counseling at the Institute for Sexuality Studies in Chicago.

His dedication to religious formation and spiritual accompaniment is further evidenced by his training at institutions such as the Rainhill Jesuits Centre in Liverpool and the Loreto House in Dublin.

The appointment of Rev. Fr. Bomansaan as Bishop of Wa is expected to bring renewed vigour and leadership to the diocese, drawing on his extensive experience and profound commitment to the spiritual and pastoral care of the faithful.

READ ALSO:

• Prophetess escapes death after man fires multiple gunshots at her [Video]
• We make less than GH₵2 profit on a bag of cement – Distributors
• Assemblies of God disassociates itself from Apostle James Nartey

They have hailed Dr. Bawumia describing the act as a demonstration of religious diversity and tolerance.

In responses to a post by the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference featuring Dr. Bawumia and Pope Francis, several Catholic Facebook users expressed admiration for the visit. 

One of the users, Fahad Mohammed Sulemana, described it as a testament to Dr. Bawumia’s diplomatic skills.

“Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s meeting with Pope Francis is a testament to his diplomatic skills and Ghana’s standing on the global stage,” he said. 

Another Facebook user, Emmanuel Ntow, highlighted the significance of the visit in fostering cooperation between Ghana and the Vatican, describing it as a positive step.

“Positive steps towards enhancing cooperation between Ghana and the Vatican.”

Another user, Prosper Nartey, remarked that the visit by the Vice President was a remarkable moment in Ghana’s history and for Dr. Bawumia personally.

“Truly a remarkable piece in history for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia meeting His Holiness”

The comments reflect a widespread appreciation among Catholics in Ghana for Dr. Bawumia’s engagement with Pope Francis, emphasizing the importance of religious tolerance and diplomatic relations.

READ ALSO:

• Italy: Bawumia meets Pope Francis [Photos]

• Pope Francis appoints Rev. John Opoku-Agyemang as new Bishop of Konongo-Mampong Diocese

A statement signed by the spokesperson, Dr Gideon Boako said the Vice President is expected to hold bilateral talks with His Holiness Pope Francis.

“The Pope’s message of love, mercy, and inclusive, which he has devoted himself to promoting unity and mutual understanding between all peoples, has been embraced around the world.

“The meeting will highlight our common principles of peace, justice, and solidarity to guide us into a better future,” he added.

ALSO READ:

• Allow Bawumia to freely choose a running mate – NPP Group

• Bawumia running mate: Delayed announcement could pose challenges – Asah-Asante

Below is the statement:

The decision was made by Pope Francis and marks a significant transition for the diocese.

Rev. Msgr. John Opoku-Agyemang, born on August 15, 1957, brings with him a wealth of experience and qualifications.

He was ordained on January 22, 1984, and has served in various pastoral and academic roles throughout his career.

His educational background includes a Doctorate in Pastoral Theology from the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, among other theological and philosophical studies both in Ghana and abroad.

Rev. Msgr. Opoku-Agyemang’s pastoral experience spans several decades, including roles as Rector and formator at St. Gregory the Great Provincial Major Seminary in Kumasi, Catholic Chaplain at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and Parish Priest at various locations within Ghana.

He has also been actively involved in teaching and research, presenting papers on topics such as liturgical adaptations, religious tolerance, collaborative ministry, and the role of priests in contemporary society.

His commitment to education and evangelization is evident through his extensive involvement in academic institutions and pastoral initiatives.

Furthermore, Rev. Msgr. Opoku-Agyemang has held numerous leadership positions within the Catholic Church, serving as Supreme Chaplain of the Noble Order of the Knights and Ladies of Marshall, Chairman of various committees, and member of regional and national councils.

His appointment comes at a crucial time for the Konongo-Mampong Diocese, and he is expected to bring a blend of academic rigour, pastoral sensitivity, and administrative acumen to his new role.

Until his canonical installation, Bishop Emeritus Most Rev. Joseph Osei-Bonsu will serve as the Apostolic Administrator of the diocese.

The official announcement was made by Most Rev. Henryk M. Jagodzinski, the Apostolic Nuncio, on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Apostolic Nunciature in Accra.

Ukraine’s foreign minister says it will “never raise any other flags” than the country’s blue and yellow colours.

And the country’s President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the comments as “virtual mediation”.

A Vatican spokesman later said the Pope was speaking of stopping the fighting through negotiation, not capitulation.

The interview with Swiss broadcaster RSI, recorded in February, is scheduled to air on 20 March as part of a cultural programme.

According to a transcript quoted by Reuters news agency, the Pope was asked to comment on a debate between those who want Ukraine to seek a settlement with Russia – or wave the “white flag”, as the interviewer put it – and those who argue that doing so would legitimise aggression.

The Pope was quoted as saying: “The strongest one is the one who looks at the situation, thinks about the people and has the courage of the white flag, and negotiates.”

“When you see that you are defeated, that things are not going well, you have to have the courage to negotiate,” he added.

The statement has triggered a barrage of criticism.

During his nightly video address on Sunday, President Zelensky did not directly refer to the Pope, but instead praised the work of Ukrainian chaplains on the frontline.

He said: “They are on the frontline, protecting life and humanity, supporting with prayer, conversation, and deeds.

“This is what the church is – it is together with people, not two-and-a-half thousand kilometres away somewhere, virtually mediating between someone who wants to live and someone who wants to destroy you.”

Earlier on Sunday Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on social media: “Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We shall never raise any other flags.”

Ukraine’s ambassador to the Vatican compared the Pope’s comments to those who advocated talks with Adolf Hitler during Word War Two.

Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski asked whether the Pope would, for balance, encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin to have the courage to withdraw his army from Ukraine.

There has also been strong criticism from Ukrainians on social media, including the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic church.

In response to the row, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said the Pope had “picked up the image of the white flag, proposed by the interviewer, to indicate… a truce reached with the courage of negotiation”.

He added the Pope had made it clear that “negotiations are never a surrender”.

More than two years after Russia’s full-scale attack, Ukraine is on the defensive. Last month Russian troops captured the strategic town of Avdiivka.

Since then, the invaders have advanced further west, and taken several villages.

In Washington a bill to provide $60bn (£47bn) to Ukraine has been blocked in the US Congress and European countries are struggling to agree on ways to support Kyiv.

But he said he was confident that, except for Africans, critics of his decision to allow blessings for same-sex couples would eventually understand it.

Blessings were allowed last month in a document called Fiducia Supplicans (Supplicating Trust), which has caused widespread debate in the Catholic Church, with particularly strong resistance coming from African bishops.

“Those who protest vehemently belong to small ideological groups,” Francis told Italian newspaper La Stampa. “A special case are Africans: for them homosexuality is something ‘bad’ from a cultural point of view, they don’t tolerate it”.

“But in general, I trust that gradually everyone will be reassured by the spirit of the ‘Fiducia Supplicans’ declaration by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: it aims to include, not divide,” the pope said.

Last week, Francis appeared to acknowledge the pushback the document received, especially in Africa, where bishops have effectively rejected it and where in some countries same-sex can lead to prison or even the death penalty.

He said that when the blessings are given, priests should “naturally take into account the context, the sensitivities, the places where one life and the most appropriate ways to do it”.

Speaking about his health, which has taken some knocks in recent years with hospitalizations, mobility problems and canceled trips or events, the 87-year-old said, “There are some aches and pains but it’s better now, I’m fine.”

READ MORE:

• NPP primaries: Full list of incumbent MPs who lost

• Major Boakye-Djan laid to rest

• Adwoa Safo suffers humiliating defeat in Dome-Kwabenya

• NPP primaries: COCOBOD CEO’s son win in Oforikrom constituency

Pope Francis has said that wine “is a gift from God” and “a true source of joy” for its consumers – words that have been immediately embraced by Italian wine producers who have fought against European health warnings.

Francis made the comments during a private audience at the Vatican with winemakers from across Italy.

Welcoming his audience, he joked: “This seems like a drunk pope,” before going on to say: “Wine, land, agricultural skills and entrepreneurialism are gifts from God – the creator has entrusted them to us because, with our sensitivity and honesty, we make them a true source of joy.”

However, the pontiff also called on the winemakers to reflect on the “moral and ethical responsibilities” their work entails, such as treating their workers and the environment with respect while encouraging healthy drinking habits.

The event was organised by Domenico Pompili, the bishop of Verona, before the Vinitaly wine trade fair that takes place in the northern Italian city each April. The key to drinking wine is moderation, Pompili said. “Saint Paul said it – a glass is good to cheer you up, but in moderation.”

Italy has pushed back against proposals to make health warnings on alcoholic drinks mandatory across the EU after Ireland was given approval by the European Commission to adopt the measure. The move in Ireland, which was met with protest by Italy, Spain and six other EU states, will lead to health warning labels being placed on bottles of wine, beer and spirits from 2026.

Although the daily consumption of wine in Italy has declined steadily over the last 15 years, there has been a rise in more moderate consumption, according to figures from Istat, the national statistics agency. Italian wine associations often refer to this to argue that Italians have a healthier relationship with wine compared with their boozier counterparts in northern Europe.

Federico Bricolo, the president of Veronafiere, which organises Vinitaly, said the pope’s tribute to wine was a reminder that the drink is a “symbol of tradition and of a socially and environmentally sustainable economic system”.

“And all in the name of a conviviality that unites,” he added.

Francis has endorsed wine in the past. During a papal audience in 2016, he said wine was an integral part of a wedding celebration. “A wedding party where no wine makes the newlyweds ashamed, imagine you finish the wedding party drinking tea,” he said.

Wine is also a crucial element of the Catholic mass. In 2014, research found that the Vatican City consumed more wine per capita than any other country.

Bishop Osei-Bonsu maintained that, the position of the church is clear on same-sex marriage.

According to him, the directive is that same-sex couples can be blessed and not an endorsement that Catholic priests can officiate same-sex marriages.

The news which broke out on Monday sparked a wave of contrasting sentiments around the world, particularly among Ghanaians on social media.

In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem, Bishop Osei-Bonsu appealed for calm, stating that, there is no need for confusion or chaos.

“The church can bless anyone by praying for them so if a member of the LGBTQI+ community come for blessing, you don’t have to turn them away. This directive is therefore not for same-sex marriage or union because the Catholic church does not accept it,” he allayed fears.

This comes at a time Ghana’s Parliament is pushing for the passage of the Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill 2021 also known as the anti LGBTQI+ Bill.

Progress on the Bill had stalled for months, evoking the anger of its proponents who had accused some Members of Parliament of colluding with pro-LGBT campaigners to delay its passage.

The Bill which has generated a lot of attention locally and internationally, seeks to curb the acknowledgement and promotion of any rights of LGBTQI+ individuals or group in Ghana.

ALSO READ:

• Near chaos in Parliament over anti LGBTQI+ Bill [Video]
• Sam George threatens to expose MPs stalling progress of anti-LGBT Bill

He said priests should be permitted to bless same-sex and “irregular” couples, under certain circumstances but should not be part of regular Church rituals or related to civil unions or weddings.

It added that, it continues to view marriage as between a man and a woman.

Pope Francis approved a document issued by the Vatican announcing the change on Monday.

The Vatican said it should be a sign that “God welcomes all”, but the document says priests must decide on a case-by-case basis.

Introducing the text, Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, the prefect of the Church, said that the new declaration remained “firm on the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage”.

But he added that, in keeping with the Pope’s “pastoral vision” of “broadening” the appeal of the Catholic Church, the new guidelines would allow priests to bless relationships still considered sinful.

People receiving a blessing “should not be required to have prior moral perfection”, according to the declaration.

In the Catholic Church, a blessing is a prayer or plea, usually delivered by a minister, asking for God to look favorably on the person or people being blessed.

Cardinal Fernández emphasized that the new stance does not validate the status of same-sex couples in the eyes of the Catholic Church.

The declaration represents a softening of tone from the Catholic Church, although not a change in position. In 2021, the Pope said priests could not bless same-sex marriages because God cannot “bless sin”.

Pope Francis had suggested in October that he was open to having the Church bless same-sex couples.

Bishops in certain countries have previously allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, though the position of Church authorities remained unclear.

Once access was opened, nuns and priests were among those who ran to secure a good vantage point, in a square bedecked with nearly 40,000 flowers donated by the Netherlands.

Just days ago they may have had doubts about whether Pope Francis, 86, would be well enough to attend Holy Week events at all.

Recent complaints of breathing difficulties had led to an untimely spell in hospital.

Since being discharged after what was determined to be a bout of bronchitis, Pope Francis has managed to fulfil most of his commitments, leading Mass on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.

But for the first time since becoming pope in 2013, he did miss the Via Crucis ceremony on the evening of Good Friday at Rome’s Colosseum, which commemorates the final hours in the life of Jesus.

At other points during the week the Pope had appeared tired and sometimes breathless.

It all meant that many who had come to St Peter’s Square today spoke of their concerns about how the Pope might look and sound.

In the end, he appeared untroubled through the 75-minute long Mass.

But it was immediately afterwards that he seemed particularly energised, moving along a row of cardinals in his wheelchair to greet and smile and speak with them, before taking to his open-top vehicle to wave to the crowds.

“The Pope looked in really good health,” said Sally, who was visiting from Maidenhead, in the UK, with her husband and two children.

“The crowd was encouraging him along, but he looked happy and it was great to see him in fine spirits.”

Eliana, from Liguria in north-western Italy, said: “I was very worried when he was in hospital and I kept informed because he’s so special.

“He wanted to fulfil all his commitments for this Holy Week, and to see him here you realise just how strong he is.”

The last of those commitments was an appearance at the main balcony of St Peter’s Basilica to deliver his “Urbi and Orbi” blessing – to “The City and the World.”

In it, he spoke of his “deep concern” over the recent flare-up of violence between Israelis and Palestinians, praying for peace in Jerusalem and beyond.

Pope Francis has faced criticism from some Ukrainians in the past for seeming to conflate their suffering with that being experienced by Russians.

He prayed to “help the beloved Ukrainian people on their journey towards peace”, and also to “shed the light of Easter upon the people of Russia”.

And with that, as he disappeared from the view of the estimated 100,000 who had come to see him, Pope Francis had successfully negotiated the toughest week in his calendar.

He was admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties, and later diagnosed with bronchitis.

As the 86-year-old left hospital on Saturday, he confirmed he would oversee the Palm Sunday ceremony followed by the Angelus prayer.

He even joked he was “still alive”.

“I just felt a malaise, but I wasn’t afraid,” Italian news agency Ansa quoted him as saying.

After being discharged, the pontiff was seen smiling and waving from his car, before getting out to speak to a crowd.

Instead of heading home, his car drove past the Vatican and stopped at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. When he came out after praying, people on the street applauded and shouted: “Long live the Pope!”

During another stop, he exited his vehicle to give chocolate Easter eggs to police officers in his motorcade, AP news agency reported.

The pontiff’s admission to hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar.

The Holy Week includes a busy schedule of events and services which can be physically demanding.

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said on Friday the Pope was expected to take part in this weekend’s service for Palm Sunday.

“I can confirm that, since he is scheduled to leave the hospital tomorrow [Saturday], Pope Francis is expected to be present in St Peter’s Square on Sunday for the Eucharistic celebration of Palm Sunday, the Passion of the Lord,” Mr Bruni said in a statement.

He will also preside over the hugely popular Easter Mass next Sunday, according to details released by the Vatican.

The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

He has also used a wheelchair in recent months because of problems related to his knee.

Wednesday’s hospitalisation was his second since 2021, when he underwent colon surgery, also at Gemelli.

But the Pope has remained active, visiting the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February. The previous month, he led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI.

The pontiff, who has pushed for reforms in the Catholic Church, marked 10 years as its head earlier this month.

Although he has previously said he would consider stepping down if his health failed him, he recently confirmed he had no plans to quit.

He was admitted to Gemelli Hospital on Wednesday with breathing difficulties and later diagnosed with bronchitis.

The Vatican had earlier said the pontiff would be released on Saturday if his latest test results allowed it.

“I wasn’t frightened, I’m still alive,” the Pope, 86, told reporters outside the hospital before being driven away.

He was seen smiling and waving from the car, before getting out to speak to a crowd. He then headed for the Vatican.

The Pope’s admission to the hospital came ahead of the busiest week in the Christian calendar to celebrate Easter.

Holy Week, as it is known, includes a busy schedule of events and services that can be physically demanding.

ALSO READ:

Pope Francis in hospital with respiratory infection

The Catholic pilgrims who walked 9 days to see Pope Francis

The Argentine pontiff, who marked 10 years as head of the Catholic Church earlier this month, has suffered a number of health issues throughout his life, including having part of one of his lungs removed at age 21.

The 86-year-old had breathing difficulties in recent days but does not have Covid, a statement said.

It said he would need “a few days of appropriate hospital medical therapy”.

“Pope Francis is touched by the many messages received and expresses his gratitude for the closeness and prayer,” the statement added.

His closest staff, including security, are expected to stay the night at the Gemelli Hospital, a person with direct knowledge told the BBC.

This is the busiest time of the year for Pope Francis, with many events and services scheduled ahead of Easter weekend.

A Palm Sunday Mass is scheduled this weekend, and Holy Week and Easter celebrations next week.

He is also scheduled to visit Hungary at the end of April.

On Wednesday morning, he presided over his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square. He appeared in good spirits but was seen grimacing as he was helped into his vehicle.

The Vatican initially said the Pope had gone to hospital for a previously scheduled check-up, but Italian media have questioned this account after a television interview was cancelled at short notice.

Reacting to the news, President Joe Biden asked people to make an “extra prayer” for the Pope’s recovery.

Mr Biden, who is only the second Roman Catholic to be elected leader of the US, also described the pontiff as one of the “most Christ-like figures I’ve ever met”.

People in the Pope’s home city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, shared their feelings with Reuters news agency. One man, Daniel Saco, said the pontiff “must ask himself whether he can continue”.

“It is very sad because, as a Latin American, I feel represented by this Pope, who is very open-minded and human,” said Victoria Veira, who is originally from Brazil.

Anibal Pizelle, who met the Pope when he was bishop of Buenos Aires, said she was optimistic for recovery as Francis was “physically and mentally strong” and a “person with enormous faith”.

The Pope has used a wheelchair in recent months because of mobility problems related to his knee.

ALSO READ:

Pope Francis warns priests about risks of watching porn online

Abortion is like hiring a hitman – Pope Francis opposes

He also underwent surgery to treat a colon problem in 2021. In January, he said the condition had returned.

Despite his ailments, the Pope has remained active and has undertaken trips abroad. He visited the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan in February.

In January, the Pope led the funeral of his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI – who was the first pope to step down voluntarily for centuries. He said this was due to ill health.

Pope Francis has previously indicated that he may also wish to follow in Benedict’s footsteps in the event that his health deteriorates.

Speaking in front of a large crowd in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican, the Pope also condemned the use of “food as a weapon” of war.

Ukraine shipped about 30% of the world’s wheat and prices have jumped since the Russian invasion in February.

It was Pope Francis’ 10th Christmas Day address since he assumed the papacy.

While the war in Ukraine occupied much of his 10-minute speech, he also mentioned conflicts and humanitarian crises in Syria, Myanmar, Iran and Haiti, as well as the Sahel region of Africa, saying the world was experiencing a “famine of peace”.

Pope Francis has warned that the world is becoming so desensitised to crises and suffering that they are now happening while hardly being noticed.

In his annual Christmas Day message, the pontiff pointed to ongoing turmoil in Syria, Yemen and Iraq, as well as in areas of Africa, Europe and Asia.

He also said the effects of the pandemic threatened efforts to resolve conflicts on an international level.

He spoke outdoors again this year after making his speech indoors last year.

Thousands of Catholic faithful – wearing face masks amid Covid precautions – watched in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican as the Pope delivered his Urbi et Orbi address from the balcony of the Basilica.

Pope Francis warned about the social consequences of the pandemic, saying there was “a growing tendency to withdraw… to stop making an effort to encounter others and do things together”.

He said that “on the international level too there is the risk of avoiding dialogue, the risk that this complex crisis will lead to taking shortcuts rather than setting out on the longer path” to resolve conflicts.

“We continue to witness a growing number of conflicts, crises and disagreements,” he said. “These never seem to end and by now we hardly even notice them.

“We have become so used to them that immense tragedies are being passed over in silence.”

He singled out Syria, Iraq and Yemen “where an enormous tragedy overlooked by everyone has silently gone on for years”. He also urged people to keep in mind continuing tensions between Israel and the Palestinians, and the “unprecedented” economic and social crisis gripping Lebanon.

Turning to Asia, the Pope asked God to comfort the people of Afghanistan “who for more than 40 years have been sorely tested by conflicts”, and to “sustain the people of Myanmar where intolerance and violence not infrequently target the Christian community and its places of worship”.

He also prayed for peace to come to conflicts in other troublespots around the world, including Ukraine, Ethiopia and the Sahel, which has been a front line in the war against Islamist militancy for almost a decade.

Earlier, Pope Francis, who is 85, marked Christmas Eve with Mass at the Basilica, where he urged followers to show more compassion towards the poor and to “value the little things in life”.

“On this night of love, may we have only one fear: that of offending God’s love, hurting him by despising the poor with our indifference,” he said.

MORE:

• Massive reaction as Nadia Buari finally shows daughter’s face [Photos]

• Massive reactions as Jackie Appiah’s son show off full face for the first time

• See the latest Kantanka vehicles [Photos]

The Pope, 86, was responding to a question about how digital and social media should be best used, at a session in the Vatican.

Pornography, he said, was “a vice that so many people have… even priests and nuns”.

“The devil enters from there,” the Pope told priests and seminarians.

As to how to navigate social media and the digital world, he said that they should be used but told them not to waste too much time on it.

“The pure heart, the one that Jesus receives every day, cannot receive this pornographic information,” he said.

He advised the group to “delete this from your phone, so you will not have temptation in hand”.

Church teaching sees pornography as an offence against chastity.

The pontiff made the comments during a 90-minute interview at the Vatican with news agency Reuters on Saturday, although the article was not published until Monday morning.

The interview came just a week after the U.S. Supreme Court on June 24 threw out the 1973 ruling that enshrined women’s rights to medical abortions nationwide.

Pope Francis was asked about the court’s decision, but said he did not have enough information to speak about it from a legal perspective. Instead, he reiterated the Catholic Church’s teachings that life begins at the moment of conception.

He reportedly compared abortion to “hiring a hit man” and said: “I ask: Is it legitimate, is it right, to eliminate a human life to resolve a problem?”

It is not the first time the Pope has drawn the controversial comparison. Back in May 2019, whilst speaking at a Vatican-sponsored anti-abortion conference, he said: “Is it licit to throw away a life to resolve a problem? Is it licit to hire a hit man to resolve a problem?”

But he also said his opposition to abortion wasn’t a religious issue but a human one, during the same event. And despite his strong words condemning abortion, he has also previously expressed sympathy for women who have chosen them.

He also made it easier for them to be absolved of what Catholics see as the sin of abortion.

Regarding his comments comparing abortion to a hit man, the Holy See Press Office, which represents the Pope and the Vatican, told Newsweek: “It is not the first time that the Pope has said [this]. The reason is clear. The position of the Catholic Church on abortion is equally clear, to be found in the Catechism [summary of Catholic beliefs] and can certainly refer to the Catholic Church in the United States.”

Earlier in the Reuters interview at the weekend, the Pope was asked about a debate in the U.S. over whether a Catholic politician who supports others’ rights to choose abortion should be allowed to receive Communion.

House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi, for example, was barred from receiving Communion at churches in her home diocese of San Francisco back in May.

A month before their meeting that year, The National Catholic Reporter asked Pope Francis about how the church should respond to parishioners who supported abortion rights.

The Pope reportedly said he would “never” deny anyone Communion.

“No, I have never denied the Eucharist to anyone, to anyone! I don’t know if someone came to me under these conditions, but I have never refused them the Eucharist, since the time I was a priest.”

A Vatican statement said he had learned of the deaths of dozens of people.

The assault took place in the southern town of Owo, in Ondo state.

Officials there have warned the number of casualties could rise.

They say a priest and other members of the congregation were abducted by the gunmen, whose identity is unknown.

Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, has condemned the attack calling it “heinous”.

A week ago, the head of the country’s Methodist church was kidnapped; he was released after a ransom was paid.

Francis told Italy’s Corriere Della Sera newspaper that Kirill, who has given the Ukraine war his backing, “cannot become [President Vladimir] Putin’s altar boy”.

The Russian Orthodox Church said it was regrettable that a month and a half after Francis and Kirill, the patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, had spoken directly, the pope had adopted such a tone.

“Pope Francis chose an incorrect tone to convey the content of this conversation,” the Moscow Patriarchy said, though it did not explicitly mention the “altar boy” comment.

“Such statements are unlikely to contribute to the establishment of a constructive dialogue between the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches, which is especially necessary at the present time.”

Kirill, 75, a close ally of Putin, sees the war as a bulwark against a West he considers decadent, particularly over the acceptance of homosexuality.

The Russian Orthodox Church is by far the biggest of the churches in the Eastern Orthodox communion, which split with Western Christianity in the Great Schism of 1054. Today it has about 100 million followers within Russia and more outside.

Ukraine has about 30 million Orthodox believers, divided between the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate and two other Orthodox Churches, one of which is the autocephalous, or self-governing, Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

Francis, 85, has asked for a meeting in Moscow with Putin about Ukraine but the Kremlin said on Wednesday there was no agreement on this.

Russia and the West frame the conflict in Ukraine very differently.

Moscow calls its actions a “special military operation” to disarm Ukraine and protect it from fascists. Kyiv and its Western backers say the fascism claim is absurd and say Russia is waging an unprovoked war that threatens Ukraine’s continued existence as a sovereign, democratic state.

The Moscow Patriarchy quoted Kirill as telling Pope Francis on March 16 that the Western media had failed to accurately report the situation in Ukraine – a frequent Russian complaint.

‘DIVIDED FLOCK’

Kirill said the conflict in Ukraine had begun in 2014 when protests toppled a pro-Russian president. Kirill noted what he said was the persecution of Russian speakers in Ukraine’s port city of Odesa. Ukraine denies any such persecution.

But Kirill also expressed sorrow over the conflict.

“Of course, this situation is associated with great pain for me. My flock is on both sides of the confrontation, they are mostly Orthodox people,” the Patriarchy quoted him as saying.

“How can we foster the pacification of those fighting with the single goal of achieving the consolidation of peace and justice?”

Putin has also cited NATO enlargement to Russia’s borders as a reason for the conflict in Ukraine despite what he says were assurances given as the Soviet Union collapsed that the alliance would not expand – an issue Kirill touched on.

“Patriarch Kirill further recalled that at the end of the Soviet era, Russia received an assurance that NATO would not move one inch in the eastern direction,” the Moscow Patriarchy said. “However, this promise was broken.”

The United States and NATO deny such assurances were given but say countries are free to apply to join an alliance they say is purely defensive and poses no threat to Russia.

The Ghanaian cardinal succeeds the 79-year-old Argentine Bishop Marcelo Sánchez Sorondo, who has led both institutions since 1998.

The pope accepted Cardinal Turkson’s resignation as prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development last December.

Cardinal Turkson served as the archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, before he was called to Rome in 2009 to be president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.

The 73-year-old cardinal, who speaks six languages, became the first president of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in 2016 after his pontifical council was merged into the new body along with three others.

The rumours of his resignation appeared a few months after Pope Francis ordered an inspection of the dicastery, led by Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago, that was followed by personnel changes.

Cardinal Turkson’s departure left the Vatican without no African leaders among the heads of its ​dicasteries for the first time since 1977.

In recent years, Bishop Sorondo’s long tenure at the pontifical academies has been marked by controversy.

In 2018, he praised China’s global leadership, saying that “at this moment, those who best realize the social doctrine of the Church are the Chinese.”

In 2020, he defended his decision to administer the Eucharist to Argentina’s president, despite Alberto Fernández’s effort to legalise abortion in his country.

In the same year, he also defended the frequent presence of economist Jeffrey Sachs, an advocate for contraception and “reproductive justice,” at Vatican conferences.

The Buenos Aires-born bishop will celebrate his 80th birthday on Sept. 8.

The Pontifical Academy of Sciences traces its roots to the Accademia dei Lincei, one of the world’s first exclusively scientific academies, founded in Rome in 1603. The short-lived academy’s members included the Italian astronomer Galileo Galilei.

Bl. Pius IX re-established the academy as the Pontifical Academy of the New Lynxes in 1847. Pius XI gave it its current name in 1936.

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences was established in 1994 by Pope John Paul II. Its website says that its aim is “promoting the study and progress of the social sciences, primarily economics, sociology, law and political science, thus offering the Church those elements which she can use in the development of her social doctrine.”

Both pontifical academies are based at the Casina Pio IV in the Vatican Gardens.

The two Ghanaians were selected upon the recommendations of their respective Bishops through the Chaplain of the Ghanaian Catholic Community in Rome.

They are Mrs Ellen Bosso of Ho Diocese, Peki, who was installed as a Lector of the Church and Madam Cecilia Agyeman Anane, from the Catholic Archdiocese of Kumasi, who was conferred into the Ministry of Catechist.

This was in a brief ceremony on Sunday, January 23, 2022, by the Head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State Pope Francis.

The duo was part of the eight lay Catholics, comprising five men and three women from across the world.

ALSO READ:

• Ghana’s Cardinal Turkson resigns from Vatican

• Ghana’s Cardinal Turkson breaks on Vatican resignation [Listen]

Pope Francis during the Mass presented Lectors with the Bible in their native languages and the Catechists with the Cross.

Authorities are now investigating the source of the envelope and who could be behind it, according to Italian paramilitary police.

It was sent from France and intercepted by postal employees working on sorting the mail overnight in the small sorting facility of Peschiera Borromeo in a Milan suburb, the carabinieri provincial command in Milan said.

It reportedly contained three 9mm-calibre Flobert-type pellets, according to the Milan-based newspaper Affaritaliani.

The envelope was addressed by hand in pen to: “The Pope, Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square, Rome,” and contained a message referring to financial operations at the Vatican, but further details were not disclosed.

Last month, the Vatican indicted ten people, including an Italian cardinal, for several alleged financial crimes, including extortion, corruption, fraud, embezzlement, and abuse of power. The accusations included bleeding the Holy See of tens of millions of dollars in donations through bad investments, deals with shady money managers and apparent favours to friends and family.

MORE:

• Man with ‘world’s biggest p3nis’ advises men who are not so well endowed

• Fans go gaga over Maame Serwaa’s ‘weekend treat’ [Video]

• Man arrested for dressing as girlfriend to take exam on her behalf

An investigation is ongoing by the carabinieri investigative unit after the command office in Milan has been notified about the envelope by the sorting centre manager, according to the Italian newspaper.

There was no immediate comment from the Vatican.

On Sunday, Pope Francis led prayers in Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City, almost 360 miles away from where the envelope has been initially found.

While he still enjoys sweeping popularity among many believers, Pope Francis has held non-traditional views that sometimes attracted strong opposition from conservative believers.about:blank✕

This week, the Pope is expected to fly from Rome to Budapest, where “he will meet with the country’s bishops and meet with representatives of the Ecumenical Council of Churches and Jewish communities”, according to the itinerary of his Hungary and Slovakia visit published by the Vatican News.

The 84-year-old pontiff had colon surgery last month. The Vatican declared after the surgery that the Pope had responded well to the treatment for “symptomatic diverticular stenosis” of the colon. Since then, he returned to his full-time duties.

Mattia Villardita, the 28-year-old who dressed up as Peter Parker’s superhero persona, said it’s his mission to bring joy to children in the hospital.

“This all came about from a personal story. I was a patient for 19 years at the Gaslini Pediatric Hospital in Genoa because I was born with a congenital malformation,” he said.

Villardita started his mission called “Superheroes in the Ward” in 2019, in which he and his friends dress up as superheroes to visit sick children.

While Villardita has a day job, he spends most of his free time dressed as Spider-Man.

Villardita sat among VIP attendees at a general audience hosted by the Pope in the Vatican’s San Damasco Courtyard, where Pope Francis encouraged attendees to observe “humility and fraternity” in their daily lives.

When Villardita met the Holy Father, he gave the pope, who invited him because he knew about his efforts, a Spider-Man mask of his own.

Villardita gave the gift “as a sign, to tell him that through these eyes I daily see pain from sick children in hospitals,” he said.

He asked Pope Francis to pray for the children he visits, and the pope responded by telling him to take photos with children in attendance.

During the pandemic, Villardita made more than 1,400 video calls to sick children because he could not visit them in person.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella honored Villardita in December 2020 as Cavalier of the Order of Merit for being an “everyday hero.”

“I’m Catholic, and I’m very happy about this experience,” Villardita said.

The four-day trip is meant to reassure Iraq’s dwindling Christian community and foster inter-religious dialogue.

The Pope will meet Iraq’s most revered Shia Muslim cleric, say a prayer in Mosul and celebrate Mass at a stadium.

He has insisted on travelling despite a new spike in Covid-19 infections in Iraq and concerns over his security.

About 10,000 Iraqi Security Forces personnel will be deployed to protect the Pope, while round-the-clock curfews are also being imposed to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Hours after a rocket attack on a base hosting US troops on Wednesday, the Pope said Iraqi Christians could not be “let down for a second time”.

Pope John Paul II cancelled plans for a trip at the end of 1999 after talks with then-President Saddam Hussein’s government broke down.

In the two decades since then, one of the world’s oldest Christian communities has seen its numbers plummet from 1.4 million to about 250,000, less than 1% of the population.

Many have fled abroad to escape the religiously motivated violence that has plagued the country since the US-led invasion in 2003 that ousted Saddam.

Tens of thousands were also displaced when Islamic State (IS) militants overran northern Iraq in 2014, destroying their historic churches, seizing their property, and giving them the choice to pay a tax, convert, leave or face death.

What does the Pope hope to achieve?

The head of the Roman Catholic Church aims to embolden persecuted Christians and call for peace in meetings with political and other religious leaders, reports the BBC’s Mark Lowen, who is travelling with him.

Addressing the Iraqi people in a video message on the eve of his trip, Pope Francis said he was “coming as a pilgrim, as a penitent pilgrim, to implore from the Lord forgiveness and reconciliation after years of war and terrorism, to beg from God the consolation of hearts and the healing of wounds”.

He continued: “I am coming among you also as a pilgrim of peace… seeking fraternity and prompted by the desire to pray together and to walk together, also with our brothers and sisters of other religious traditions, in the steps of Father Abraham, who joins in one family Muslims, Jews and Christians.”

The Pope told Iraqi Christians: “I want to bring you the affectionate caress of the whole Church, which is close to you and to the war-torn Middle East, and encourages you to keep moving forward.”

Who are Iraq’s Christians?

• People in what is now Iraq embraced Christianity in the 1st Century AD.

• According to the US state department, Christian leaders estimate there are fewer than 250,000 Christians remaining in Iraq, with the largest population – at least 200,000 – living in the Nineveh Plain and Kurdistan Region in the north of the country.

• Approximately 67% of those are Chaldean Catholics, whose Eastern-rite Church retains its own liturgy and traditions but recognises the authority of the pope in Rome. Another 20% are members of the Assyrian Church of the East, believed to be the oldest in Iraqx.

• The rest are Syriac Orthodox, Syriac Catholic, Armenian Catholic, Armenian Apostolic, as well as Anglican, Evangelical and other Protestants.

What is the Pope’s schedule?

Due to security concerns and a sharp rise in Covid-19 infections, the 84-year-old Pope will have limited exposure to the public, our correspondent says.

The Pope himself has had two shots of the BioNTech/Pfizer vaccine, and his entourage will have been inoculated, but there are fears the trip could become a super-spreader event given the large crowds expected.

Francis will be welcomed by Iraq’s prime minister and president before meeting bishops and other clergy at a Syriac Catholic church in the capital, Our Lady of Salvation, where 52 Christians and police were killed in an attack by jihadists from a precursor group to IS in 2010.

On Saturday, the Pope will fly south to the Shia holy city of Najaf, where he will visit Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani. The 90-year-old is the prime marja, or spiritual reference, for millions of Shia in Iraq and elsewhere.

Pope Francis will then attend an interreligious meeting at the ancient site of Ur, traditionally believed to be the birthplace of the Prophet Abraham.

Sunday will see him travel to the northern city of Mosul. He will say a prayer of suffrage in Church Square for the victims of the war with IS, which left tens of thousands of civilians dead.

The Pope will also visit nearby Qaraqosh, where Christians have returned since the defeat of IS in 2017 to restore the town’s church and rebuild their homes.

That afternoon, he will celebrate Mass at a stadium in Irbil, the capital of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region, which thousands of people may attend.

The Pope’s official Instagram account has been caught liking another model’s thirst trap, following a similar scandal earlier this year.

The photo liked by the verified account by Pope Francis was posted by a model named Margot Foxx, who left little to the imagination as she posed in a semi-transparent black bikini.

Margot’s face was mostly cropped out in the image, which put the highlight on her curvaceous body.

The model first noted the Pope’s account liking her racy picture in November, sharing a screenshot of it on Twitter while writing, “uhhh the pope liked my picture?” When another Twitter user posted about this earlier this week, Margot responded by declaring, “hey thats me.”

The said user who re-shared the screenshot, meanwhile, commented on it, “they caught the Pope in 4K again.”

Model Margot Foxx responded to a tweet about Pope Francis’ Instagram account liking her racy photo.

The latest expose comes a month after Pope Francis’ Instagram account was caught liking Brazilian model Natalia Garibotto’s racy picture.

It’s unclear when the exact time of the “like” was, but it was first noticed and reported by news outlets on Friday, November 13.

The photograph was unliked on November 14 after the Catholic News Agency asked the Holy See Press Office for comment.

According to reports, Vatican has launched an internal investigation into the matter to find out who was responsible for the “like.”

As stated by the Vatican amid the probe, there was no question of the Pope having liked the photo as the Pope’s various social media accounts are run by a team of employees.

A Vatican spokesperson told the Guardian at the time, “We can exclude that the ‘like’ came from the Holy See, and it has turned to Instagram for explanations.”

Meanwhile, Natalia made the most of the scandal as her management and publicity firm posted on its account that it “received the POPE’S OFFICIAL BLESSING.”

Responding to a tweet about the scandal, Natalia quipped, “At least I’m going to heaven.”

She also joked, “My mum may hate my pics but the Pope be double-tapping” and “Brb on my way to the Vatican.”

In a country where homosexuality is frowned upon by the majority, many were unhappy with the Pope’s speech where he okayed homosexual people the right to civil union laws.

If this man is not the anti-christ then who else is. Gradually the whole world will get to know the evil nature of Catholicism. The fallen church, Arnold Blay reacted.

Nonetheless, Collins Boateng said he wasn’t surprised because he believes Pope Francis didn’t say it on behalf of the church.

MORE:

• Pope endorses civil union laws for same-sex couples

• Pope kisses nun — after checking she doesn’t bite

• Pope introduces new sex abuse reporting rules

This is no news at all, I am very sure even if he said this. He did not say on behalf of the church but on a personal status. We should understand when people speak or act on behalf of something or somebody and when they speak or act in their own accord.

This will be news…not just news but a very shocking one to most people who believe in the supremacy of religious leaders. May God save us, he said.

Meanwhile, Cephas Aduku urged Christians to brace up spiritually since such news only predicts how fast the end of the world (apocalypse) is approaching.

One thing is that if you hear this kind of things, don’t be amazed or surprised, it only encourages us the true Christian that the word of God is true. All of these things have been predicted by the bible so rather be strong or rekindle our faith in Christ Jesus. The worse is yet to come so be prepared, he said.

One worried Christian, Joe Wedam, stated unequivocally that the Pope’s statement goes a long way to prove that Christianity is a great facade.

Check out more reactions below:

Pope Francis, who has been delivering his Sunday address from the papal library instead of St. Peter’s Square because of the lockdown in Italy, thanked all those around the world who were providing essential services.

He encouraged international cooperation to deal with the crisis and combat the virus, which has infected nearly 3.5 million people and killed more than 240,000 people worldwide.

“In fact, it is important to unite scientific capabilities, in a transparent and impartial way to find vaccines and treatments,” he said.

Francis said it was also important to “guarantee universal access to essential technologies that allow each infected person, in every part of the world, to receive the necessary medical treatment.”

World leaders pledged in April to accelerate work on tests, drugs and vaccines against COVID-19 and to share them around the globe, but the United States did not take part in the launch of the World Health Organisation initiative.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the WHO was slow to react to the outbreak and was being “China-centric”, and as a consequence has announced a suspension of funding. The WHO has defended its handling of the crisis.

A number of pharmaceutical companies around the world have developed tests to identify antibodies that develop after somebody has come into contact with the virus.

The Trump administration is planning to speed up development of a coronavirus vaccine with the goal of having 100 million doses ready by the end of 2020, according to a senior U.S. administration official.

Most experts have suggested clinical trials to guarantee a vaccine is safe and effective could take a minimum of 12 to 18 months.

On Sunday, the pope also backed a proposal by an inter-religious group known as the Higher Committee on Human Fraternity for an international day of prayer and fasting on May 14 to ask God to help humanity overcome the pandemic.