Every day, Aleteia offers a selection of articles written by the international press about the Church and the major issues that concern Catholics around the world. The opinions and views expressed in these articles are not those of the editors.
The fake news surrounding the Pope’s visit to the Russian embassy
The Sismografo, a famous blog consulted by Vatican experts from all over the world, has set the record straight regarding the unprecedented visit of Pope Francis to the Russian Embassy to the Holy See on Feb. 25. Twenty-four hours after the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Pontiff went personally to "express his concern about the war in Ukraine." But some media outlets have developed theories that the Pope went to the embassy to be able to call the head of the Kremlin through a super-secure and encrypted technology; otherwise, Putin would not have answered the alleged call of the head of the Catholic Church. An unlikely hypothesis according to the Sismografo, which recalls that the Holy See, which is not confronting its first crisis situation, has encrypted phones.
Il Sismografo, English
The Pope's "pastoral benevolence" towards the Fraternity of St. Peter
A few days ago, Pope Francis made a liturgical exception for the Fraternity of St. Peter, saying it is an exception to Traditionis Custodes. According to Dominican Father Henry Donneaud, interviewed by Cath.ch, Pope Francis acts in liturgical matters as he does in family morality. "On the one hand, there is the question of principles - on which he is strict - and on the other hand, the implementation of these principles - in which a certain flexibility is possible,” he explains. The Fraternity of St. Peter does not criticize or contest the principle of the unity of the form of the Roman rite, celebrated according to the missal of Paul VI, and thus distinguishes itself from those who see it as a “cheap" Mass. The Pope has therefore shown "pastoral benevolence" towards the community, says the Dominican.
Cath.ch, French
Sri Lankan Church leaders tell ex-president to appear before law
While Sri Lanka's ex-president offered to swear on the Holy Cross that he was not alerted beforehand about the 2019 Easter attacks, the country's Catholic Church leaders have asked him to face justice instead. Nearly three years after the tragedy, Catholics are still unable to find the truth regarding this tragedy. The country's bishops' conference said it could see no alternative but to seek international help to ensure that the truth comes out and that those responsible are named.
UCANews, English
Religious Sister to Mexican symposium: Women have an essential role in the Church
“Women have an essential role in the Church, and Mary, mother of God, and many other women have shown us so.” These are the words of Sister María Grazia Caputo, Representative of the Salesian International Institute Mary Help of Christians to the United Nations, who spoke at a symposium on masculinity and the patriarchy last week. The discussion was held at a Mexican university in the state of Puebla, in partnership with the Association of Catholic Universities of Latin America and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Culture. Sister Caputo opposes redefining the roles of women and men so they are a copy of one another, saying it is “a betrayal of the idea that God had for us: male and female he created us.” She calls instead on both genders to “rediscover themselves as a gift from God,” saying “we do not need to be someone else to achieve what God has planned for us.”
Crux, English
Zayed Prize for brotherhood: Jordanian rulers rewarded
The Jordanian royal couple, Abdullah II and his wife Queen Rania, were awarded the Zayed Prize 2022 in Abu Dhabi. The award was inspired by the signing of the Document on Human Brotherhood by the Pope and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, which aims to honor individuals or organizations for their contribution to a more peaceful world based on the values of human brotherhood. "His Majesty King Abdullah II has carried a message of peace and love over successive decades, (...) He has presented a model of tolerance in the region (of the Kingdom of Jordan) and supports dialogue between religions and cultures, creating a link between Eastern and Western cultures," said the Secretary General of the Higher Committee for Human Brotherhood. The awardees received a congratulatory message from Pope Francis as well as from the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmad Al Tayyeb.
Terre Sainte, French.
