Pope Francis made a surprise entrance to St. Peter’s Square during a special Jubilee Mass for the sick and health workers on Sunday, marking his first public appearance at the Vatican since leaving the hospital two weeks ago after a life-threatening bout with pneumonia.
Category: religion
Today in History: John Paul II dies
On April 2, 2005, John Paul II, the Polish pope born Karol Józef Wojtyła, died in his Vatican apartment at age 84. The first non-Italian pope in over 450 years, John Paul II became one of the most influential leaders of the late 20th and early 21st centuries while playing a crucial role in the fall of communism in Europe.
After leaving ‘dream job,’ Burr Ridge pianist restores century-old church in Lemont
Lithuanian immigrant Ausrele Stoniene was a pianist for the Joffrey Ballet in Chicago, but left to “become a servant for God.”
Illinois becomes first state to mandate halal, kosher meals be available in public institutions such as schools
With the Faith By Plate Act mandating halal and kosher meals be offered at places such as public schools, Muslim parents are thrilled and hope the state follows proper guidelines around slaughtering methods.
Supreme Court seems likely to side with Catholic Charities in religious-rights case
The Supreme Court appeared Monday to be leaning toward a Catholic charitable organization pushing back against the state of Wisconsin in the latest religious rights case to come before the court.
As Lent and Ramadan coincide this year, Christians and Muslims explain why they fast
Lent always occurs at this time of year. Ramadan rotates around the calendar. This year, they coincide, with Christian fasting taking place at the same time as Muslim fasting.
Pope Francis’ doctors considered stopping treatment to ‘let him go’ after serious breathing crisis
Pope Francis’ medical team briefly considered suspending treatment after a Feb. 28 breathing crisis but instead decided on an aggressive course that put his organs at risk.
Elmhurst University’s Holocaust Service of Remembrance program focuses on helpers
The lecture “Understanding Rescue During the Holocaust” is part of Elmhurst University’s 35th Annual Holocaust Service of Remembrance.
‘They’ve got everlasting money, bro’: Chicago archdiocese alleges conspiracy to file false sex abuse claims against defrocked priest
An unusual new lawsuit filed by the Archdiocese of Chicago on Monday alleged a group of mostly West Side residents conspired for years to bring false allegations of sexual abuse against a notorious priest.
‘A controversialist’: Trump picks Chicago-area man for Vatican ambassador
Some say Brian Burch’s appointment could be a harbinger of further tension between the Vatican and the Trump administration.