Vatican City
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Southern Europe
Don't only take dogs, but get children too, says Pope
Pope Francis warns against the decline of the number of children in Western countries. He regrets the development of people “buying pets to replace children”, media report. The Pope expressed his concern at the General Audience on Wednesday, Religion.orf reports. He referred to the term 'demographic winter' that he used…
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Eastern Europe
No unity of Orthodox and Catholics yet, says Russian Metropolitan
Unification of the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches is not a subject for discussion. There are “many contradictions”, the Russian Metropolitan Hilarion said in the programme “Church and World” on the Russia 24 channel. Russian media, including the Union of Orthodox Journalists, write about it. The Metropolitan commented on…
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Southern Europe
Pope Francis apologises in Greece to Orthodox
During his visit to Greece, Pope Francis apologised to God and the Orthodox Church family for the mistakes made by Catholics. He stated that these difficulties had nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus [Vatican News](https://www.vaticannews.va/ru/pope/news/2021-12/papa-francisk-poprosil-proshenia-za-oshibki-katolikov.html) reports. “I admit with shame, with the Catholic Church, that actions and decisions…
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European Union
EU Commission preferred “holiday” above “Christmas” but turns back from it
It was in the name of inclusiveness that the European Commission asked not to use the word “Christmas” and even not to mention the names Mary or John. Especially the Vatican protested. The Commission withdrew the internal report. No less than an “annulment of our Christian roots”. That was what…
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Southern Europe
Vatican City gets a female Secretary-General
The Vatican City State has a new vice-governor. Pope Francis has appointed the nun Raffaella Petrini as the new Secretary-General of the Governorate of Vatican City. For the first time, a woman will lead the Vatican's administration. The appointment took place last Thursday, the Austrian news channel ÖRF reports. Petrini…
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Southern Europe
Italy doesn't equate homophobia to racism
The so-called “Zan bill” against homophobia will not become law in Italy. The Senate voted with 23 votes majority against this proposal on Wednesday. This finishes a debate that took many years. The designer of the bill, Mr Zan, is an MP for the Democrats and known as a LGBT…
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Southern Europe
Pope: Don't send migrants back to inhumane camps
Pope Francis on Sunday called on countries not to return migrants to countries where it is not safe. He mentioned Libya, where many migrants face violence and inhumane conditions in concentration camp-like facilities [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/dont-send-migrants-back-unsafe-countries-pope-says-citing-libya-2021-10-24/) reports. “We must end the practice of returning migrants to countries where it is not safe,”…
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Southern Europe
Cardinal Becciu attends first day in historic Vatican trial
Cardinal Becciu attended the first session of a major trial in the Vatican on Tuesday. He is defending himself against charges of financial crimes. The 73-year-old Giovanni Angelo Becciu, formerly a top figure in the Vatican Secretariat of State, is the most prominent figure among the accused. He and Monsignor…
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Southern Europe
Italy's PM rejects criticism of LGBT bill from the Vatican
Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi rebuked the Vatican after it asked for changes to an anti-discrimination bill that would protect LGBTQ people. “I want to say that ours is a secular state, not a confessional state. So Parliament is free to discuss”, said Draghi, who is himself a catholic. According…