Pope Francis - The African Mirror

Oct

2020

Pope’s ‘yes’ to same-sex civil unions will lead to a more open and equal Catholic Church

FRANCIS DEBERNARDO GENE and Bill had been partners for more than 50 years when I first heard their story. The two men met and fell in love when they were both 22. Because of the socially oppressive climate, it was not safe to live together as a couple, so they moved in as “roommates.” After one brief year, Bill developed a debilitating disease that required full-time nursing care and he moved to a skilled facility. He remained there his entire life. Gene visited him every day but was unable to let staff or residents know the true nature of their…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

What does the Pope’s support for gay civil unions mean for LGBT+ rights?

LGBT+

OSCAR LOPEZ POPE Francis has signalled a softening towards LGBT+ rights with his comments that same-sex couples should be protected by civil union laws and have the right to form a family. In some of his clearest language on the subject since his election in 2013, the pontiff said in a documentary "Francesco" released on Wednesday that gay couples needed legal rights. "Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," he said. The pope's views…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope wears mask for first time at public service

COVID-19

PHILIP PULLELLA POPE Francis wore a mask for the first time at a public function on Tuesday when he and other religious leaders attended a prayer service for peace around the world. The pope wore a white mask during the service at the Rome Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. Previously he wore masks only in a car taking him to his weekly audiences in the Vatican. He had come under some criticism, particularly on social media, for not wearing a mask at his general audiences and sometimes coming in relatively close contact with visitors. Francis, 83, attended the service…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope Francis endorses same-sex unions

RELIGION

PHILLIP PULLELLA POPE Francis says that homosexuals should be protected by civil union laws, in some of the clearest language he has used on the rights of gay people. "Homosexual people have a right to be in a family. They are children of God and have a right to a family. Nobody should be thrown out or be made miserable over it," he says in the documentary "Francesco" by Oscar-nominated director Evgeny Afineevsky. "What we have to create is a civil union law. That way they are legally covered. I stood up for that," he said. The pope appeared to…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope expresses support for detained fishermen in Libya

NEWS

POPE Francis expressed support on Sunday for 18 fishermen held in Libya, weighing in on a standoff between Italy and the administration of Khalifa Haftar, one of the North African country’s two rival leaders. “I want to say a word of encouragement and support for the fishermen who have been held in Libya for more than a month, and for their families (who) are hoping to be able to embrace their dear ones soon,” Francis said at his weekly blessing in St. Peter’s Square. FILE PHOTO: Rosetta Incargiola, the mother of one of 18 fishermen detained in Libya, cries at…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Pull investments from companies not committed to environment, pope says

RELIGION

PHILIP PULLELLA POPE Francis has urged people to pull investments from companies that are not committed to protecting the environment, adding his voice to calls for the economic model that emerges from the coronavirus pandemic to be a sustainable one. Francis spoke in a video message for an online event called "Countdown Global Launch, A Call to Action on Climate Change". "Science tells us, every day with more precision, that we need to act urgently ... if we are to have any hope of avoiding radical and catastrophic climate change," he said. The pope listed three action points: better education…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Poor should get Covid-19 vaccine first, Pope Francis says

RELIGION

THE poor and weakest members of society should get preferential treatment when a vaccine for the coronavirus is ready, Pope Francis has told the United Nations. Speaking from the Vatican in a video address to the U.N. General Assembly, Francis said the worldwide pandemic had highlighted the urgent need to promote public health and ensure access to vaccines. "If anyone should be given preference, let it be the poorest, the most vulnerable, those who so often experience discrimination because they have neither power nor economic resources," he said. Francis has said rich countries should not hoard a coronavirus vaccine and…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope honours priest slain by immigrant; politician urges vendetta

RELIGION

PHILIP PULLELLA POPE Francis has paid tribute to an Italian priest killed by an immigrant suffering from mental illness, while far-right politician Matteo Salvini called for a "vendetta". Father Roberto Malgesini, 51, who cared for immigrants and other needy people in the northern city of Como, was found dead from a stab wound outside his residence on Tuesday morning. A Tunisian immigrant who police said was mentally ill later turned himself in to authorities. Speaking at the end of his weekly general audience, Francis said Malgesini was killed "by a needy person who he himself was helping, a person who…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Pope calls for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over Nile dam

RELIGION

POPE Francis called for dialogue between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on Saturday, urging them not to let a dispute over a dam on the Nile lead to conflict. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is being built some 15 km (9 miles) from Ethiopia's border with Sudan, has become a major source of discord between the three countries. "I invite all parties involved to continue on the path of dialogue so that the eternal river will continue to be a source of life, which unites and does not divide, which nurtures friendship, prosperity and fraternity and not enmity, misunderstanding and…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Build “free and strong” coexistence after blast, Pope Francis tells Lebanese

RELIGION

POPE Francis has urged the people of Lebanon to work together in the wake of the devastating port blast to give birth to a new "free and strong" coexistence. The pope spoke at his weekly address in St. Peter's Square as some Lebanese called for a sustained uprising to topple their leaders and the country's top Christian Maronite cleric, whose Church is a Catholic Eastern rite, said the cabinet should resign. "Last Tuesday's catastrophe calls everyone, beginning with the Lebanese people, to work together for the common good of this beloved country," Francis said. He said the coexistence of cultures…