2025-06-06 18:01:10.805

Eid al-Adha, a three-day Muslim holiday, commemorates Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of obedience to God. The holiday involves prayer, feasting with loved ones, gift-giving, and the practice of udhiya or qurbani—sacrificing an animal and sharing the meat with others. Experts highlight the holiday's emphasis on mindfulness, resilience, and community as key to its health benefits. Mindful takeaways from Eid include: maintaining hope and looking for positivity in challenging situations; doing one's part and trusting the process; the importance of giving to others, which feeds the soul and improves physical and mental health; and strengthening social connections to combat loneliness and improve well-being. The article suggests practical steps to incorporate these principles into daily life, such as volunteering, donating, and making time for friends and family. Creating personal space for self-fulfillment, through activities such as reading or yoga, is also emphasized as a way to improve overall well-being and enhance one's ability to connect with others.

2025-05-13 00:00:21.083

The recent passing of Pope Francis and the subsequent election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, has ignited a firestorm of online activity. Social media platforms are buzzing with memes and jokes, creating a shared moment of levity and irreverence. A parody Vatican account, Pope Crave, has become a central hub for news and humor surrounding the event, even breaking the news of the new pope's election before official sources. This collective online response is seen as a positive aspect of internet culture, offering a welcome respite from negativity and division. The memes highlight the absurdity of the papal selection process and the contrast between the pomp and circumstance of the event and the ongoing global crises. Simultaneously, this online engagement has spurred charitable action, with Pope Crave's Conclave Charity Zine raising over $15,000 for various charities. The article also points out the underlying critique of the Catholic Church's power and problematic stances on social issues, suggesting that the widespread online reaction reflects a growing questioning of established institutions and power structures.

2025-05-12 00:01:02.549

Pope Leo XIV stepped out onto the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica to thunderous applause and an electric atmosphere, to deliver his first Sunday blessing and an address calling for peace in Ukraine and Gaza. The last time he stood on the same velvet-draped ledge, the fragrant scent of white smoke was still hanging in the air and looks of shock permeated the crowd. Just days ago, the election of a US-born pope seemed almost impossible. But those gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday knew exactly what to expect – a pontiff who was born in Chicago, shaped in Peru and well-experienced in Vatican leadership. “Let us take up the invitation that Pope Francis left us in his Message for today: the invitation to welcome and accompany young people,” Leo said Sunday from the balcony, speaking in fluent Italian. “And let us ask our heavenly Father to assist us in living in service to one another.” “In today’s dramatic scenario of a third world war being fought piecemeal, as Pope Francis said, I too turn to the world’s leaders with an ever timely appeal: never again war!,” he said. Pope Leo called for an “authentic, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, as well as a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. He also called for humanitarian aid to be provided “to the exhausted civilian population” in Gaza. “I welcomed with satisfaction the announcement of the ceasefire between India and Pakistan, and I hope that through the upcoming negotiations we can soon reach a lasting agreement,” he added. He told the crowd he was there to deliver a message of peace and led the faithful in the Regina Caeli (“Queen of Heaven”) prayer for the first time, surprising those gathered by singing the prayer. The prayer is one of four Marian antiphons, or prayers to the Virgin Mary, which is said throughout the Easter season. About 100,000 people were gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the prayer, according to Vatican Media. The square was booming with music ahead of Leo’s address, as hundreds of musicians from around the world marched into St. Peter’s Square for a Jubilee of Bands, playing classic songs from their home countries and even pop songs like Village People’s 1978 hit “YMCA.” As he finished his address, loud shouts of “viva il papa,” or “long live the pope,” were heard among the tens of thousands of people. Flags from across the globe, including the United States, Mexico, Brazil and Spain, dotted the crowd. Pope Leo is indicated on Saturday that his papacy will follow closely in the footsteps of the late Pope Francis, setting out a vision for a church led be a missionary focus, courageous dialogue with the contemporary world and “loving care for the least and the rejected.” Leo is expected to lean in a more progressive way on social issues like migration and poverty but fall more in line with moderates on moral issues of Catholic doctrine. In his first meeting with cardinals on Saturday, the new pontiff said that he chose his papal name to continue down the path of Pope Leo XIII, who addressed “the social question in the context of the first great industrial revolution.” Leo XIII, who was pope from 1878 to 1903, had a strong emphasis on workers’ rights and Catholic social doctrine. Leo XIV also used his first weekend as pontiff to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, where he prayed at the tomb of Francis. He also traveled to an Augustinian sanctuary just outside Rome, the Madonna del Buon Consiglio (Mother of Good Counsel), in Genazzano, Italy. Leo is the first pontiff from the Augustinian order, which places an emphasis on service work and building community. He spent more than a decade leading the Augustinians as the prior general, giving him experience of heading an order spread across the world. Even larger crowds are expected to fill St. Peter’s Square during Pope Leo’s installation Mass, which will take place on Sunday, May 18. CNN’s Sharon Braithwaite and Christopher Lamb contributed to this report.

2025-05-10 12:01:55.107

Pope Leo XIV, formerly Bishop Robert Prevost, is seen by many as a beacon of hope for the Amazon region. His two decades spent working in Peru's countryside, coupled with his close ties to interfaith environmental networks and Indigenous organizations, have instilled confidence that he will prioritize the protection of the Amazon and fight against climate change. The Amazon faces numerous threats, including deforestation, illegal mining, and the effects of climate change. Prevost's background and his previous work with the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and the Pan-Amazonian Ecclesial Network position him to effectively address these challenges. Many Catholics believe his experience in Chiclayo, a city near the Amazon, was key to his selection. His commitment to environmental protection is evident in his past actions and statements, including support for Laudato Si', Pope Francis' encyclical on the environment, and his public advocacy for climate action. Indigenous communities and environmental activists express hope that he will be a strong ally in their fight to protect their lands and rights. The upcoming COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil, presents an opportunity for Pope Leo XIV to demonstrate his commitment to the Amazon and global climate action.

2025-05-10 06:00:55.278

On most days, the Sistine Chapel is one of the world’s busiest tourist destinations, but this week it served as the world’s most secretive polling station as 133 cardinals voted for the 267th pope. On Friday, the chapel was restored to its central purpose: A place of worship. There, the newly elected pontiff, Leo XIV, held a private service for the cardinals, marking his first Mass as the leader of the Catholic Church and its 1.4 billion members. Leo, a 69-year-old from Chicago – who was until Thursday known as Cardinal Robert Prevost – made history on Thursday when he became the first pope from the United States. It has often been said that cardinal electors would always shy away from choosing an American pope due to the outsized global political influence of the United States. It’s possible that Leo’s long experience in Peru – where he is also a citizen – may have mitigated those fears among the electors. Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Archbishop of New York, told reporters on Friday that Leo’s nationality was irrelevant in the decision-making process. “He’s the father of the church universal; where he came from, secondary,” Dolan said. Asked whether the cardinals chose Leo to counteract US President Donald Trump – who the pope’s predecessor Francis sharply disagreed with on a host of issues including immigration and climate change – Dolan said it was not a significant factor. “It should not startle us that we would look to Pope Leo as a bridge builder. That’s what the Latin word ‘pontiff’ means,” Dolan said. Cardinal Wilton Daniel Gregory, Archbishop of Washington, also dismissed the idea that the vote was a “counterweight” against the US president. The conclave was not “a continuation of the American political election,” Gregory said, adding: “It wasn’t an election conclave – it was a desire to strengthen the Christian faith among God’s people.” Leo alluded to that mission in his Mass on Friday, first speaking in his native English in thanking the cardinals for calling on him “to carry the cross” of the Catholic Church, before switching to Italian. Leo used his first homily to urge the priesthood to show humility and make itself “small,” a call that strongly echoes the priorities of Francis, who devoted much of his papacy to reaching the “peripheries” of the globe. He urged the church to continue its “missionary outreach” to the corners of the world where it is “desperately needed.” There have already been plenty of overlaps between Leo and Francis, from Leo’s choice of shoes to his apparent criticism of Trump’s stance on immigration. Leo’s brother, John Prevost, even said his brother will be like “a second Pope Francis.” But just how closely Leo will follow the Franciscan path is not yet clear. Leo’s past comment suggests he may tack more closely to traditional Catholic doctrine. Whereas Francis had made efforts to include women in ordained ministries, Prevost said in 2023 that he was not open to changing the tradition that confers priestly ordination only on men. Now they are no longer sequestered, some of the other voting cardinals have begun to explain why the conclave chose Prevost as pope. “It is clear from the speed with which Pope Leo’s election was done that Pope Francis had left the Church more united than naysayers would give him credit for,” Cardinal Arthur Roche, a British cardinal who voted in the conclave, told CNN. Roche said while there have been reforms across recent papacies, the conclaves have also opted for candidates offering continuity on the essentials of Catholic doctrine. “In Pope Leo we have a pastor of proven pastoral, theological and administrative experience combined with those human and spiritual qualities that are warmly welcoming and do not alienate,” Roche added. Although Friday is Leo’s first day as pope, his papacy will officially begin on May 18 with an inaugural Mass held in St. Peter’s Square. His first general audience with the public will be held on May 21. CNN’s Sharon Braithwaite and Eric Bradner contributed reporting.

2025-05-09 18:00:20.752

Pope Leo XIV celebrated his first Mass after his election, acknowledging the immense responsibility. His election surprised many, given the traditional hesitation towards an American pope due to the country's secular power. Cardinals described the quick decision-making process as a miracle, highlighting the unity achieved despite the diversity of the electors. The new Pope delivered a homily focusing on joyfully spreading Christianity.

2025-05-09 12:00:30.215

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Americans in St. Peter’s Square were stunned and joyous when they learned that an American cardinal, Robert Provost, was elected pope Thursday and had taken the name Leo XIV. “Who in our lifetime would have thought that we would see a North American Holy Father?” said Father Thomas Montanaro, an American priest with the Legionaries of Christ. Montanaro was among the many tens of thousands of people who filled St. Peter’s Square for the historic moment. Cheers of “viva il papa” and applause rippled across the crowd to celebrate the new pope. Father Darius Lawrence, a priest from California, said the announcement caught him completely off guard. “As an American, it’s a huge surprise,” he said. “I would have never expected an American to be named as pope. He wasn’t on any of the lists I’d seen — and I’d been looking into it a little bit.” The flags of many nations waved. But tellingly there very few American flags. The Americans had not come prepared. They also did not hear Leo speak to them in their native tongue. He used Italian to greet the crowds before turning to Spanish, using a language he used during years of missionary work in Peru, where he also obtained citizenship. Past popes have shaped the larger world beyond the Catholic Church, and it was not lost on some that Leo might too. ”I’m just hoping that the new pope can help steer us in a good direction and in terms of politics, you know, right now it’s very complicated,” said Andrea Gallardo, a Texan. “I’m just hoping that he’s able to rekindle a good relationship with our president and all the government officials so that we can start going into a good route, I would say.” In Washington, President Donald Trump said it was an honor for an American to be chosen. “What greater honor can there be?” Trump said. “We’re a little bit surprised and we’re happy.” Once white smoke started billowing out from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel, “an extraordinary influx of over 150,000 people” came from elsewhere in Rome to fill the square, police said in a statement. “I was at home, but as soon as the smoke went up, I put on my clothes and I came to the Vatican,” said Thomas Nicolini, 22, a Peruvian from Lima, who is studying economics in Rome. “I’m really happy about this. I know he’s American, but he was in Peru for a long time, 20 years. He worked in the region of Chiclayo. That’s a beautiful area, but one of the regions that needs lots of hope. So now I’m expecting that the new pope helps as many people as possible, and tries to reignite, let’s say, the faith young people have lost.”

2025-05-09 06:01:02.919

Cardinal Robert Prevost, a 69-year-old from Chicago with extensive missionary experience in South America, has made history as the first US-born Pope, Leo XIV. His election was met with widespread celebrations and congratulations from world leaders, including US President Donald Trump. From the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, Pope Leo XIV called for peace and paid tribute to his predecessor, Pope Francis. He is expected to continue Pope Francis' reforms, focusing on issues of poverty and marginalized communities. Friends and former colleagues describe him as serious, focused, and dependable, with a strong sense of service and a deep commitment to the disenfranchised. His views on women's roles in the church are nuanced, acknowledging the need for new understandings of leadership and service while expressing reservations about simply 'clericalizing women.' While his stances on the Middle East conflicts remain unclear, various international leaders and organizations have expressed eagerness to collaborate with him. A social media account believed to belong to the new Pope has surfaced, revealing past posts critical of certain political figures and their interpretations of Christian doctrine. His election is a significant event, particularly for the large Catholic population in the US, and his papacy is anticipated to be marked by continuity with Pope Francis' progressive approach while also forging his own path.

2025-03-29 18:00:58.525

Muslims around the world are celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the holiday marking the end of Ramadan. This year, the celebrations are occurring amidst significant changes in various communities. In Gaza, it is the second Eid since the start of the Israel-Hamas war, which resumed after a ceasefire ended. The renewed conflict has resulted in a devastating loss of life, exceeding 50,000 Palestinians according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Elsewhere, Syrians celebrate their first Eid since the end of Assad's rule, although the transition has been marked by violence. In the United States, some supporters of Palestinian causes have faced detainment. Eid al-Fitr traditions vary across the globe, with common practices including congregational prayers, family visits, gift-giving, and festive meals. In Indonesia, the "mudik" tradition sees a mass exodus to hometowns. Malaysia features mosque prayers, family visits, and the sharing of traditional foods. Egypt involves family visits, festive prayers, and children receiving "eidiya." In the US, celebrations often include community gatherings and activities for children.

2025-03-29 18:00:58.52

Carlo Acutis, born in 1991, will be canonized on April 27th. This tech-savvy teen, who died of leukemia at 15, combined his love of video games and computers with a profound faith. He created an online exhibit on Eucharistic miracles and dedicated his life to serving others. His path to sainthood began over a decade ago and was marked by two recognized miracles. Now, a million pilgrims annually visit his shrine in Assisi, drawn to his relatability as a modern-day teenager. Father Jacinto Bento highlights Acutis's accessibility as a role model, while Tomaso Barbon emphasizes his appeal to families. Acutis's canonization coincides with the Holy Year's jubilee for teens, solidifying his status as a relatable and inspiring figure for a new generation.