During his visit, the pontiff revealed a permanent sign of his devotion to the place: a fresco depicting him praying that now adorns an upper cornice of the basilica.
The Vatican's top diplomat bowed and kissed the skull of a third-century Christian martyr during an elaborate ceremony in Sicily, a moment of reverence that quickly drew accusations of idolatry from critics online. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State and Pope Leo XIV's official representative, leaned forward and pressed his lips to the […] The post Cardinal Parolin kisses 1,700-year-old skull in ancient Catholic ceremony marking 900th anniversary appeared first on American Almanac .
The Vatican's top diplomat bowed and kissed the skull of a third-century Christian martyr during an elaborate ceremony in Sicily, a moment of reverence that quickly drew accusations of idolatry from critics online. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's Secretary of State and Pope Leo XIV's official representative, leaned forward and pressed his lips to the ancient relic of Saint Agatha during a ceremony at Catania Cathedral on August 17. He then placed a crown atop the saint's 14th-century gold reliquary bust as church bells rang across the archdiocese. The ceremony marked 900 years since Agatha's remains were returned to her birthplace from Constantinople in 1126. The skull, roughly 1,700 years old, had been temporarily removed from…Open
Actor Matthew McConaughey is once again hinting at a future in politics, this time after a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Italy that he says sharpened his thinking on faith, governance, and the moral stakes of artificial intelligence. McConaughey, who considered a run for Texas governor in 2021 but ultimately passed, told USA […] The post Matthew McConaughey floats political ambitions after sit-down with Pope Leo XIV appeared first on American Almanac .
Actor Matthew McConaughey is once again hinting at a future in politics, this time after a private meeting with Pope Leo XIV in Italy that he says sharpened his thinking on faith, governance, and the moral stakes of artificial intelligence. McConaughey, who considered a run for Texas governor in 2021 but ultimately passed, told USA Today in an interview published August 15 that the papal visit earlier this month left him more interested than ever in building what he called a values-based framework for public life. He stopped short of announcing a candidacy for any office, but his language carried the unmistakable cadence of a man keeping the door wide open. The actor, who describes himself as politically centrist, told the outlet he…Open
The pope also called for the international community to work toward advancing a two-state solution.
AI:Pope Leo XIV has issued a fresh plea for an immediate cessation of violence against Palestinians, continuing his recent pattern of addressing global instability through religious moral authority. Beyond calling for an end to hostilities, the Pope is urging the international community to move past current stalemates and commit actively to advancing a two-state solution in the region.Open
The elevation of Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and lifelong supporter of the Sox, was a godsend for a team failing on the field and with fans.
Pope Leo XIV will make his first trip to Latin America as pontiff in November, visiting Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru
'May God bless America!'
Pope Leo XIV accepted the Liberty Medal from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
The Pontiff received a special gift from a former member of his favorite baseball team.
The head of Latin America’s top development bank has made a case to Pope Leo XIV about the potential of rare earth mining