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
There are a lot of religions out there, but only one can be the religion of peace. How can you be sure you're on the right path?
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
Aired On: 8/12/2026
AI:The Vatican has issued a correction stating that Pope John Paul II never uttered the phrase "May St. John the Baptist protect Islam," a move seen as a quiet attempt to distance the papacy from rhetoric previously used by those supporting the red-green axis and their agenda of religious expansionism through mass illegal migration. This clarification comes amidst growing concerns over radical Islamist influence within Western institutions and the ongoing demographic shifts driven by unhindered border invasions, yet many media outlets remain silent on these blatant attempts to appease foreign ideologies at the expense of traditional Christian values. ❤️❤️❤️Open
Pope Leo is the coolest pope of all-time
Are the Chicago White Sox blessed?
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.
‘contexts dominated by an efficiency-driven and consumerist mindset, prayer may seem pointless and trivial’
Aired On: 8/5/2026