Christian world

Highlights of Pope Francis’ third day in Iraq

We relive at a glance the most beautiful images of the third day of the Pope's historic visit to Iraq. The Holy Father on Sunday visited the cities of Erbil, Mosul and Qaraqosh, where he renewed his call for fraternity, hope and peace.

Pope Francis arrives in Iraq

Welcoming Pope Francis on the tarmac was a group of religious and political authorities representing the many different realities of Iraq's diverse make-up, as well as a group of Iraqi citizens and two children with a posy of flowers for the Holy Father.

Patriarch John X of Antioch attended the Thanksgiving Liturgy, officiated by New Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Homs

His Eminence Mor Timotheos Matta Al-Khoury, the new Syriac Orthodox Archbishop of Homs, presided over the Thanksgiving Qurobo (Liturgy)

Vatican Radio turns 90: Carrying the Pope’s voice to the whole world

The Holy See’s radio station, commissioned by Pope Pius XI and designed and built by Guglielmo Marconi, turns 90 years old, and now speaks in 41 languages. The Managing Editor of Vatican Radio says this anniversary is being celebrated by inaugurating a new internet page and adding a web radio station.

The famous Old Catholic bishop and friend of the Serbian people Hans Gerny passed away

Retired Bishop of the Old Catholic Church in Switzerland, Dr. Hans Gerny, passed away on January 19, 2020, at the age of 84.

The Old Catholic Church mourns its very deserving and dedicated pastor, who even after his retirement took an active part in church and public life. Bishop Hans Gerny studied theology in Bern, Oxford and Paris. Before he became a bishop, he was a parish priest in several parishes and took part in various affairs of his Church. As the secretary of the International Bishops' Conference of the Old Catholic Church, he was especially committed in the field of inter-Christian church dialogue. In that sense, his striving for a closer relationship with the Orthodox Church was especially emphasized.

Christians invited to join virtually in prayer for 54th Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

The 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is celebrated from 18 to 25 January. During this period, Christians are invited to pray for reconciliation and unity within the Church.

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is traditionally observed annually from 18 – 25 January. However, in the southern hemisphere, where January is a vacation time, churches find another time during the year to celebrate it, for example around Pentecost which is also a symbolic time for the unity of the Church.