Odessa, Ukraine Bishop Stanislav Shyrokoradiuk pulls no punches when asked about Russian President Putin’s motivation for invading Ukraine. “He’s possessed by the Devil. Putin’s a Satanist, plain and simple,” he says. “How else can you explain what he’s doing to Ukraine?” 66-year old Shyrokoradiuk is Bishop of Odessa and Simferopol. We meet at the magnificently restored Cathedral
Lviv, Ukraine. I met with Father Nesto Kysyk the same morning four Russian cruise missiles slammed into a military aircraft hangar on the edge of town. According to Ukrainian officials no one died in the dawn blitz, but a massive pall of ink black smoke drifted overhead – a shocking reminder to families here in
Returning to Iraq, a year after covering Pope Francis's trip, John Cookson asks why the Biden administration is cutting aid to the country's Christians
A year ago Pope Francis made an historic pilgrimage to Iraq. Journalist John Cookson covered the visit for the Catholic Herald and now he's returned to discover if the papal visit has changed the lives of the country's beleaguered Christians. This is the first of two reports.
Beleaguered Christian communities in the north of Iraq hope today's pilgrimage by the Pope will not only help the healing process but also draw world attention to their continuing persecution.
Francis and Sistani appear to share some traits, which could mean they’ll get on well going forward. They are close in age - Sistani is 90, Francis is 84 - and men both shun ostentation.
Pope Francis ended the first day of his historic trip to Iraq with hymn singing, clapping and white and yellow flowered-garland handed by well wishers shouting: "Long Live the Pope (Viva il papa! In Italian, localised in "Viva La Papa!)" as he entered the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad.
"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."
"It's indescribable," said one worshipper, 53-year-old Martin Scekes, who survived the bombing and decided to stay. Mr. Scekes told the Catholic Herald: "The Pope coming to see us will lift our hearts."
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