Pope skips Good Friday procession to protect health, Vatican says

Pope Francis encourages forgiveness and love in visit to Verona

The pope also spoke of the ''genius of Shakespeare'' the playwright who set his famous Romeo and Juliet play in Verona.

Pope Francis speaks about struggles facing people of Haiti during Venice mass

The pontiff also voiced concerns about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and expressed concerns about the welfare of Rohingya, thousands of whom have fled a bloody military crackdown in Myanmar.

Pope Francis holds mass in St Mark's Square on first trip in months

Vatican Denounces Gender Theory and Surrogacy

Vatican Denounces, Gender Theory and Surrogacy. On April 8, the Vatican released a statement declaring that gender-affirming surgery and surrogacy are violations of human dignity that reject God's plan for human life. Associated Press reports that the Vatican's doctrine office released the 20-page declaration titled 'Infinite Dignity.' . The document, approved on March 25 by Pope Francis, includes a rejection of "gender theory," or the idea that a person's gender can be changed. It follows that any sex-change intervention, as a rule, risks threatening the unique dignity the person has received from the moment of conception, “Infinite Dignity” Vatican doctrine, via Associated Press. AP reports that the document has been criticized as outdated by LGBTQ+ Catholics who call its release harmful and contrary to recognizing the "infinite dignity" of all people. . While it lays out a wonderful rationale for why each human being, regardless of condition in life, must be respected, honored, and loved, it does not apply this principle to gender-diverse people, Francis DeBernardo, New Ways Ministry, via Associated Press. The Vatican document also denounces countries that criminalize homosexuality, echoing the pope's 2023 statement that "being homosexual is not a crime." . However, the document also lays out that surrogacy is also a violation of dignity of both the child and the surrogate mother. Previously, the Vatican has focused on the potential for the exploitation of poor women as surrogate mothers. . Considering this, the legitimate desire to have a child cannot be transformed into a ‘right to a child’ that fails to respect the dignity of that child as the recipient of the gift of life, “Infinite Dignity” Vatican doctrine, via Associated Press

Pope Francis calls for a ceasefire in Gaza during a blustery Easter Sunday Mass

Despite health concerns, the pontiff led the service in front of tens of thousands of people who had gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City.

WATCH: Catholics in Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile take part in Good Friday processions

Catholics in Ecuador took part in the Good Friday procession in central Quito, some of them wearing the traditional purple hoods known locally as "cucuruchos."

This Day in History: Pope John Paul II Is Shot

This Day in History: , Pope John Paul II Is Shot. May 13, 1981. Mehmet Ali Agca shot Pope John Paul several times in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Agca was a Turkish terrorist and fugitive wanted for the murder of a journalist. The Pontiff was rushed to the hospital and survived the attack, asking for Catholics to pray for the would-be assassin. In a trial considered extraordinary because of its short length, Agca was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. In 1983, Pope John Paul visited Agca in prison and publicly forgave him for the shooting. In 2000, the Pope requested a pardon for Agca, which was granted. Agca was released from prison. 14 years later, Argca returned to Rome to lay white roses on John Paul's tomb

Gaza War: Pope Francis calls for Gaza ceasefire as he leads Easter Mass | Oneindia

Pope Francis called for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in his traditional Easter message delivered following renewed concerns over the health of the 87-year-old pontiff. In the message, delivered in front of tens of thousands gathered at St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, Francis addressed the conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, condemning war as an “absurdity.” #GazaCeasefire #PopeFrancis #PopeFrancisGazaCeasefire #EasterMass #IsraelHamas #RussiaUkraine #WarCrises #PeaceCall #InternationalAppeal #GlobalConflict #HolyWeek ~HT.97~PR.152~ED.103~

Holy Easter Saturday celebrated across Europe

Pope Francis presides over the Vatican's Easter Vigil, as Germany's Easter peace marches call for end of war in Ukraine and Gaza.

Warnock Calls GOP’s Criticism of Trans Visibility Day ‘Opposite of Christian Faith’

Warnock Calls GOP’s Criticism , of Trans Visibility Day , ‘Opposite of Christian Faith’. This year, Trans Day of Visibility coincidentally fell on Easter Sunday. President Joe Biden was attacked by Conservatives for making a declaration about the day, as he does every year, because it fell on the Christian holiday. One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous and abhorrent" attack on the religion. . One of Biden's critics, Speaker Mike Johnson, called Biden's declaration an "outrageous and abhorrent" attack on the religion. . Senator Raphael Warnock, a reverend, has denounced GOP criticism, calling it the "opposite of the Christian faith," 'The Hill' reports. . Apparently, the Speaker finds trans people abhorrent, and I think he ought to think about that, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. This is just one more instance of folks who do not know how to lead us trying to divide us, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. This is the opposite of the Christian faith. Jesus centered the marginalized. He centered the poor, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. And in a moment like this, we need voices, particularly voices of faith, who would use our faith not as a weapon to beat other people down but as a bridge to bring all of us together, Sen. Warnock, via interview with CNN's Dana Bash. The White House also issued a statement. As a Christian who celebrates Easter with Family, President Biden stands for bringing people together and upholding the dignity and freedoms of every American, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement. Sadly, it’s unsurprising politicians are seeking to divide and weaken our country with cruel, hateful, and dishonest rhetoric. President Biden will never abuse his faith for political purposes or for profit, White House spokesperson Andrew Bates, via statement

Bibles Burnt Outside Tennessee Church on Easter Morning in the U.S. | Oneindia News

n a shocking incident, hundreds of Bibles were deliberately set ablaze outside an evangelical church in Tennessee on Easter morning. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this disturbing event. #Bible #BibleBurnt #US #USNews #USA #Bibles #Tennessee #TennesseeChurch #Easter #EasterCelebrations #EasterNews #Oneindia ~HT.97~PR.274~ED.194~

Bunnies, bells and fish! Behind France's Easter and April Fools' Day traditions

Nashville Restaurant Shooting: 1 Deceased, 4 Injured During Easter Brunch, Details Inside | Oneindia

Watch as we delve into the shocking shooting incident at Roasted, a popular Nashville restaurant, where one person lost their life and four others were injured during an Easter Sunday brunch. Learn more about the unfolding tragedy and the search for suspect Anton Rucker as authorities work to bring justice to the victims. #Nashville #NashvilleRestaurant #NashvilleShooting #ShootingatNashville #NashvilleRestaurantShooting #Easter #EasterCelebrations #EasterSunday #Oneindia ~HT.97~PR.274~ED.103~

Biden Greets Americans With Transgender Day Instead Of Easter, Sparking Criticism| Oneindia News

President Biden faced backlash for proclaiming Easter Sunday as Transgender Day of Visibility. Trump's campaign criticized it as "appalling and insulting," demanding an apology to Christians. Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy called it a "slap in the face," emphasising the importance of Easter. Biden's decision sparked debate over religious expression and transgender rights, highlighting the cultural and political divide in the United States. #Biden #JoeBiden #TransgenderDay #Eastersunday #Easter #HappyEaster #Christians #DonaldTrump #Worldnews #Oneindia #Oneindianews ~PR.152~ED.102~GR.122~HT.96~

European Commission chief von der Leyen visits Rome as campaign trail continues

Prior to her Monday meetings with Italian political leaders, von der Leyen was a guest on national TV, where she spoke about the need to defend Ukraine against Russia's aggression to preserve peace in Europe.