Showing 1 - 10 of 320
Braving high fuel costs, Filipinos flock to crucifixion spectacle
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» SAN FERNANDO (PHILIPPINES) - Hundreds of Filipinos and tourists flocked to a sun-bleached field north of Manila on Good Friday to witness one of the country's most blood-soaked displays of religious fervour, undeterred by rising fuel prices driven by the Middle East war.
In ritual dear to Francis, Pope Leo washes feet of 12 priests in Rome
AFP, Published on 03/04/2026
» VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV performed the ritual of washing of the feet for the first time on Holy Thursday, marking a return to tradition for the rite which his predecessor Francis used to perform for the homeless, prisoners and other marginalised people.
Israel PM restores access after Latin Patriarch blocked from Holy Sepulchre
AFP, Published on 30/03/2026
» JERUSALEM - Israel said the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem would regain access to Christianity's holiest site after the decision to block him from entering the Holy Sepulchre on Palm Sunday triggered international condemnation.
St Peter's Basilica gets terrace cafe, translated mass for 400th birthday
AFP, Published on 17/02/2026
» VATICAN CITY — Visitors to St Peter's Basilica will be able to follow mass in 60 languages and enjoy a coffee on a newly opened terrace as part of plans unveiled Monday by the Vatican.
Spain, Portugal face fresh storms, torrential rain
AFP, Published on 08/02/2026
» RONDA (SPAIN) - Spain and Portugal endured fresh storms and torrential rain that claimed another life Saturday, just days after the deadly flooding and major damage caused by Storm Leonardo.
Prominent Venezuelan activist released after over four years in jail
AFP, Published on 02/02/2026
» CARACAS - Renowned Venezuelan human rights activist Javier Tarazona was freed Sunday after more than four years in a notorious Caracas prison on charges including terrorism and treason.
Colombian president under fire for ‘Jesus made love’ claim
AFP, Published on 30/01/2026
» BOGOTA - A claim by Colombia’s left-wing president that Jesus “made love” to disciple Mary Magdalene has shocked the country’s many Christians, with the faithful urging him to show respect on Friday.
Trump's Christmas gospel: bombs, blessings and blame
AFP, Published on 27/12/2025
» WASHINGTON (UNITED STATES) - Christmas under Donald Trump brought air strikes abroad and political threats at home, as the US president used the holiday to project a vision of power rooted less in peace than in grievance, even as his top lieutenants leaned hard into their Christian faith.
Leo XIV celebrates first Christmas as pope
AFP, Published on 25/12/2025
» VATICAN CITY - Pope Leo XIV held the first Christmas mass of his pontificate on Wednesday, greeting thousands of faithful in St Peter's Square before the service in an usually informal style.
Bethlehem celebrates first festive Christmas since Gaza war
AFP, Published on 24/12/2025
» BETHLEHEM, Palestinian Territories - Scouts marched under a clear blue sky in Bethlehem on Wednesday, as the Palestinian city emerged from the shadow of the war in Gaza to celebrate its first festive Christmas in more than two years.