Vatican: pope, Russian leader want stronger ties

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev met at the Vatican on Thursday, stressing the need for better ties and the promotion of shared Christian values, the Holy See said. “I should learn Russian,” the German-born Benedict said following the half-hour private talk, although there was no indication that Benedict would…

Vatican Plans Colloquia, Party for Nonbelievers

VATICAN CITY, JAN. 26, 2011 (Zenit.org).- As part of a new initiative to promote dialogue between believers and nonbelievers, the Pontifical Council for Culture is planning three colloquia and a youth party in Paris. A Vatican communiqué announced the launch of the “Courtyard of the Gentiles,” an initiative proposed by Benedict XVI in an address to the…

Aide: Unity Requires More Than Tolerance

Father Lombardi Reflects on Ecumenical Week of Prayer  VATICAN CITY, JAN. 30, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Christian unity requires much more than simple tolerance and pluralism. True “conversion” is necessary, claims the director of the Vatican press office.  Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi made this observation during the most recent episode of Vatican Television’s “Octava Dies.” He reflected…

UK Prime Minister Acknowledges Pontiff’s Impact

Stresses Partnership With Holy See BIRMINGHAM, England, SEPT. 19, 2010 (Zenit.org).- U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron is underlining the impact of Benedict XVI’s visit, affirming that the Pope’s message has reached millions of citizens over the past few days. Cameron stated this in a farewell address to the Pope at the Birmingham International Airport. Today…

New Russia holiday marked as Kremlin boosts Church

MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia marked its adoption of Christianity in 988 on Wednesday with a new public holiday, the latest show of Kremlin support for an Orthodox Church that has grown increasingly powerful since the fall of Communism. Rights groups have criticized the new holiday, approved by President Dmitry Medvedev, as undermining Russia’s secular constitution…

Cuba takes another step in from the cold

ANDREW CLARK | NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – Jul 18 2010 10:14 The Cuban government has begun releasing jailed dissidents in a political concession brokered by the Catholic Church that could ease the way towards a gradual thawing of relations with the United States. Raul Castro’s regime agreed last week to free 52 activists once…

Vatican Diplomacy: Realism of Hope

Papal Visitors Show Church’s Patience, Says Spokesman VATICAN CITY, DEC. 14, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI met this month with leaders from three nations where the situation of the Church is touchy. According to a Vatican spokesman, these types of meetings reflect a principle of Holy See diplomacy: the realism of hope. Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi,…