juni 2024

The Church in China: A Tight Rope Act

The Holy See and the People’s Republic of China have never had formal diplomatic relations. Under Pope Francis, the two have come closer than ever since the communist revolution of 1949. But it is still a complex relationship. An agreement found in 2018 allows both sides to influence the appointment of Catholic bishops. At the same time, the Vatican urged Chinese Catholics to join the official Church in China.

Swiss Guards: Serve & Protect

The most powerful weapon of the Swiss Guard

Before beginning the training regimen to become Pontifical Swiss Guards, potential recruits make a come-and-see visit to the Vatican. Leading this particular group was Alabardiere Nico Kaufmann, who guided them through the week’s activities.

“This morning, they were participating in a general audience. The potential recruits were able to witness how the Holy Father was going through Saint Peter's Square,” Nico said.

The Month of the Sacred Heart

June is the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. This year, the solemnity falls on June 7th. The date changes each year because it is celebrated on the Friday after Corpus Christi. Fr. Krzysztof Marcjanowicz, Undersecretary of the Dicastery for Divine Worship, highlights, “We see in the heart of the Lord Jesus the source of our sacraments, the source of our life, and the source of our healing.”

Hello and welcome to this week’s Vaticano Updates – the most important news from the Holy Father and the Vatican.

Top 1) Message for Migrants and Refugees

In his message for the 110th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, Pope Francis stated that encountering a migrant is akin to encountering Christ. He urged support and solidarity for the millions of refugees forced to leave their homes. The World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be celebrated on September 24, with the theme "God Walks with His People."

Top 2) Consecrated Life is an ‘Immense Gift’