On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918 an armistice was declared, effectively ending one of the worst conflicts in history – World War I. But had the Central Powers and the opposing Allied Powers taken to heart Pope Benedict XV’s call for peace at the beginning of the […]
During the recent World Youth Day in Portugal, one of the 10 young people who had the unique opportunity to enjoy lunch with Pope Francis, Peruvian Clara Yacolca Farfan, 24, told Catholic News Service, “Some of us asked for his advice on how young people today can face some issues that are difficult, that are […]
“On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, ‘Peace be with you.’” And as if the once dead Jesus, appearing in their midst – with locked doors at […]
Over 21 years ago, when Catholic News Service offered me the wonderful opportunity to write a biweekly syndicated social justice and peace column, I wondered if there would always be enough to write about. But during my 11 years writing for CNS, and in the last 10 years as a self-syndicated columnist, God has always […]
During his conversation with journalists on his flight back to Rome from his recent pastoral visit to Bahrain, Pope Francis shared his thoughts on many of the world’s current human-made tragedies – including today’s numerous armed conflicts which reminded him of the World War II Allied military landings at Normandy, France. He said, “It was […]
War is deadly. While this is an obvious fact regarding those who fight, it is less obvious regarding the life and death plight of many noncombatants trapped within battle zones. And even less obvious are war’s deadly effects on countless poor people far removed from the fighting. The Russian-Ukrainian war is a case in point. […]
“Please, please, let us not get used to war! Let us all commit ourselves to imploring peace, from our balconies and in our streets! Peace!” Thus proclaimed Pope Francis in his Easter message“Urbi et Orbi” (“To the City and the World”). “May the leaders of nations hear people’s plea for peace,” he urged. “May they […]
In the days leading up to President Putin’s decision to order invading Russian troops into Ukraine, Pope Francis, in an apparent effort to jolt the conscience of the Russian leader, as well as the consciences of all of us, made this appeal: “Let us not forget: war is madness.” He lamented, “Those who wage war […]
As I write, war between Russia and Ukraine is dangerously close. I hope and pray that as you read this, war has not become a reality. War between Russia and Ukraine will be a total disaster. Many mostly young combatants on all sides will lie dead. Countless innocent children, women and elderly will have their […]
Was it good that the United States and its allies fought a 20-year war against the Taliban in Afghanistan? Was all of the blood, sweat and tears worth it? How can any honest, moral, objective view conclude that all of the money wasted, goodwill lost, Americans and allies killed, and countless innocent poor Afghan children, […]
