NEWS
His Beatitude Patriarch John X from Balamand: "The journey of Great Lent is a journey of light and purification."
Balamand, March 16, 2025
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, emphasized the significance and sanctity of the days of Great Lent. His words came during the Sunday liturgy he presided over at the Monastery of Our Lady of Balamand. The liturgy was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Tarek Mitri.
His Holiness Pope Francis remains in stable condition with slight improvement
His Holiness Pope Francis is using high-flow oxygen therapy less frequently. The swelling in his hand, seen in the photo taken and published yesterday, has already improved.
Vatican News
On Monday evening, 17 March, the Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis who is receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital:
The Pope's condition is stable with slight improvements thanks to respiratory and motor therapy.
His Holiness Pope Francis approves convocation of post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly in 2028
His Holiness Pope Francis officially initiates a new phase in the Church’s synodal journey by approving an accompaniment process that will culminate in an Ecclesial Assembly in 2028.
By Isabella Piro
Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General of the Synod’s General Secretariat, has announced the convocation of a special post-synodal Ecclesial Assembly to be held in the Vatican in October 2028 as the culmination of a three-year process accompanying the implementation of the outcomes of the Synod.
In a letter addressed to all Bishops and Eparchs, along with the Patriarchs and Major Archbishops of the Eastern Catholic Churches, Cardinal Grech explained that the assembly will not be a new Synod.
His Holiness Pope Francis remains in stable condition, shows gradual improvements from therapies
His Holiness Pope Francis continues high-flow oxygen therapy, progressively reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night. The Pope still requires hospital medical care, as well as physiotherapy and respiratory physiotherapy.
Vatican News
On Saturday evening, 15 March, the Holy See Press Office issued the following medical update on Pope Francis who is receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital:
The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains stable, confirming the progress observed in the past week. High-flow oxygen therapy continues, progressively reducing the need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation during the night.
His Holiness Pope Francis’ condition remains stable as recovery progresses
Given the Holy Father's stable condition, doctors have not issued a medical bulletin on Friday evening. Noting that this is a "a positive sign" the Holy See Press Office thus informs that medical updates will be less frequent.
Vatican News
There are no significant developments in the clinical condition of His Holiness Pope Francis, who remains stable. For this reason, his medical team has decided not to release the scheduled bulletin on Friday evening.
His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates 12th anniversary with healthcare staff at Gemelli hospital
His Holiness Pope Francis celebrates the 12th anniversary of his pontificate with the medical staff of Rome's Gemelli Hospital, as he continues to follow the annual Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia.
By Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office updated reporters on the Pope’s condition on Thursday evening, as he marked the 12th anniversary of his election to the papacy.
In the afternoon, the medical staff brought a cake with candles to the Pope's room.
Meditation Of His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa : II Sunday Of Lent, C
Luke 9:28b-36
Today’s Gospel passage (Luke 9:28b-36) begins with some words that the liturgy omits. They are words that inform us that “about eight days after these sayings” (Luke 9:28) Jesus takes Peter, John and James with him and goes up the mountain and prays. We dwell on these first words: about eight days after these sayings. Luke does not say that the transfiguration takes place about eight days after some facts, some events, but eight days after some sayings.
What are the speeches about?
The discourses in question are told immediately before (Luke 9:18-27), and they are discourses about Peter’s confession of faith and the first announcement of Jesus’ passion and resurrection.
This is the first key to the story we hear today. For the evangelist wants to tell us that the experience of beauty and light that Jesus and his disciples have on the mountain is inextricably linked to the discourse of the cross and love.
A letter from His Beatitude Archbishop George of Cyprus to His Beatitude Patriarch John X:
"We stand by you and raise our prayers to the Father of Lights to cover Syria with His peace."
Damascus, March 12, 2025
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a letter of solidarity from His Beatitude Archbishop George of Cyprus. In his letter, His Beatitude expressed the Cypriot Church's support for the people of the Church of Antioch in the event of what happened on the Syrian coast. He affirmed that the Church of Cyprus joins prayers with the Church of Antioch, invoking the Father of Lights to send his peace to Syria and his comfort to souls and hearts.
A Solidarity Letter From His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew to His Beatitude Patriarch John X:
"We stand by you and join you in prayer for peace in Syria in the recent events"
Damascus, March 12, 2025
His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, received a letter of solidarity from His Holiness the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, Patriarch of Constantinople, New Rome. In his letter, His Holiness expressed the Ecumenical Patriarchate's support for the Church of Antioch in the recent events that have shaken the Syrian coast. His Holiness affirmed that the Church of Constantinople prays for the clergy and people of the Church of Antioch, asking the Lord and the Father of Mercy, to crown them with His mercy.
His Holiness Pope Francis continues treatment amid ongoing improvement
His Holiness Pope Francis had a restful night and is continuing his treatment and physical therapy, the Holy See Press Office said on Tuesday, the day after the Pope's doctors said his prognosis was no longer guarded even if he requires more time in the hospital.
By Vatican News
Pope Francis had a restful night and woke up about 8 a.m. this morning, according to a statement published on Tuesday morning by the Holy See Press Office. This morning, the Holy Father is continuing his treatment and his physical therapy for respiration and mobility, and followed, via video link, the Roman Curia's Spiritual Exercises.
His Holiness Pope Francis’s condition continues to improve
The Holy See Press Office says that recent improvements in the Pope’s health situation “have been further consolidated”, but notes that he will need to remain in hospital for several more days. His Holiness Pope Francis participates via video-link in both the morning and the afternoon sessions of the Curia’s spiritual exercises.
By Vatican News
On Monday evening, the Holy See Press Office provided the following update on Pope Francis’ health:
“The clinical condition of the Holy Father remains stable.
The Sunday of Orthodoxy at The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem
The First Sunday of the Holy and Great Lent, 24th February / 9th March 2025, was celebrated as the Sunday of Orthodoxy by the Orthodox Church, particularly by the Patriarchate of Jerusalem, in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
His Eminence Monsignor Iyad Twal Celebrates His First Mass In Beit Jala
His Eminence Monsignor Iyad Twal, the new Patriarchal Vicar in Jordan, presided over his first solemn Mass on the First Sunday of Lent, March 9th, 2025, at the Church of the Annunciation in Beit Jala. This celebration was held at the kind invitation of the Beit Jala parish and the Seminary. This celebration marked the first Mass celebrated by the new bishop in the Bethlehem Governorate, a region where he had served for most of his priestly years.
Several Bishops, Priests, and Sisters attended the celebration, alongside representatives from other churches, the diplomatic and civil corps, and a large gathering of the faithful.
At the beginning of the Mass, Father Hanna Salem, the Parish Priest of Beit Jala, warmly welcomed His Eminence Monsignor Iyad Twal with warm words full of fraternal love and acknowledgment. He recalled their shared years of study in the seminary of Beit Jala, which had contributed to the formation of generations of seminarians over the years. He also expressed gratitude to God for bestowing the gift of the episcopal ordination on his eminence, emphasizing that it is a joy to the seminary, which has produced many competent priests and bishops capable of carrying out the mission of service and pastoral care for God's people in the Diocese of Jerusalem.
Nightly Rosary for His Holiness Pope Francis’ health to move inside Paul VI Hall
As of Monday, March 10, the evening Rosary Prayer for His Holiness Pope Francis' health will be held earlier inside the Paul VI Hall to coincide with Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia.
By Vatican News
The faithful of Rome and pilgrims visiting the Eternal City who wish to pray for His Holiness Pope Francis can still gather in St. Peter's Square to participate via video link with officials of the Roman Curia inside the Paul VI Hall.
The Holy See Press Office announced on Sunday that the nightly Rosary will take place around 6:00 PM, following the conclusion of Vespers and the 5:00 PM meditation for the annual Spiritual Exercises, taking place on March 10-14.
His Holiness Pope Francis had quiet night, continues to rest at Gemelli hospital
His Holiness Pope Francis had a quiet night and is resting, as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office on Monday morning.
By Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office released a statement on Monday morning to provide an update on the Pope's recovery.
"“The Pope had a quiet night, and is resting," read the statement.
On Sunday, the Press Office said the Pope is following the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia via video link from his apartment in the hospital.
His Holiness Pope Francis: In deserts of poverty, volunteers offer signs of hope
Cardinal Michael Czerny, delegated by His Holiness Pope Francis, presides over the Mass for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering. He reads the Pope's homily for the occasion in which he praises those who volunteer for their "generosity and commitment" that offers "hope to our entire society."
By Tiziana Campisi
The fluorescent uniforms of thousands of volunteers in Rome for the Jubilee of the World of Volunteering stood out in Saint Peter's Square during the Sunday Mass presided over by Cardinal Michael Czerny. Thirty thousand people participate in the Mass on the first Sunday of Lent, and their colorful jackets created a chromatic spectacle, along with the purple liturgical vestments worn for the season of Lent.
His Holiness Pope Francis's health remains stable amid slight improvements
His Holiness Pope Francis continues to gradually improve as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to the Holy See Press Office on Sunday evening.
By Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office provided an update on Pope Francis' clinical condition on Sunday evening, noting that he followed the Spiritual Exercises of the Roman Curia via video link from Gemelli Hospital.
The Exercises began on Sunday afternoon in the Paul VI Hall and are being led by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap. He joined spiritually with those participating.
His Holiness Pope Francis thanks doctors for care, calls for ‘miracle of tenderness’
In his text prepared for the Angelus on Sunday, His Holiness Pope Francis invites everyone to care for those who are ill, and prays for the many people suffering due to violent conflicts.
By Devin Watkins
As he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis released the text prepared for the Sunday Angelus prayer, which was published by the Holy See Press Office.
The Feast of the Boilde Wheat miracle of Saint Theodore the Tyron at the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem
On Saturday of the first week of Lent, 23 February / 8 March 2025, the Patriarchate commemorated the boiled wheat miracle of Saint Theodore the Tyron at his Holy Monastery in the Old City of Jerusalem.
His Holiness Pope Francis resting following a calm night
His Holiness Pope Francis continues to rest on Sunday morning, 9 March, following a peaceful night. The medical update yesterday evening reported that his clinical condition is showing a good response to therapy.
Vatican News
The Holy See Press Office has reported that, "overnight was quiet and the Pope is resting." The message came on Sunday morning, 9 March, regarding Pope Francis who has been receiving care at Rome's Gemelli Hospital since 14 February.