Author: Pilgrim Kompass Team

Peter’s Pence Report: A Year of Generosity and Giving By Antonella Palermo Every year, Peter’s Pence releases its annual disclosure report, showing the generosity of donors and the impact of their contributions. In the financial year 2023, donations increased by nearly five million euros compared to the previous year, reaching a total of 52 million euros. USA Leads in Giving Donations to the Peter’s Pence Fund come from various sources, including church collections, direct offerings, and bequests. In 2023, dioceses contributed the majority of the income at 64.4%, with the United States being the largest benefactor, contributing 28.1% of the…

Celebrating 60 Years of Diplomatic Relations between the Holy See and Rwanda On 28 June 2024, the Apostolic Nunciature to Rwanda came alive to mark the 11th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate and the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Rwanda. The event was a momentous occasion graced by government officials, diplomats, and members of the local Church. Embracing Human Fraternity and Peaceful Co-existence The celebration witnessed the coming together of government officials, led by Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who emphasized the importance of Pope Francis’ message of promoting human fraternity and…

Pope Francis Meets with Al Gore to Discuss Climate Change Recently, Pope Francis received a special visitor in a private audience at the Vatican. Former US Vice President, Al Gore, met with the Pope to discuss the pressing issue of climate change. Gore, who is in Rome for a three-day summit sponsored by his “Climate Reality Project,” commended the Pope for his influential encyclical Laudato sí, which played a crucial role in the adoption of the 2015 Paris Accords on climate change. The Holy See Press Office released a statement detailing the meeting, highlighting Gore’s praise for the Vatican’s commitment…

Embracing Faith and Hope: Reflections on the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time As we gather to celebrate the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, let us delve into the profound insights offered by Fr. Luke Gregory, OFM, on today’s liturgical readings with the theme: “Daughter, your faith has saved you”. By Fr. John Luke Gregory, OFM* In today’s Gospel account, we witness a poignant portrayal of the intertwined struggles with illness and death. However, rather than instilling fear or despair, this narrative invites us to discover the true remedy that transcends the mere limitations of earthly life. At the heart of…

Pope Francis Advocates for Peace and Prisoner Release Amidst celebrations of the return of ten Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces, Pope Francis made a powerful appeal for an end to all wars and for the safe return of all prisoners worldwide. During his Angelus prayer on the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the Holy Father specifically mentioned the release of two Greek-Catholic priests as part of the prisoner swap between Ukraine and Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk expressed gratitude to the Pope and Vatican for their assistance in the release of the…

Ukraine recently witnessed a heartwarming event as ten Ukrainian prisoners, including two revered priests from the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, were released by Russian forces. Among these priests were Fathers Ivan Levytskyi and Bohdan Heleta, who had been in captivity since November 16, 2022, leaving their loved ones in anguish. The news of their release was met with immense gratitude towards Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the unwavering efforts of the diplomatic community involved. President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his appreciation for all those who played a role in securing the freedom of the prisoners, highlighting the crucial role…

Dialogue Between the Holy See and German Bishops on Synodality in the Church A recent joint statement released by the Holy See and the German Bishops’ Conference signifies the ongoing dialogue initiated in 2022 to explore avenues for implementing tangible forms of synodality in the Church in Germany. Following Pope Francis’s directive, delegates from the Roman Curia and the German Bishops’ Conference convened at the Vatican for further discussions. The dialogue stems from previous interactions during the ad limina visit of the German bishops in November 2022 and subsequent meetings on 22 March 2024. Concrete Forms of Exercising Synodality The…

Experience Rome’s Magnificent Girandola Fireworks Display on 29 June! Celebrate the holiday of Santi Pietro e Paolo in Rome on 29 June with a stunning fireworks display that will illuminate the night sky in honor of the city’s patron saints, Peter and Paul. The Girandola spectacle will unfold over Castel Sant’Angelo at 9:30 pm, offering a mesmerizing 22-minute show that dates back to the 15th century, originating from the brilliant minds of Michelangelo and Bernini. This historical tradition has captivated the likes of Dickens, Belli, and Piranesi, inspiring artists and writers for centuries. For the best views, head to Lungotevere…

Linda Conchetto, tra le tre ammutinate alla maturità Che cosa succede quando una giovane studentessa decide di rifiutare l’esame orale della maturità? Linda Conchetto, 18 anni, ha fatto esattamente questo, sollevando un’ondata di discussioni e dibattiti sulla dignità e il rispetto nel sistema scolastico italiano. Linda non si è presentata all’orale, non per mancanza di preparazione o paura, ma per non accettare un giudizio che non rispecchiasse il suo lavoro e per opporsi alla mancanza di rispetto nei suoi confronti. Questo gesto, insieme a quello di altre due compagne, ha catturato l’attenzione dei media e diventato un simbolo di protesta…

The CAL: Building Bridges of Reconciliation and Inclusion Pope Francis recently met with the participants of the Plenary Assembly of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (CAL) and urged them to focus on building bridges of reconciliation, inclusion, and fraternity. He emphasized the importance of turning the concept of “walking together” from a mere phrase into an authentic pastoral experience. Embrace the Synodal Reform of the Church The Holy Father challenged the members and advisors of the CAL to address three key questions that are not only relevant in today’s world but also integral to the synodal reform that the…