The creators of "The Chosen" announced that Season 4 will begin streaming on June 2 on the show's app and social media platforms, with subsequent episodes released on Sundays and Thursdays. Despite legal disputes with Angel Studios, which led to a delay, the show continues production on Season 5, focusing on events from Holy Week. Creator Dallas Jenkins emphasized the importance of accurately portraying these significant biblical moments.
A mob in Taxco, Mexico, beat a woman to death after suspecting her of kidnapping and killing an 8-year-old girl, just hours before the city's Holy Week procession. The mob formed after the girl's body was found, and security camera footage showed a woman and a man loading a bundle, possibly the girl's body, into a taxi. The mayor expressed outrage over the killing, and the state prosecutors' office confirmed the woman died of her injuries. The incident has cast a pall over the already solemn procession, and residents expressed frustration with the ongoing violence in the area.
A mob in Taxco, Mexico, brutally beat a woman to death after suspecting her of kidnapping and killing an 8-year-old girl, just hours before the city's Holy Week procession. The mob formed after the girl's body was found, and security camera footage showed a woman and a man loading a bundle into a taxi, suspected to be the girl's body. The mayor expressed outrage over the killing, and the state prosecutors' office confirmed the woman died of her injuries. The incident cast a pall over the religious procession, and residents expressed frustration with the ongoing violence in the area.
A mob in Taxco, Mexico, brutally beat a woman to death after suspecting her of kidnapping and killing an 8-year-old girl just hours before the city’s Holy Week procession. The mob formed after the girl's body was found, and security camera footage showed a woman and a man loading a bundle, possibly the girl's body, into a taxi. The mayor expressed outrage over the killing, and the state prosecutors' office confirmed the woman died of her injuries. The incident has cast a pall over the already solemn procession, and residents expressed frustration with the ongoing violence in the area, despite its impact on tourism.
Pope Francis broke with tradition by washing the feet of 12 women at a prison in Rome during a ceremony emphasizing humility, marking the first time a pope has washed the feet of women exclusively during the annual ritual. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been experiencing health and mobility difficulties, led the ceremony from his wheelchair, washing the feet of each woman, many of whom were in tears. This act symbolizes his vocation of service and humility, and is part of the Holy Week celebrations leading up to Easter.
Pope Francis broke with tradition by washing the feet of 12 women at a prison in Rome during a ceremony emphasizing humility, marking the first time a pope has washed the feet of women exclusively during the annual ritual. This act, which takes place on the Thursday before Easter, seeks to imitate Jesus Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet the night before he died. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been experiencing health and mobility difficulties, led the ceremony from his wheelchair, washing the feet of each woman, many of whom were in tears.
Pope Francis broke with tradition by washing the feet of 12 women at a prison in Rome during a ceremony emphasizing humility, marking the first time a pope has washed the feet of women exclusively during the special annual service. This foot-washing ritual, which takes place on the Thursday before Easter, seeks to imitate Jesus Christ’s act of washing his disciples’ feet the night before he died. Over the years, Francis has taken this ceremony out of Vatican territory and celebrated by washing the feet of prisoners, refugees, and the disabled, and in the early years of his pontificate, he changed church rules to officially include women in the ceremony, a move that initially faced resistance in the Vatican.
Pope Francis, during Holy Week, emphasized the importance of "compunction," a sense of remorse and repentance for one's sins, as a healthy acknowledgment of wrongdoing and sorrow for its repercussions, rather than an obsession with feeling unworthy. He urged Catholics to embrace compunction as a spiritual practice, emphasizing its role in fostering repentance, solidarity with others, and a deeper connection with God. The pope also highlighted the significance of priests' ministry and the need for them to embody love, mercy, and intercession for those who have strayed.
During his Wednesday General Audience, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of patience as a convincing testimony of Christ's love, acknowledging the difficulty in practicing this virtue but highlighting its significance in bearing witness to the Lord's love. He urged Christians to emulate Christ's patience, emphasizing that it requires going against the prevailing mentality of haste and impatience. The Pope encouraged contemplation of Jesus' patient example, calling on the faithful to seek help from the Holy Spirit in cultivating patience, especially during Holy Week.
Pope Francis broke tradition by skipping his annual Palm Sunday homily during Mass, citing no explanation for the change. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has been suffering from bronchitis and influenza, continued to preside over the service and read parts of the Mass before delivering the weekly Sunday Angelus message and blessing. He condemned the recent attack near Moscow and asked for prayers for those suffering in Gaza, Ukraine, and other areas of war.
Thousands of Christian pilgrims gathered at Jerusalem's Mount of Olives to celebrate Palm Sunday, despite the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The event, which marks the start of Holy Week, saw attendees waving branches and fronds in the air. The war's impact on tourism was evident, but pilgrims expressed a sense of peace amidst the tension. The celebration comes amid a surge in conflict across the region, with the Israel-Hamas war causing a downturn in tourism and affecting the lives of many in the area.
Pope Francis led the Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square, emphasizing Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem as a peaceful king. He chose not to read the prepared homily and arrived at the Mass in a wheelchair, but did read the prayers and offered a peace appeal for Ukraine and the victims of a terrorist attack in Moscow. The Mass was attended by an estimated 60,000 people, and the pope has a busy schedule for Holy Week, including presiding over various liturgies and devotions leading up to Easter Sunday.
Pope Francis skipped delivering his homily during Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s Square, citing frail health due to bad knees and respiratory problems. Instead, he pronounced prayers and offered a long appeal for peace, praying for the victims of the Moscow concert hall attack, the people of Ukraine, and Gaza. With a busy Holy Week ahead, including the traditional washing of the feet ritual and presiding over the Way of the Cross procession, the 87-year-old pontiff's health will be tested. This comes after battling a case of flu, bronchitis, or a cold throughout the winter, prompting occasional speech readings by an aide.
Pope Francis decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, citing his frail health due to bad knees and respiratory problems. This decision comes at the start of a busy Holy Week, during which he is expected to lead various ceremonies and services leading up to Easter Sunday. Vatican officials estimated around 25,000 people attended the Mass, and despite his health challenges, Francis is scheduled to participate in several upcoming events, including the traditional washing of the feet ritual and the Easter Vigil service.
A poster in Seville depicting a young, handsome Jesus wearing only a loincloth has sparked outcry, with some labeling it an affront to Christ and others finding it homoerotic. The artist, Salustiano García Cruz, defended the work, dismissing critics as old-fashioned and stating that the depiction is in line with sacred art traditions. The controversy has ignited a debate over how a resurrected Christ should be portrayed, with some calling for the poster's withdrawal and others praising it as modern and attractive.
