oktober 2024

In a solemn ceremony on October 20th, Pope Francis canonized 14 new saints during a Mass held in Rome amid the 2024 Synod on Synodality. This marks the 23rd canonization ceremony of his pontificate, bringing the total number of saints proclaimed by him to 926. The newly canonized include eight Franciscan friars and three lay Maronites, venerated as the “martyrs of Damascus,” who were martyred in Syria in 1860 for their unwavering Christian faith.

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Pope Francis Releases New Encyclical: The Holy Father published his fourth encyclical titled Dilexit Nos, focusing on the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He emphasized the transformative power of reflecting on Christ’s love for both personal and ecclesial renewal.

Catholic Population in Europe Shrinks:

Vatican data reveals a decline of nearly half a million Catholics in Europe in 2022, though the global Catholic population continues to grow, reaching 1.39 billion by the year's end.

Dialogue with Orthodox and Protestants:

«I Åndelig sang finner vi en syntese av hele den åndelige veien, fra begynnelsen helt til dets høydepunkt i det mystiske bryllupet, og dessuten en skildring av det lykkelige liv Brudgommen og bruden lever sammen etter at de endelig blir forenet. Det poetiske språket og den konkrete erfaringen det formidler, gjør at dette verket er mer tilgjengelig enn de systematiske og iblant noe tørre traktatene Bestigningen av Karmelberget og Sjelens mørke natt. Ingen kan unngå å oppdage den entusiasme som gjennomsyrer denne boken.