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Venerable John Paul I will now be declared “blessed,” after Pope Francis recognized a miracle attributed to his intercession. John Paul I was often called “the smiling pope.” He died unexpectedly, after just 33 days in office. A priority of his short pontificate was carrying forward the work of the Second Vatican Council.
Three seminarians were abducted from their seminary in central Nigeria this week. Bandits attacked the seminary Monday evening. Another six seminarians were injured. Nigeria has experienced an increase in kidnappings over the past several years due to conflict between herdsmen and farmers.
The dean of the Cathedral in Toledo, Spain, has submitted his resignation following the improper use of the cathedral for a music video. The music video featured sensual and provocative dances inside the cathedral. A Spanish rapper reportedly paid 15,000 euros for the use of the cathedral in the music video. The dean said the situation was complicated by communication failures.
In his general audience today, Pope Francis said the Catholic Church is universal. He said the Church embraces all cultures, because Christ died for all people. The pope based his reflections on Saint Paul’s letter to the Galatians, in which Saint Paul writes about true freedom.
Today is the feast of Saint Edward the Confessor. Edward was born in 1003. He was the son of the Duke of Normandy, and nephew of the King of England. He renounced worldly ambition to devote himself to God. He was called to the throne of England in 1042, and he dutifully accepted. He abolished an unjust tax, and was known to cure people with his touch.