John Paul

Pope installed as bishop of Rome, appeals to lapsed faithful

Rome: Pope Francis was formally installed as bishop of Rome on Sunday and he urged lapsed Catholics not to be afraid to return to God.

Francis celebrated a Mass before thousands of people in the Rome Basilica of St John in Lateran to formally take possession of the cathedral in his capacity as bishop of the Italian capital, his other major role along with the papacy.

Francis, the former archbishop of Buenos Aires, has indicated that he intends to embrace his role as Rome's bishop as well as leader of the 1.2-billion-member Catholic Church.

Since his election on March 13, 2013, he has referred to himself more often as "bishop" than "pope" and is expected to visit many of Rome's parishes, a practice he maintained in Buenos Aires....more    

Directors Ashiq and Anwar to get Mohan Raghavan Award

Malayalam directors Aashiq Abu and Anwar Rasheed will be honoured with the Mohan Raghavan Award for their films '22 Female Kottayam' and 'Usthad Hotel', respectively. The award includes a cash prize of Rs.25,000, a citation and a statuette. John Paul, head of the jury, announced the award in a press meet at Kochi on October 16. Both the directors will receive the award from Ganesh Kumar, former actor and currently...  

Sculpture of Pope John Paul II decried as ugly

Rome: A new, modernist sculpture of Pope John Paul II is turning into a monumental bust. The Vatican on Friday slammed the giant artwork outside Rome's Termini Train Station, saying it doesn't even resemble the late pontiff. Some Romans and tourists say the bronze statue looks more like Italy's wartime dictator Benito Mussolini than the widely beloved pope. "How could they have given such a kind pope the head of...  

Pope John officially beatified before huge crowd

Vatican City: The late Pope John Paul moved a major step closer to Roman Catholic sainthood on Sunday at a joyous ceremony that drew the largest crowd to Rome since his funeral six years ago. "From now on Pope John Paul shall be called 'blessed'", Pope Benedict solemnly proclaimed in Latin, establishing that his predecessor's feast day would be on October 22, the day of the inauguration of John Paul's...  

Rome: Pilgrims flock for John Paul beatification

Vatican City: Tens of thousands of people from around the world descended on Rome on Saturday for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, six years after his death. "It's almost as if he is here," said Enzo Arzellino, who travelled all night on a bus from southern Italy with his parish group to attend the beatification on Sunday. On Saturday, groups of pilgrims, many from the pope's native Poland,...  

Vatican: Pope John Paul's body exhumed

Vatican City: Pope John Paul's coffin was exhumed on Friday ahead of his beatification as tens of thousands of people began arriving in Rome for one of the biggest events since his funeral in 2005. The Vatican said the coffin was removed from the crypts below St Peter's Basilica while top Vatican officials and some of the late pope's closest aides looked on and prayed. Those present at the ceremony...  

Pope Benedict set to beatify John Paul II

Vatican City: Former Pope John Paul II will move a step closer to sainthood this week when his successor Pope Benedict approves the case for his beatification, Vatican sources said Wednesday. In "a few days" the Vatican's Prefect for the Causes of Saints, Cardinal Angelo Amato, is expected present Benedict with the evidence that John Paul performed a miracle and should be beatified, one source said. At that point Benedict...  

Sainthood still awaits Mother Teresa

Kolkata: Mother Teresa is revered in India and the around the world but her sainthood has yet to be declared. Mother House in Kolkata is abuzz with preparations for the birth centenary celebrations of the one many called the Messiah of the poor and needy. But even as Mother Teresa turns 100, the wait for her sainthood still looks a little distant. In October 2003, Mother was beatified by Pope...  

Man who shot Pope John Paul released from prison

Mehmet Ali Agca's motives for shooting the pope in 1981 remain a mystery. ...  

Kerala nun to be saint before Mother Teresa

London: The British press on Friday hailed late former cricket captain Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi not only as one of India's most successful Test captains but also a leading batsmen, who managed to averaged 34 in Tests despite having lost his right eye in a car accident. "The death of Pataudi has robbed cricket of one of its most popular and distinguished characters. Not only was Pataudi an inspirational captain...