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CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 20:05 pm (CNA).

The Syro-Malabar Church announced a significant leadership change on Saturday as Archbishop Joseph Pamplany was appointed vicar of the major archbishop for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly. 

With more than 5 million members globally, the Syro-Malabar Church is one of the Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with Rome. Based primarily in the southern Indian state of Kerala, it is the second-largest Eastern Catholic Church globally after the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. 

The appointment, confirmed by Major Archbishop Mar Raphael Thattil on Jan. 11, follows the First Session of the XXXIII Synod of Bishops held at Mount St. Thomas in Kakkanad from January 6-11. 

At the same time, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Bishop Mar Bosco Puthur, who had served as apostolic administrator since December 2023. Citing health concerns, he had initially submitted his resignation in September 2024, having served less than a year after his December 2023 appointment.

The leadership transition occurs as the Eastern Catholic Church continues to navigate a complex dispute over liturgical reforms, particularly regarding the celebration of Mass. The controversy centers on whether priests should face the altar or the congregation during the Holy Qurbana, the church's Eucharistic liturgy.

The church maintains its own distinct liturgical tradition, known as the Holy Qurbana, and enjoys autonomy in administrative and liturgical matters while recognizing the pope's authority. 

Archbishop Pamplany, who will maintain his role as Metropolitan Archbishop of Tellicherry, brings extensive theological expertise to his new position. Ordained in 1997, he holds a doctorate in Sacred Scripture from Leuven University and has served in various church leadership roles, including as Secretary of the Synod.

The appointment follows Pope Francis's repeated interventions in the liturgical dispute. He has directly intervened several times in the controversy, which centers on a debate about which direction the priest should face when celebrating the liturgy.

Protests against the adoption of a uniform liturgy have included a hunger strike by priests and the burning of effigies of cardinals.

In May 2024, the pontiff described divisions within the church as "the work of the devil" and urged maintaining unity. In 2023, he appointed Slovak Archbishop-Bishop Cyril Vasil' as a special delegate to help resolve the ongoing disagreement.

Archbishop Vasil' will continue serving as the pontifical delegate for the Archeparchy of Ernakulam-Angamaly, which serves over 600,000 faithful within the Syro-Malabar Church.

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CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 16:17 pm (CNA).

Pope Francis made an unannounced visit to Fondazione Roma on Jan. 11, where he praised the foundation's charitable work supporting humanitarian projects worldwide.

Founded on principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, Fondazione Roma is a cornerstone of Italy's philanthropic landscape.

During his Saturday afternoon visit to the foundation's headquarters at Palazzo Sciarra Colonna, the pope met with leadership and blessed a small chapel within the historic building, reported ACI Stampa, CNA's Italian-language news partner.

According to a statement released after the visit, Francis expressed gratitude for the foundation's "profound institutional commitment," emphasizing "the importance of providing free access across all sectors, especially in culture."

In a lighter moment, the pontiff underscored the value of humor in life, sharing his daily habit of reciting a prayer for having a sense of humor — often attributed to St. Thomas More — as he has in other encounters.

Foundation President Franco Parasassi recalled the pope's recent surprise visit to Palazzo Cipolla to view Marc Chagall's "White Crucifixion."

The foundation, established in 1500 as the Monte di Pietà di Roma through a papal bull of Pope Paul III, continues its mission of solidarity and subsidiarity through projects across five sectors: healthcare, scientific research, assistance to vulnerable social groups, education and training, and arts and culture.

During the visit, the foundation gave Francis an overview of their far-reaching humanitarian initiatives. These include disaster relief efforts in Argentina's Bahia Blanca region, aiding populations affected by recent devastating storms, and maternal health projects in Togo's Archdiocese of Lomé, where they are providing ultrasound equipment for pregnant women.

Additional initiatives address socio-healthcare challenges in Bethlehem, support war-affected populations in Lebanon and Ukraine, and strengthen traditional collaborations with Caritas and the Diocese of Rome, particularly aiding peripheral parishes.

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Buenos Aires, Argentina, Jan 11, 2025 / 13:00 pm (CNA).

The cause for canonization of Argentine businessman Enrique Shaw took another step forward this week as the alleged miracle attributed to his intercession passed the medical stage and will now be evaluated by a commission of theologians of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints.

The vice postulator of the cause and the military bishop of Argentina, Santiago Olivera, informed the Argentine news agency AICA of the development.

The prelate explained from Rome that the miracle "has passed the medical consultation, but we must be very cautious because the process continues with the commission of theologians and then with the bishops and cardinals."

"Once this happens, if everything goes well, Cardinal [Marcello Semeraro, prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints] will present to the Holy Father the permission to announce the decree of his beatification," Olivera added.

Although there are still several steps to take, the vice postulator indicated Thursday that "today was a very important day. It passed the medical phase regarding what was presented about the healing."

"We continue to pray," he said and encouraged the faithful "to wait and be very respectful of the following stages."

Who is the venerable Servant of God Enrique Shaw?

Enrique Shaw Tornquist was a layman, businessman, husband, and father. He was born on Feb. 26, 1921, in Paris. Shortly after, his family moved to Argentina.

He belonged to the Naval Military School, where he carried out an apostolate with great dedication.

In 1943 he married Cecilia Bunge, with whom he had nine children. In 1945 he asked to be discharged from the Argentine Navy for the purpose of becoming a worker and carrying out an apostolate among the working class.

He promoted the creation of the Christian Association of Business Leaders and died on Aug. 27, 1962, at the age of 41 from cancer.

In 1997, the preliminary stage for the opening of the canonization process began, and 10 years later the formal opening of the cause was presented.

The diocesan phase was concluded in 2013, and in 2014 the documentation was sent to Rome.

In 2020, documents were submitted in Rome for the diocesan investigation into the alleged miracle attributed to the intercession of Shaw.

On April 24, 2021, Pope Francis approved the decree that recognizes Shaw's heroic virtues, declaring him "venerable."

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 07:15 am (CNA).

Pope Francis kicked off the first Saturday Jubilee audience of 2025 by urging pilgrims to embrace hope as a divine strength that enables new beginnings, drawing inspiration from St. John the Baptist.

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in the Vatican's audience hall on Jan. 11, the pontiff emphasized that hope is not merely a character trait but rather a theological virtue that represents "strength to be asked for" from God.

"Many of you are here in Rome as 'pilgrims of hope,'" Pope Francis said.

"Indeed, the Jubilee is a new beginning, the possibility for everyone to start anew from God. With the Jubilee we start a new life, a new phase."

The pope highlighted how the Latin word "virtus" means strength, explaining that hope, therefore, comes as a gift from God rather than existing as a mere habit or personality characteristic.

The Catholic Church teaches that hope is one of the three theological virtues — along with faith and charity — which God pours into the hearts of the faithful.

Drawing connections to the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord on Sunday, Francis reflected on John the Baptist as a "great prophet of hope," noting how people flocked to him "longing for a new beginning."

"Just as we today pass through the Holy Door, so John proposed to cross the river Jordan, entering the Promised Land as Joshua had done the first time," the pope said, connecting the biblical narrative to the current Jubilee Year.

Pope Francis concluded with special greetings to English-speaking pilgrims, invoking God's blessings of "wisdom, strength and peace" upon them and their families.

The Jubilee audience marked the beginning of regular Saturday gatherings that will welcome pilgrims from around the world throughout the Holy Year 2025.

The first major calendar event of the 2025 Holy Year is the Jubilee of the World of Communications, scheduled for Jan. 24–26. The Vatican expects thousands of journalists and media professionals from around the world to come to Rome for the occasion.

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Bethany Beyond the Jordan, Jan 10, 2025 / 18:10 pm (CNA).

The Jan. 10 inauguration of a vast church on the very spot where Jesus Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist in the Jordan River was an event of significant symbolic importance, both spiritually and diplomatically. 

It also reflected the Hashemite kingdom's determination to establish itself as an essential stop-off point for pilgrims to the Holy Land as well as a haven of peace for the world's Christian faithful, who are increasingly reluctant to travel to a region torn apart by geopolitical and ethnic-religious conflicts. 

"So many biblical events and figures meet here that we could say that this place embraces the entire expectation of the Old Testament as directed to the coming of Christ, the manifestation of the Father," said the Vatican's secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, at the ceremony of consecration of the altar on Friday morning, also attended by the patriarch of Jerusalem, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, grandson of King Talal of Jordan and cousin of King Abdullah II of Jordan. 

Initiated following the donation by the king of a 30,000-square-meter (almost-7.5-acre) plot of land on the outskirts of the historic site of Al-Maghtas (also known as Bethany Beyond the Jordan, in the Qafra region) in 2003, the project was completed just in time for the silver jubilee of the grand annual pilgrimage, which for the past 25 years has taken place every January around the feast of the Baptism of Christ. This jubilee also coincides with the celebrations of the Catholic Church's 2025 Jubilee.

One of the largest churches in the Middle East

The whole historic baptism site was identified and classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site some 20 years ago. It has since then been the subject of extensive enhancement work carried out by the Jordanian authorities and transformed into a natural tourist park that is still in expansion.

Run by the Congregation of the Incarnate Word (IVE), the new Catholic church covers an area of approximately 2,200 square meters (almost 24,000 square feet) and is now one of the largest in the Middle East, alongside the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. It is the fruit of several years' collaboration between the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Jordanian architect Nadim Muasher, a member of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre. It was Pope Benedict XVI who, during a visit to Jordan in 2009, laid the foundation stone for the building, alongside King Abdullah II.

The project, funded by the patriarchate and a number of charities, also benefited from a donation of almost 1 million euros from the Hungarian government through its "Hungary Helps" program, designed to support Christian communities in difficulty around the world.

The church was built of "tafouhi," a yellowish stone from Hebron in the West Bank, while its stained-glass windows were made in Lebanon in a style intended to resemble that of the medieval Chartres Cathedral in France. The altar consecrated by Parolin at the inaugural Mass houses the relics of St. John Paul II and the Holy Martyrs of Damascus. The ceremony was attended by some 6,000 faithful — including about 1,000 inside the building — according to an estimate by the Jordan Tourism Board. Among them were approximately 100 priests and 15 bishops from several countries.

Renewing our baptism

Parolin's homily focused on the mystery of a God who chose to offer himself as a sacrifice for the salvation of mankind. Drawing an analogy with the fact that this Jordanian region is considered the lowest geographical point in the world, the cardinal pointed out that "it is precisely here that God came to meet us, as if to gather into his embrace also those from afar" and that "God's providence has also seen to it that the Church we consecrate today shares the same axis as the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem."

Recalling that baptism marks "the beginning of immortal life in us," he also called for this place to become "a privileged place for all believers to renew their own baptism and their commitment," especially during the holy year that has just begun. 

In fact, the new church has also been designated as a place of pilgrimage for believers, who can receive a plenary indulgence during the 2025 celebrations that have the theme "Pilgrims of Hope."

Closeness with Middle Eastern Christians

Parolin also stated that his presence at this symbolic event was intended to offer "a tangible sign of closeness" from the whole Church toward the Christian communities of the Middle East, especially in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that has been raging on the other side of the Jordan River since October 2023 and which has involved neighboring countries, especially Lebanon.

The fate of Christians in the region has been made even more uncertain by the recent fall of Bashar Assad's regime in neighboring Syria to radical Islamic groups. 

"I would like to encourage everyone not to be overwhelmed by the grave difficulties of the present time and to trust that God guides human history, however much it bears the scars of violence, sin, and death," Parolin said. 

Echoing his subsequent call for peace and the release of prisoners and hostages, Pizzaballa urged prayer for "all those who suffer in their countries due to a lack of security, stability, and peace," stressing that Jordan was an exception in the region.

Efforts to preserve Christian heritage

This country with a strong Muslim majority (97%), which nevertheless boasts numerous biblical pilgrimage sites, has borne the brunt of the ongoing conflicts, seeing its tourist numbers drop by almost 70% over the past year. 

"We dedicate this church to be at the service of Jordanian citizens in the first place and to serve the people of the Arab region who make pilgrimages to Jordan," Pizzaballa said during a press conference prior to the dedication Mass, adding that he also wanted to extend an invitation to other friendly countries. "Come, and do not be afraid," he said. "Jordan is a safe and stable country." 

And to encourage the country's Christians (2.1%) — who have historically formed a socioeconomic elite — not to emigrate and to persuade tourists from the Christian world, particularly the West, to visit, the Hashemite authorities have strongly engaged in a series of ambitious heritage restoration and enhancement projects. They hope these initiatives will make the kingdom an essential stopover for pilgrims to the Holy Land.  

In an interview with the National Catholic Register, CNA's sister news partner, on the eve of the inauguration of the Baptism Church, Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, the apostolic nuncio to Jordan, praised the government's efforts to promote the Christian presence in the territory. He cited as an example the speed with which it approved a financing plan for the complete restoration of the archaeological site of Machaerus, the place of imprisonment and execution of St. John the Baptist, which had been left to decay for decades. 

"Jordan is much to thank for the humanitarian aid and diplomatic mediation it has provided in recent years in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and this may have overshadowed other notable aspects," he said. 

He also sees in these lasting commitments a beneficial opportunity for rapprochement between this country, which plays a strategic role in the region, and the Christian world.

"This policy above all reveals and values what Jordan is and possesses," he concluded, adding that it sounds like an effective reminder that "Christianity is not something foreign to the Arab world but is an integral part of it." 

This reminder is all the more crucial, in his view, as this re-rooting in a centuries-old history is the key guarantor of the region's stability.

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CNA Staff, Jan 10, 2025 / 14:50 pm (CNA).

Fires in suburban Los Angeles are continuing to burn and lay waste to entire neighborhoods as Archbishop José Gomez on Thursday urged Catholics to remember the preciousness of human life and to make themselves "instruments" of God amid the devastation. 

The prelate delivered the remarks in a homily at a special Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in downtown Los Angeles. The cathedral sits just over a dozen miles from the outer edges of the Eaton Fire, which is burning northeast of the city center.

"These are difficult and challenging days for our city and county and our local Church," the archbishop said. "As we pray, the wildfires keep burning around us and, as we know, the damage continues to be devastating."

"We are reminded today how precious every life is, and how fragile," he continued. "We are reminded also that we are brothers and sisters, that each of us — we all belong to the family in God."

Raising the question of why God "let[s] evil things happen," the prelate admitted, "there is no easy answer."

"But that doesn't mean that there are no answers," he said, arguing that "love is what is asked of us in this moment."

"In this moment, God is calling each of us to be the instruments through which he shows his love and compassion and care to those who are suffering," the archbishop said. 

Family's Virgin Mary statue survived blaze

Much of the archdiocese has been left reeling amid the fires, which have destroyed blocks of homes in the city and left countless buildings in ruins. 

The fires began on Tuesday and quickly spread via dry conditions and hurricane-force Santa Ana winds blowing in from the east. On Friday multiple fires were raging unchecked across thousands of acres as firefighters worked to get the blazes under control. 

Among the destroyed structures was Corpus Christi Catholic Church. Los Angeles resident Sam Laganà told Angelus News, the magazine of the archdiocese, that the destruction was "too much" and "overwhelming." 

Laganà is well known in the area for providing the "stadium voice" for the Los Angeles Rams. He grew up in the Corpus Christi Parish and was catechized there. 

He told Angelus that as the fires began earlier this week he was "using water from garden hoses and his backyard jacuzzi to put out the flames encircling his home of 28 years," the magazine reported. 

"As I was leaving, I was trying to defend my home and hoping to keep the [Corpus Christi] school from catching on fire by watering down the hillsides," he said. The school was mostly spared from destruction. 

Corpus Christi parishioner Rick McGeagh, meanwhile, told Angelus that his family discovered on Wednesday that their house had burned to the ground. 

The "sole part of his home left standing," however, was a Virgin Mary statue the family first installed when they moved in nearly 30 years ago. 

"That statue belonged to my grandmother, who died in 1997," McGeagh told the magazine. 

"The fact that she survived, when everything, even our Viking stove, burned down, I think is miraculous. There's no way to explain that."

The Los Angeles resident attended the archbishop's Mass at the downtown cathedral, which he described as an "easy choice."

"I need God's strength, as we all do," he said. "We're all going to have a tough road ahead to rebuild our homes, and Monsignor [Liam Kidney]'s got to rebuild [the Corpus Christi Parish], and he's not alone. We'll be there to help."

Kidney, who has been pastor of the parish since 1999, told the news outlet that the destruction of the parish — and thus of his home of nearly a quarter-century — "still hasn't sunk in yet." 

But the priest said the tragedy would ultimately work for good for a parish that is still reeling from the COVID-19 crisis nearly five years ago. 

"COVID kind of ripped us apart," he said. "This is going to bring us together."

Deacon, parishioners save parish as fires rage

In at least one other instance a parish was saved by quick-thinking parishioners who luckily had the resources to protect it. 

Angelus reported that Deacon José Luis Díaz and a group of parishioners worked to save Sacred Heart Church in Altadena from the fires. That effort involved breaking roof tiles and using a low-pressure garden hose to keep the flames at bay. 

Though the heroic parishioners saved the church, Diaz told Angelus that much of the rest of the city resembles a war zone. 

"It looks like we're in the middle of a battlefield. Everything is wiped out," he said. "There are so many burned homes gone, with only the chimney left."

Federal rescue workers have been on hand to assist state and local responders in battling the blazes. Helicopters have been visible throughout the week dumping water on walls of flame just feet from homes. California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Tuesday declared a state of emergency over the fires. 

President Joe Biden canceled his upcoming visit to Italy — what would have been the final diplomatic trip of his presidency and which included a planned meeting with Pope Francis — in order to address the ongoing deadly wildfires in Southern California.

The archdiocese, meanwhile, is working with local Catholic agencies to bring resources to those affected by the fires. The archdiocese has set up a donation portal to receive funds to help the community "recover and rebuild."

In his homily on Thursday, Gomez said Catholics in Los Angeles "must be the ones who bring comfort to our neighbors in this time of disaster." 

"And we must be the ones also who stand by their side and help them to rebuild and go forward with courage and faith and hope in God," he said. "Let us pray for them."

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Madrid, Spain, Jan 10, 2025 / 08:00 am (CNA).

During the Jan. 8 general audience held in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Pope Francis and those in attendance enthusiastically enjoyed a circus performance that included acrobatics and the unexpected appearance of two animatronic elephants, which quickly became the center of attention.

The picture of the Holy Father with the elephants inevitably evokes the memory of Annone, a majestic 4-year-old albino elephant from India, who five centuries ago was the pet of Pope Leo X and lived in the Vatican Gardens.

In the Spanish-language book "The Vatican As It Has Never Been Told to You," journalist Javier Martínez-Brocal narrates the details of the unusual friendship between the pontiff who belonged to the Medici family and this elephant that crossed the seas from Lisbon to Italy as a gift from King Manuel I of Portugal.

Manuel de Aviz gave this imposing animal to the successor of St. Peter to celebrate the beginning of his pontificate. The name Annone referred to the Carthaginian general who in the First Punic War opposed fighting against Rome. Therefore, according to Martínez-Brocal, "it was a poetic way of presenting himself as a cordial ally."

Members of the Curia and Roman citizens crowded the streets to witness Annone's arrival, who was greeted by the pope himself near Castel Sant'Angelo. In a carefully prepared reception, and after receiving a signal from its trainer, the elephant knelt three times before Leo X. The pontiff reigned from 1513–1521.

Then the animal filled its trunk with water and spewed it over the cardinals and the people, drawing laughter and applause. The elephant became a symbol in Rome, parading in processions and special events, although only the pontiff's most trusted men were allowed to approach it.

The animal lived in the Vatican Gardens in the Belvedere area, although it was later moved to an enclosure in the passageway that connects Castel Sant'Angelo with the Vatican. Annone died two years after his arrival due to angina pectoris. The story goes that Leo X himself accompanied him in his last moments and that he was buried in the Cortile del Belvedere, a complex of buildings north of St. Peter's Basilica.

His memory was honored by the pope himself, who went so far as to compose an epitaph about him. Even the famous painter Raphael, whose studio was close to where the animal lived, immortalized, in at least four sketches, the white elephant that amazed Rome.

The monk Friar Giovanni da Verona also painted a drawing of the pachyderm, which can now be seen in the Vatican Museums, in one of Raphael's rooms. Annone also inspired the American historian Silvio Bedini, author of the book "The Pope's Elephant."

A year after Annone's arrival in Rome, Manuel I of Portugal gave Pope Leo X  another exotic animal named Ganda, a rhinoceros from India that he had received as a gift from a Gujarati sultan.

But Rome never saw Ganda, as the vessel carrying the animal was shipwrecked near Genoa.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, CNA's Spanish-language news partner. It has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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CNA Staff, Jan 10, 2025 / 06:00 am (CNA).

The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (COP), a major U.S. Jewish organization, recently called on Pope Francis, who has frequently called for peace and decried the targeting of civilians, to "refrain from making incendiary comments" about the war between Israel and Hamas.

Leaders of the group said in a letter dated Dec. 30 that they are concerned about recent comments Pope Francis has made "regarding Israel's defensive war against Hamas."

"We appreciate and share your concern for the suffering of innocent civilians and desire to spread peace and compassion around the world. However, statements you have made … only serve to distort Israel's legitimate military campaign and fuel antisemitism and unjust targeting of the Jewish state," the leaders wrote, referring to comments he made during his Christmas address to the Roman Curia on Dec. 21.

"Yesterday the [Latin] patriarch [of Jerusalem] was not allowed into Gaza, as had been promised; and yesterday children were bombed. This is cruelty. This is not war. I wanted to tell you this because it touches my heart," the pope said as reported by the Vatican.

The pope's statement "does not acknowledge Israel's right to defend itself in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 massacre where Hamas terrorists murdered 1,200 innocent civilians and took 251 hostages, 101 of whom still remain captive," the Jewish leaders wrote.

"Further, it does not acknowledge Hamas' use of human shields and civilian infrastructure for terror purposes, putting the entire population of Gaza at risk."

This is not the first time that a Catholic leader's statements on the Israel-Hamas war have drawn criticism. Israel's embassy to the Holy See in June defended Israel's "right to defend itself" following a statement by Catholic leaders in the Holy Land that suggested Israel's ongoing campaign in Gaza is not a "just war."

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Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jan 9, 2025 / 18:20 pm (CNA).

U.S. President Joe Biden praised former President Jimmy Carter's character and referred to him as a "good and faithful servant of God" in his eulogy of the country's 39th president during a funeral service at Washington National Cathedral on Thursday, Jan. 9. 

"The man had character," Biden said during the service, which was attended by every living former U.S. president, numerous lawmakers, six Supreme Court justices, several celebrities, and Carter's family. 

"Jimmy held a deep Christian faith in God," Biden said. "Faith founded on commandments of Scripture: Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart and all thy mind and all thy soul and love thy neighbor as thyself. Easy to say, but very, very difficult to do."

Biden, the nation's second Catholic president, was one of several people to eulogize Carter, a lifelong Baptist. Various speakers referenced Carter's legacy both in and out of public office, his peace and humanitarian efforts, and his faith in Christ.

Three of Carter's grandchildren spoke at the service, as did Steven Ford, the son of former President Gerald Ford; and Ted Mondale, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale, who both read eulogies drafted by their fathers, both of whom died before Carter.

Biden, who was one of the first elected officials outside of Georgia to endorse Carter's 1976 presidential campaign, said that endorsement was based on "Jimmy Carter's enduring attribute: character, character, character."

"Through it all, he showed us how character and faith start with ourselves and then flow to others," Biden said. "At our best, we share the better parts of ourselves: joy, solidarity, love, commitment. Not for reward, but in reverence to the incredible gift of life we've all been granted to make every minute of our time here on Earth count. That's the definition of a good life — the life Jimmy Carter lived in his 100 years."

The service included Christian hymns such as "Amazing Grace," "Be Still My Soul," and "Eternal Father, Strong to Save." The service also included the song "Imagine" by John Lennon, which is not a Christian song but rather includes the lyrics "imagine there's no heaven" and "no religion too." 

Although Carter had spoken positively of the song during his lifetime, to many observers, such as Bishop Robert Barron, the selection struck a discordant note.

"Vested ministers sat patiently while a hymn to atheistic humanism was sung," Barron said in a post on X. "This was not only an insult to the memory of a devoutly believing Christian but also an indicator of the spinelessness of too much of established religion in our country."

Carter's grandson, James Carter, offered the Gospel reading from Matthew 5:1-16, which includes the Beatitudes.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted," he read in part. "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. … Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

One of Carter's other grandsons, Josh Carter, read verses from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans, which he said was the bedrock of his grandfather's faith. 

"There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus because through Christ Jesus the law has set me free from the law of sin and death," he read from Romans 8:1-18. "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin and sinful man in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature, but according to the spirit."

As a national figure, President Carter was known for speaking often about his Christian faith and spent much of his life engaged in humanitarian work. However, he also supported legal abortion and later in life expressed his support for homosexual marriage.

Family, friends remember Carter's legacy and faith

In addition to reading from Romans, grandson Josh Carter spoke at length about his grandfather's many decades of humanitarian work and teaching Sunday school, which he described as a central part of his life.

"My grandfather spent the entire time I've known him helping those in need," Josh Carter said. "He built houses for people in need of homes. He eliminated diseases in forgotten places. He waged peace anywhere in the world, wherever he saw a chance. He loved people. And whenever he told these stories in Sunday school, he always said he did it for one simple reason: He worshipped the Prince of Peace."

Steven Ford, the son of former President Gerald Ford, read the eulogy for Carter that his father wrote before his own death. Carter defeated Ford in the 1976 election and the eulogy noted the formerly fierce competition between the two but also "one of my deepest and most enduring friendships."

"It was because of our shared values that Jimmy and I respected each other as adversaries, even before we cherished one another as dear friends," the eulogy read. "... Jimmy learned early on that it was not enough merely to bear witness in a pew on a Sunday morning. Inspired by his faith, he pursued brotherhood across boundaries of nationhood, across boundaries of tradition, across boundaries of caste. In America's urban neighborhoods and in rural villages around the world, he reminded us that Christ had been a carpenter." 

Ted Mondale, the son of former Vice President Walter Mondale who served under Carter, also read his father's eulogy, which focused on the 39th president's Christian faith and his support for human rights globally. 

"Carter was a devout Christian who grew up in a small town and was active in his faith for almost every moment of his life," the eulogy read. "I was also a small-town kid who grew up in a Methodist church where my dad was the preacher and our faith was core to me, as Carter's faith was core to him. That common commitment to our faith created a bond between us that allowed us to understand each other and find ways to work together."

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ACI MENA, Jan 9, 2025 / 15:00 pm (CNA).

The Jordanian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced this week the opening of a historical exhibit in Vatican City titled "Jordan: Dawn of Christianity." This pioneering event aims to explore the origins of Christianity in Jordan.

The announcement was made at a special press event at the St. Regis Hotel in Amman on Wednesday, Jan. 8, and provided a glimpse into the upcoming exhibit, which will run Jan. 31 through Feb. 28 in the Vatican's Palazzo della Cancelleria. 

During the press conference, Jordanian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab said the exhibit, organized in cooperation with the Vatican, marks a significant event coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Jordan and the Vatican.

The exhibit will feature over 90 unique artifacts ranging from intricate mosaics to ancient symbols, offering an interactive experience for visitors to learn about the evolution of Christianity in Jordan — from the baptism of Jesus Christ, through the Byzantine era, and to the Islamic and Hashemite periods.

The exhibit will also celebrate the 2025 Jubilee under the theme "Pilgrimage of Hope."

Annab highlighted one of the exhibition's key pieces — the fish symbol — considered one of the rarest symbols in Christian history, noting that the exhibit serves as an open invitation for the world to discover the history of religions in Jordan.

Visitors to the exhibit will be taken on a journey to explore Jordan's prominent holy sites, which are key stations along the Vatican-recognized Christian pilgrimage route. Notable sites include the Hill of Elijah, the Mountain Church in Anjara commemorating the Virgin Mary, Mount Nebo where the prophet Moses is said to have died, the castle of Machaerus where John the Baptist was martyred, and the baptism site of Jesus Christ.

Annab emphasized that the exhibition sends a powerful message from Jordan to the world, highlighting values of peace and coexistence among religions. She added that the exhibition would enhance Jordan's position as a leading destination for Christian pilgrimage.

Annab mentioned that the exhibition highlights "the ongoing dialogue among the diverse components of the Jordanian society," providing a unique opportunity for the world to see Jordan as a homeland for Christians from various parts of the globe. It also offers a platform to explore the kingdom's principal Christian sites, thereby boosting Jordan's status as a prominent tourist and religious destination.

The papal ambassador to Jordan, Archbishop Giovanni Pietro Dal Toso, attended the press conference and affirmed that "the exhibition will help redefine the global understanding of Christianity's presence in Jordan," noting that "many people are unaware of the Christian community in the kingdom."

Dal Toso highlighted the evolution of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and the Jordanian kingdom, beginning with Pope Paul VI's historic visit in 1964. He highlighted several reasons for the Vatican's interest in Jordan, particularly its central role in the region as a true model of coexistence and dialogue among religions.

The ambassador noted that the exhibit coincides with the inauguration and consecration of the Church of the Baptism of Jesus Christ at the baptism site under the Latin Patriarchate, presided over by the secretary of state of the Vatican City and the personal envoy of Pope Francis, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, on Friday, Jan. 10.

The head of the Jordanian Tourism Promotion Authority, Abdul Razzaq Arabiyat, stated at the press conference that the exhibit offers an interactive experience for its visitors and mentioned plans to bring the exhibition to several locations in France, Portugal, and Greece to enhance cultural links between Jordan and the world.

Organizers anticipate that the exhibit will attract millions of visitors from around the world, boosting religious and cultural tourism in Jordan.

Visitors can enter the exhibition through preregistration on a dedicated website. This event represents an invitation to discover more about Jordan including the roots of Christianity that stem from this fertile land.

This story was first published by ACI MENA, CNA's Arabic-language news partner, and has been translated and adapted by CNA.

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