Sri Lanka

January 15, 2015

Buddhist centre breaks tradition, shows Pope revered relic

Pope Francis greets Buddhist monks in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14. The pope paid an unscheduled visit to a Buddhist temple at the headquarters of the Maha Bodhi Society, responding to an invitation he had received the previous day from its head priest.

MAKOLA, Sri Lanka - When Pope Francis made a surprise visit to a prominent Buddhist temple in Colombo Jan. 14, the head of the Maha Bodhi Society of Sri Lanka reciprocated by showing the Pope historical relics of Buddhas' disciples, normally exposed only for the annual Buddhist feast in May.

Published in International

January 15, 2015

Francis a gift for Sri Lanka

Pope Francis accepts a gift from Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena during a visit in a presidential office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13.

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA - It happened here again, but this time rather unexpectedly. In 1970 and in 1995, when Blessed Paul VI and St. John Paul II visited Sri Lanka, the president who invited them was no longer in office when they arrived. So it was for Pope Francis’ arrival this week, but more dramatically so.

Published in Fr. Raymond de Souza

January 14, 2015

In Madhu, pope tells Sri Lankans reconciliation requires repentance

Pope Francis releases a dove at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of the Rosary in Madhu, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Pope Francis told Sri Lankans seeking reconciliation after two-and-a-half decades of civil war that, before they can forgive each other, they must repent of their own sins.

Published in International

January 14, 2015

Pope proclaims Joseph Vaz Sri Lanka's first saint

Pilgrims from Goa, India, hold a sign thanking Pope Francis before the canonization Mass of St. Joseph Vaz at Galle Face Green in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 14. St. Vaz was born in Goa.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Canonizing Sri Lanka's first saint, who ministered to Catholics under persecution three centuries earlier, Pope Francis proclaimed what he called the "fundamental human right" of religious freedom.

Published in International

January 13, 2015

Pope tells Sri Lankans reconciliation means dialogue, 'pursuit of truth'

Pope Francis and Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena visit in a presidential office in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka - Arriving in Sri Lanka, a country recovering from two-and-a-half decades of ethnic and religious civil war, Pope Francis said reconciliation would require its people to explore their painful recent history and accept persistent differences within their multicultural society.

Published in International

January 10, 2015

Indian priest, ‘miracle son,’ are eager for Blessed Vaz canonization

Father Cosme Jose Costa displays an icon of Blessed Joseph Vaz in late October at the Society of Pilar headquarters in Pilar, India. Father Costa's 1938 birth was accepted by the Vatican as the miracle needed to beatify Blessed Vaz in 1995. Blessed Vaz w ill be canonized by Pope Francis Jan. 14 at the Vatican in Sri Lanka.

PILAR, INDIA - Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonization of Blessed Joseph Vaz Jan. 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr. Cosme Jose Costa stands apart.

Published in International

January 8, 2015

Pope Francis in Asia to promote reconciliation, recovery

Men and women carrying replica statues of the Black Nazarene walk under a banner of Pope Francis during a procession in Manila, Philippines, Jan. 7. Millions of devotees are expected to attend the annual procession of the Black Nazarene Jan. 9. The Black Nazarene, a life-size wooden statue of Christ carved in Mexico and brought to the Philippines in the 17th century, is believed to have healing powers in the predominantly Catholic country.

VATICAN CITY - Interreligious reconciliation and recovery from natural disaster will be major themes of Pope Francis' Jan. 13-18 visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines, according to the Vatican spokesman.

Published in International

August 12, 2014

Pope Francis heads East, pointing to a new future for his Western Church

Pope Francis departs Aug. 14 on a five-day trip to South Korea, his first to Asia and the start of an important new papal focus on the region: In January, Francis will return to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines, and a trip to Japan — where the Pope wanted to go as a young priest — is reportedly under consideration.

Published in Vatican

July 30, 2014

Pope Francis to visit Philippines and Sri Lanka in January

Filipino boys walk along a dike near Manila, Philippines, July 29. Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle announced during a press conference that Pope Francis will visit the island nation January 15-19 and is likely to visit victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle confirmed July 29 that Pope Francis will visit Jan. 15-19, after spending several days in Sri Lanka.

Published in Vatican