His Holiness Pope Francis continues to show signs of gradual improvement in his health as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at his Vatican residence, according to the Holy See Press Office.

By Vatican News

The Director of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo Bruni, held a briefing for journalists on Friday to provide an update on Pope Francis’ recovery from bilateral pneumonia.

Mr. Bruni said the Pope’s health is stable, noting he has shown slight improvements in respiratory and motor functions, as well as in his speech.

Doha, March 27, 2025

The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, welcomed His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, at Lusail Palace. Also in attendance from the Antiochian delegation were Metropolitan Athanasios Fahd of Latakia and its Dependencies, along with Archimandrite Parthenios Al Laty.

His Holiness Pope Francis releases his catechesis for the weekly General Audience, which was not held as he recovers from bilateral pneumonia, and recalls that it is never too late to consign everything to God and start anew in our journey.

By Deborah Castellano Lubov

As Pope Francis recovers in his residence at the Casa Santa Marta after being discharged from Rome's Gemelli Hospital on Sunday, he has called on the faithful to never lose hope, for God always grants us the possibility of starting over.

Luke 15:1-3,11-32

At the center of the parable told in today’s liturgy (Luke 15:1-3,11-32), the well-known parable of the Merciful Father, is a house in which a father lives with his two sons. 

A key to entering this passage, we find with a phrase found towards the end of the story, where we discover that the eldest son “became angry, and refused to enter the house” (Luke 15:28). 

So, there is a house into which a son does not want to go and prefers to stay outside. 

We also discover that not only the eldest son but also the youngest son has problems with this house: he too is away from home. He has asked his father for his share of the inheritance and has left (“collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country” - Lk 15:13). Nothing is known about where he went, except that this place is far from home. 

On Wednesday, March 26, 2025, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, officially inaugurated the Universal Holy Synod of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch.

On March 26, 2025, on the occasion of the Mid-Lent and the Feast of the Elevation of the Cross and the Commemoration of Abgar the King, His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, presided over the Holy Qurobo celebrated by Mor Chrysostomos Michael Shamoun, Archbishop of Mount Lebanon and Tripoli, at St. Severius Church in the Patriarchal Residence, Atchaneh, Lebanon.

Beirut, March 26, 2025

His Beatitude Patriarch John X, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, and President of the Middle East Council of Churches for the Orthodox Family, has embarked on an official and ecclesiastical visit to Qatar. Accompanying His Beatitude on this visit is His Eminence, the Most Rev. Metropolitan Athanasios Fahd of Lattakia and its dependencies. Bidding him farewell at Beirut Airport was Minister of National Defense Michel Menassa, representing President General Joseph Aoun.

"But be perfectly united in mind and thought" (1 Cor 1: 10)

Your Beatitude, brother, Mor Baselius Joseph, Maphriono of India,

Your Eminences, dear brothers, the archbishops of our Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch,

We welcome you all to this blessed gathering that grants us the precious opportunity to explore and consult on the matters of our holy church and its journey. At the outset of our opening address, we thank our God Almighty, who has united us in love and spiritual unity. We ask Him to send the Spirit of His wisdom to guide our discussions and decisions for the good of the church and the glory of His holy name.

On Tuesday, March 25, 2025, the Nazareth Sisters' Kindergarten in Haifa was blessed in a ceremony attended by a distinguished assembly of religious and educational figures. The event was a heartfelt tribute to the dedication and effort behind this esteemed institution.

His Beatitude Patriarch Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, presided over the celebration, accompanied by Msgr. Rafiq Nahra, Patriarchal Vicar in Galilee, and Fr. Johnny Abu Khalil, the school’s spiritual chaplain. Among the honored guests were Sr. Marie-Noëlle, Superior General of the Sisters of Nazareth, and Sister Bernette, who played a key role in the kindergarten’s establishment and construction. Also in attendance were the Mayor of Haifa, representatives from the General Administration of Galilee Schools, the kindergarten’s director and faculty, as well as principals and teachers from the secondary and middle school levels.

congratulate His Beatitude Maphrian Mor Baselius Joseph on his enthronement as Maphrian of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India

His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St. Mark, the Holy Synod of the Coptic Orthodox Church, and church bodies and institutions congratulate His Beatitude Maphrian Mor Baselius Joseph on his enthronement as Maphrian of the Syrian Orthodox Church in India by His Holiness Patriarch Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, the Supreme Head of the Universal Syriac Orthodox Church.

On the evening of Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in a solemn and historic spiritual event, our Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch celebrated the ordination of His Beatitude Mar Baselios Joseph as the new Maphriono (Catholicos) of India through the laying on of hands of His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches. The consecration took place at the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, in Atchaneh, Bikfaya, Lebanon. His Holiness was assisted by Their Eminences Archbishops, members of the Holy General Synod of our Church.

During the ritual, His Holiness sat on his throne in front of the altar while the elected Maphriono, Mor Gregorius Joseph, was brought forward, surrounded by all the archbishops on both sides. Metropolitan Joseph read the "Shalmoutho," proclaiming the Orthodox faith and pledging to uphold, teach, and safeguard it along with all apostolic laws, as well as to preserve the dignity of the Maphrionoutho. At the conclusion, the elected Maphriono presented the "Shalmoutho" to the Patriarch. His Holiness then silently prayed the invocation of the Holy Spirit and placed his right hand on the head of Metropolitan Joseph, ordaining him as the Maphriono of the Holy and Blessed Church of Antioch in India under the name Mar Baselios Joseph, sealing him with the sign of the cross on his forehead in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Afterward, the new Maphriono was seated on the throne facing the west and was lifted and carried three times as the congregation proclaimed, "Worthy (Axios), our Father Mor Baselios!" His Beatitude then read the text of the Good Shepherd from the Holy Gospel according to John. Following this, His Holiness raised the Maphriono from the throne and stood him before the altar, presenting him with the pastoral staff, along with all the archbishops who participated, each according to their turn. In conclusion, His Holiness and the archbishops offered the new Maphriono the kiss of peace before he blessed the congregation with the staff in his hand.

His Holiness Pope Francis is continuing with treatment, physical therapy, and concelebrating Mass at his residence of Casa Santa Marta, the Holy See Press Office noted on Tuesday as it provided updates to journalists on the Holy Father's recovery. The Press Office also said the Pope continues some work activities, but is not currently receiving visitors, and that no decisions have been made regarding his schedule for the weeks to come.

By Salvatore Cernuzio

Pope Francis' convalescence continues at his residence of Casa Santa Marta with his continued treatment, mobility and respiratory-related physiotherapy, especially for voice recovery, personal prayer, and concelebrating Mass in the residence's chapel.

On March 25, 2025, on the occasion of the Feast of the Souboro (Annunciation), His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, celebrated the Holy Qurobo at St. Mary Church Mother of God in Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, on behalf of the Syriac Orthodox Church, hosted an official dinner at the Patriarchal Residence in Atchaneh in honor of His Beatitude Cardinal Mar Baselios Cleemis, Catholicos of the Malankara Catholic Church.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, on the occasion of the Feast of the Suboro (Annunciation), His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, consecrated of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon.

His Holiness was assisted by their Eminences Archbishops: Catholicos-elect His Eminence Mor Gregorios Joseph, Mor Aphrem Matthews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Perumbavoor Region of the Angamali Diocese, Mor Clemis Daniel Kourieh, Archbishop of Beirut, Mor Antheemos Mathews, Assistant Metropolitan of the Muvattupuzha Region of the Angamali Diocese, and Mor Cyril Babi, Archbishop, Patriarchal Vicar and Director of the Patriarchal Benevolent Institutions in Atchaneh, as well as the rest of their Eminences Archbishops members of the Universal Holy Synod of our Church.

On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the garden of the church, under the name of the thrice Blessed Arcbhishop Mor Philoxenus Matta Chamoun.

On March 24, 2025, after the consecration of the Church of St. Mary Mother of God, at Atchaneh, Lebanon, His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme Head of the Syriac Orthodox Church of the World, and Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, inaugurated the new hall of the church, under the name of “George Hanna Mansour Hall”.

The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of the Annunciation on March 24 and 25, a momentous occasion of profound spiritual significance, commemorating the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Savior of the World. In Nazareth, the very site of this sacred encounter, the faithful from across the Galilee gather each year to partake in spiritual and communal celebrations—a time of renewal, joy, and unity in faith.

Is 7:10-14; 8:10; Heb 10:4-10; Lk 1:26-38 

Dear brothers and sisters,  
may the Lord give you peace! 

This year, too, we have come to the feet of the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, our Mother and the Mother of the Church. And as to every mother, we bring here our expectations, our fears and our need for consolation. We know that God is the source of consolation and that we must look to Him. Only in Him can we base our faith, especially in this very difficult time for us and the whole world 

Instead of moving towards a context of encounter, instead of looking for ways and solutions for a perspective of peaceful coexistence, we see barriers of fear, mistrust, hatred and bitterness everywhere. And here in our Holy Land, we must continue to mourn our dead, the many wounds that worry our hearts, our families and our communities. We are tired of having to keep repeating this realization. But it is unavoidable not to think about what is happening around us. 

From the Secretariat-General of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem

On the third Sunday of Lent, the Sunday of the Veneration of the Cross, 10th/23rd March 2025, the Patriarchate celebrated the feast of the veneration of the Precious Cross, so that through its power, we may continue our struggle in the fast in preparation for the reception of the Holy Pascha.
This feast, being located in the middle of the Holy and Great Lenten period, was celebrated at the place where the immaculate feet of the Lord stood, and where His Precious Blood was shed for the salvation of the world. The celebration was led by is Beatitude Patriarch Kyrios Kyrios Theophilos III, the Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Honorary President of the Middle East Council of Churches, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, in accordance with the Status Quo and the formal arrangements of the Patriarchate, in a service of “parrhesia” with the Great Vespers in the evening at the Katholikon and the Divine Liturgy in the morning at the Holy Sepulchre.