Pope: Answer Temptation by the Word of God; Jesus Came into World to Help Us with Love

 On his first Sunday of Lent (Feb. 26, 2023), in his address to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Angelus, Pope Francis spoke about the spiritual struggle and explained how Jesus defeated the temptations of t he devil in the desert, the Independent Catholic News website reports. 

He illustrated how we too must respond to temptation to sin by recalling the Word of God and putting our trust always in the Lord who is ever ready to help us in our journey to faith. 

The pope pointed out how the devil tries to "divide" or separate Jesus from His union with the Father. Jesus received His baptism from John and was called by the Father "My beloved Son," with the holy Spirit descending upon Him in the form of a dove, the pope recalled, showing the three divine Persons joined in love. Jesus came into the world to help us partake in this union of love, while the devil instead tries t o divide Jesus from this unity and His mission of unity for us, the pope added.                                                                                     

Some 60 Dead as Migrant Boat Breaks off Italy; Boat Left Turkey with Nearly 200 Passengers on It

 A wooden boat crowded with migrants smashed into rocky reefs and broke apart yesterday (Feb. 26, 2023) off the coast of Italy, and rescuers recovered nearly 60 bodies, the AP website reported.

Officials feared the death toll could top 100 since some survivors indicated the boat had as many as  200 passengers when it set out from Turkey.

Firefighters said 59 bodies had been found. At least 80 people were found alive from the boat just off Calabria's coastline on the Ionian Sea. 

Female Leaders: ERA Amend. May Harm Women; Congress to Hold Hearing on ERA on Feb. 28

Female leaders and commentators are warning that the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) is a Trojan horse of left-wing ideological goals, masquerading under the banner of equal rights for women, the WND website reports today (Feb. 26, 2023).  

Lawmakers will hold a hearing on Feb.28 on how Congress can "enshrine equality in our constitution" through the ERA. Advocates of the amendment have praised it as an opportunity to "affirm women's equality."

 "As the 28th Amendment, the ERA would serve a new tool -- for Congress, for federal agencies, and in the courts -- to advance equality in the fields of workforce and pay, pregnancy discrimination, sexual harassment and violence, reproductive autonomy, and protections for LGBTQ individuals," Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-Mass.. said in a press release. 

Jill Biden Says Joe Will Run for a Second Term; First Lady: "He's Not Finished What He's Started"

 First lady Jill Biden yesterday (Feb. 24, 2023) gave one of the  clearest indications yet that Joe Biden will run for a second term, saying that there's "pretty much" nothing left to do but figure out the time and place for the announcement, The Guardian website reports. 

Although Biden has long said that it is his intention to seek reelection, he has yet to make it official, and he's struggled to dispel questions about whether he is too old to continue serving as president. Biden is 80 and would be 86 st the end of a second term. 

"He says he's not done," Jill Biden said in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya,  on the second and final stop of her five-day trip to Africa, which started  in Namibia earlier this week. "He's not finished what he's started, and that's what's important," she told the Associated Press in an exclusive interview in Kenya.                                                                                    .                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

Pope Seeks End to "Absurd, Cruel" Ukraine War; Appeals for Efforts to Reach Ceasefire, Peace

 Pope Francis has renewed his appeal for concrete efforts to end the war in Ukraine, as the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine is today (February 24, 2023), the Independent Catholic News website reports. 

On Ash Wednesday, the pope said his thoughts are with the Ukrainian people, who have been suffering the effects of war for almost an entire year. "On February 24, it will be one year since the invasion of Ukraine," he said, "one year since the beginning of this absurd and cruel war, a sad anniversary."

"The toll of dead, wounded, refugees, those isolated, destructions, economic and social damage speaks for itself," the Holy Father continued. "May the Lord forgive all these crimes and all this violence: He is the God of peace."

Southern Baptists Oust Church with Woman Pastor; Saddleback Church in Calif. Is Ousted

 The Southern Baptist Convention on Feb.21, 2023 ousted its second-largest  congregation -- Saddleback Church, the renowned California megachurch founded by pastor and best-selling author Rick Warren -- for having a woman pastor, the Fox website reports. 

The vote by the convention's Executive Committee culminates growing tension between the nation's largest Protestant denomination -- which officially opposes women as pastors -- and a congregation whose story has been one of the biggest church-growth successes of modern times. 

The committee cited Saddleback's having  "a  female teaching pastor functioning in the office of pastor."

Biden Tells Allies US Will Defend NATO Nations; Says NATO Guards Freedom over Russian Attacks

Ahead of the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, U.S. President Joe Biden is  in Poland today (Feb. 22, 2023)  reassuring eastern European allies that the U.S. will defend its NATO partners against any Russian aggression, the Scripps News website reports. 

"Democracies of the world will stand guard over freedom today, tomorrow, and forever," he said during a speech in Warsaw. "That's what's at stake here. Freedom."

President Biden also announced the U.S. would host next year's NATO summit, declaring it "the strongest defensive alliance in the world."

Catholic Bishop in Los Angeles Was Shot to Death; Aux. Bishop David O'Connell Killed at His Home

The shooting death of a high-ranking Catholic Church bishop in Los Angeles on Feb. 18, 2023 is being investigated as a homicide, the USA Today website reports. 

 Auxiliary Bishop David O'Connell was found dead at  a home in Hacienda Heights, about 15 miles east of downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said.  

Homicide detectives arrived at the home Saturday afternoon (Feb. 18)  to respond to a "shooting death investigation," where O'Connell was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Biden Visits Ukraine a Yr. before War Anniversary; Praises Zelensky for Fighting Russian Aggression

 U.S. President Joe Biden departed Kyiv today (Feb. 20, 2023) after spending several hours with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, walking around the central portion of the capital and pledging additional support, the UPI website reports. 

It was Biden's first visit to the country since Russia's invasion of Ukraine started nearly one year ago. Biden, Zelensky, and their teams discussed future support for Ukraine during the war with Russia. 

Biden praised Zelensky and Ukraine for their determination to keep from falling to Russia over the past year. 

Jimmy Carter, 98, to Have Hospice Care at Home; Former US President's Health in Poor Condition

 Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, 98,will begin to receive hospice care at home following a series of  hospital stays, his foundation said in a statement yesterday (Feb. 18, 2023), the NBC News website reports. 

The statement said, "He has the full support of his family and his medical team. The Carter family asks for privacy  during this time and is grateful for the concern shown by his many admirers."

President Joe Biden expressed well wishes to Carter and his wife, former first lady Rosalynn Carter in a tweet today (Feb. 19, 2023).

Pope Francis: Better for Popes to Reign for Life; Tells 82 Jesuits He's against Resigning Popes

 Pope Francis in a candid conversation with his fellow Jesuits during a recent trip to Africa, said he believes the papacy is for life and that stepping down should not become a habit  in Catholicism, the Crux website reports today (Feb. 18, 2023). 

During the trip, he met privately with Jesuits serving in both the Congo and South Sudan. In each meeting, he was asked about his thoughts about papal resignation and whether he was considering it himself, and in each meeting, he said no. 

Speaking to 82 Jesuits gathered for his Feb. 2 meeting in Kinshasa, Francis said, as he has in past interviews, that he wrote a letter of resignation two months after his March 2013 election and gave it to his then-secretary of state, Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, in case his health ever prevented him from exercising his office and he wasn't fully conscious to resign in that moment. 

Report: China Seeks to Eliminate All Churches; Communist Nation Raises Christian Persecutions

China has launched an effort to "erase" all churches, and last year saw an increase in the persecution of Christians in the Communist-run nation, the Worthy News website reports today (Feb. 17, 2023). 

ChinaAid, a well-informed advocacy group supporting Christians in China, reported that Chinese people are increasingly forced to worship Chinese President Xi Jinping. It recorded escalating "persecutions against Chinese churches and Christians in mainland China" in 2022. 

ChinaAid said in its annual report that a crackdown by the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) made "churches and Christians increasingly afraid of exposing  their lived persecution experiences to the outside world." 

White House to Expand EV Charging Network; Federal Funds to Help Create Half Million EVs

 The White House has announced a major clean energy initiative that will spark electric vehicle manufacturing in the U.S. while using federal dollars to help create half a million new electronic vehicle (EV) chargers over the next seven years, the UPI website reports. 

The White House issued a statement yesterday (Feb. 15, 2023) detailing the plan to create a network of electronic vehicle chargers throughout the nation's highways by 2030, while underscoring President Joe Biden's continuing strategy to address the escalating global climate crisis. 

Several major U.S. automakers have committed to build and install the new charging network across the nation, and will receive funding from Washington to fulfill the effort. 

Nikki Haley Announces Run for US Pres. in 2024; Former UN Ambas.Vows to Strengthen US on Russia, China

 Despite stating in 2021 that she would "not run if President Trump ran," former U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley announced her candidacy for the GOP nomination for president in 2024 in a video yesterday (Feb. 14, 2023), the RT website reports. 

Haley opened the video by boasting her immigrant heritage, before accusing China and Iran of human rights abuses. 

Considered an establishment-friendly figure by conservative pundits and Trump's base, Haley promised to "strengthen our country" against "China and Russia."

Pope Rips Prison Sentence of Nicaraguan Bishop; Bishop Opposed Autocratic Nicaraguan Pres.

The pope on Feb. 12, 2023 condemned the long imprisonment of Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Jose Alvarez Lagos , a prominent opponent of autocratic President Daniel Ortega, the Worthy News website reports. 

Pope Francis commented after Alvarez was sentenced to over 26 years imprisonment on what his supporters view as false charges. 

The Feb. 10 sentence came after Alvarez declined to join  some 222 people detained for political reasons and then expelled to the United States. 

Quake Aid Causing "Secondary Crisis" in Syria; Syria Still Sufffers from over Decade of Civil War

 The leader of a humanitarian organization helping earthquake victims in Turkey and Syria said yesterday (Feb. 12, 2023) that aid being blocked along the border between the two nations could cause a "secondary crisis" for Syrians already suffering from over a decade of civil war, the Huffpost website reports. 

The International Rescue Committee is one of many groups working to help victims of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit southeastern Turkey and northern Syria last week. 

Rescuers are racing against the clock to get past the damaged infrastructure to dig people out of the rubble. 

Pope Advises Doctors: Never Be Discouraged; Tells Doctors They Serve the Face of Jesus

 Meeting physicians and the sick ahead of the upcoming World Day of the Sick, Pope Francis told the doctors to never be discouraged, for it is the face of Jesus , in those they serve, and that the Lord is closest to those in fragility, the Independent Catholic News website reports today (February 12, 2023).

The Holy Father  offered these comforting reminders as he addressed representatives of the medical area of the Health Pastoral Office of the Diocese of Rome on Feb 9 in the Vatican.

The annual World Day is marked on Feb. 11. It was introduced by Pope St. John Paul II as a way for believers to offer prayers for those suffering from illnesses. 

US Shoots Down Unidentifid Object above Alaska; Week after Shooting Down a Chinese Spy Balloon

A U.S. F-22 fighter jet yesterday (Feb. 10, 2023)  shot down an unidentified object flying high over Alaska, U.S. officials said, less than a week after the military brought down a Chinese spy balloon that had flown across the United States, the Reuters website reports. 

A Sidewinder missile downed the latest craft, which was about the size of a small car, said U.S. Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder, the Pentagon's chief spokesperson.

"We don't know who owns this object," said White House spokesperson John Kirby, adding it was  unclear where it began its flight. 

Church of England Allows Same-Sex Civil Unions; Will Welcome Same-Sex Couples in the Church

 The two leaders of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York announced yesterday (Feb. 9. 2023) that the Church of England will offer blessings to same-sex civil unions after its General Synod voted in favor of the measure, the RT website reports. 

"For the first time, the Church of England will publicly, unreservedly and joyfully welcome same-sex couples in church," the archbishops said in a statement, while conceding that  "the church continues to have deep differences on these questions."

The body debated for over eight hours on the measure, initially introduced last month, before reaching its decision. with 250 votes in favor and 181 against. An amendment emphasizing that the move does not represent a divergence from existing Church doctrine, which does not permit same-sex marriage, was added during the process. 

Over 20,000 Deaths in Turkey, Syria Quake; Thousands Still Missing under Rubble, Bldgs.

 The death toll in the devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake that hit Turkey and Syria this week has climbed even higher: over 20,000 people are dead, the Business Insider website reports today (Feb. 9, 2023).

Thousands are believed to still be missing under rubble and collapsed buildings. 

Rescuers continued to pull survivors out of t he rubble for days after the initial quake. In one case, an 8-year-old boy was rescued from under a collapsed building after being stuck for 52 hours. 

Biden Rips Supreme Court in State of Union Talk; Says Ending Abortion Took Away People's Rights

 During his State of the Union address last night (Feb. 7, 2023), President Joe Biden criticized the Supreme Court's decision last year that overturned Roe v. Wade, the  Christian Post website reports. 

The president declared "Congress must restore the right that was taken away," saying it is "our duty to protect all the people's rights and freedoms" as he vowed "to protect Roe." 

The Supreme Court decided in June 2022 that abortion is not a constitutional right and returned to the states the ability to make their own laws governing abortion, which was limited by the 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling. By the way, Biden is only the second Catholic U.S. president, and the Roman Catholic Church strongly opposes abortion. 

Most Democrats Don't Want Biden to Run Again; Poll: Only 37% of Democrats Want Him to Run

 A new poll, released yesterday (Feb. 6, 2023), shows a clear majority of Democrats are not happy about U.S. President Joe Biden's plans to seek re-election in 2024, the RT website reports. 

The survey from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research found that only 37% of Democrats say they want Biden to run for a second term.

Overall, only 22% of adult respondents believe that the 80-year-old Biden should run for another four-year term. This is down from 29% prior to the midterm election in November. 

Earthquake Kills over 2,300 in Turkey, Syria; Many Bldgs. Toppled, Deaths Expected to Rise

A 7.8-magnitude earthquake struck southern Turkey and northern Syria early today (Feb. 6, 2023), killing more than 2,300 people and taking down countless buildings, the Fox News website reports. 

The earthquake prompted a search for survivors in the rubble in cities and towns across the region. 

Dozens of buildings in cities in the area were toppled. The death toll is expected to rise significantly.  

Pope Addresses Displaced People in South Sudan; Says He Shares Suffering, Urges a Better Future

 Pope Francis joined other Christian leaders yesterday (Feb. 4, 2023) in meeting with internally displaced people in South Sudan, saying he shares their suffering, and urging them to be protagonists in building a better future for the country, the Crux website reports. 

Speaking to those present in Juba's Freedom Hall, the pope said he had long wanted to visit, and that he had come "to express to you all my closeness, all my affection..."

He added, "We would like to give wings to your hope."

Unemployment for January Was at a 54-Year Low; 3.4% Unemployment Rate Lowest Since May 1969

 U.S. President Joe Biden yesterday (Feb. 3, 2023) touted the strength in the labor sector, noting the 12 million jobs created since January 2021 was strongest ever and unemployment was at a 54-year low, the UPI website reports. 

"Today, I'm happy to report that the state of the union and the state of our economy is strong." the president said. 

Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed total non-farm payroll increased by $17,000 last month, pushing the unemployment rate to 3.4%, which the president said was the lowest since May 1969.

China Admits Sending Spy Balloon over Montana; Montana Is the Home to Several Nuclear Silo Sites

 The giant white object spotted drifting over Montana earlier this week is a spy balloon sent by China , the Newser website reports today (Feb. 3, 2023). 

China admits sending the spy balloon and is urging everyone to take a deep breath and not pass judgment "before we have a clear understanding of t he facts."

A senior U.S. defense official, however, noted that the flying object is a Chinese spy balloon flying over sensitive sites. Montana is the home to several nuclear silo sites. 

Pope Arrives in Democratic Republic of Congo; Over One Million Attend Pope's Mass in Congo

 More than one million people attended Pope Francis' Mass in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on Feb. 1, 2023, the National Catholic Register website reports. 

The Mass in Kinshasa, DRC's capital city, took place on the airfield of the N'Dolo Airport on the second day of the Pope's trip to Africa. 

Catholics attended a prayer vigil with confessions and music the night of Jan. 31; some people who traveled from far away stayed at the airport all night until the morning Mass on Feb. 1.

Texas Hires Its First Border Control Worker; Reviews Influx of Migrants Coming from Mexico

 Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott announced yesterday (Jan. 31, 2023) the state's first ever border czar to address the influx of migrants coming through the U.S. -Mexico border, the Fox News website reports. 

Abbott tapped veteran Border Patrol agent Mike Banks to serve as "special adviser on border matters to the governor," in response to the Biden administration's handling of the border crisis. 

"For nearly two years, the state of Texas has taken unprecedented, historic action under Operation Lone Star in response to the Biden administration's refusal to secure the border," Abbott said.