Catholics Around the World Celebrate Easter Sunday Amid Calls for Peace and Reflection Catholics across the globe marked Easter Sunday as the most significant feast in the Christian calendar, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV presided over the Easter Vigil at St. Peter’s Basilica, a central liturgical event attended by thousands of faithful. The ceremony, rooted in ancient traditions, began in darkness and culminated in the lighting of the Paschal candle, symbolizing the transition from death to life. During the vigil, several adult converts were baptized, underscoring the Church’s ongoing growth and global outreach. The Pope’s Easter message emphasized the urgent need to combat indifference toward war, injustice, and human suffering. He warned that fear, mistrust, and hatred continue to erode relationships between nations and individuals, urging instead a commitment to reconciliation and peace. His remarks echoed themes of compassion and solidarity, which he had repeatedly stressed during Holy Week. The Pope highlighted the importance of hope and renewal in a world grappling with instability, framing Easter as a celebration of victory over death and the promise of new life. In Jerusalem, one of Christianity’s holiest cities, Easter celebrations unfolded under strict restrictions due to the ongoing regional conflict. Authorities permitted services at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, traditionally believed to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, but access to the site remained limited. Earlier in Holy Week, tensions escalated when church leaders were briefly barred from entering the site, an incident described as unprecedented in modern times.#vatican #pope_Leo_XIV #st_peters_basilica #church_of_the_holy_sepulchre #easter_vigil
Trumpy Billionaire Challenges Pope With Secret Antichrist Meetings Near Vatican Peter Thiel, the tech billionaire and self-described “small-o orthodox Christian,” has begun a series of secret religious meetings near the Vatican, sparking controversy among Catholics. The Palantir cofounder, known for his MAGA-aligned views, has brought his Antichrist lectures to Rome, where he has drawn criticism for his controversial rhetoric. Thiel’s talks, which began in San Francisco last fall, argue that a figure opposing Christ will soon emerge to establish a “totalitarian one-world government.” His recent comments have targeted Pope Leo XIV, whom he labeled a “woke American pope” during a previous lecture. Thiel’s Antichrist lectures have long focused on condemning policies he views as threats to traditional values, including environmental protections and tech regulations. During his San Francisco series, he referred to Gen Z activist Greta Thunberg as a “legionnaire of the Antichrist” and criticized progressive policies as part of a broader ideological battle. Now, he has expanded his message to the Catholic Church’s headquarters, reportedly partnering with Catholic universities in Rome to host his invite-only events. However, two institutions allegedly involved have denied any connection to the gatherings. The Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas stated it is not organizing the event, nor will it host it at its campus. The event’s organizers remain unclear, with reports suggesting it may involve the Vincenzo Gioberti Cultural Association, an Italian Christian political group, and the Cluny Institute at the Catholic University of America. While the cultural association confirmed its involvement, the Catholic University of America denied sponsoring the event.#pope_leo_xiv #peter_thiel #vatican #cluny_institute #vincenzo_gioberti_cultural_association
