| Welcome, Guest |
You have to register before you can post on our site.
|
| Forum Statistics |
» Members: 325
» Latest member: max9090b
» Forum threads: 7,939
» Forum posts: 14,416
Full Statistics
|
| Online Users |
There are currently 459 online users.
» 0 Member(s) | 455 Guest(s)
Bing, Facebook, Twitter, Yandex
|
| Latest Threads |
Pope Leo XIV calls Algier...
Forum: Pope Leo XIV
Last Post: Stone
3 hours ago
» Replies: 1
» Views: 13
|
Fr. Ruiz Sermons: 2026 0...
Forum: Fr. Ruiz's Sermons April 2026
Last Post: Deus Vult
Yesterday, 10:47 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 35
|
Fr. Hewko's Sermons: Low ...
Forum: April 2026
Last Post: Deus Vult
Yesterday, 10:30 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 47
|
Fr. Hewko's Sermons: Herm...
Forum: April 2026
Last Post: Deus Vult
Yesterday, 09:38 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 49
|
Mgr. Louis de Ségur: Shor...
Forum: Resources Online
Last Post: Stone
Yesterday, 05:00 PM
» Replies: 3
» Views: 276
|
Donald Trump deletes AI i...
Forum: General Commentary
Last Post: Stone
Yesterday, 04:23 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 72
|
Dr. Carol Byrne: A Series...
Forum: Vatican II and the Fruits of Modernism
Last Post: Stone
Yesterday, 11:05 AM
» Replies: 160
» Views: 607,334
|
First Sunday after Easter...
Forum: Easter
Last Post: Stone
04-12-2026, 06:05 AM
» Replies: 5
» Views: 23,480
|
Fr. Hewko's Sermons: Low ...
Forum: April 2026
Last Post: Deus Vult
04-11-2026, 11:18 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 177
|
Bulletin of the Oratory o...
Forum: Bulletin of the Oratory of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary
Last Post: Oratory
04-11-2026, 05:23 PM
» Replies: 0
» Views: 180
|
|
|
| Pope Leo XIV calls Algiers mosque ‘space proper to God,’ makes silent prayer with imam |
|
Posted by: Stone - 3 hours ago - Forum: Pope Leo XIV
- Replies (1)
|
 |
Pope Leo XIV calls Algiers mosque ‘space proper to God,’ makes silent prayer with imam
Pope Leo XIV touched down in Algeria on April 13, becoming the first pope ever to make an apostolic visit to the country, opening with silent prayer at the world’s third largest mosque.
![[Image: Untitled-9-810x500.png]](https://www.lifesitenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Untitled-9-810x500.png)
Pope Leo XIV presides over the Prayer Vigil for Peace at St Peter's Basilica, on April 11, 2026, in Vatican City
Photo by Antonio Masiello/Getty Images
Apr 14, 2026
ALGIERS, Algeria (LifeSiteNews) — Pope Leo XIV visited the third largest mosque in the world in Algiers, Algeria, and paused in silent prayer with the imam. During his last journey in Istanbul, he did not pray in the Blue Mosque.
On April 13, Pope Leo began his apostolic journey in Africa, with the first stop in Algeria – the first papal visit in the country’s history. During his stopover at the Mosque of Algiers, the Pope took off his shoes as required by protocol and paused in silent prayer together with Imam Mohamed Mamoun al Qasimi, showing a change of attitude compared to what he had done at the Blue Mosque in Istanbul during a prior apostolic voyage.
Pope Leo’s recent journey began with a visit to the Islamic place of worship, which ranks as the third largest mosque in the world, after those of Mecca and Medina in Saudi Arabia.
According to Vatican News, the Pope – after removing his shoes to enter, as required by protocol – remained inside for just under ten minutes, several of which were spent in “silent reflection” beside the imam and before the mihrab, the niche carved into the wall that indicates the direction of Mecca. It is toward this direction that Muslims orient themselves during prayer. According to Islamic tradition, the mihrab symbolizes the presence of God and the centrality of prayer.
Accompanying the Pope were two cardinals: George Jacob Koovakad, prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Jean-Paul Vesco, Archbishop of Algiers.
As reported by the same Vatican outlet, the Pope then withdrew for a private moment of dialogue with the rector of the mosque, where he expressed “gratitude for being in a place that represents the space proper to God.”
Although the Pope, the imam, the cameramen, and the other operators closest to him had removed their shoes, other people farther from the cameras were visibly inside the mosque wearing footwear, which makes the visit seem more like a staged media display than a sincere gesture of religious reverence.
In November 2025, during his first apostolic journey in Turkey, Pope Leo visited the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. According to several sources, he took off his shoes as required by protocol, visited the mosque in silence and with respect, but declined the imam’s invitation to join in prayer.
The Vatican had initially announced that there would be a “brief moment of silent prayer” during the Istanbul visit, but later clarified that the Pontiff had chosen to experience the visit as a moment of listening and learning, rather than formal prayer. Later, Leo XIV explained that he prefers to pray in a Catholic church, before the Blessed Sacrament, and that his gesture was not meant to be interpreted as a sign of disrespect toward Islam.
|
|
|
| Donald Trump deletes AI image of himself as Jesus Christ |
|
Posted by: Stone - Yesterday, 04:23 PM - Forum: General Commentary
- No Replies
|
|
Donald Trump deletes AI image of himself as Jesus Christ, claims he was ‘a doctor’
In response to President Trump's self-portrait, Carrie Prejean Boller called on Bishop Barron, Cardinal Dolan, and Archbishop Cordileone to resign from the Religious Liberty Commission.
![[Image: Untitled-26.png]](https://www.lifesitenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Untitled-26.png)
U.S. President Donald
Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Apr 13, 2026
UPDATE, 1:28 PM EDT: Trump was asked about the post by a reporter. He responded, “I thought it was me as a doctor that had to do with the Red Cross, as a Red Cross worker there, which we support. And only the fake news could come up with that one (Trump as Jesus). … It was supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.”
UPDATE, 11:50 AM EDT: Trump has deleted the post.
(LifeSiteNews) — U.S. President Donald Trump has posted a portrait of himself as Jesus Christ on his Truth Social account.
The AI-generated image, which appeared on the night of April 12, Divine Mercy Sunday in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar, shows him in white and red flowing robes, placing his hand on a patient in a hospital bed, apparently to heal him. Radiant light emanates from his palms as a praying woman, a soldier, a nurse, and an elderly bearded man reverently look on. The Statue of Liberty, the Lincoln Memorial and a large American flag loom in the background. Eagles hovering in the sky flank Trump as fighter jets and either angelic or demonic soldiers fly above him.
The image was posted within an hour of Trump’s scathing attack on Pope Leo in another social media post.
RELATED: Trump attacks Pope Leo XIV after Vatican meeting with Obama adviser
The AI image drew widespread criticism and mockery from Catholics and other users across social media. Marjorie Taylor Greene stated on X, “On Orthodox Easter, President Trump attacked the Pope because the Pope is rightly against Trump’s war in Iran and then he posted this picture of himself as if he is replacing Jesus. This comes after last week’s post of his evil tirade on Easter and then threatening to kill an entire civilization. I completely denounce this and I’m praying against it!!!” She added, “It’s more than blasphemy. It’s an Antichrist spirit.”
[...]
|
|
|
|
| Pro-life hero Mark Houck wins million dollar settlement after Biden DOJ targeted him |
|
Posted by: Stone - 04-11-2026, 05:20 AM - Forum: General Commentary
- No Replies
|
|
Pro-life hero Mark Houck wins million dollar settlement after Biden DOJ targeted him
Pro-life hero Mark Houck wins million dollar settlement after Biden DOJ targeted him.
During the Biden administration, two dozen heavily armed FBI agents with guns drawn besieged Mark Houck’s home,
terrifying his wife and seven children, before arresting the pro-life father and charging him under the FACE Act.
![[Image: 0424-Story-2.jpg]](https://www.lifesitenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/0424-Story-2.jpg)
Mark Houck
Wikimedia Commons/Shutterstock
Fri Apr 10, 2026
(LifeSiteNews [slightly adapted, not all hyperlinks included from original]) — Pro-life hero Mark Houck has won a seven-figure settlement in federal court against the U.S. Department of Justice, which, under the Biden administration, egregiously targeted him in 2022.
“Today we have a huge announcement at 40 Days for Life and a huge victory for free speech,” declared Shawn Carney, President and CEO of 40 Days for Life regarding the lawsuit won by the organization’s attorneys on behalf of Houck and his family.
In September 2022, about two dozen heavily armed FBI agents, guns drawn, besieged Houck’s home, terrifying his wife and seven young children, before taking him into custody.
The charge, which stemmed from an incident where Houck protected his young son from an angry abortion escort, had already been thrown out by the District Court in Philadelphia but was then picked up by then-U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland’s Department of Justice.
Like many others who were targeted by Biden’s administration, the 40 Days for Life volunteer was charged under the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act. Houck had faced up to 11 years in prison.
The Biden DOJ, working with the FBI, committed dozens of SWAT team raids that were quickly characterized as the political “weaponization” of the federal agencies against pro-lifers, Trump supporters, conservative Christians, and medical freedom advocates.
“We got so much persecution from the DOJ under Biden,” noted Carney, “and President Trump has corrected that.”
“It has been absolutely night and day,” he added.
|
|
|
|
| Mgr. Louis de Ségur: Short Answers to Common Objections Against Religion [1908] |
|
Posted by: Stone - 04-09-2026, 09:53 AM - Forum: Resources Online
- Replies (3)
|
|
Authors Preface
HERE is a little book, which I have written expressly for you, my dear reader. It will displease you, perhaps, at first sight; allow me, nevertheless, to offer it to you; for that is a sure sign that you particularly need it. A good book, they say, is a friend. I hope, whatever you may think of it, that I now present to you one of those very friends. Receive it as one's friends should be received, with kindness, and an open heart. I offer it to you in the same way.
Although this friend speaks of rather serious things, I have every reason to believe that he will not tire you. I have strongly impressed this upon him, and he has promised not to preach, but simply to talk to you. After having read the last chapter, you shall see that he has kept his word.
You will remark, no doubt, that the prejudices to which I oppose an answer are of three kinds. Some spring from impiety, they are the worst; I have commenced with them; others spring from ignorance; others, again, from a kind of cowardice. I hope the greater part of these objections are unknown to you, and that you have never seriously entertained them. I have, nevertheless, mentioned them, as a preservative for the future. It is the antidote which, by way of precaution, I give you beforehand. I pray God that these simple conversations may do you good, that they may win your heart.
Having learned by a sweet experience that true happiness consists in knowing, loving, and serving God, I have no more ardent desire than to see my own happiness, which is so pure, so solid, become yours also. The intention is good. That is something, above all in these times. Is the book itself good? I trust so, but I know my slender skill.
You will find, no doubt, many questions treated too briefly; but I have been afraid of tiring you, my dear reader, and I have chosen rather to be incomplete than to put you to sleep. Wo to the book one nods over!
As to this one, I advise you not to read too much of it at a time, but, nevertheless, to read it through, from the beginning to the end. Read with reflection, carefully weighing the reasons which I present to you. / beg you, above all, conscientiously and honestly to seek the truth, not to reject it, if it present itself to your mind. When the heart is upright and sincere, light breaks upon it very quickly.
FIRST OBJECTION.
WHAT HAVE I TO DO WITH RELIGION? I HAVE NONE, AND THAT DOES NOT PREVENT MY ENJOYING EXCELLENT HEALTH.*
* The author begins with the objection of the lowest kind of mere animal man.
Answer. Accordingly, I do not offer it to you as a means of growing in height, or enjoying good health. But, honestly, are we then in this world only for that; and have we no higher destiny than our oxen, our dogs, and our cats? All nations, in all times and places, have been convinced of the contrary, and it appears strange that you should be right, against the whole world. It is about our higher destiny that religion is concerned. Nothing can touch us more closely; nothing can better deserve the attention of a reasonable man.
In fact, according as religion is found true or false, every thing changes in the practical direction of our life, in our ideas, in our most intimate and most important sentiments. Now, not only is it possible that religion is true, but there are many strong arguments in its favor, in the immense blessings of civilization* which it has spread upon the earth, and in the respect which has been paid to it by so many men of every nation, eminent for their virtues and their genius, such as Bossuet, Fenelon, Saint Louis, Bayard, the great Conde, Napoleon, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Francis Xavier, St. Francis de Sales, Columbus, Sir Thomas More, Daniel O'Connell, Charles Carroll, and a host of others, whose names are familiar to our countrymen.
Let me, then, discuss the cause of religion with you.
Believe me, you reject it only because you do not know it. As you represent it to yourself, I can easily understand that it is distasteful to you. But do you represent religion to yourself as it really is? This is the whole question. Alas! what prejudices, what strange errors exist with regard to it!
It will not be difficult for me, my dear reader, in these simple conversations, to show you that these prejudices are unjust; that religion is not what its enemies say it is; that not only is it not absurd, but that it is supremely reasonable, beautiful, and harmonious, and that it rests upon the most solid proofs. I am going to show you that it is made for you and that you are made for it.
If, like me, you saw it, every day — this holy religion, drying the tears of the poor, changing the most hardened hearts, arresting the progress of evil, repairing injuries, softening hatred and dislikes, infusing everywhere resignation, truth, peace, hope and joy into people's souls, you would soon alter your language, and I should have no need to press this subject upon you.
But, unfortunately, this practical and experimental proof of religion requires rather to be felt than heard of. It is experience, and not words, that makes us understand its invincible power. You may not have reached that period of life when you will need the helps and consolations of religion; but that time will come for you as it has come for others. Witness the poor soldiers suffering and dying on the field of battle. Witness their appreciation of the helps of religion afforded to them by the Sisters of Charity whom even Protestants have called "Angels of the battlefield." Witness the helps of religion to humanity in the various asylums for infants and orphans, the sick, the aged and the poor. Go to the bedside of the sick and dying; go to the deathbeds of those who have faith in God and in religion, and witness their peace and content of mind, and you will realize the meaning of the words "Without me, you can do nothing." (John. xv. 5) ; and also of these other words: "I can do all things in Him who strengtheneth me." (Phil. iv. 13.)
Nor does religion unfit a man for the duties of this life. On the contrary, it tends to restrain his passions, and affords him courage and strength to discharge his various duties toward God and his fellow-men; it makes him a lawabiding citizen, a lover of right and justice, who does not shrink from any sacrifice, even that of his own life, at the call of duty.
|
|
|
|
|
![[Image: default.jpg]](https://api.nga.gov/iiif/7a503912-6a4b-4122-8053-84c56c2fc13d/full/!800,800/0/default.jpg)
