اليوم السابع 7

Benedict XVI, First Pope to Retire in 600 Years, Dies at 95 https://ift.tt/t19TN8d Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who will forever be remembered as the first pontiff in 600 years to resign has died. The Vatican says he died Saturday morning at age 95. Benedict's dramatic decision in 2013 to retire paved the way for the conclave that elected Pope Francis as his successor. The two popes then lived side-by-side in the Vatican gardens, an unprecedented arrangement that set the stage for future “popes emeritus” to do the same.And it set the stage for a reigning pope to celebrate the funeral Mass for a retired one. The Vatican announced that Francis would preside over the funeral Thursday in St. Peter’s Square.

Islamic Extremists Attack, Burn Homes of Christian Communities in Northeast Nigeria https://ift.tt/6bamWPF Islamic extremist groups continue to pillage and rampage Christian communities in Nigeria. This time, extremists burned homes and destroyed livestock, just days after terrorists killed a pregnant Christian woman.    

Russia Hits Key Infrastructure with Missiles across Ukraine https://ift.tt/6bamWPF Russian missiles struck Ukraine in the biggest wave of strikes in weeks, hitting power stations and other critical infrastructure Thursday during freezing winter weather. Russia fired 69 missiles at energy facilities and Ukrainian forces shot down 54, Ukrainian military chief Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi said. Local officials said attacks killed at least two people around Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. 

Pelé Remembered for Transcending Soccer around World https://ift.tt/6bamWPF Pelé was remembered for a life beyond the field, for transcending the sport of soccer and becoming perhaps the most well-known person on Earth. Pelé scored 12 goals in 14 World Cup matches and is the only three-time world champion. He won titles in 1958, 1962 and 1970. His death was especially impactful for generations of Brazilian players who idolized him.

Pope Francis Calls for Prayer for Retired Pope Benedict XVI: 'He's Very Sick' https://ift.tt/6bamWPF The Vatican says Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI is lucid, conscious, and stable, but remains in serious condition – just one day after he called for prayers for his predecessor.

Lack of Info on China's COVID-19 Surge Stirs Global Concern https://ift.tt/gKiYy3F Moves by several countries to mandate COVID-19 tests for passengers arriving from China reflect global concern that new variants could emerge in its ongoing explosive outbreak — and that the government may not inform the rest of the world quickly enough.

Anti-Christian Riots in Surge Across 20 Villages In India: 'Increasingly Dangerous Climate' https://ift.tt/gKiYy3F Christian persecution continues to climb in India as radical Hindu nationalists attack believers for refusing to re-convert to Hinduism, a persecution watchdog reports.