We wish all our readers a very Happy Easter. The Daily Compass will resume updates on 7 April.
The death of Vittorio Messori, the greatest apologist of our times
The journalist and writer who, with millions of books sold in every language, nurtured generations of Catholics in the faith, died last night at his home in Desenzano sul Garda. However, his enduring legacy is the small church he built piece by piece on the grounds of Maguzzano Abbey. He was a great friend and inspiration to the La Bussola/Daily Compass.
Holy Shroud: new research confirms its Middle Eastern origins
Nineteen scientists led by Gianni Barcaccia have conducted significant research on material taken from the Shroud, confirming the presence of DNA of Middle Eastern origin. Those who deny the authenticity of the Holy Shroud have already sprung into action, relying on the discredited radiocarbon dating results from 1988.
Monaco: a positive example of Catholicism as state religion
During his apostolic journey to the Principality of Monaco, Pope Leo XIV praised Catholicism as the state religion. This is a rare occurrence and a blow to the modern dogma of state secularism. Provided that Catholicism is genuinely practised as a public religion.
Today marks the end of the celebrations in honour of the relic of the Passion of Jesus kept in the town in the province of Bergamo. The last miraculous flowering took place on 27 March 2016, attested to by a commission and recognised by the bishop. This is the story.
To the French bishops gathered in plenary assembly, Pope Leo suggested 'concrete solutions that allow for the generous inclusion of those who sincerely adhere to the Vetus Ordo'. Is this the beginning of a period of liturgical peace following the restrictions imposed by Traditionis Custodes?
Following Cardinal Ouellet's article on lay appointments during the Bergoglian pontificate, the Fraternity has seized the opportunity to justify the episcopal ordinations of 1 July, based on the separation between order and jurisdiction, and to criticise Vatican II's ecclesiology. The occasion is twofold, but so too is the blunder.
- Dossier: The FSSPX Case
Trump presses allies in vain to join the war against Iran
For three days, Trump has been urging his European and Asian allies to contribute warships to a military operation aimed at keeping the Strait of Hormuz open. However, no one wants to risk facing Iranian missiles, mines, drones and torpedoes in order to help Israel and the United States escalate a conflict in which Netanyahu and Trump risk losing what little credibility they have left.
Christians in the Middle East are the first victims of the war
The spiral of violence in the Middle East is driving Christians in Palestine into exile and forcing them to abandon their homeland. In Lebanon, they are marginalised; in Iran, they are persecuted; and in Syria, they are treated as geopolitical pawns. The war is not only redefining the geopolitical borders of the Middle East, but also its religious geography. This is to the detriment of Christians and demonstrates Western hypocrisy.
A morning in St Peter's between distracted visitors and absent sacredness
What does St Peter's Basilica look like to visitors? We spent a morning in the most important Catholic church in the world. Since 1 March, a route has been reserved for worshippers, but everything, even Mass, is overshadowed by the confused chatter of visitors who have no concept of silence or the sacred. They stroll around as if it were any other tourist attraction. This is what we saw.
- Photogallery
Israel army veterans suffer psychiatric trauma
Netanyahu's government has called up over 100,000 reservists, but has to deal with 30,000 soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. It is estimated that this number will rise to 100,000 by 2028.