Category: Feature Stories

Mother’s Day, celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May, falls on May 11 in 2025. The holiday originated in the early 20th century in the United States, spearheaded by Anna Jarvis in 1908 to honor her late mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, a peace activist who cared for soldiers during the Civil War. Anna Jarvis sought to recognize the sacrifices and contributions of mothers and successfully campaigned for the day to become a national holiday. 1914 President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Mother’s Day a national observance, solidifying its place in American…

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Since the early days of the Catholic Church, the choice of a pope’s name has never been trivial. It often reflects a spiritual intention, an ideological origin, or a tribute to a significant figure in the Church’s history. When analyzing the 266 popes elected since St. Peter in the 1st century, specific names appear particularly often. John, the most popular papal nameThe name John was chosen by 23 popes, making it the most frequently used name in the papacy’s history. Its popularity is due to several factors, including the critical…

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Leo XIV celebrated his first mass as pope with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel on Friday morning. There, the day before, the purple vestry had elected him as the successor to Pope Francis in the conclave. During the solemn entry into the magnificent chapel of the Apostolic Palace, Leo XIV wore the white chasuble and white mitre that are customary at Easter. His footwear was striking: he wore dark shoes instead of the red ones typical of many popes – a tradition that his predecessor, Francis, had already dispensed…

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A friendly driver or an attentive waitress: good service is often rewarded with a tip in this country. But what about financial appreciation abroad? In most countries, a tip of five to ten percent of the bill is the right amount. However, as the Association of German Banks explains, you should dig deeper into your pocket in the USA or Canada, where 15 to 20 percent is expected—unless a service charge is already included in the bill. In American restaurants, in particular, tipping is an unspoken obligation. It is better…

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Speculation is rife in St. Peter’s Square about who it could be. Africa and Asia are high on the agenda, but even cardinals are facing the harsh reality. The Archbishop of Algiers, Jean-Paul Vesco, said, “It’s a bit like soccer. People talk a lot about African teams. But in the end, the attention is focused on the European teams.” At 5 p.m. on Wednesday, “Extra omnes”—‘Everyone out’—except for the cardinals was the order of the day. The Sistine Chapel, with Michelangelo’s unique frescoes, was sealed. Inside, the first round of…

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From May 7 to 19, 133 cardinals will elect a new pope in the Vatican. Here you can find all the information about the election process and the favorites. Following the death and funeral of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at the age of 88 and was buried in Rome the following Saturday, all eyes in the Vatican are now on the future. The conclave, which is scheduled to run until May 19, begins on Wednesday, May 7. If no pope has been found by then, there will…

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Preparations for the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Francis, which begins on Wednesday, are in full swing.Cardinals deliberate in two sessions: Will an important decision be made today?Two general congregations of cardinals are planned for today, Monday, to prepare for the conclave – one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Until now, the cardinals have only met once a day. Two meetings are planned for Monday, which insiders see as a signal that the purple bearers consider further talks on the profile of Pope Francis’ successor…

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The conclave begins in Rome on Wednesday. With the exception of two cardinals, all those eligible to vote have already arrived to prepare for the papal election. They will be accommodated in single rooms and must hand in all electronic devices, such as cell phones. The windows in the room are sealed, and the shutters are closed. There is no internet or telephone reception, said Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki from Cologne, who is taking part in a papal election for the second time. “We are then really cut off from…

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