Sunday, November 29
Servant of God GIOVANNI DA MONTECORVINO (b Italy 1247, d Beijing 1328)
Franciscan, Missionary, Papal Legate to Persia, India and Kublai Khan
A contemporary of Marco Polo, this gifted Franciscan has an amazing biography
it is surprising his cause for beatification has only come up fairly recently. After
establishing missions in Persia and India en route to China, he set up the first
Catholic mission in that country. Based in what would become Beijing, he was
named the first Archbishop of that city. When he died, his tomb quickly became
a place for pilgrimage but 40 years later, Christianity was banished from China
after the Mings expelled the Mongol dynasty.
OR today.
Illustration: The Annunciation, 12th century icon.
On the 25th anniversary of Argentina-Chile peace treaty, the Pope reiterates
that peace is founded on solid moral convictions:
'Violence and war are not the way to resolve controversies'
Today's issue gives extensive play to the visit yesterday of the Presidents of Argentina (left photo) and Chile (center), with three other articles in the inside pages. The start of Advent is marked by an essay on the Annunciation in the Syro-Catholic tradition, 'You have made of earth a second heaven'. Other Page 1 stories: Iran says IAEA resolution against it is a useless document; and the US and Russia may fail to reach a new agreement on reducing their nuclear arms stockpile before the current agreement expires Dec. 5.
THE POPE'S DAY
Sunday Angelus - The Holy Father spoke of Advent and the liturgical year, and the hope every man has
because Christ came to earth and is with us to the end of time. He also asked for prayers and concrete
assistance for all those who are afflicted with AIDS as the world observes a day for them on Dec. 1.
[Modificato da TERESA BENEDETTA 30/11/2009 17:05]