Gloria TV News on the Feast of St. Elizabeth of Hungary.

Emergency Holy Synod To Combat Anti-Crucifix-Decision

Greece

The head of the Orthodox Church of Greece has called an emergency holy synod to combat the European Court of Human Rights’ decision to ban crucifixes in Italian classrooms. An activist group, Papa, is seeking to use the Italian case as a precedent. It has demanded that Greek courts remove icons of Jesus Christ from above the judge's bench and that the gospel no longer be used for swearing oaths in the witness box. Likewise, Helsinki Monitor is urging trade unions to challenge the presence of religious symbols in Greek schools.

Start With the Soul

Vatican

Pope Benedict XVI visited yesterday the Roman headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization FAO for the occasion of the World Summit on Food Security. The Holy Father noted that the number of people who suffer from hunger continues to grow, notwithstanding the known fact that the world has enough food for all its inhabitants. The Pope added: “To acknowledge the transcendent value of each man and woman is the first step to promote the conversion of heart that will enable the eradication of misery, hunger and poverty.”

Great Roman Polyphony Returns

Vatican - Italy

Great Roman Polyphony Returns to Saint Peter's, not in a concert, but in a Mass, writes the Italian journalist Sandro Magister. It will be conducted by Monsignior Domenico Bartolucci, the most brilliant interpreter of Palestrina's music alive today. Bartolucci was removed as head of the Sistine Chapel choir twelve years ago, but now, with Pope Benedict, has finally been rehabilitated. The context within which Bartolucci will return to conduct a Mass at Saint Peter's is that of the International Festival of Sacred Music and Art, which is held each fall in the basilicas of Rome.

Patriarch Has Died

Serbia

Patriarch Pavle I, the leader of the 8-million member Orthodox Church of Serbia, has died at the age of 95. A critic of the government of Slobodan Milosevic and of Kosovo’s recent independence from Serbia, Patriarch Pavle was named a bishop in 1957 and elected patriarch in 1990. The Serbian government has announced three days of national mourning.