“Zelensky has found some suckers who give him all the billions he asks for, so he just keeps on asking for more,” the MEP said in a video on social media on Friday. He argued that Zelensky’s demands have continued to mount, citing Kiev’s alleged budget shortfalls of €27 billion in 2026 and €32 billion in 2027, followed by a fresh €70 billion demand on top of the €90 billion loan approved in April.
BREAKING: Reports are emerging of an attack by a group of masked Israeli settlers on a convoy of European diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland who were visiting the Christian Palestinian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah, to participate in the olive harvest. 7 settlers in all-terrain vehicles reportedly surrounded the vehicles, demanded documents, threw stones, and smashed the window of a vehicle belonging to the Belgian consulate. Several diplomats are injured Megatron
Does Leo XIV use archdioceses as dumping grounds for unwanted Vatican officials? Italian priest Filippo Di Giacomo criticises the appointment of Cardinal Mauro Gambetti as Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto. Chieti-Vasto is a historically significant episcopal see in central and southern Italy. Di Giacomo suggests that Leo XIV instrumentalised the Archdiocese to get Gambetti out of the Roman Curia. Di Giacomo also reports an unconfirmed claim that Gambetti accepted the transfer only after being promised an auxiliary bishop. Gambetti reportedly intends to retain other “commitments”. If true, the archdiocese could end up with an archbishop whose attention is elsewhere. Di Giacomo warns that the same misfortune may await the Archdiocese of Pescara-Penne, with the likely arrival of another “castoff from the Roman Curia.”
FILIPPO DI GIACOMO: “IL 3 OTTOBRE IL CARDINALE MAURO GAMBETTI È DIVENTATO ARCIVESCOVO DI CHIETI-VASTO” – “SENZA NESSUN GIUDIZIO SULL'ESERCIZIO DELL'ENORME POTERE AVUTO DA GAMBETTI, PERCHÉ UN'ARCIDIOCESI IMPORTANTE E GRANDE COME QUELLA DI CHIETI-VASTO DEVE RICEVERE UN PASTORE (E NON È LA PRIMA VOLTA) DISTANTE DALLE SENSIBILITÀ LOCALI E NOMINATO SOLO PER RISOLVERE UNO SQUILIBRIO NELLA CURIA ROMANA?”
Mistaken: Speaking at The Spectator's Free Speech Debate, Lord Sumption says a person should be allowed to engage in silent prayer provided it is not directed at 'vulnerable people outside abortion clinics'.
"Meddle thee not with other men's goods, neither busy thee in great men s causes: have always an eye to thyself and diligently inform and admonish thyself before all others. If thou have not the favour of worldly-living people, sorrow not therefor: but let this be thy daily sorrow, that thou behavest not thyself in thy conversation, as it beseemeth a good religious person to do."
‘OF COMPUNCTION OF THE HEART...…’ ~ ‘The Imitation of Christ’ ~ Thomas A Kempis; 1872; Book I; Chapters 21; pages 36-37; part II [Thomas a Kempis – XIV-XV Century AD; Kempen, Holy Roman Empire/Zwolle, Holy Roman Empire; aged 90-91; Canon, Regular] 21. OF COMPUNCTION OF THE HEART. Meddle thee not with other men s goods, neither busy thee in great men s causes: have always an eye to thyself and diligently inform and admonish thyself before all others. If thou have not the favour of worldly-living people, sorrow not therefor: but let this be thy daily sorrow, that thou behavest not thyself in thy conversation, as it beseemeth a good religious person to do. It is more expedient and more profitable that a man sometimes lack consolations in this life, than that he have them always after his own will, namely, fleshly consolations. Nevertheless, that we have not sometimes heavenly consolations, or that we so seldom feel them as we do, is through our own default : for we seek not to have true …More
This is really good, I'll save and share it. The Art of War and Thick Face, Black Heart seem to reveal an ancient, strong Catholic influence. Similar to finding that Confucius and Thomas A Kempis are both credited for the saying, "No matter where you go, there you are."
Bebo’s FriendsZelensky: Putin is building a Russia that looks like North Korea, where children are raised from childhood for war and to die for their leader. Therefore, Russia will not cease to be dangerous. And it is our Ukrainian strength, our army and our technologies that also help guarantee European security, your security.
anecdote from the surgeon that operated on Pope Leo XIV: "On the second day after the operation, we turned around and found him arranging the chairs in the chapel himself. We said, “Holy Father, we can do that.” And he replied, “It doesn’t matter. I can do it, so I will.” What can I say? He really was an absolutely ideal patient."
3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? are not also his sisters here with us? And they were scandalized in regard of him.
On the local level, say on Boards of Not-for-Profits, this is exactly what happens when the person who should run things declines because it would be too much trouble. The outcome isn't pretty and the pained look of this face of Plato says it very well.
US Bishop bans St. Michael prayer after Mass. Bishop Mark Beckman of Knoxville, Tennessee, has directed priests to discontinue the communal recitation of the Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel immediately before or after Mass. In his October 16 article, he claims that in order to celebrate the liturgy “in accordance with the mind of the Church” priests need to “catechize the people of God as we move away from additional prayers recited together immediately before, during, and immediately after Mass.” Additional prayers - including those to St. Michael, St. Francis, and the Holy Spirit - should not become regular additions to the celebration of Mass. He cited the Second Vatican Council's call for a liturgy marked by “noble simplicity.” #newsIisjgbwbuz
But at that time shall Michael rise up, the great prince, who standeth for the children of thy people: and a time shall come such as never was from the time that nations began even until that time. And at that time shall thy people be saved, every one that shall be found written in the book. 2And many of those that sleep in the dust of the earth, shall awake: some unto life everlasting, and others unto reproach, to see it always. 3But they that are learned shall shine as the brightness of the firmament: and they that instruct many to justice, as stars for all eternity. 4But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time appointed: many shall pass over, and knowledge shall be manifold.
" Everything that He said was said primarily, and in particular, to the disciples, but referred in general to the whole present and future, to those, that is to say, who should come after. He said * I will go and will return to you;' and so it was, for, when the Holy Spirit returned upon the disciples, He also returned, as I told you above, for the Holy Spirit did not return alone, but came with My power, and the wisdom of the Son, who is one thing with Me..."
‘How the soul, after having mounted the first step…’ ~ 'The Dialogue' of Saint Catherine of Siena; 1907; A TREATISE OF DISCRETION; pp. 152; part II [Saint Catherine of Siena /Caterina di Benincasa/; XIV-XV Century AD; born: Siena, Republic of Siena/died: Rome, Papal States; aged 33; Spiritual Writer; Mystic; Virgin; Doctor of the Church] How the soul, after having mounted the first step of the Bridge, should proceed to mount the second. But when they had persevered in fasting and in humble and continual prayer, until they had received the abundance of the Holy Spirit, they lost their fear, and followed and preached Christ crucified. So also the soul, who wishes to arrive at this perfection, after she has risen from the guilt of mortal sin, recognising it for what it is, begins to weep from fear of the penalty, whence she rises to the consideration of My mercy, in which contemplation, she finds her own pleasure and profit. This is an imperfect state, and I, in order to develop perfection …More
Dropping MOAB on Iran would invite all-out retaliation across the Gulf – academic Iran’s retaliation to the US dropping the "Mother of all bombs" (MOAB) on it would be aimed at any US-linked targets in the region, Prof. Mohammad Marandi, former adviser to the Iranian nuclear negotiations team, said on Judge Napolitano’s podcast. “It goes beyond just oil and gas infrastructure, it means everything that is somehow linked to the United States, whether it’s data centers or banks or anything that is of any value,” he elaborated. Marandi also pointed out that the US previously dropped a MOAB on Afghanistan, but it did not help them win the war there. geopolitics_prime
Scenes of chaos at Place Bellecour in Lyon. Law enforcement forces are attempting to protect the firefighters who are responding to the fire at the tourist office.
Reports are emerging of an attack by a group of masked Israeli settlers on a convoy of European diplomats from France, Belgium, and Poland who were visiting the Christian Palestinian village of Taybeh, near Ramallah, to participate in the olive harvest.
Dropping MOAB on Iran would invite all-out retaliation across the Gulf – academic