Jews spitting on the ground beside Christian pilgrims in the Holy Land sparks outrage
A video that shows ultra-Orthodox Jews spitting on the ground beside a procession of foreign Christian worshipers carrying a wooden cross in the holy city of Jerusalem has ignited intense outrage and a flurry of condemnation in the Holy Land.
Pope makes surprise early morning prayer visit in rainy Rome
Pope Francis prays beneath the statue of the Virgin Mary on the occasion of Immaculate Conception day, at the Spanish Steps, in Rome, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2020. Pope Francis paid a surprise visit to the statue early Tuesday after last week the Vatican announced that due to the COVID-19 pandemic his annual pilgrimage to the statue in the center of Rome would be cancelled to avoid contagion due to gatherings. (Vatican News via AP)ROME โ Pope Francis on Tuesday made a surprise early morning visit to the Spanish Steps in Rome to pray for people worldwide struggling in the pandemic. The Vatican last week said that due to social distancing concerns Francis was canceling the traditional Dec. 8 afternoon visit to the square that draws big crowds. While in the square, the pope wore a protective mask, which he rarely has done in public appearances so far during the pandemic.