Vatican will open papal farm to public
CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy — Pope Francis is welcoming the public to see the working farm at Castel Gandolfo, the papal summer residence south of Rome.
Pope Pius XI had the farm built between 1929 and 1934, and it still produces the dairy, meat and vegetables for the pope and his staff.
The Vatican is planning to open the farm to the public next year, after finding success with its guided tours of Castel Gandolfo’s surrounding gardens. Francis has decided not to use the hilltop retreat, preferring to stay put in his suite at the Vatican hotel during vacations.
Soon, the public will be able to see the free-range hens, ostriches, turkeys, rabbits and 80 cows that feed Francis and his staff at the Santa Marta hotel.
Osvaldo Gianoli, who runs the papal villa, says the farm may even offer visitors a taste of the farm’s products.
— The Associated Press
Georgia city approves mosque in strip mall
KENNESAW, Ga. — The Kennesaw City Council has unanimously approved a permit for a mosque in a strip mall, reversing an earlier decision to reject it.
The council Monday night voted 5-0 to approve the permit.
The Marietta Daily Journal reports that the vote came despite protests from about 20 people outside city hall. They held signs saying “Ban Islam” and “No Mosque” and waved American flags before and after the meeting.
The council’s 4-1 vote against the mosque earlier this month also drew protests from supporters of the worship center. A lawyer for the mosque had said his client was considering a lawsuit if that earlier decision had stood.
Kennesaw is about 25 miles northwest of Atlanta.
— The Associated Press
Pope adds 2nd victim to sex abuse panel
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis has added a second survivor of priestly sex abuse to his commission of experts advising the Vatican on child protection policies, tapping a self-described “thorn in the side of the church” who has vocally criticized the church’s response to the scandal.
Peter Saunders, 57, of Britain, was one of six abuse survivors who met with Francis at the Vatican in July, giving the Argentine Jesuit his first, first-hand account of the traumatic toll that abuse wreaks on its victims.
On Wednesday, Saunders recalled telling the pope: “I’m not here as part of a PR exercise.”
“This is about action,” he said he told the pope.
Apparently, his frank words didn’t spook the pope. Francis asked Saunders to join the commission, bringing its full membership to 17, more than half of whom are women. They will meet for the first time as a group at the Vatican from Feb. 6-8.
— The Associated Press
Biden marks Hanukkah as national menorah lit
WASHINGTON — Vice President Joe Biden says Hanukkah commemorates the miracle of courageous warriors overcoming great odds to protect the Jewish people’s culture and dignity.
Biden marked the start of the eight-day Jewish holiday Tuesday evening by observing the lighting of the national menorah. A trio of cantors sang Hanukkah songs as a rabbi lighted the giant menorah on the Ellipse outside the White House.
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple by the Maccabees after their victory over Syrian oppressors.
Jews mark each of the eight days of Hanukkah by lighting candles on a menorah.