Your gift counts double until 5/31: $25,254 to go in our Easter Campaign. Please help now!

Vatican spokesman optimistic about Arab world’s ‘possible springtime’

CWN - February 28, 2011

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Holy See Press Office, is expressing optimism about the “possible springtime” taking place in the Arab world.

“Thanks to the links with emigration, many have a positive idea of the European world, of human rights, of democracy and of liberty,” he said. “If, close to us, on the southern shore of the now very narrow sea that is the Mediterranean, there are innumerable young people desirous of a human growth in greater liberty, we cannot fail to do everything that is within our means to engage without fear in positive dialogue with them, learning mutually our respective languages.”

Father Lombardi acknowledged that “the new possibilities are connected also with new risks” and rued the violence in Libya. “The violence that accompanies the resistance to the spread of the movement of transformation of the political situation in Arab countries-- particularly in Libya-- is, of course, a source of very great grief for the suffering of the victims and populations.”

Additional sources for this story
Some links will take you to other sites, in a new window.

An appeal from our founder, Dr. Jeffrey Mirus:

Dear reader: If you found the information on this page helpful in your pursuit of a better Catholic life, please support our work with a donation. Your donation will help us reach five million Truth-seeking readers worldwide this year. Thank you!

Easter Campaign:
Progress toward our Spring 2013 goal ($25,254 to go):
$80,000.00 $54,745.55
32% 68%
Sound Off! CatholicCulture.org supporters weigh in.

All comments are moderated. To lighten our editing burden, only current donors are allowed to Sound Off. If you are a donor, log in to see the comment form; otherwise please support our work, and Sound Off!

Show 2 Comments? (Hidden)Hide Comments
  • Posted by: FredC - Mar. 03, 2011 12:22 PM ET USA

    Catholicism offers the hope that all seek. Will our bishops seize the opportunity that the youthful protestors want?

  • Posted by: D2Z - Mar. 01, 2011 4:56 PM ET USA

    Jesus taught us to "turn the other cheek", but he also rather violently turned over tables to change how people were acting, when there actions were not honoring God. Maybe now is the time for Libya to turn the tables. I just pray this is not the start of what the Blessed Virgin Mary foretold at Fatima.

Catholic World News Email Newsletter
Donate to Support this Site: Your contribution will be put to good work.
Tour the CatholicCulture.org Site
Shop Amazon to Raise Money for Catholic Culture

Recent Catholic Commentary

The sad decline of self-government 9 hours ago
That impromptu exorcism again 13 hours ago
The Mystery of the Spirit May 21
Against a Facile Assurance of Salvation, the Need for Mystery May 21
Making Sense of Society: The Ebook May 21

Top Catholic News

Most Important Stories of the Last 30 Days
Pope strongly supports call for reform in religious life CWN - May 8