The week ahead: A blessing, a gentleman, a pro-life opportunity

On Easter morning at 10am Rome time, Pope Francis will give the annual blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (“to the city and the world”). A plenary indulgence is available to anyone who watchers – even on television or the internet. The tradition of the blessing, which is also given at Christmas, dates back to Pope Gregory X in the 13th century.

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Saturday the 20th sees the publication of The Catholic Gentleman by Samuel Guzman, founder of a website with the same name. Published by Ignatius, it asks what masculinity means today – and “What real holiness is and how to achieve it”.

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Friday, April 26 is the last day for members of the public to make a submission to Parliament’s Joint Committee on the Domestic Abuse Bill. Pro-abortion campaigners have said they want to use the bill to advance abortion decriminalisation. More details can be found on the website of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, spuc.org.uk.