Catholic

Coronavirus concerns see Catholics push changes to holy communion

The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference has urged a number of measures to reduce transmission of the virus, including stopping communion being distributed from the chalice and the removal of holy water from stoups.

In a statement, the conference said dioceses and parishes should consider the changes "given the regular assembly of large groups for liturgical celebrations and a number of enquiries from dioceses, parishes and individuals".

Ballarat child sex abuse survivor seeks to inspire hope through photography

Peter Blenkiron's photographs are on show at the Art Gallery of Ballarat alongside video diaries and a documentary film about his story of abuse at the hands of Christian Brothers.

Blenkiron is seeking healing from the debilitating legacy of abuse that was inflicted on him as an 11-year-old by a St Patrick's College Christian Brother.

He says he wants the exhibition to inspire hope in other abuse survivors.

"There is a story that goes with the shots which shows that journey of hope and light no matter how dark it gets," he said.

Pope Francis visits predecessor John Paul II's shrine

The Pope called for clergy to leave their comfort zones and tend to the needy on the peripheries of life.

He is on a five-day visit to Poland to mark the 1,050th anniversary of the country's adoption of Christianity.

He is also taking part in World Youth Day, a global celebration for young Catholics.

The Pontiff is due to attend a youth prayer vigil later on Saturday.

Pope Francis began his day with a visit to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary, consecrated by John Paul II during his last visit to Poland in 2003.

Pope Francis in Poland: Huge crowds rally in Krakow

He told young people gathered in Krakow "a merciful heart opens up to welcome refugees and migrants", a statement that puts him at odds with Poland's anti-immigrant right-wing government.

It is Pope Francis's first visit to eastern Europe, with Poland the home of the late Pope John Paul II.

On Friday he is visiting the former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

There he saw the icon known as Black Madonna, a relic that has been venerated for six centuries.

VIDEO: Pope celebrates Mass in Cuba

People also lined the streets, many using umbrellas to shade themselves in the heat, as Francis travelled to the plaza in his popemobile.

He is the first pope to visit Cuba's third-largest city.

Francis was later due to travel to Santiago in south-eastern Cuba - before flying Into Washington on Tuesday for the US leg of his two-nation trip.