News
Matteo Bruni: Pope Leo XIV’s name choice highlights the Church’s mission
Shortly after the announcement of the new Pope, Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office, addressed journalists at a conference in the Holy See Press Office.
“We have heard the Pope’s first words,” said Bruni, words of peace, “unarmed and disarming.”
Bruni noted that the Pope spoke of dialogue, and that his first blessing recalled Pope Francis’ message just a few days ago, on Easter Sunday: “God cares for us, He loves you all, and evil will not prevail”.
Turning to the name chosen by the new Pope, Bruni confirmed that the decision to be called Leo XIV was a clear and deliberate reference to Pope Leo XIII, author of the 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum. That document marked the beginning of the Church’s modern social doctrine.
“In this context,” Bruni said, “it is clearly a reference to the lives of men and women, to their work – even in an age marked by artificial intelligence.”
The new Pope will celebrate Mass with the College of Cardinals on Friday at 11:00 in the Sistine Chapel. The liturgy will be broadcast live.
On Sunday, he will lead the Regina Coeli prayer at 12:00 from the central loggia of St Peter’s Basilica.
Then on Monday, 12 May at 10:00, Pope Leo XIV will meet with media professionals in the Paul VI Hall.
Source: The Vatican News
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
