2021 Religion & Beliefs Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2021 Religion & Beliefs Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 05 Mar Pope Francis Visits Iraq: Pope Francis embarked on a historic and unprecedented apostolic journey to Iraq, becoming the first pontiff to visit the country. This significant diplomatic and religious mission took place during the challenging context of the global COVID-19 pandemic, symbolizing hope and reconciliation in a region long marked by conflict and religious tensions. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 06 Mar Historic Meeting Between Pope Francis and Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq: During his groundbreaking first visit to Iraq, Pope Francis met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the revered Shiite cleric's home in Najaf. This unprecedented encounter symbolized a significant moment of interfaith dialogue and mutual respect between the Catholic Church and Shia Islam, highlighting efforts to promote peace and understanding in a region historically marked by religious tensions.
- 28 Apr Pope Francis Accepts Resignations of Ecuadorian Bishops: Pope Francis accepted the resignations of Bishop Julio Parrilla Díaz and Monsignor Gerardo Miguel Nieves Loja from the Diocese of Riobamba due to significant governance issues, including financial mismanagement and moral misconduct.
- 28 May Erdoğan Inaugurates Controversial Taksim Mosque in Istanbul: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan officially opened the Taksim Mosque, a project that sparked significant controversy due to its location in a historically secular space, rekindling tensions from the 2013 protests about urban development and secularism.
- 10 Jun Pope Rejects Archbishop's Resignation Over Abuse Scandal: Pope Francis declined Archbishop Reinhard Marx's resignation offer regarding the Catholic Church's sexual abuse mishandling. In a personal letter, Francis acknowledged the global 'catastrophe' but urged Marx to continue serving as Archbishop.
- 27 Jun Additional Catholic Churches Burned in Canada: Two more Catholic churches were set ablaze in Canada, escalating concerns about ongoing arson attacks targeting religious institutions. The incidents were potentially connected to tensions surrounding Indigenous residential school history and reconciliation efforts.
- 14 Sep Pope Francis Visits Slovakia: Pope Francis arrived in Slovakia, meeting with President Zuzana Čaputová and other civil leaders as part of his apostolic journey, promoting dialogue and diplomatic relations.
- 11 Oct Pope Francis Launches Synod of Bishops Assembly: Pope Francis inaugurated the two-year Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, emphasizing three core principles: communion, participation, and mission. This significant ecclesiastical event aims to foster dialogue and collaborative approaches within the Catholic Church, with the synod concluding in October 2023 in Rome.
- 27 Oct Pope Francis Blesses Symbolic Bells for Ukraine and Ecuador: Pope Francis blessed two massive bells weighing over 2,000 pounds each, crafted by the Felczyński bell foundry in Poland. Part of the Polish Yes to Life foundation's initiative, these nearly four-foot-diameter bells are destined for Ukraine and Ecuador, symbolizing hope and solidarity.
- 26 Dec Pope Francis Addresses Global Challenges: In his annual Christmas message, Pope Francis highlighted the social and humanitarian challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing issues of loneliness, domestic violence, and ongoing global conflicts in regions like Syria, Ukraine, and Ethiopia.
What happened in 2021?
Discover what the world looked like in 2021: