Hundreds of Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession through the limestone walls of Jerusalem's Old City, commemorating one of the faith's most sacred days with noticeably thinner crowds amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Christians carry a statue of Jesus Christ as they take part in a procession during the celebrations of the Good Friday in the Old City of Jerusalem, Friday, March 29, 2024. Hundreds of Christians participated in a customary Good Friday procession through the limestone walls of Jerusalem's Old City, commemorating one of the faith's most sacred days with noticeably thinner crowds amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Thousands of Palestinians have been killed in Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas' Oct. 7 killings and hostage-taking in Israel. "Comparing last year's Easter festivities with this year is like light and day," said Fayaz Dakkak, a Palestinian storeowner whose family first opened the shop in 1942. His shop stood empty.
"They were afraid of the situation at first," she said, "but I told them here in Jerusalem, it's safe, we don't have violence. We are close to Gaza, but the Christian people are not the target of terrorism." Elsewhere, Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at the Colosseum in Rome, the Vatican said, to "conserve his health in view of the vigil tomorrow and Mass on Easter Sunday."
"It's the story that we all know from when we were little kids," said Jason Rodriguez, a Pilsen resident and event volunteer. "This reenactment drives home the suffering, the strength and the passion that our Lord had." The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.Quebec MP Anthony Housefather remains undecided on his future more than a week after a House of Commons motion on Israel and Gaza left him questioning whether he will remain in the Liberal party.
Luxury operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises is raising their price tag to eye-watering levels, with a suite on an upcoming 140-day world voyage costing US$1.7 million.'Ozempig' remains Minnesota baseball team's mascot despite uproar that name is form of fat-shaming Ontario's top doctor is calling on the province to immediately enact policy that will restrict access to alcohol, vapes and cannabis as the number of people who have died or visited a hospital due to using multiple substances has spiked in recent years.The Calgary Police Service is asking for help finding a man who was last seen well over a week ago in Penbrooke Meadows.
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