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Cluny Abbey - France

FRANCE BURGUNDY SAONE-ET-LOIRE (71) - CLUNY. THE VAULTED WOODEN ROOF STRUCTURE OF THE FLOUR MILL AT CLUNY ABBEY DATES FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 13TH CENTURY AND IS A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF MEDIEVAL ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Cluny Abbey - France

FRANCE. BURGUNDY. SAONE-ET-LOIRE (71) CLUNY. ZOOM ON THE WOODEN VAULTED TIMBER FRAME OF THE GRANARY OF CLUNY ABBEY WHO DATES FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 13TH CENTURY, A REMARKABLE EXAMPLE OF MEDIEVAL ROMANESQUE ARCHITECTURE. Photo by Vincent Schneider/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Vilalba Capon Fair 2025 - Spain

Celebration of the 'Feira do Capón de Vilalba', on December 21, 2025, in Vilalba, Lugo, Galicia (Spain). It is a popular fair with more than 200 years of antiquity celebrated every year around December 21 and has international repercussion. It begins in the early hours of the day with the sale of this emblematic Christmas product, enlivened by the performance of several folk groups. The star of the fair are the "capons", chickens fed by hand with balls of cornmeal and potato dough, which during the fattening season are placed in cages called "capoeiras" to immobilize them and accelerate their fattening until the time of slaughter, the day before the fair. Capon de Villalba is a product of excellent quality, highly appreciated since the 13th century. Photo by Carlos Castro / Europa Press / ABACAPRESS.COM

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Italy: Torre dei Conti Medieval Roman Tower Collapse Leaves 1 Dead Amid Restoration

A worker pulled from the rubble of the partially collapsed medieval Torre dei Conti in Rome died on Tuesday, November 4, following an intensive rescue operation. The collapse, which occurred on Monday near the Colosseum, critically injured three other workers. The Torre dei Conti, dating from the early 13th century, was being restored with European Union funds.

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Illustration - Sainte Chapelle - Paris

FRANCE. PARIS (75) ILE DE LA CITE. THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE. SIX YEARS OF WORK AND 9.5 MILLION EUROS WERE INVESTED IN RESTORING THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (COMPLETED IN 2014). THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN OVER A THOUSAND HISTORIATED SCENES, IN THE STYLE OF A MONUMENTAL COMIC STRIP. BUILT IN THE 13TH CENTURY BY KING LOUIS IX (SAINT LOUIS) AS A RELIQUARY FOR CHRIST'S CROWN OF THORNS, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE HOUSES THE MOST PRECIOUS RELICS OF CHRISTIANITY (INCLUDING THE CROWN OF THORNS). Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Sainte Chapelle - Paris

FRANCE. PARIS (75) ILE DE LA CITE. THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE. SIX YEARS OF WORK AND 9.5 MILLION EUROS WERE INVESTED IN RESTORING THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (COMPLETED IN 2014). THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN OVER A THOUSAND HISTORIATED SCENES, IN THE STYLE OF A MONUMENTAL COMIC STRIP. BUILT IN THE 13TH CENTURY BY KING LOUIS IX (SAINT LOUIS) AS A RELIQUARY FOR CHRIST'S CROWN OF THORNS, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE HOUSES THE MOST PRECIOUS RELICS OF CHRISTIANITY (INCLUDING THE CROWN OF THORNS). Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Sainte Chapelle - Paris

FRANCE. PARIS (75) ILE DE LA CITE. THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE. SIX YEARS OF WORK AND 9.5 MILLION EUROS WERE INVESTED IN RESTORING THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (COMPLETED IN 2014). THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN OVER A THOUSAND HISTORIATED SCENES, IN THE STYLE OF A MONUMENTAL COMIC STRIP. BUILT IN THE 13TH CENTURY BY KING LOUIS IX (SAINT LOUIS) AS A RELIQUARY FOR CHRIST'S CROWN OF THORNS, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE HOUSES THE MOST PRECIOUS RELICS OF CHRISTIANITY (INCLUDING THE CROWN OF THORNS). Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only Paris/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Pays Cathare

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Pope Leo XIV Visits the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella - Vatican

Pope Leo XIV made a private visit to the Shrine of Our Lady of Grace at Mentorella ( Santuario Madonna delle Grazie alla Mentorella) in the village of Guadangolo, 65 km south of Rome, Italy on August 19, 2025. After dedicating time to prayer, the Holy Father spent time with the Polish Resurrectionist religious who serve at the sanctuary before returning to the papal residence at Castel Gandolfo. Mentorella sits on top of a mountain. It holds a special connection to several pontiffs: Pope John Paul II, just nine days after being elected pope, made a pilgrimage to the Shrine. Pope Benedict XVI also visited the sanctuary in 2005, and Pope Innocent XIII (1721-1724) had requested his heart to be buried there. Tradition holds it was the place where St. Eustachius converted in the 2nd century. Two hundred years later, Emperor Constantine built a basilica on the spot where the saint converted, and it was consecrated by Pope Silvester I in the years before 335. In the middle of the 13th century, a wooden image of the

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Illustration - Occitanie

FRANCE; HERAULT (34) VILLAGE OF SERVIAN. AERIAL VIEW OF THE LISTED CHURCH (13TH CENTURY) Photo by Frederic Hedelin/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Occitanie

FRANCE. PYRENEES ORIENTALES (66) AERIAL VIEW OF THE VILLAGE CHURCH IN BAIXAS (13TH CENTURY, THEN REMODELLED IN THE 19TH CENTURY). IT HOUSES THE LARGEST ALTARPIECE IN ROUSSILLON. Photo by Frederic Hedelin/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathares

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathares

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathares

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathares

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE. THE BUST OF KING HENRI IV AT THE HEART OF THE SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE.CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, AERIAL VIEW OF SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, AERIAL VIEW OF SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, AERIAL VIEW OF SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, AERIAL VIEW OF SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE, AERIAL VIEW OF SAINT-ETIENNE CATHEDRAL (13TH CENTURY), UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE OF HUMANITY SITE Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE. DETAIL OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN SAINT-ETIENNE'S CATHEDRAL. THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS WERE CREATED BETWEEN THE 13TH AND 16TH CENTURIES. THE 16TH-CENTURY WINDOWS ARE THE WORK OF MASTER GLASSWORKER JEAN LECUYER. Photo by Antoine Lorgnier/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Bourges

FRANCE. CHER (18) BOURGES 2028. EUROPEAN CAPITAL OF CULTURE. DETAIL OF THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS IN SAINT-ETIENNE'S CATHEDRAL. THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS WERE CREATED BETWEEN THE 13TH AND 16TH CENTURIES. THE 16TH-CENTURY WINDOWS ARE THE WORK OF MASTER GLASSWORKER JEAN LECUYER. Photo by Antoine Lorgnier/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Loire Valley

FRANCE - LOIRE VALLEY - LOIR ET CHER (41) - CASTLE OF BLOIS : AERIAL VIEW FROM THE SOUTH ON SUNRISE. THEATER OF A SUCCESSION OF PLOTS AND HISTORICAL EVENT INVOLVING 7 KINGS AND 10 QUEENS (INCLUDING THE ASSASSINATION OF THE DUKE OF GUISE IN 1588), THIS CASTLE IS A UNIQUE EXAMPLE OF THE EVOLUTION OF FRENCH ARCHITECTURE FROM THE 13TH TO THE 17TH CENTURY CENTURY AND GATHERED AROUND THE SAME COURT, 4 DIFFERENT FACADES AND 4 ERAS. FROM LEFT TO RIGHT, THE GASTON D'ORLEANS WING (CLASSICAL STYLE), THE FRANCOIS 1ER WING (RENAISSANCE STYLE), THE MEDIEVAL CASTLE (GOTHIC STYLE) AND THE LOUIS XII WING (FLAMBOYANT STYLE). Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - The Alps in Summer

FRANCE. ISERE (38) CHARTREUSE REGIONAL NATURE PARK. CHATEAU DU TOUVET IS A FORMER 13TH-CENTURY FORTIFIED CASTLE. WITH ITS WALLED GARDEN, EXPERTLY PRUNED BOXWOOD AND YEW TREES, ROSE GARDEN, PONDS AND FOUNTAINS, THE CHATEAU AND ITS FORMAL GARDENS (AWARDED THE REMARKABLE GARDEN LABEL) ARE LISTED AS HISTORIC MONUMENTS. Photo by Bertrand Bodin/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial View of France

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial View of France

FRANCE - ARIEGE (09) - MONTSEGUR CASTLE. VIEW FROM THE SOUTH EAST, AT SUNSET. STANDING AT AN ALTITUDE OF 1207M, ON THE HIGHEST PART OF A ROCKY OUTCROP, THE FORTRESS IS MENTIONED IN THE TEXTS FROM THE END OF THE 12TH CENTURY. AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 13TH CENTURY, THE CATHARS, ADEPTS OF A DUALISTIC RELIGION DECLARED HERETICAL BY THE POPE, SETTLED IN THESE PLACES. IN 1232, THE CASTLE BECAME THE SEAT OF THE CATHAR CHURCH AND THE REFUGE OF THE FAIDITS, LOCAL LORDS DISPOSSESSED OF THEIR PROPERTY BY THE CRUSADE. WHILE LANGUEDOC WILL BE SET ON FIRE, MONTSEGUR WILL LIVE IN RELATIVE PEACE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS. FINALLY, THE POPE AND THE KING OF FRANCE, DECIDED IN 1243 TO FINISH WITH MONTSEGUR: AFTER A TERRIBLE SIEGE OF 11 MONTHS, MARCH 16, 1244, THE CATHARS ARE LED TO THE STAKE. MORE THAN 200 OF THEM ARE BURNED ALIVE. CATHARISM WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM THE LOSS OF MONTSEGUR AND WILL DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 14TH CENTURY. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial View of France

FRANCE. PARIS (75) ILE DE LA CITE. THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE. SIX YEARS OF WORK AND 9.5 MILLION EUROS WERE INVESTED IN RESTORING THE STAINED GLASS WINDOWS (COMPLETED IN 2014). THEY TELL THE STORY OF THE CHOSEN PEOPLE IN OVER A THOUSAND HISTORIATED SCENES, IN THE STYLE OF A MONUMENTAL COMIC STRIP. BUILT IN THE 13TH CENTURY BY KING LOUIS IX (SAINT LOUIS) AS A RELIQUARY FOR CHRIST'S CROWN OF THORNS, THE SAINTE-CHAPELLE HOUSES THE MOST PRECIOUS RELICS OF CHRISTIANITY (INCLUDING THE CROWN OF THORNS). Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial View of France

FRANCE. NORMANDY. MANCHE (50) AERIAL VIEW OF NOTRE-DAME DE COUTANCES CATHEDRAL, A 13TH-CENTURY ROMAN CATHOLIC BUILDING IN THE NORMAN GOTHIC STYLE Photo by Jerome Houyvet/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Buddhist ritual in Kyoto

Buddhist monks sway while chanting at Higashi Hongan-ji temple in Kyoto on Nov. 28, 2024, during a ritual to commemorate the death of Shinran, a famous 13th-century monk who founded the Jodo Shinshu school of Buddhism.