Ronnie Smith

Over a century ago, Pope Leo XIII noted that "the preservation of the Eastern rites is more important than is realized." Let us embrace the appeal to safeguard and promote the Christian East, especially in the diaspora. vatican.va/content/leo-xi…

The ancient, yet ever new spiritualities of the Christian East offer a healing balm. They merge an awareness of human misery with awe for divine mercy, so that our lowliness never leads to despair but invites us to welcome grace.

There is so much violence and so many wars in our world! Amid this horror that should provoke outrage—as people die in the name of military conquest—stands the call of Christ, who repeats: ‘Peace be with you!’

Christ's peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, and it is not the result of subjugation. Peace is a gift that gazes at others and renews their lives. Let us pray for this peace, which is reconciliation, forgiveness, and courage to turn the page and start again.

The Holy See is willing to help enemies meet, so they may look each other in the eye and so people may be given back the dignity they deserve: the dignity of peace. With heart in hand, I say to the leaders of nations: let us meet; let us dialogue; let us negotiate!

War is never inevitable. Weapons can and must fall silent, for they never solve problems but only intensify them. Those who sow peace will endure throughout history, not those who reap victims. Others are not enemies to hate but human beings with whom to speak.

There he is now! Welcome to Twitter, big guy!

@StephenM First time overseas Stephen?

@BBCSteveR Putin is not a man who is capable of negotiating peace. He needs war, he uses war to get what he and his oligarchs clients want. His answer to calls for peace is always a fresh barrage of missiles. He cannot credibly be associated with peace.

‘Will he or won’t he?’ is the question we’ve been asking since Vladimir Putin proposed direct talks with Ukraine. Would he fly to Turkey to take part or stay home? Last night we got the answer: ‘no’ (or might that be ‘not yet’?) If talks make progress (eg on long-term ceasefire) might more senior figures join discussions..?

We live in an inter-connected society despite the claims of Starmer yesterday & Thatcher years ago. Below an example of myself & my neighbours & friends from 2021 in Kenmure Street, Glasgow, not being "an island of strangers."

@StephenM It’s true. She didn’t have time to plan and stage any fake assasination attempts.

One of the big lies we’ve seen spreading around from the Democrat campaign pros, eg David Plouffe, is that Kamala was somehow disadvantaged by having a shorter campaign. This was actually her single biggest advantage—as if planned from the beginning—it’s what allowed the media to build a completely fictitious Kamala while sheltering her from all scrutiny. Remember the delusional fawning coverage of her convention? Her debate? Remember the nonstop pro-Harris media psy op and reinvention? Had she been forced to run a long campaign against Trump she would have topped out at 100 electoral votes.

@TopTweetTuesday @TopTweetTuesday , @MatthewMCSmith Aye Keir, maybe we are all strangers to you. Living our lives beyond 10 Downing Street, never seeing the Inns of Court or the bastions of Oxbridge. But one day you’ll be gone and we’ll all still be here living together on this island.

Our themes for next week’s @TopTweetTuesday ~ Protest, democracy, social justice, human rights, safety ~ 100 words max. Inventive use of imagery & metaphor first & foremost. ☝️

@MichaelRosenYes “Cheap, free…?” I’d be very surprised if that is the idea.

Interesting that Starmer has big plans for people to learn English. Where? Who? How? FE colleges have been decimated over the last few years. Where can people go to get cheap or free English lessons, that are near to their homes, taught by experienced, well-trained teachers?

@Haggis_UK Like Jenrick knows any ‘people’.

Robert Jenrick: "We are a very divided & segregated society... 50% of people weren't born in the UK in Bradford... the white British population in Dagenham has reduced by 50%.." Wilfred Frost: Is that a problem? RJ: "People are sick of that..."

@floboflo I was planning a long weekend in Durham but not now. Thank you Florence for showing the malign Reform in their true colours.

Durham was once a beautiful, quiet town. Now the gangs have taken over, people are afraid to walk the streets, stabbings are out of control and everything is in a state of disrepair. This is what happens when Reform takes over your council. We need change and we need it now.

So the wind came, its cold Easterly claw, as I knew it would. And the cherry blossom became snow, drifting high on the uncut grass. ©️April 2025

@KevinASchofield That’ll be a right laugh.

Liz Truss Is Aping Donald Trump By Starting Her Own Social Media Platform huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/liz-trus…

@MickCoffey2 “News avoiders” Gve me strength! Give us the news straight, without all the Daily Mail/Express editorialising.

Anyone suggested voluntary redundancy for Nick Robinson ? #r4Today

@Rhona_Greene @TopTweetTuesday @mishiepoet Of course you got it Rhona. ❤️

- ‘TopTweetTuesday, why are you still on Twitter?’ 😕 - ‘so we can do this…’ 💥 Next week’s challenge, hosted by @mishiepoet ☝️ 💪 …. 🖊️ 📑 📱 💻 🌎