Articles by Andrea Gagliarducci
African bishops aim for observer status at African Union
Feb 27, 2015 / 00:08 amThe African bishops took the first step on Monday toward having representation at the African Union, with the appointment of a liaison between the AU and the ymposium of African bishops conferences.
A brief history of spiritual exercises for the Roman Curia
Feb 24, 2015 / 00:08 amBy gathering the members of the Roman Curia for Lenten spiritual exercises this week, Pope Francis is participating in a tradition that stretches back more than 80 years, to the pontificate of Pius XI.
For Thailand's new cardinal, secularism is the face of the devil
Feb 23, 2015 / 17:12 pmThe main challenge facing the Church today is secularism, according to Cardinal Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij of Bangkok, who boldly called the phenomenon the devil's face in the modern world.
Vatican Secretary of State urges 'quick response' to crisis in Libya
Feb 18, 2015 / 20:02 pmAfter a meeting with Italian officials on Tuesday, Cardinal Pietro Parolin told reporters that swift action is needed in Libya, where continual conflict since a 2011 revolution has resulted in rival governments and a foothold for Islamists.
At the consistory, a strong dedication to Vatican reforms
Feb 13, 2015 / 14:18 pmReform was the watchword as cardinals met at the Vatican for briefings about the state of Vatican finances and about the work of a pontifical commission that protects minors.
A cardinal for migrants: Italy's Archbishop Francesco Montenegro
Feb 13, 2015 / 02:03 amArchbishop Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento still feels himself more of a priest with concern for the poor than a cardinal, even though he will be given the red biretta this Saturday.
'A reform to promote harmony' – Pope Francis opens a much-debated consistory
Feb 12, 2015 / 14:13 pmA reform to promote a greater harmony in the work of the Roman Curia, in Pope Francis’ words, was the topic of discussion on Thursday, the opening day of an extraordinary consistory of cardinals held at the Vatican.
What are the theological criteria to reform the Church and the Roman Curia?
Feb 9, 2015 / 14:46 pmThe reform of the Roman Curia must be an example for the spiritual renewal of the entire Church, the prefect of Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith wrote in an essay published Saturday in the Vatican's newspaper.
Parish dedicated to Rome's poor gets a visit from Pope Francis
Feb 8, 2015 / 12:01 pmPope Francis traveled in the eastern outskirts of Rome on Sunday afternoon to hear confessions and say Mass at a parish known for its commitment to the city's poor and the marginalized.
Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli: a talented preacher and soon-to-be cardinal
Feb 6, 2015 / 00:04 amWhen he learned in January Pope Francis would make him a cardinal, Archbishop Edoardo Menichelli of Ancona-Osimo did not want to comment. He had turned 75 in October, presenting his resignation to the Pope.
Political instability, war, and terrorism know no borders – Vatican official
Feb 4, 2015 / 11:40 amAs the Vatican's Secretary of State addressed the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean on Monday regarding the shared challenge of migration, Italy's Red Cross announced it is awarding the people of Lampedusa for their commitment to welcoming African emigrants.
Vatican judiciary report highlights increased international cooperation
Feb 2, 2015 / 12:09 pmThe Vatican enhanced international cooperation following the reform of the state's penal code and its anti-money laundering laws, according to a Jan. 31 report presented by Gian Piero Milano, Promoter of Justice at the Vatican tribunal.
What the Roman Curia will be schooled on during Lent
Feb 1, 2015 / 06:03 amThe Lenten spiritual exercises for the Roman curia will this year be preached by Fr. Bruno Secondin, a Carmelite, focused on the prophet Elijah and the prophetic role of the Church today.
Church in Italy fights against imposition of gender ideology in schools
Jan 31, 2015 / 06:08 amThe general secretary of the Italian bishops conference stressed on Friday that the attempt to introduce textbooks into the nation's schools that present gender theory as a fact are an effort to turn biological data upside down.
A love for peripheries, the link between Pope Francis and St John Bosco
Jan 29, 2015 / 12:07 pmThough he is member of the Society of Jesus, Pope Francis shares with the Salesians of St. John Bosco a love for the peripheries, and this is why he has often visited Salesian structures during his pastoral visits.
Iraqi priests work to save historic Christian writings from Islamic State
Jan 29, 2015 / 02:01 amEffectively exiled from his friary in Mosul by the Islamic State last year, Fr. Najeeb Michaeel, O.P. is working to preserve Christian manuscripts through digitization, recording a memory of Iraq's Christian past.
Will the number of dioceses in Italy be cut in the near future?
Jan 28, 2015 / 00:03 amA plan to reduce the number of Italian dioceses has been widely debated in the Italian bishops conference, and a first draft of the plan has reportedly already been given to the Congregation for Bishops and has undergone some adjustments.
Blessed Odoardo Focherini, the father of seven who saved 100 Jewish lives
Jan 27, 2015 / 17:01 pmAs Pope Francis tweeted Jan. 27 to observe the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, it is worth remembering Bl. Odoardo Focherini, who died a martyr to rescue Jews from Nazi persecution.
Cardinal praises Catholics in Vietnam for their witness to the faith
Jan 27, 2015 / 00:03 amCardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, lauded the efforts of the Catholic community in Vietnam during his pastoral visit last week and encouraged them in the path of mission.
For Pope Francis, faith is a criterion in investigating a marriage's validity
Jan 23, 2015 / 13:16 pmIn investigating the validity of a marriage, ecclesial judges should consider whether the decision to marry was made in the context of values and faith, Pope Francis said on Friday.