Vatican diplomacy

The Latest

Reported bishop ordinations in China not authorized by Holy See

Nov 7, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

A statement made by the Vatican on Monday declared that unverified reports of bishop ordinations taking place within the so-called... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City Flag.

Holy See and Benin sign agreement on Church’s legal status

Oct 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

The Holy See and the Republic of Benin have signed an agreement formally recognizing the legal status of the Catholic... Read more

12-year-old twins from the old city of Homs stand near garbage outside a dilapidated building.

Global progress for children is stalled by war, Holy See tells UN

Oct 19, 2016

Progress for the world’s children has left out the young victims of war, conflict, and poverty, the Holy See has... Read more

A nuclear bomb explostion near Bikini atoll, March 26, 1954. Photo courtesy of the National Nuclear Security Administration/Nevada Site Office.

Nuclear weapons offer only illusory peace, Holy See tells UN

Oct 19, 2016

The apostolic nuncio to the United Nations again stressed the need for nuclear weapons disarmament on Monday, with the worldwide... Read more

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims from China at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2016.

Pope Francis and China – attempts for a thaw?

Oct 5, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Improved Holy See relations with China are a major effort of this papacy, with an ongoing focus on disputes appointment... Read more

A CRS tent aiding refugees and migrants in Europe.

Do something about forced migration, cardinal exhorts UN

Sep 20, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican Secretary of State pleaded Monday for an increased commitment from the international community in addressing the root causes... Read more

Pope Francis meets with apostolic nuncios at the Vatican, Sept. 17, 2016.

Papal ambassadors issue global appeal to step-up peace efforts

Sep 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending three days in Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis’ diplomatic representatives throughout the world have... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 11, 2015.

Pope tells ambassadors to serve in humility, not get lost in politics

Sep 17, 2016

By Elise Harris

In a special Jubilee audience with nearly all of his 108 ambassadors around the world, Pope Francis thanked them for... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, April 13, 2016.

Behind Pope Francis' diplomacy is a small school with a big impact

Jun 11, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The pontificate of Pope Francis has a diplomatic style of its own, and many of his diplomats share a common... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with the Diplomatic Corps Ac

Your job is to give voice to the suffering, Pope tells new ambassadors

May 19, 2016

By Elise Harris

As six new ambassadors to the Holy See presented Pope Francis with their credentials, the pontiff stressed that as representatives... Read more

Empower women and you empower the world, Vatican tells UN

Mar 23, 2016

If diplomacy and policy-making are to be successful, all women – including those who are often left out of the... Read more

The Flag of the Holy See.

Pope Francis names new Permanent Observer to the UN in Geneva

Feb 14, 2016

By Elise Harris

Slovenia-born Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic will be the Holy See’s next Permanent Observer to the United Nations in Geneva, a significant... Read more

Msgr. Peter Bryan Wells.

High-ranking American in Vatican 'humbled' by appointment as nuncio

Feb 9, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday it was announced that Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Peter Bryan Wells, the highest ranking American in the... Read more

Tombstones at the war cemetery in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Why are more civilians dying in war? Nuncio says global community must act

Jan 22, 2016

The Holy See’s representative to the United Nations has said that the entire international community is implicated “in one way... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the Diplomatic Corps Ac

Pope to diplomats: Migrants present challenges, but don't forget their dignity

Jan 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Monday Pope Francis gave his first major speech of the year to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy... Read more

Pope Francis addresses interreligious leaders in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13, 2015.

'Genuine religious faith' is a force against terrorist savagery, Holy See tells UN

Oct 18, 2015

The papal nuncio to the United Nations on Wednesday stressed the religious rejection of the “utter savagery” of terrorism and... Read more

The Vatican flag.

Holy See expresses cautious support for UN development goals

Sep 4, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The Holy See on Tuesday expressed its “strong support” for the 2030 United Nations development agenda, but added it has... Read more

Chinese pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the General Audience, April 22, 2015.

China consecrates first new bishop in three years

Aug 6, 2015

In mainland China's first episcopal consecration since 2012, a priest was consecrated a bishop in the cathedral of Anyang on... Read more

Riad al-Malki, Palestine's foreign minister, signs the Comprehensive Agreement between the State of Palestine and the Holy See, June 26, 2015.

A hope for peace: Vatican, Palestine sign treaty protecting religious liberty

Jun 26, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The comprehensive agreement signed on Friday by the Holy See and the State of Palestine may serve the twofold goal... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, March 25, 2015.

Pope exhorts future Vatican diplomats to bring Christ's face to the world

Jun 25, 2015

Pope Francis told the graduating class of Holy See ambassadors on Thursday that their main mission is to be Christ’s... Read more