Vatican news

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St. Peter's Basilica.

World Mission Sunday: Catholics urged to support evangelization as pandemic spreads

Oct 16, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican officials invited Catholics to participate in the 2020 World Mission Sunday with increased prayers and financial support, as local... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims after the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 27, 2019.

Pope Francis to attend interreligious peace event in Rome

Oct 16, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will attend an ecumenical prayer service and an interreligious ceremony for peace in Rome next week, the Vatican... Read more

Cardinal Mario Zenari in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 19, 2016.

Cardinal tells diplomats: 11 million Syrians need humanitarian aid

Oct 15, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The apostolic nuncio to Syria met with diplomats accredited to the Vatican Thursday to inform them that an estimated 11... Read more

Swiss Guards in the Protomartyrs’ Square in Vatican City, May 6, 2015.

Seven more Vatican Swiss Guards test positive for the coronavirus

Oct 15, 2020

The Pontifical Swiss Guard announced Thursday that seven more of its members have tested positive for the coronavirus.   Read more

Pope Francis speaks in video message to participants in the launch of the Global Compact on Education Oct. 15, 2020.

Pope Francis: Family is ‘the first and essential place of education’

Oct 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said Thursday that, among other global goals for education, he wants the world “to see in the family... Read more

The first hearing of an abuse trial takes place at the Vatican court Oct. 14, 2020.

Vatican court hears charges on first day of priest sex abuse trial

Oct 14, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the first hearing of an abuse trial Wednesday, the Vatican court heard the charges against two Italian priests, one... Read more

Pope Francis meets with the family of slain Italian priest Fr. Roberto Malgesini at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020.

Pope Francis comforts parents of slain Italian Catholic priest

Oct 14, 2020

Pope Francis met with the parents of a slain Italian priest before the general audience Wednesday.  Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020.

Pope Francis urges laity to ‘take a step forward’ in evangelization

Oct 14, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis called for the laity to “take a step forward” in carrying out the Church’s mission of evangelization in... Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020.

Pope Francis: ‘All human pains for God are sacred’

Oct 14, 2020

Pope Francis said Wednesday that the Psalms shed new light on suffering, showing that “all human pains for God are... Read more

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

As evaluation ends, Vatican says Moneyval inspection was ‘constructive’

Oct 13, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Moneyval, the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering watchdog, concluded its two-week on-site inspection of the Holy See and Vatican City... Read more

View of St. Peter`s Basilica from the roof of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on April 1, 2015.

Vatican trial for priests accused of abuse and cover-up in Vatican City youth seminary

Oct 13, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s criminal court is expected to begin this week the trial of two Italian priests, one accused of sexual... Read more

A soup kitchen for refugees in Athens.

Vatican to turn building offered by nuns into shelter for refugees

Oct 13, 2020

The Vatican said Monday that it would use a building offered to it by a religious order to house refugees.  Read more

Italian poet Dante Alighieri (c. 1265-1321) in a detail from a painting by Domenico di Michelino. Public domain.

Pope Francis: revisit the ‘Divine Comedy’ in Dante’s anniversary year

Oct 12, 2020

Pope Francis said Saturday that the 700th anniversary of the death of Dante Alighieri should inspire people to rediscover the... Read more

New Swiss Guards recruits are sworn in at a ceremony at the Vatican Oct. 4, 2020.

Four Vatican Swiss Guards test positive for the coronavirus

Oct 12, 2020

The Vatican confirmed Monday that four Swiss Guards have tested positive for the coronavirus.  Read more

The courtyard of the Casina Pio IV, the Vatican home of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Pope Francis names UCLA literacy expert to pontifical academy

Oct 12, 2020

Pope Francis appointed a literacy expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences Monday.   Read more

Pope Francis receives Cardinal George Pell in a private audience at the Vatican Oct. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis meets with Cardinal Pell at the Vatican

Oct 12, 2020

Former Vatican finance czar Cardinal George Pell met with Pope Francis in a private audience at the Vatican Monday.  Read more

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background.

Vatican amends financial law amid Moneyval inspection

Oct 10, 2020

The Vatican unveiled changes to a landmark law on transparency, supervision, and financial intelligence Saturday, saying that the move would strengthen... Read more

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, center, in 2015.

Cardinal Becciu claims ‘absolute falseness’ of allegations against him

Oct 8, 2020

Cardinal Angelo Becciu insisted Wednesday on the “absolute falseness” of claims of financial misconduct against him.  Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on March 12, 2016.

Pope Francis to Moneyval: ‘Money must serve, not rule’

Oct 8, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a speech Thursday to Moneyval representatives evaluating the Vatican, Pope Francis emphasized that money should be at the service... Read more

A sculpture of Hildegard of Bingen by Karlheinz Oswald at Eibingen Abbey in Hesse, Germany.

Pope Francis praises ‘great’ St. Hildegard of Bingen

Oct 8, 2020

Pope Francis hailed the “great” Doctor of the Church St. Hildegard of Bingen in a message to a Vatican women’s... Read more