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Pontifical Academy for Life expresses concern over pandemic aggravating inequalities

Jul 22, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Pontifical Academy for Life released a document Wednesday that expresses concern that the coronavirus pandemic is aggravating global inequalities.  Read more

Family members carry the coffin of Francisco Franco out of the basilica of the Valley of the Fallen, Oct. 24, 2019.

Vatican says Pope Francis did not intervene in Franco exhumation in Spain

Jul 21, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican stated Tuesday that Pope Francis did not intervene in last year’s controversy over the exhumation of the body... Read more

Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the first female president of Greece.

Hagia Sophia: Greek president appeals to Pope Francis to put pressure on Turkey

Jul 21, 2020

The president of Greece called Pope Francis Monday urging the pope to advocate for the preservation of the status quo... Read more

Pope Francis greets children in the Paul VI Audience Hall July 20, 2020.

Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Vatican sports camp

Jul 21, 2020

Pope Francis made a surprise visit Monday to a sports camp for the children of Vatican employees.  Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican publishes instructions on parish reform and diocesan restructuring

Jul 20, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican’s Congregation for Clergy published instructions Monday on reforming parishes and restructuring dioceses to better serve their “singular mission... Read more

The late Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, pictured in 2012.

Pope Francis sends condolences after death of Cardinal Grocholewski

Jul 17, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis offered his condolences after Polish Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski died early Friday at the age of 80.  Read more

Refugees are welcomed to Rome by Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant'Egidio.

Catholic community welcomes its first refugees to Rome after lockdown

Jul 16, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Catholic community welcomed Thursday the first refugees to arrive in Rome via a humanitarian corridor through the island of... Read more

Cardinal Luis Ladaria, now the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, at a Vatican press conference, Sept. 8, 2015.

Vatican issues manual for bishops on handling reports of sexual abuse of minors

Jul 16, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued Thursday a manual to help bishops and dioceses follow Church procedure... Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, at a Vatican press conference July 7, 2020.

‘You are not forgotten,' Vatican cardinal tells seafarers on Sea Sunday

Jul 12, 2020

A Vatican cardinal urged Catholics Sunday to exercise a “preferential option for the poor” for seafarers serving on the front... Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis: ‘If we want, we can become good soil’

Jul 12, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholics Sunday to reflect on whether they are receptive to the Word of God.   Read more

Pope Francis waves from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address.

Pope Francis expresses sadness after Hagia Sophia is declared a mosque

Jul 12, 2020

Pope Francis expressed his sadness Sunday after Turkey’s decision to convert the former Byzantine cathedral of Hagia Sophia back into... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Oct. 2, 2019.

Pope Francis advances cause of teen who died of bone cancer

Jul 11, 2020

The Vatican announced Saturday that Pope Francis has recognized the heroic virtues of a 14-year-old Italian boy who died in... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Oct. 16, 2019.

Pope Francis sends message to priests on Argentina’s coronavirus front line

Jul 10, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis sent a video message Thursday to the priests who work in Argentina’s poor neighborhoods serving the sick and... Read more

Mario Draghi at a press conference at the ECB headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.

Pope Francis appoints former European Central Bank chief to pontifical academy

Jul 10, 2020

Pope Francis appointed the former president of the European Central Bank to the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences Friday.  Read more

United Nations Offices in Geneva, Switzerland, home of the UNHRC.

Vatican diplomat tells UN ‘gender identity’ category not necessary for refugee protection

Jul 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A Holy See diplomat raised concern at the United Nations in Geneva this week over the use of the term... Read more

Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer stands before a portrait of Msgr. Georg Ratzinger at Regensburg Cathedral July 8, 2020.

‘Heart speaks to heart’: Benedict XVI sends message for his brother’s funeral Mass

Jul 8, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Benedict XVI watched his brother’s funeral via livestream on Wednesday as his secretary Archbishop Georg Gänswein read the pope emeritus’... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta July 8, 2020.

Pope Francis calls on Christians to recognize the face of Christ in migrants

Jul 8, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis offered Mass Wednesday asking the Virgin Mary to help Christians recognize the face of Christ in each migrant... Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, at a Vatican press conference July 7, 2020.

Vatican cardinal: peace is threatened as health and economic crises continue

Jul 7, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Vatican cardinal has said that the world is facing a “tsunami” of humanitarian crises caused by the coronavirus emergency,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 16, 2019.

Pope Francis to celebrate Mass marking anniversary of Lampedusa visit

Jul 6, 2020

Pope Francis will celebrate Mass Wednesday marking the seventh anniversary of his visit to the Italian island of Lampedusa.  Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 27, 2019.

Pope Francis makes donation to World Food Programme as pandemic causes rising hunger

Jul 3, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has made a donation to the World Food Programme as the organization works to feed 270 million people... Read more