Italy

The Latest

Palazzo Madama, the seat of the Senate of the Italian Republic in Rome.

Italian Senate blocks controversial ‘anti-homophobia’ bill

Oct 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican Secretariat of State has raised concerns about the bill. Read more

Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, who was dean of the College of Cardinals from 1951 to 1972, and has been named Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem.

Yad Vashem: Vatican librarian Cardinal Tisserant made heroic efforts to save Jews

Oct 23, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Cardinal Eugene Tisserant was a librarian who knew more than 10 languages, advised multiple popes, and held key Vatican positions. Read more

Nicola d’Onofrio (1943-1964).

Officials study miracle attributed to Italian Catholic who died at age 21

Jul 14, 2021

By CNA Staff

Nicola d’Onofrio died in 1964 after a battle with cancer. Read more

The flags of Italy and Vatican City.

Italy’s ‘anti-homophobia’ law: Vatican request sparks Church-state debate

Jun 25, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

From the prime minister to a famous rapper, Italians are weighing in on the Vatican’s diplomatic intervention. Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Vatican secretary for relations with states.

Vatican intervenes in proposed ‘anti-homophobia’ law in Italy

Jun 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican believes that the law would violate the freedom of the Catholic Church in Italy. Read more

Sister Maria Laura Mainetti. Public domain.

Sr. Maria Laura Mainetti: Nun stabbed to death by three teenage girls is beatified

Jun 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

Sr. Maria Laura Mainetti was beatified on June 6, the anniversary of her murder, in Chiavenna, northern Italy. Read more

Sister Maria Laura Mainetti. Public domain.

Countdown to beatification of martyred Italian nun begins with Eucharistic adoration

Jun 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Sr. Maria Laura Mainetti was stabbed to death by three teenage girls in the town of Chiavenna, Italy, in 2000. Read more

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian bishops’ conference, at a press conference in Bari, Italy, on Jan. 22, 2020.

Italian cardinal: Our synodal journey will not be like Germany’s

May 28, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti said: “I believe that the basic problems of our people are quite different.” Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 5, 2021.

Pope Francis prays for 5-year-old survivor and 14 people killed in cable car accident

May 25, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A cable car ascending the Mottarone mountain fell about 65 feet to the ground. Read more

The site of the cable car crash on the Mottarone mountain on May 23, 2021.

Bishops offer prayers for 14 victims of cable car accident in Italy

May 24, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Fourteen people died in a cable car crash in northern Italy Sunday after the cable carrying the passengers up a... Read more

Pope Francis attends the ‘General State of the Birth Rate’ event in Rome, May 14, 2021.

Pope Francis asks society which it values more: Children or money

May 14, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope was speaking at “The General State of the Birth Rate” event in Rome. Read more

Empty wooden crib. Image via Shutterstock

‘We took the family for granted’: Leaders grapple with Italy’s accelerating birth crisis

May 13, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will attend a May 14 event on the country’s demographic decline. Read more

The San Galgano reliquary, stolen in 1989.

Stolen 14th-century reliquary found in police raid of art collector’s home in Sicily

May 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums, hailed the rediscovery of the reliquary as “a nearly unprecedented find.” Read more

Pope Francis baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 12, 2020.

Pope Francis to open event on Italy’s demographic decline

May 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The country’s birth rate has hit a historic low. Read more

A priest holds palms on Palm Sunday.

Diocese: Priest’s omission of palm blessing in protest over Vatican ruling ‘reprehensible’

Mar 31, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Catholic diocese in Italy has said that a priest’s refusal to bless palms on Sunday because of the Vatican’s... Read more

Fr. Alberto Ravagnani. Courtesy photo.

Meet Don Alberto, Italy’s new YouTube sensation

Mar 2, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Fr. Alberto Ravagnani didn’t set out to make a viral video, he was just trying to find a way to... Read more

 Pope Francis greets Mario Draghi at the Vatican on Oct. 19, 2013. Credit: Vatican Media.

The Vatican ties of Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Draghi

Feb 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Italy’s new prime minister -- an economist nicknamed “Super Mario” -- has Vatican ties that date back many years.  Read more

Cardinal Gualtiero Bassetti, president of the Italian bishops' conference, at a press conference in Bari, Italy, on Jan. 22, 2020.

Italian cardinal condemns anti-Semitism after disruption of online event

Feb 11, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The president of the Italian bishops’ conference has condemned anti-Semitism after an online event in memory of a Jewish leader... Read more

Gianluigi Buffon plays in goal for Juventus in the Coppa Italia on Feb. 13, 2020. Credit: sbonsi via Shutterstock.

Leading soccer goalkeeper in Italy faces penalty for blaspheming

Jan 27, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A leading Italian soccer player is facing a possible ban after allegedly blaspheming last month.  Read more

Cardinal says Italy is seeing a surge of ‘new poor’ amid the pandemic

Jan 26, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

An Italian cardinal said Tuesday the country is seeing a surge of “new poor” due to the coronavirus pandemic, and... Read more