Rome

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Isabella Salandri gives visitors a preview tour of the Vatican Gardens in Vatican City on Aug. 23, 2024.

PHOTOS: New Vatican Gardens tour invites families to explore God’s natural ‘masterpieces’

Aug 29, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Children and their families now have the chance to encounter the Vatican Gardens in a way tailored to capture the... Read more

Pope Francis prays with altar servers gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the 13th International Pilgrimage of Altar Servers taking place from July 29 to Aug. 2, 2024.

Over 50,000 altar servers gather in Rome for summer pilgrimage

Jul 29, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Representing 20 European nations, altar servers have come to Rome this week to participate in the 13th International Pilgrimage of... Read more

The kids and Pope Francis released biodegradable balloons into the sky together on July 18, 2024. The Vatican said the message, “You, dear boy, dear girl, are precious in God’s eyes,” was stamped on the balloons “with the hope that the message will reach as many people as possible.”

PHOTOS: Pope Francis hangs out with Vatican summer camp kids

Jul 18, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The day camp for children of Vatican employees is in its fourth year. It is taking place June 17-July 26... Read more

Rose petals fall in St. Mary Major Basilica Aug. 5, 2017 to commemorate the "miracle of the snow."

Pope Francis to attend ‘Miracle of the Snow’ commemoration in Rome

Jul 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Each year white rose petals fall from the ceiling of the papal Marian basilica in commemoration of a miraculous snowfall... Read more

A 1775 painting of the fireworks over Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, painted by Jakob Philipp Hackert.

Vatican fireworks: A 500-year-old tradition for the solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul

Jun 29, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Each year on June 29, fireworks are launched from atop Castel Sant’Angelo in celebration of the co-patron saints of Rome,... Read more

Workers in Rome discovered a centuries-old skeleton during a June 2024 construction dig near the Vatican for one of the building projects for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee.

Workers discover human skeleton during Jubilee construction dig in Rome

Jun 11, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The skeleton was unearthed during excavations to create an underground motorway that will create a pedestrian-only road to St. Peter’s... Read more

Pope Francis gazes over the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum with Rome Mayor Roberto Gualtieri during a visit to Rome’s historic Capitoline Hill on June 10, 2024.

Pope Francis reflects on Roman Empire in visit to ancient Capitoline Hill

Jun 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The pope made the trip to the Capitoline Hill to speak to local government officials on June 10 in the... Read more

Building of the general curia of the Jesuit order on Borgo Santo Spirito, Rome.

UPDATE: Theologians hold closed-door meeting in Rome on guidance document for October synod

Jun 5, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The June 4–13 closed-door gathering of experts in theology, ecclesiology, and canon law is being held at the Jesuit general... Read more

Construction projects are underway in Rome as the city prepares for the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Here’s how the city of Rome is preparing for the 2025 Jubilee Year

May 18, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Approximately 358 planned projects in the Lazio region, where Rome is located, are underway in preparation for the 2025 Jubilee... Read more

Pope Francis delivers the Sunday Angelus from the window of his study overlooking St. Peter's Square, Jan. 28, 2024.

Pope Francis cancels Monday audiences due to persisting ‘mild flu’ symptoms

Feb 26, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Monday morning telegram sent out by the Vatican noted that while the pope’s “mild flu symptoms persist,” he did... Read more

An archaeological guide provided historical information and answered questions during a visit to the catacombs by delegates of the Synod on Synodality. Early Christians gathered within the catacombs for funeral rites and to honor the martyrs. Rome, Italy. Oct. 12, 2023.

Rome to host 7th Day of the Catacombs, opportunity to reflect on early Christians

Feb 19, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Rome’s catacombs will be open to the public for free guided tours and moments of prayer and reflection on Saturday,... Read more

Cardinal Protase Rugambwa at Santa Maria in Montesanto, Feb. 18

PHOTOS: Cardinal Rugambwa takes possession of Rome’s ‘Church of the Artists’

Feb 19, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The cardinal was joined by priests from the Diocese of Rome as well as by senior prelates. Read more

The celebration of the quarantore at Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini.

Ancient 40-hour ‘Quarantore’ devotion continues to bless Rome

Feb 14, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Quarant’Ore or Quarantore (“40 hours”) is an exposition and continuous devotion in front of the Blessed Sacrament. Read more

Pope Francis delivers a message at his general audience on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis issues new regulations setting spending limits for Vatican offices

Jan 17, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis amended the Vatican’s financial regulations on Tuesday, enshrining a spending limit into law. Read more

Archbishop Georg Gänswein celebrates a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 31, 2023, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the death of Pope Benedict XVI.

Conference on anniversary of Benedict’s death focuses on legacy defined by love of Christ

Jan 2, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Friends, scholars and former colleagues of Pope Benedict XVI gathered in the Campo Santo Teutonico in Vatican City, from Dec.... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 20, 2023, at Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: The Nativity is an example of ‘joy’ and ‘amazement’

Dec 20, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke during his general audience on the importance of approaching the coming of Christ with “joy”... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 13, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis says that he wants to be buried in Marian basilica in new interview

Dec 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because... Read more

Bishop-elect Juan Carlos Londoño.

Pope Francis appoints Colombian priest as auxiliary bishop in Archdiocese of Quebec

Dec 12, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

Pope Francis appointed a Colombian-born priest, Fr. Juan Carlos Londoño, to serve as a new auxiliary bishop in the Archdiocese... Read more

Cardinal-elect Víctor Manuel Fernández was appointed by Pope Francis on July 1, 2023, to become the next prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Vatican: Small part of cremated ashes can be kept in personal place in certain cases

Dec 12, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The guidance came from a letter written by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who serves as the prefect for the Dicastery... Read more

A firefighter scales a long ladder to the top of a nearly 40-foot-high column to pay tribute at dawn to the Blessed Virgin with a wreath of flowers on Dec. 8, 2023.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis honors Virgin Mary on solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Dec 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis prayed in front of a statue of the Immaculate Conception near Rome’s Spanish Steps, which sits atop a... Read more