ROME — The Vatican said on Thursday that Pope Francis would not be leading New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day services in St. Peter’s Basilica because of a flare-up in a condition that causes back and leg pain. A
Tag: Vatican
Pope Francis to skip New Year’s Eve ceremonies due to back pain
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is skipping New Year’s ceremonies due to what the Vatican says is a painful back condition, a spokesman said Thursday. Matteo Bruni said Francis is suffering from “painful sciatica” and won’t preside at a year-end
Pope on coronavirus vaccine: Needy, vulnerable must come first
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis made a Christmas Day plea for authorities to make COVID-19 vaccines available to all, insisting that the first in line should be the most vulnerable and needy, regardless of who holds the patents for the shots.
Pope to visit Iraq in March, first foreign trip since coronavirus pandemic began: Vatican
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will make a pilgrimage to Iraq in March, pandemic conditions permitting, the Vatican said Monday, in announcing what would be the pontiff’s first trip abroad in more than a year. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said
Paolo Gabriele, Ex-Papal Butler in ‘Vatileaks’ Scandal, Dies at 54
ROME — Paolo Gabriele, who as the butler of Pope Benedict XVI was convicted of leaking internal Vatican documents to the news media in an extraordinary breach of church secrecy — the so-called Vatileaks scandal — died on Tuesday in
NBA players discuss social justice with Pope Francis at the Vatican
Five NBA players were part of a delegation that met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday to discuss social justice. San Antonio Spurs’ Marco Belinelli, Houston Rockets’ Sterling Brown, Orlando Magic’s Jonathan Isaac, Milwaukee Bucks’ Kyle Korver and
Instagram helps Vatican trace bikini model ‘like’ that seemed to come from pope
The Vatican and Facebook’s Instagram are cooperating to trace the origins of a “like” on a bikini model’s post that appeared to come from Pope Francis’ official account. Social media users last week pointed out that the pope’s account, “franciscus,”
Polish cardinal chastised by Vatican unconscious in hospital
WARSAW, Poland (AP) – A prominent Polish cardinal who was recently sanctioned by the Vatican over sexual abuse allegations has been hospitalized since last week and remains unconscious, Polish media reported Tuesday. Retired Archbishop Henryk Gulbinowicz was sanctioned by the
Key findings in Vatican report into ex-Cardinal McCarrick
The Vatican has taken the extraordinary step of publishing its two-year investigation into the rise and fall of ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, who was defrocked in 2019 after a Vatican investigation determined he sexually abused adults as well as children. Here
Vatican Report Concludes McCarrick’s Ascent Was Aided by Misleading Accounts
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican on Tuesday released a highly anticipated report investigating how the disgraced former prelate Theodore E. McCarrick rose through the Roman Catholic hierarchy to become one of America’s most powerful cardinals, despite longstanding allegations of sexual
A look at the lawsuits against ex-Cardinal McCarrick
The Vatican is poised to release a long-awaited report on what it knew about ex-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s sexual misconduct during his rise through the church hierarchy. McCarrick, who was one of the highest-ranking, most visible Roman Catholic officials in the
Vatican Clarifies Pope Francis’s Comments on Same-Sex Unions
ROME — The Vatican has confirmed the pope’s remarks on gay couples deserving civil protections as it sent an explanatory note to bishops underlining that Francis’s comments did not mark a change in church doctrine. The pope’s remarks made headlines
Vatican breaks silence on Pope Francis’ gay civil union remarks
The Vatican says Pope Francis’ comments on gay civil unions were taken out of context in a documentary that spliced together parts of an old interview, but still confirmed Francis’ belief that gay couples should enjoy legal protections. The Vatican
Pope Francis ends public audiences amid coronavirus surge in Italy
The Vatican is ending Pope Francis’ general audiences with the public amid a surge in coronavirus cases in Italy and a confirmed infection at last week’s encounter. The Vatican says Francis would resume livestreaming his weekly catechism lessons from his
Pope Francis blames ‘this lady called COVID’ for distance from faithful
VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has blamed “this lady called COVID” for forcing him to keep his distance again from the faithful during his general audience, which was far smaller than usual amid soaring coronavirus infections in Italy. Francis again
Vatican Extends Deal With China Over Appointment of Bishops
ROME — The Vatican said on Thursday that it had extended an agreement with Beijing over the appointment of bishops in China, weeks after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo traveled to the Vatican on an unsuccessful mission to kill it.
IMF’s Georgieva says private creditors, China need to fully participate in debt relief
© Reuters. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a conference hosted by the Vatican on economic solidarity WASHINGTON (Reuters) – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on Wednesday called for increased participation in debt relief for poor countries
Vatican Puts Priests on Trial Over Alleged Abuse Within Its Walls
ROME — One priest accused of sexually abusing an altar boy in a prominent Vatican City seminary and another accused of covering it up went before the Vatican’s criminal tribunal on Wednesday, the first trial in the city-state over sexual
Vatican under fire for moving to renew deal with the Chinese Communist Party
The Vatican is in the process of renewing a deal with the Chinese Communist Party, raising concerns among U.S. officials and human rights advocates who note that China is one of the most dangerous places on the planet to be Christian. While the precise terms
Vatican denies Pompeo audience with pope, accuses him of playing politics
The Vatican announced Wednesday that they had denied U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s request to meet with Pope Francis during his visit to Rome this week. Though Vatican officials said it is customary for a pope to avoid meeting
Powerful Cardinal, a Fixture of Vatican Intrigue, Resigns Suddenly
ROME — In a cryptic late night announcement, the Vatican on Thursday said Pope Francis had accepted the resignation of one of the church’s most powerful officials, Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, a fixture of church intrigues and internal power plays
Vatican Reiterates Its Opposition to Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide
The Vatican on Tuesday reiterated the Roman Catholic Church’s opposition to assisted suicide and euthanasia, which it called “intrinsically evil” acts, “in every situation or circumstance.” The Vatican’s condemnation did not break new ground but came as legislation in favor
IMF willing to redouble Lebanon efforts, subject to reform commitment
© Reuters. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a conference hosted by the Vatican on economic solidarity WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The International Monetary Fund said on Sunday it was willing to redouble efforts to help Lebanon after the devastating
Vatican, Hong Kong diocese allegedly hacked by China ahead of landmark talks
The Vatican and the Catholic Diocese of Hong Kong have been the targets of alleged Chinese state-backed hackers ahead of talks on renewal of a landmark 2018 deal that helped thaw diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China, according to
Vatican: In rare cases, lay faithful can lead marriage rite
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican said on Monday that in very exceptional circumstances and with special permission, lay Catholics can be allowed to perform marriage rites. In a document issued by the Holy See office for clergy, the Vatican said that
IMF says Ukraine must preserve independence of central bank under IMF program
© Reuters. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a conference hosted by the Vatican on economic solidarity WASHINGTON (Reuters) – International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said she told Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskiy on Tuesday that his country
IMF may need ‘exceptional measures’ to facilitate pandemic response: Georgieva
© Reuters. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a conference hosted by the Vatican on economic solidarity By Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The IMF may need to step outside its comfort zone and consider “exceptional measures” to help
Pope Francis celebrates Palm Sunday without public in St. Peter’s
VATICAN CITY — Pope Francis is celebrating Palm Sunday Mass without the public, since the traditional ceremony in St. Peter’s Square was scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, tens of thousands of Romans, tourists and pilgrims, clutching olive tree branches
Virus alters Holy Week celebration worldwide, not the spirit
For Pope Francis at the Vatican, and for Christians worldwide from churches large and small, this will be an Easter like none other: The joyous message of Christ’s resurrection will be delivered to empty pews. Worries about the coronavirus outbreak
Pope urges priests to visit those suffering from coronavirus
Pope Francis, gave his first general audience from the Vatican – virtually – on Wednesday amid Italy’s coronavirus lockdown, thanking medical staff and telling the world not to forget Syrian refugees. On Tuesday during a livestreamed Mass, the pontiff urged Catholic