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Vatican

Credit: Todd Page via flickr (CC-BY-NC-2.0).

Researchers Study Ministry and Life of Catholic Exorcists

Oct 31, 2020

A group of European academics have begun to carry out limited new research on the ministry of Catholic exorcists, with the hope to expand the scope of their study in the future.

Pope Francis at the General House of the Society of Jesus in Rome, Dec. 13, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Says More Action Coming in Fight Against Vatican Corruption

Oct 31, 2020

Pope Francis has said more changes are on the horizon as the Vatican continues to combat financial corruption inside its walls, but he is cautious about success.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims at his general audience at the Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 28. 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis’ General Audience Again Moves Behind Closed Doors

Oct 29, 2020

After nine weeks of public general audiences, Pope Francis’ weekly gathering will again take place behind closed doors, the Vatican said Thursday.

Focolara Movement logo.

Focolare Movement Set to Initiate Independent Review of Abuse Allegations

Oct 28, 2020

The Focolare Movement will initiate an independent review of the group’s handling of sexual abuse allegations.

The Cupola of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City on June 18, 2015. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Victim Petitions to Sue Pre-seminary and Religious Group at Vatican Abuse Trial

Oct 27, 2020

At a hearing Tuesday of an ongoing abuse and cover-up trial against two Italian priests, the Vatican court accepted a request from the victim’s lawyer to sue the institution where the alleged abuse took place, as well as the group which oversees it.

Credit: Courtney Grogan/CNA.

Pope Francis' Christmas Liturgies to Take Place without Public

Oct 26, 2020

Pope Francis' Christmas liturgies at the Vatican will be offered without public participation this year, as countries continue to react to the coronavirus pandemic.

Pope Francis meets teachers and students from Rome’s Pontifical Theological Faculty "Marianum" at the Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 24. Credit: Vatican Media.

"The times we live in are times of Mary": Pope Francis at Anniversary Event

Oct 26, 2020

Pope Francis said Saturday that the times we live in are the “times of Mary.”

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

Pope Francis Prays for Peace in Nigeria “through the promotion of justice”

Oct 25, 2020

Pope Francis appealed for an end to violence in Nigeria after reciting the Angelus Sunday.

Pope Francis pictured at his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square during an Angelus address. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis to Create 13 New Cardinals, Including Washington Archbishop Gregory

Oct 25, 2020

Pope Francis said Sunday that he will create 13 new cardinals, including Washington Archbishop Wilton Gregory, at a consistory on Nov. 28.

Pope Francis. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Analysis: How Washington Post is Opening Path to use Pope Francis against Catholic Church

Oct 24, 2020

Amid an international fracas over Pope Francis’ words on civil unions in a newly released documentary, the pope’s remarks have begun to be used to criticize Catholic organizations facing ongoing religious liberty challenges in the U.S. – despite the pope’s very public alignment with these organizations on the issues of same sex marriages and adoptions.

Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki meets with Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on December 16, 2015. Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA.

Mexican broadcaster: Vatican held back Pope Francis' words on same-sex civil unions in 2019 interview footage

Oct 23, 2020

A Mexican broadcaster said Thursday that the Vatican held back footage from a 2019 interview that it conducted with Pope Francis, in which the pope called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples. That footage appears in a documentary on Pope Francis released this week, but the Vatican has not yet explained the situation.

Screenshot documentary "Francesco" with original subtitles.

Pope Francis' Homosexuality Comments Heavily Edited in Newly-released Documentary

Oct 22, 2020

“Francesco,” a newly-released documentary on Pope Francis contains comments from the pope on homosexuality and civil unions. Some of the remarks, however, are the result of editing distinct phrases from a papal interview, and presenting them as a cohesive whole.

Pope Francis. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Questions Emerge Regarding Pope Francis' Statement on Same-sex Civil Unions

Oct 22, 2020

Fr. Antonio Spadaro, SJ, director of the Jesuit magazine La Civiltà Cattolica, said on Wednesday evening that an expression of support for same-sex civil unions from Pope Francis is “nothing new” and does not signify a change of Catholic doctrine. But the priest’s remarks have raised some question about the origin of comments from Pope Francis on civil unions, which were featured in the newly-released documentary “Francesco.”

Chinese flag. Credit: Gang Liu/Shutterstock

Vatican and China Renew Provisional Agreement on Appointment of Bishops

Oct 22, 2020

The Vatican and China have renewed a provisional agreement on the appointment of bishops for two more years, the Holy See announced Thursday.

Promotional poster, "Francesco."

Pope Francis Calls for Civil Union Law for Same-sex Couples, in Shift from Vatican Stance

Oct 21, 2020

In a documentary that premiered Wednesday, October 21 in Rome, Pope Francis called for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples, departing from the position of the Vatican’s doctrinal office and the pope’s predecessors on the issue.

Pope Francis gives the Angelus address Aug. 30, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

“It is necessary to affirm God’s primacy in human life and in history”: Pope Francis

Oct 18, 2020

Catholics, by virtue of their baptism, must affirm to the world God’s primacy in human life and in history, Pope Francis said Sunday.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu. Credit: Alan Holdren/CNA.

Becciu 'vigorously' Denies Interference in Cardinal Pell Trial

Oct 18, 2020

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu again denied having interfered in any way with the trial of Cardinal George Pell, after Italian media reported an allegation that Becciu might have wired money to Australia as a bribe during Pell’s trial.

A view of St. Peter's Cupola from Casa Santa Marta. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Vatican: Coronavirus Case in Pope Francis' Residence

Oct 17, 2020

The Holy See press office said Saturday a resident of the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis also lives has tested positive for COVID-19.

St. Peter’s Basilica seen through a bubble on Dec. 3, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

World Mission Sunday: Number of Catholics Continues to Rise Worldwide

Oct 16, 2020

The number of Catholics worldwide increased by almost 16 million in a year to 1.33 billion, according to statistics highlighted by the Vatican ahead of the 2020 World Mission Sunday. 

Vatican City State Mint’s 10 euro coin marking the 50th Anniversary of World Earth Day. Credit: Ufficio Filatelico Numismatico Vaticano.

New Vatican Coin Depicts "mother carrying the earth in her womb"

Oct 16, 2020

A new coin minted by the Vatican City State depicts a woman carrying the earth in her womb. The artist who designed the coin, which commemorates Earth Day, has said the design was his response to the ecological theme he was commissioned to portray.