Vatican

The spirit of the world makes everything permissible and leads to corruption – Pope Francis

The Christian life is to remain in God, following the Holy Spirit and not the spirit of the world, which leads to corruption, and does not distinguish good from evil.…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis leads Angelus prayer on the feast of the Epiphany

Pope Francis leads his Angelus prayer on the Solemnity of the Epiphany from the window of his office overlooking St. Peter's Square at the Vatican City, 06 January 2020.…

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Pope Francis invites people to descend from pride pedestals

Pope Francis apologized Wednesday for losing his patience with a woman who grabbed his arm in St. Peter’s Square on New Year’s Eve. “Many times we lose our patience; me…

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Pope Francis expresses his ‘great esteem’ for Cardinal Prospero Grech

“A dear Cardinal, for whom I have always had great esteem, be it for his personal witness of Christian and consecrated life, be it for his exemplary service in the…

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God chose those on the margins of society, smallest of cities to enter our world – Pope Francis

At the end of the calendar year, Pope Francis prayed Vespers and the Te Deum in St. Peter’s Basilica, in thanksgiving to God for the blessings of 2019. In his…

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Archbishop Antoine Camilleri starts his mission as Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia

Incoming Apostolic Nuncio to Ethiopia, Archbishop Antoine Camilleri, has arrived in Addis Ababa. Archbishop Camilleri expressed his deepest gratitude for the warm welcome saying the smile on those present for…

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Today in 1983 John Paul II forgives his would-be assassin Mehmet Ali Ağca

On May 13, 1981, Pope John Paul II was crossing St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City when an attempt was made on his life. Mehmet Ali Ağca, who had escaped…

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Pope Francis Urbi et Orbi Christmas message

Pope Francis urged the world to let the light of Christmas pierce the "darkness in human hearts" that leads to religious persecution, social injustice, armed conflicts and fear of migrants.…

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“Christmas reminds us that God continues to love us all, even the worst of us” – Pope Francis

Pope Francis led the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics into Christmas on Tuesday, urging them not to let the Church's failings lead them away from accepting God's love. Francis celebrated…

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Pope Francis to celebrate mass for 100th anniversary of John Paul II’s birth

The Polish episcopate announced that in May, 2020, Pope Francis will celebrate a Mass for the 100th anniversary of John Paul II's birth. It will be in the Vatican on…

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New evangelising ways required as fewer countries can be described as Christian – Pope Francis

The ongoing reform of the Roman Curia is a necessary part of the Catholic Church's fidelity to its mission to proclaim the Gospel, recognizing that very few countries today can…

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Vatican tribunal now overwhelmed by clergy abuse cases

The Vatican office responsible for processing clergy sex abuse complaints has seen a record 1,000 cases reported from around the world this year, including from countries it had not heard…

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Rights expert welcomes Pope’s decision to lift ‘veil of secrecy’ on child abuse cases

The Vatican must take action to ensure justice for people who were sexually abused by priests during childhood, a UN independent human rights expert said on Thursday. Maud de Boer-Buquicchio issued the charge in a statement welcoming the…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis meets UN secretary general

Pope Francis (R) talks with Secretary-General of the United Nations, Portugal's Antonio Guterres (L) during a private audience in the Vatican, 20 December 2019. Photo: EPA-EFE/FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / POOL

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Pope Francis meets refugees from the Greek island of Lesbos

A symbolic crucifix with a life vest to remember the suffering of migrants and refugees is displayed during an audience of Pope Francis with refugees coming from the Greek island…

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Photo Story: A moment from Pope Francis’ general audience

Pope Francis (L) arrives to lead a general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican City, 18 December 2019. On Tuesday Pope Francis celebrated his 83rd birthday. Photo:…

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Cardinal Pell’s investigation deliberately used to deflect a major police force scandal in Australia

Leaked documents show that senior police officials in the Australian state of Victoria discussed by email the way that their 2014 investigation into Cardinal George Pell could deflect public scrutiny…

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Photo Story: A Pope’s blessing

Children with statues of Jesus for the Crib lift them up for Pope Francis’ blessing as he leads Sunday Angelus prayer from the window of his office overlooking Saint Peter's…

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Pope Francis 50th Anniversary since his ordination as priest

Fifty years ago on 13 December 1969, just four days before his 33rd birthday, Jorge Mario Bergoglio was ordained a Jesuit priest in Argentina. His vocation dates back to 21 September…

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The unveiling of the nativity scene at the Vatican

Pope Francis during the unveiling of a nativity scene during an audience with the donors of the Christmas tree and Nativity scene, set up in St. Peter's Square, in Paul…

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Pope blasts weak climate-crisis response in COP 25 message

Pope Francis has blasted the international community's weak response to the climate crisis in his message to participants at the COP 25 United Nations Conference on Climate in Madrid. "On…

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Vatican postpones beatification of first U.S. ‘televangelist’

In a highly unusual move, the Vatican has postponed the beatification of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheen, a charismatic figure of U.S. Roman Catholicism in the 20th century and pioneer…

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Relic believed to come from Christ’s manger arrives in Bethlehem

A tiny wooden relic which some believe to come from Christ's manger has arrived in Bethlehem ahead of Christmas. The relic was first sent to the Vatican 1,400 years ago…

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Pope taps former Bank of Italy exec to head watchdog agency

Pope Francis has tapped a Bank of Italy executive to take over the Vatican’s financial intelligence unit following a scandal that resulted in the Vatican being suspended from an international…

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Photo Story: Westminster Cathedral lit red in homage to persecuted Christians

The Westminster cathedral is lit in red in London, Britain, 27 November 2019. This is part of an initiative by Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need called #RedWednesday…

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Pope Francis admits there is corruption in the Vatican

Pope Francis admitted there is financial corruption in the Vatican, describing it as a "scandal" on Tuesday. The pope's statement marked the first time he has acknowledged corruption in Vatican…

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Photo Story: Special welcome by his cousin on Pope’s arrival in Thailand

Pope Francis (R) walks with his cousin Ana Rosa Sivori (L) as he arrives at Military Air Terminal of Don Muang Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, 20 November 2019. The plane…

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Pope heading to Thailand

Pope Francis is heading to Thailand to encourage members of a minority Catholic community in a Buddhist nation and highlight his admiration for their missionary ancestors who brought the faith…

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Pope Francis’ cousin to be official translator of Pope’s apostolic visit to Thailand

Sister Ana Rosa of the Congregation of the Salesian Sisters, is Pope Francis' second cousin and lives and work in Thailand. Fluent in Thai, she will oversee the translations during…

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Preparations underway for Pope Francis’ apostolic visit to Thailand

The silver chalice, which Pope Francis will use at mass during his visit, is displayed at the Assumption Cathedral in Bangkok, Thailand. Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Thailand, which is…

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Pope considering adding ‘sin against ecology’ to Church’s catechism

Speaking to a group of lawyers on Friday, Pope Francis said that the Catholic Church is contemplating the introduction of “ecological sin” to the compendium of Church teaching. “We have…

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Vatican donates building to shelter Rome’s homeless and poor

The Vatican has donated a building near St Peter's hitherto used by nuns to shelter Rome's homeless and poor, ANSA sources said Friday. The building, which overlooks St Peter's Square,…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis meets Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb

Pope Francis (R) receives a gift from Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb during a private audience, Vatican, 15 November 2019. Pope Francis called Thursday for Facebook, Apple, Microsoft,…

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Archbishop Scicluna speaks at Notre Dame University about the Vatican’s fight against clergy abuse

University of Notre Dame students and members of the community listened to Malta Archbishop Charles Scicluna talk about the Vatican's fight against sex abuse. It took place at the Duncan…

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L’Osservatore Romano and Vatican News interview Bishop Mario Grech on his experience during the recent Amazon Synod

In an interview with L’Osservatore Romano and Vatican News (the first since his appointment), Bishop Mario Grech as Pro-Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops reflects on his experience during the recent Amazon Synod…

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Italian PM Conte linked to investment fund being investigated by Vatican

The Financial Times reports that a Vatican-backed investment fund at the centre of a financial corruption investigation was behind a group of investors that hired Giuseppe Conte — now Italy’s…

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Vatican eRosary app hacked multiple times just days after launch

A new gadget aimed at getting more young people to pray has been hacked at least three times in the days since its launch. The Vatican unveiled its "smart" Rosary…

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Vatican denies book’s allegations of impending bankruptcy

The Vatican dismissed allegations in a new book that the Holy See risks default in the next few years because of falling donations, financial mismanagement and corruption. The 350-page book,…

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Vatican police investigating Holy See’s Chelsea property project

The Vatican is investigating how $200m in Swiss bank accounts controlled by its central administrator ended up financing a luxury property development in London’s Chelsea district that generated large profits…

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High-tech rosary bracelet promoted by the Vatican

The Vatican promoted the launch of a ‘smart rosary’ bracelet Tuesday compatible with an iOS and Android app. The “eRosary” bracelet is activated by making the sign of the cross,…

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Vatican’s longtime security chief and Pope Francis bodyguard resigns over leak

Domenico Giani, the Vatican's longtime security chief and Pope Francis' main bodyguard, resigned on Monday over the leak of information from an investigation into alleged financial wrongdoing in the Vatican.…

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Pope mistakenly tweets support for US ‘Saints’ football team

The Vatican employees who manage Pope Francis' official Twitter account in English on Sunday by mistake tweeted the Pope’s support for American football team the New Orleans Saints.when tweeting about…

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Photo Story: Thadinkyut Lighting Festival

A Buddhist monk lights up an earthen lamp while worshiping at the Botataung Pagoda on the Thadinkyut full moon day on Sunday in Yangon, Myanmar. The Thadinkyut festival, also…

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Bishop in Brazil says he will ordain women if pope permits it

A bishop participating in the Vatican’s Amazon Synod said Saturday he would ordain women in his communities as deacons if the idea is recommended by the synod and permitted by…

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Pope picks anti-mafia judge for Vatican

Pope Francis appointed Giuseppe Pignatone, a former prosecutor in Rome where he coordinated historic prosecutions of Mafia leaders, as President of the Vatican City State Court. Vatican justice has until…

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Australian prosecutors argue no grounds for Cardinal George Pell’s final sex crimes appeal

Prosecutors have urged Australia’s High Court to refuse to hear a final appeal by former Vatican treasurer George Pell against his convictions for sexually abusing two 13-year-old boys in the…

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Pope urges conservatives to be open to changes in Church

Pope Francis appealed to conservatives on Sunday not to be bound by the status quo as he opened an assembly of bishops to discuss the future of the Roman Catholic…

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Photo Story: Special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region

Pope Francis presides over the Holy Mass for the opening of the special assembly of the Synod of Bishops for the Pan-Amazon Region in Saint Peter's Basilica at the Vatican…

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Compassion is key – Pope Francis

Pope Francis created 13 new Cardinals during an Ordinary Public Consistory in St Peter’s Basilica on Saturday afternoon. In his homily reflects on the importance of being aware of God’s…

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Pompeo in audience with the Pope

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (L) receives US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (R) and his wife Susan during an audience at the Vatican.…

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Row in Italy over pork-free tortellini

In Italy there is an ongoing polemic regarding Muslim-friendly pork-free tortellini that were ordered by the diocese of Bologna. The diocese of Bologna, which had ordered Muslim-friendly pork-free tortellini for…

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Bishop Mario Grech will be taking on the role of Secretary of Bishops at the Vatican – Newsbook

Newsbook.com.mt reports that informed but unofficial sources told it that widespread rumours in Gozo that Bishop Mario Grech will be relinquishing his post as bishop of Gozo are true. The same…

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Italian Education minister considering removing crucifixes from schools

Education Minister Lorenzo Fioramonti this week considered removing crucifixes from schoolrooms to underline their secular nature, sparking a huge row. "I believe in a secular school, I think that schools…

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Vatican police raid Secretariat of State offices

Vatican police raided the offices of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State and its Financial Information Authority, or AIF, and took away documents and electronic devices as part of an…

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Seeing the misery of so many innocent people, we must not fail to weep, we must not fail to respond – Pope Francis

Pope Francis on Sunday reminded the faithful to be hospitable towards all those who arrive on our shores and in our societies. Addressing those present for Holy Mass and the…

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Pompeo to visit Italy, have talks with Conte, Di Maio and private meeting with Pope Francis

United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will visit Rome this week and have talks with President Sergio Mattarella, Premier Giuseppe Conte and Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, the State…

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Pope to Consecrate Four Bishops, including a Maltese, on October 4

Pope Francis will consecrate four bishops on October 4, 2019, at a Mass at 5 pm in St. Peter’s Basilica: three apostolic nuncios – two Italians and a Maltese –…

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