Vatican

EPA’s Eye In The Sky: Saint Peter’s Basilica, The Vatican

An aerial view taken from an Italian Police's helicopter of the Saint Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. Photo: EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI

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WANTED: 25 men to guard the Pope. Must be Catholic. Must be Swiss

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The world's smallest army, in the world's smallest state, is growing and looking for a few good men. The Swiss Guard, the elite and colourfully dressed…

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Vatican tries to mend Ukraine ties after Kyiv protests pope comments

VATICAN CITY, Aug 0 (Reuters) - The Vatican acted to mend strained relations with Ukraine after Pope Francis upset Kyiv by referring to Russian ultra-nationalist Darya Dugina, who was killed…

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Popes who resign are humble, Francis says in central Italy visit

L'AQUILA, Italy (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who has often said he may step down in the future if bad health impedes him from leading the Catholic Church, on Sunday praised…

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Pope visit to Italian city spotlights need for rules on ex-pontiffs

VATICAN CITY, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has quashed rumours that he plans to resign anytime soon but his planned visit on Sunday to the Italian city of L'Aquila…

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Question of who might succeed Pope Francis to loom over cardinals’ gathering

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - Roman Catholic cardinals from around the world gather for events at the Vatican starting this weekend that could amount to a dress rehearsal for an eventual…

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UPDATED: Pope says will visit N.Korea if he receives invitation

SEOUL, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has asked for an invitation from North Korea to visit the isolated country, South Korean broadcaster KBS reported. "I will go there as soon as…

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UPDATED: Ukraine envoy criticises pope over comments on Russian killed by car bomb

VATICAN CITY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Ukraine's ambassador to the Vatican on Wednesday criticised Pope Francis for referring to Darya Dugina, daughter of a prominent Russian ultra-nationalist, who was killed…

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Pope further tightens controls, centralisation of Vatican finances

Pope Francis acted to eliminate wiggle room or foot- dragging by Vatican departments in imposing tighter financial controls, setting a deadline for the closing of investment portfolios in foreign banks,…

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Pope rules against investigating Canadian cardinal over sex assault claim

Pope Francis has decided there is not sufficient evidence to open a Church investigation into Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet over allegations of sexual assault, the Vatican said in a statement.…

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Pope Francis, slowing down as he ages, appoints personal medical assistant

Pope Francis has appointed a nurse from the Vatican's health services to be his "personal medical assistant", the Vatican said on Thursday, in an indication that the pontiff accepts that…

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Pope says hearing pain of Canada school survivors felt like slaps

VATICAN CITY, Aug 3 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Wednesday he felt the pain of survivors of Canada's residential school system "like slaps" and that the Catholic Church has…

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Pope to visit Kazakhstan, may meet Russian Orthodox patriarch

Pope Francis will attend a meeting of religious leaders in Kazakhstan in September, the Vatican said on Monday, a gathering where he has said previously he hoped to meet with…

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Pope says that with frailty and age, he is in new phase of papacy

ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, July 30 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Saturday that his advancing age and his difficulty walking have ushered in a new, slower phase of his…

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UPDATED: Pope, winding up Canada trip, visits historic churches

QUEBEC CITY, July 28 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Thursday visits two of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in North America as he winds up a trip to Canada centred…

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UPDATED: Pope, starting Canada trip, says he has ‘great desire’ to visit Kyiv

EDMONTON, Alberta / ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE, July 24 (Reuters) - Pope Francis landed in Canada on Sunday to kick off a five-day trip that will center around his apology…

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When Pope visits Canada, indigenous people look for healing – and action

When Pope Francis travels to Canada, indigenous leaders and residential school survivors say, they are hoping for more than an apology: They want action. Francis, who will be the first…

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Vatican puts brakes on progressive German Catholic movement

The Vatican slammed the brakes on a German progressive movement that aims to give lay Catholics a say in doctrinal matters such as homosexuality and women priests, saying this risked…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis meets Monaco’s Prince Albert and Princess Charlene

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Monaco's Prince Albert II (C) looking on as his wife, Princess Charlene of Monaco (L) shakes hands with Pope Francis (R)…

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New Vatican policy orders foreign investment accounts closed

The Vatican issued an overarching investments policy to ensure they are ethical, green, low-risk, and avoid weapons industries or health sectors involved in abortion, contraception or embryonic stem cells. The…

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Pope hopes Canada trip will help heal ‘evil’ done to indigenous people

(Reuters) - Pope Francis said on Sunday his trip to Canada next week will be a "pilgrimage of penance" that he hopes can help heal the wrongs done to indigenous…

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Pope names women to bishops advisory committee for first time

Vatican City, July 13 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has named three women, two nuns and a laywoman, to a previously all-male committee that advises him in selecting the world's bishop's,…

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Pope talks about possible retirement plans

Pope Francis discussed what he might do if he were to abdicate like his predecessor Benedict XVI did. In an interview with Mexican-American TV channel TelevisaUnivision, Francis said he would…

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Pope expresses solidarity with people of Sri Lanka

VATICAN CITY, July 10 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday expressed solidarity with the people of Sri Lanka who "continue to suffer from political and economic instability" and appealed for…

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Pope to visit Assisi and Matera Sep 24 and 25

Pope Francis will visit Assisi and Matera on September 24 and 25, to take part in separate events, the Vatican said Friday.His trip to the Umbrian capital and shrine to…

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Pope hopes London building last Vatican financial scandal

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - Pope Francis said he hoped that the recent sale of a luxury London building at the centre of an ongoing corruption trial meant the Vatican can…

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Pope to give women a say in appointment of bishops

VATICAN CITY, July 6 (Reuters) - Pope Francis said he wants to give women more top-level positions in the Holy See and disclosed that for the first time he would…

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Pope Francis denies he is planning to resign soon

VATICAN CITY, July 4 (Reuters) - Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month…

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Vatican takes big loss in sale of London building at heart of trial

The Vatican said it had completed the sale of the luxury London building at the centre of an ongoing corruption trial, taking an estimated hit of about 140 million euros.…

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Pope: Ukraine shopping centre bombing the latest ‘barbarous’ attack

VATICAN CITY, June 29 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Wednesday called the bombing of a crowded shopping centre in the city of Kremenchuk the latest in string of "barbarous attacks"…

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Vatican says pro-life is not just opposing abortion

Anti-abortion activists should be concerned with other issues that can threaten life, such as easy access to guns, poverty and rising maternity mortality rates, the Vatican's editorial director said. In…

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Vatican discloses uses of pope’s fund

VATICAN CITY, June 16 (Reuters) - The Vatican, in an apparent attempt to boost the confidence of the faithful in how their charitable contributions to the pope are used, on…

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Pope raps Russian ‘cruelty’ in Ukraine but says war perhaps provoked

Pope Francis has taken a new series of swipes at Russia for its actions in Ukraine, saying its troops were brutal, cruel and ferocious, while praising "brave" Ukrainians for fighting for survival.…

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Pope apologises for having to cancel Africa trip

VATICAN CITY, June 12 (Reuters) - Pope Francis apologised to the people of Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan on Sunday for having to cancel his visit because of…

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Pope postpones Africa trip due to knee problems

Trip to Congo, South Sudan put off 'until further notice' Pope Francis has decided to puts off a trip to Africa due to knee problems, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said…

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UPDATED: Common commitment to ending Ukraine war say Pope, von der Leyen

A handout picture provided by the Press Office Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (R) receiving in audience European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in Vatican City, 10 June 2022.…

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Vatican unveils investment ethics body

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The Vatican unveiled a committee to oversee the ethics of its investments, even as a corruption trial related to a botched London real estate deal in…

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Pope to receive von der Leyen June 10

Pope Francis will receive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday June 10 at 10:30, the Vatican press office said Wednesday.The audience will take place in the Apostolic…

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Photo Story: Heart-warming meeting for Pope Francis at the Vatican

Pope Francis hugs a Ukrainian refugee during a meeting with about 160 children, many with physical, visual, and cognitive disabilities, from the Sant'Alessio - Margherita di Savoia school in Rome,…

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Pope Francis sends greetings on Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee

This Thursday marks the start of a weekend of celebrations across the United Kingdom to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's 70 years on the throne. Marking this milestone, Pope Francis has…

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Wheat can’t be ‘weapon of war’, Pope says in urging lifting of Ukraine blockade

VATICAN CITY, June 1 (Reuters) - Pope Francis appealed to authorities on Wednesday to lift a block on exports of wheat from Ukraine, saying the grain could not be used as a…

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UPDATED: Pope to appoint 21 new cardinals in August, putting stamp on Church’s future

VATICAN CITY, May 29 (Reuters) - Pope Francis announced on Sunday that he would appoint 21 new cardinals in August, including an Italian leading the Church in Mongolia, again putting…

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Pope’s July visit to Africa to go ahead despite health issues

Pope Francis is set to make a gruelling trip to two African countries in July despite knee problems that have forced him to use a cane and wheelchair in recent…

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Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State under two Popes, dies

Cardinal Angelo Sodano, a controversial Vatican power broker for more than a quarter of a century who was accused of covering up one of the Catholic Church's most notorious sex…

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Bono and the Pope harmonize on climate change, girls’ education

They didn't sing together but U2 frontman Bono and Pope Francis were in harmony about their concern for the planet and the power of women to change the world when…

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The Pope declares 10 new saints

Pope Francis on Sunday canonized 10 new saints on Sunday - six men and four women. Declaring ten women and men - Five from Italy, three from France, one from…

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Vatican number two says giving Ukraine weapons legitimate, with conditions

ROME, May 13 (Reuters) - The Vatican's number two said on Friday that supplying weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression is morally legitimate under certain…

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Health problems will not stop Pope Francis, cardinal says

Pope Francis is "not going to stop," despite recent health problems that have forced him to use a wheelchair, a cardinal said on Tuesday. Cardinal Kevin Farrell, an Irish-American Vatican…

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Pope uses wheelchair in public for first time since recent knee pain began

VATICAN CITY, May 5 (Reuters) - Pope Francis used a wheelchair in public on Thursday for the first time since a new flare-up of pain in his knee has limited…

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Vatican preparing for possibility of women Swiss Guards

VATICAN CITY, (Reuters) - The new barracks of the Vatican Swiss guards will be built to accommodate female members if Pope Francis or his successors allow women to join the…

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Kremlin says no agreement reached on possible meeting between Putin and Pope Francis

May 4 (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Wednesday that no agreement had been reached on a possible meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Pope Francis for talks about Ukraine.…

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Pope says he wants to go to Moscow to meet Putin over Ukraine

Pope Francis said in an interview published on Tuesday that he asked for a meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin to try to stop the war in Ukraine but…

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Pope says Mariupol ‘barbarously bombarded,’ implicitly criticising Russia

VATICAN CITY, May 1 (Reuters) - Pope Francis on Sunday described the war in Ukraine as a "macabre regression of humanity" that makes him "suffer and cry", calling for humanitarian…

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Limping Pope again appeals for peace in Ukraine

VATICAN CITY, April 27 (Reuters) - A badly limping Pope Francis again appealed for an end to the war in Ukraine on Wednesday, as he held his general audience a…

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Pope calls for Orthodox Easter truce in Ukraine war

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Francis called for halt to attacks in Ukraine on Sunday so aid can reach the exhausted population and urged leaders to "listen to the voice of…

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Pope says June meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch suspended

VATICAN CITY, April 22 (Reuters) - Plans for Pope Francis to meet in Jerusalem in June with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who has backed Russia's war in Ukraine, have been…

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On ‘Easter of war,’ Pope implicitly criticises Russia over Ukraine

VATICAN CITY, April 17 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, marking an "Easter of war" on Sunday urged leaders to hear the people's plea for peace in Ukraine and implicitly criticised Russia…

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