Pope

How does a pope get his name?

In his autobiography "Hope," published in January 2025, Pope Francis, who died on April 21, describes the moment during the 2013 papal election when he found his name. During the…

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‘Habemus papam’ and the white smoke that announces a new pope

When a new pope is elected, there are two signs that mark that historic moment: the white smoke (“fumata bianca” in Italian) erupting from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel…

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Betting Markets Favor Cardinals Parolin and Tagle, but History Suggests Caution

As the Catholic Church prepares for the conclave to elect the 267th pope following the passing of Pope Francis, betting markets have identified Cardinal Pietro Parolin of Italy and Cardinal…

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UPDATED: Pope Francis begins low-key visit to Catholics in Buddhist Mongolia

By Philip Pullella ULAANBAATAR, Sept 1 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, who is sometimes received as a superstar on trips abroad, arrived in Mongolia on Friday to the joy of its…

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Pope sets up commission to honour modern-day Christian martyrs

VATICAN CITY, July 5 (Reuters) - The Vatican will study the modern-day killing of Christians and try to list "all those who have shed their blood" in the name of…

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Vatican document urges talks on welcoming LGBTQ people, women’s role

Roman Catholic bishops should discuss how the Church can be more welcoming to LGBTQ+ people and the divorced, and reflect on how to give women more decision-making power and allowing…

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Pope expected to leave hospital in next few days – Vatican

Pope Francis is expected to be discharged from hospital in the next few days and his recovery from surgery is progressing normally and without complications, the Vatican said on Wednesday.Francis, 86,…

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As Francis marks 10 years as Pope, conservatives confront post-Benedict era

Pope Francis marks the 10th anniversary of his election on March 13 having outlasted the conservative opposition that failed to bring him down and which is now at a crossroads, seeking new…

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Peace demands that we defend life – Pope Francis

Peace demands that we defend life, Pope Francis said. Addressing a host of international themes in his annual new year's meeting with the Diplomatic Corps, the pontiff said that life…

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Pope arrives in Kazakhstan, says ‘always ready’ for China visit

Pope Francis said on Tuesday he was willing to go to China at any time but had "no news" to offer over speculation he might meet Chinese President Xi Jinping while…

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Vatican mulling Jerusalem meeting between pope, Russian patriarch -sources

The Vatican is studying the possibility of extending Pope Francis' trip to Lebanon in June so he can fly to Jerusalem to meet there Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill, who has backed Russia's…

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Ukraine would welcome Vatican mediation, wants papal visit soon – ambassador

Ukraine is open to a Vatican mediation of its conflict with Russia and wants Pope Francis to visit as soon as possible, even in the current situation, Kyiv's new ambassador…

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Malta: PM announces new housing scheme

Prime Minister Robert Abela and Minister for Social Housing Roderick Galdes addressed a conference today that announced a scheme whereby people with medical conditions can borrow money to become owners…

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Pope Francis returns to Vatican for rest after intestinal surgery

Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Wednesday, 11 days after surgery to remove part of his colon, starting a period of near-total rest and rehabilitation expected to last at least…

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Pope face-to-face with the faithful again as COVID declines in Italy

Pope Francis expressed his delight on Wednesday as he resumed his weekly general audience in public for the first time in six months, reflecting a decline in coronavirus cases in Italy. During…

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Conservative African cardinal who clashed with pope leaves post

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from a top Vatican post of Cardinal Robert Sarah, a hero to many conservatives who often clashed with the pontiff on theological matters. The…

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Photo Story – Papal Wind

Pope Francis leads his Sunday Angelus Prayer from his window overlooking Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican, on a windy 14 February 2021 Reflecting on the Gospel reading of the…

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Pope Francis won’t preside over celebrations due to sciatica

Vatican News - Pope Francis will not preside at several celebrations on Sunday and Monday, according to a statement released by Matteo Bruni, Director of the Holy See Press Office.…

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Maltese Editors’ Perspectives

The Times of Malta looks at the Church's position on gay and lesbian relationships after the Pope insisted homosexual people are children of God and have a right to be…

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Malta: Pope appoints Bishop Mario Grech as General Secretary of Synod of Bishops

Bishop Mario Grech has been appointed as the General Secretary of the Synod of Bishops, replacing Cardinal Lorenzo Baldisseri. Source: The Malta Independent Updated 1655pm

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Pope Francis holds first audience after lockdown

Pope Francis yesterday held his first audience for a group of people since Italy lifted its coronavirus lockdown, granting it to health workers from the Italian region most affected by…

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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: Pope Francis during the audience at the Penitentiary Police

Pope Francis during an audience at the Penitentiary Police, Vatican City, 14 September 2019. Pope Francis talked about the problem of overcrowded prisons in a hearing with the prison police.…

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Pope Francis names 13 new cardinals, including Vatican’s point-person on helping refugees

Pope Francis named thirteen new Catholic cardinals Sept. 1, tasking bishops from two African nations, Indonesia, and a rural town in Guatemala to be part of the church's most elite…

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Photo Story: The Pope greets the Euromoot

Pope Francis during the audience to the Euromoot with about 5000 between Scouts, Rangers and Rovers of the European Scouts FSE at the Vatican, 03 August 2019. The Euromoot…

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Pope appeals for political dialogue in Venezuela

“Once again”, Pope Francis said on Sunday, “I would like to express my closeness to the beloved people of Venezuela, who have been particularly hard hit by the continuing crisis”.…

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Photo Story: Putin Lands in Rome

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) disembarks from a plane as he arrives at Rome's international airport in Fiumicino, Italy, 04 July 2019. Putin is scheduled to meet with the…

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Pope appeals for more vocations

Pope Francis told participants at a Congress for the Pastoral Care of Vocations in Europe not to be afraid to take up the challenge of the vocation to consecrated…

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Pope and Putin to meet again in July

Pope Francis will receive Russian President Vladimir Putin in an audience in the Vatican on July 4, Vatican spokesperson Alessandro Gisotti told reporters on Thursday. It will be the third…

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Pope Francis approves big changes to ‘Our Father’ and ‘Gloria’

Pope Francis officially approved a big changes to the most famous prayer in Christianity and the ‘Gloria’. The changes or adjustments to the ‘Our Father’ has been years in…

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Pope pays tribute to Christians in Romania killed or persecuted under Communism

Pope Francis paid tribute to Christians in Romania killed or persecuted under Communism as he warned against any new ideological attempt to sow fear or division in society. On…

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Pope Francis names Bishop Baldacchino to lead diocese in New Mexico

Pope Francis on Wednesday appointed Bishop Peter Baldacchino to head the Diocese of Las Cruces, New Mexico. With this appointment Baldacchino became the first diocesan bishop associated with the…

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Slideshow: The Pope in Bulgaria

On his second day in Bulgaria, Pope Francis made an early morning visit to a refugee center, thanking children and families for their joy despite the pain of leaving their…

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No effort will be spared to fight abuse – Pope Francis

“The time has come, then, to work together to eradicate the evil” of child abuse, Pope Francis said, in a speech delivered at the close of the final Mass for…

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Thursday Morning Briefing

Good morning, The day after for Trump, meant he had the opportunity to say his views, and he did via his preferred monologous channel - Twitter. Twitter, again, was the…

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John Paul II – A Geopolitical Actor

Today marked the 13th anniversary since Saint John Paul II died. He will be remembered as a formidable geopolitical actor who used his considerable moral values into the global politcal…

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