Vatican

Pope promises to help moribund Lebanon rise again

VATICAN CITY, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Pope Francis, meeting the prime minister of Lebanon, on Thursday compared the country to a dying person and promised to do everything in his…

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Photo Story: Busy meeting for Pope Francis at weekly General Audience in Vatican City

Pope Francis talks to nuns during his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall in Vatican City, 24 November 2021. Via EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

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Photo Story: Saint Peter Square to feature a colourful crib from the Peruvian Andes

A handout photo made available by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru shows the blessing ceremony of the central pieces that will be part of the Peruvian Andes nativity…

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Photo story: Christmas tree placed in St. Peter’s Square

A nun looks on as a crane places a Christmas tree, a spruce of 28 meters high in St. Peter's Square, Vatican City. This year’s red fir (Picea abies) comes…

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Emotional Biden praises Pope Francis’ style of Catholicism

An emotional U.S. President Joe Biden, who has come away from his visit with papal backing in his conflict with conservative U.S. bishops, praised Pope Francis for being "everything I…

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Biden has unusually long meeting with pope as abortion debate flares at home

VATICAN CITY, Oct 29 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden held an unusually long meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday as a debate raged back home about…

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Pope encourages Order of Malta in its process of renewal

In a letter dated 25 October 2021, the Pope thanks Cardinal Tomasi for the positive work he has already done since accepting the appointment as his Special Delegate to the…

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Photo Story: Boy overcomes Vatican security during Pope Francis’ weekly General Audience at the Vatican

Ten-year-old Paolo Junior (L) approaches Pope Francis during his weekly General Audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall, in Vatican City, 20 October 2021. The child broke through the safety…

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Italy court overturns arrest warrant for broker on trial at Vatican

Italy's highest appeals court on Wednesday overturned an arrest warrant for an Italian broker on trial at the Vatican in a case involving the purchase of building in one of…

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John Paul I, pope who reigned for only 33 days, moves closer to sainthood

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope John Paul I, who reigned for only 33 days in 1978, will be beatified, moving him closer to eventual sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church,…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis greets Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech ahead of the Synod inauguration on Sunday

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis (R) greeting Maltese Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, in Vatican City, 09 October 2021.…

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Photo Story: German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Vatican on farewell visit

A handout picture provided by the Vatican broadcaster Vatican Media shows outgoing German Chancellor Angela Merkel (R) during a private audience with Pope Francis (L) in Vatican City, 07 October…

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Judge in Cardinal Angelo Becciu trial orders prosecution to share more evidence

The chief judge at a Vatican trial of 10 people accused of financial crimes, including a cardinal, on Wednesday ordered the prosecution to give the defence more access to evidence…

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Pope says ashamed Church did not prioritise abuse victims in France

Pope Francis said on Wednesday he was saddened and shamed by the Catholic Church's inability to deal with sexual abuse of children in France and that the Church must make…

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Three Vatican Swiss Guards resign after COVID-19 vaccination request

Three members of the Vatican Swiss Guards, the elite colourfully dressed corps that protects the pope, have decided to resign rather than be vaccinated against COVID-19, Swiss newspaper Tribune de…

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Pope, world religious leaders, issue pre-COP26 appeal on climate change

Pope Francis and other religious leaders made a joint appeal on Monday for next month's U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP26) to offer concrete solutions to save the planet from "an…

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‘You are making the future today’, Pope tells youth climate activists

Pope Francis on Wednesday praised youth climate campaigners for their efforts to tackle global warming and encouraged them to carry on with their work "for the good of humanity". Thousands…

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Vatican says to require COVID-19 health pass for residents

A health certificate showing proof of immunity from COVID-19 will be required to enter the Vatican as of Oct. 1, the city state said this week. Residents, workers and visitors…

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Catholic Church apologises for century of abuses in Canada’s residential schools

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops officially apologized for their role in the country's notorious residential school system for the first time, after refusing to do so for years despite…

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Photo Story – Papal Hug

Pope Francis is hugged by a child during the weekly general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall, in Vatican City, 22 September 2021. EPA-EFE/ETTORE FERRARI

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Vatican says to require COVID-19 health pass for residents, visitors

A health certificate showing proof of immunity from COVID-19 immunity will be required to enter the Vatican as of Oct. 1, the city state said on Monday. Residents, workers and…

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Pope inspired me over family values, says Hungary’s Orban

Hungary's nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban said on Friday that his recent meeting with Pope Francis encouraged him to keep defending the traditional family though the pair avoided airing their…

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Pope rejects German archbishop’s resignation after abuse scandal

Pope Francis has rejected the resignation of the Archbishop of Hamburg who had offered to step down after a report named him among several senior officials in Germany's Catholic Church…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis gives audience to the children of the Hospitality March

A handout picture provided by the Vatican Media shows Pope Francis receiving in audience the children participating in the 'Open' Hospitality March, on the occasion of the World Day of…

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Prisoners got 15,000 gelati from pope during Rome’s long, hot summer

They were not "Get out of jail free" cards but they were possibly one of the next best things. During one of Italy's hottest summers on record, Pope Francis sent…

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Vatican disciplines Polish archbishop after abuse cover-up investigation

WARSAW (Reuters) - The Vatican has disciplined the former archbishop of Wroclaw in Poland following an investigation into negligence over sex abuse allegations, banning him from taking part in any public ceremonies, both religious and secular. The move…

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Pope Francis urges everyone to get COVID-19 vaccines for the good of all

Pope Francis issued an appeal on Wednesday urging people to get inoculated against COVID-19, saying the vaccines could bring an end to the pandemic, but needed to be taken by…

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Accused cardinal in court as Vatican fraud trial opens and is adjourned

VATICAN CITY, July 27 (Reuters) - Cardinal Angelo Becciu said on Tuesday he wanted to comply with the wishes of Pope Francis as he attended the opening of a trial…

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Landmark Vatican fraud trial of 10 including a cardinal set to start

A landmark fraud trial of 10 people including a cardinal begins in the Vatican on Tuesday in what officials hope will be a turning point in its financial credibility and…

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Vatican criminal trial to shed light on failed Carige bank takeover

The thwarted takeover of a troubled Italian bank in 2018 will come into focus in a forthcoming Vatican trial that is tied to Pope Francis's efforts to clean up Holy…

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Pope Francis renews curbs on Latin Mass in rebuff to conservatives

Pope Francis overturned decisions by his two predecessors and re-imposed restrictions on the old-style Latin Mass preferred by traditionalist Roman Catholics, saying it was being exploited to divide the Church.…

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Pope Francis to leave hospital as soon as possible, says Vatican

Pope Francis is continuing his planned treatment and rehabilitation after intestinal surgery 10 days ago and will leave hospital as soon as possible, the Vatican said on Tuesday. The Vatican's daily medical bulletin on…

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Vatican says Pope’s post-operative condition continues satisfactorily

Pope Francis’ recovery from colon surgery at a Rome hospital continues to be “regular and satisfactory”, the Vatican said on Wednesday. Spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that the…

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UPDATED: Pope alert and in good condition after surgery to remove part of colon

Pope Francis is alert, breathing without assistance, and in a good overall condition following surgery to remove part of his colon, the Vatican said on Monday. The 84-year-old pope is…

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Vatican judge indicts 10, including a cardinal, for alleged financial crimes

VATICAN CITY, July 3 (Reuters) - A Vatican judge on Saturday ordered 10 people, including an Italian cardinal, to stand trial for alleged financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud,…

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Pope, Lebanon Christian heads begin summit on country’s crisis

Pope Francis and Lebanon's Christian leaders began a summit on Thursday to discuss how religion can help the country overcome its worst crisis since its civil war ended in 1990.…

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Blinken visit to pope will reset U.S-Vatican ties after Trump years

The last time a U.S. secretary of state visited the Vatican, the diplomatic sparks flew and Pope Francis declined to receive Mike Pompeo. When Antony Blinken meets the pope and…

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Vatican defends intervention over Italy anti-homophobia law

The Vatican defended a request for changes to a draft law in Italy aimed at combating homophobia, saying it was not an interference in another country’s domestic affairs and was…

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Pope Francis says a trip to Malta is on his agenda

Rome Reports quoted Pope Francis as saying that a trip to Malta in the near future is on the agenda. The comment was made during a brief meeting with Malta's…

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Italy’s Draghi puts Vatican on guard over anti-homophobia bill

Prime Minister Mario Draghi put the Vatican on notice on Wednesday not to interfere with a parliamentary debate over a draft law designed to combat homophobia, saying Italy was a…

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Vatican wants changes to Italy draft law against homophobia

The Vatican has protested to Italy over a draft law to combat homophobia, saying that in its present form it could restrict the religious freedom of the Catholic Church in…

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Pope Francis calls for compassion for refugees

Pope Francis on Sunday called for compassion for migrants and people forced to flee their homes. Anyone could find themselves in a difficult situation such as those faced by refugees…

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Vatican to host ‘Faith and Science’ talks to raise stakes ahead of U.N. climate summit

The Vatican will host a major gathering of world religious leaders and scientists ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November in Britain to take a common…

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UPDATED: Pope rejects German cardinal’s resignation over abuse scandal

Pope Francis has rejected German Cardinal Reinhard Marx’s offer to resign as archbishop of Munich over the Church’s sexual abuse crisis, a letter released by the Vatican on Thursday showed.…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis’ general audience in the San Damaso Courtyard

Pope Francis touches a crucifix during his weekly General Audience in the San Damaso Courtyard, Vatican City, 09 June 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE/FABIO FRUSTACI

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UPDATED: Munich Cardinal Reinhard Marx offers resignation to Pope

The head of the Catholic Church in Germany, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, has offered his resignation from his position as Archbishop to the Pope, saying he had to share responsibility for…

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Pope revises Church law, updates rules on sexual abuse

Pope Francis on Tuesday issued the most extensive revision to Catholic Church law in four decades, insisting that bishops take action against clerics who abuse minors and vulnerable adults, commit fraud or attempt…

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Pope to meet Christian representatives from Lebanon on July 1

Pope Francis said on Sunday he would hold a meeting on July 1 in Rome to discuss Lebanon's difficult situation with Christian representatives from the country. "I'll meet at the…

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Pope kisses tattoo number on Auschwitz survivor’s arm

Pope Francis kissed the number tattooed on the arm of a survivor of medical experiments at the Auschwitz Nazi concentration camp when she was introduced to him on Wednesday. The…

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Pope launches green initiative, decrying “predatory attitude” toward planet

Pope Francis launched an initiative on Tuesday to make Catholic institutions ranging from families to universities to businesses environmentally sustainable in seven years, saying a "predatory attitude" toward the planet must end. The…

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Photo Story: Pope Francis receives European Commission President von der Leyen

Pope Francis on Saturday received the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, for a private audience at the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican. Von der Leyen also…

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Pope Francis to get first electric popemobile from U.S. firm Fisker

Los Angeles-based Fisker Inc plans to supply the first pure electric vehicle for Pope Francis next year, it announced, with features such as a solar roof and carpets made of…

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Pope Francis opens synods to ‘all God’s people’, to begin in the local Churches

In what is being seen as another 'revolution' in Pope Francis's Church, the pontiff has decided to open up bishops' synods to "all the people of God", the Vatican said…

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Pope Francis calls for end to fighting in Israel and Gaza

Pope Francis called on Sunday for an end to the conflict in Israel and Gaza, saying the deaths of so many innocent people in recent days, including children, was unacceptable.…

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Pope recalls 40th anniversary of attack on Saint Pope John Paul II

Greeting Polish pilgrims at the General Audience on Wednesday, Pope Francis recalled the 40th anniversary on Thursday of the assassination attempt on Pope Saint John Paul II. “He was certain…

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Italian judge killed by Mafia is put on road to sainthood

Italian judge Rosario Livatino, who was killed by the Mafia in Sicily in 1990, was beatified on Sunday, the last stage before possible sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church. Livatino…

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Pope removes legal privileges for Vatican cardinals, bishops

(Reuters) - Pope Francis ruled on Friday that bishops and cardinals who work in the Vatican will be judged by the same lay tribunal that hears other criminal cases and…

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