Rome
Four challenges for the bishops at synod on young people
By Thomas Reese — October 1, 2018
(RNS) — Many young people say they are 'spiritual' but not 'religious.' In other words, they are thirsty but don’t like what the church is serving. The clergy needs to listen to the young before speaking to the young.
London attacker’s mother blames internet for son’s radicalization
By Reuters — June 6, 2017
ROME (Reuters) The mother of the Italian-Moroccan jihadi who helped carry out a deadly attack in London last week said on Tuesday she had tried to keep her son from falling under the sway of Islamic State ideology, but the internet and his London friends changed him.
Lasers reveal long-hidden Roman frescoes with biblical themes
By Josephine McKenna — June 6, 2017
ROME (RNS) The catacombs are a reminder of the importance of Domitilla as a Christian burial site.
A saint’s brain is stolen and Catholics pray for its return
By Josephine McKenna — June 5, 2017
ROME (RNS) The thief entered the church, named after the 19th century saint in Castelnuovo, near Turin, on June 2, and left with a glass case containing the relic.
Mural of saintly pope kissing devilish Trump appears in Rome
By Lauren Markoe — May 11, 2017
(Reuters) The caption written on the sash of the pope's cassock reads "The Good Forgives the Evil."
Coloring in the the troubled history of a renowned Roman arch
By Josephine McKenna — April 25, 2017
ROME (RNS) A team of scientists, art historians and other experts uses technology to reimagine the original colors of a monument that is a potent symbol in Jewish history and for the Catholic Church.
Pope opens free laundromat for homeless
By Josephine McKenna — April 10, 2017
ROME (RNS) Since he became pope four years ago, Francis has made it a personal priority to provide them with showers, housing, medical care and other services to help restore their dignity.
Jewish graves unearthed in Rome testify to community’s persecution
By Josephine McKenna — March 29, 2017
ROME (RNS) Researchers say the absence of headstones was a result of decrees issued by Pope Urban VIII, who ruled in 1625 that Jews be buried in unmarked graves and ordered headstones to be removed from existing graves.
At Advent, grass-roots organizers prepare to fight for the least of these
By guest — December 5, 2016
(RNS) Since his installation, Pope Francis has called not only for fundamental structural changes in the economy and society, but for people to organize from below to create change.
Pope Francis prays with parents of US student killed in Rome
By David Gibson — July 6, 2016
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The pontiff met with the grieving parents of Beau Solomon, 19, who apparently drowned after being pushed into the Tiber River during an early-morning altercation with a homeless man.
Trevi Fountain lit in red to honor today’s Christian martyrs
By Josephine McKenna — April 29, 2016
ROME (RNS) Backers of the church-sponsored event say 200 million Christians face persecution for their beliefs, mainly in the Middle East.
Syrian refugees sheltered by pope describe ‘miracle’ journey
By David Gibson — April 18, 2016
ROME (RNS) From a war-torn homeland to a hellish camp on a Greek island, the Muslim families are now living in the sheltering shadow of the Vatican.
Rome’s Jewish catacombs to open to the public
By Josephine McKenna — March 29, 2016
ROME (RNS) The catacombs are included in 20 cultural itineraries unveiled by Italy’s cultural minister to mark the pope's Jubilee Year of Mercy.
New ‘Michelin guide’ for the homeless hits streets of Rome
By Reuters — December 23, 2015
The guide includes addresses of medical services, 40 sidewalk soup kitchens, 40 indoor eateries, 45 places to sleep and 17 places to wash and get a shave or a haircut.
Sister Cristina steps into new role — acting
By Rosie Scammell — November 20, 2015
ROME (RNS) The 27-year-old Italian nun will take on the role of Mary Robert, a young and shy nun with an impressive singing voice in the stage production of "Sister Act."
