Vatican
Vatican launches massive restoration effort of baldachin in St. Peter’s Basilica
By Claire Giangravé — January 11, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Restorers plan to complete the work in time for the start of the Jubilee of 2025.
High-ranking Vatican official says priests should be allowed to marry
By Claire Giangravé — January 9, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna said he has already made his case for married priests at the Vatican.
Vatican’s doctrine chief is raising eyebrows over his 1998 book that graphically describes orgasms
By Nicole Winfield — January 9, 2024
ROME (AP) — “The Mystical Passion,” published in Mexico in 1998, is a short expose about mystical-sensual experiences with God.
The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023
By Claire Giangravé — December 27, 2023
(RNS) — Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares.
For LGBTQ Catholics, new declaration on blessings is welcome — but complicated
By Jack Jenkins — December 22, 2023
(RNS) — Some LGBTQ couples were blessed by Catholic priests before the Vatican declaration came down — whether or not the Vatican approved.
After approving blessings for same-sex couples, Pope asks Vatican staff to avoid ‘rigid ideologies’
By Nicole Winfield — December 22, 2023
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis urged Vatican bureaucrats Thursday to avoid “rigid ideological positions” that prevent them from understanding today’s reality.
Vatican prosecutor appeals verdict that largely dismantled his fraud case but convicted cardinal
By Nicole Winfield — December 22, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Prosecutor Alessandro Diddi filed his appeal this week of the three-judge tribunal's decision in a complicated financial trial that aired the Vatican's dirty laundry and tested its peculiar legal system.
Pope Francis’ approval of blessings for LGBTQ+ couples is a historic gesture, according to a Catholic theologian
By Steven P. Millies — December 20, 2023
(The Conversation) — In emphasizing the church’s love for all, including people in LGBTQ+ relationships, the pope has sidestepped thorny doctrinal issues.
On same-sex blessings, some Catholics celebrate change while others point to limits
By Claire Giangravé — December 19, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican’s declaration allowing blessings for ‘irregular’ couples seems to have deepened an already strong divide between conservatives and progressives in the church.
The Vatican financial trial is finally over. What did we learn?
By Thomas Reese — December 19, 2023
(RNS) — The good news is the financial scandals became public and were not covered up by the Vatican as was the practice in the past.
5 things the Catholic Church’s document on same-sex blessings does (and doesn’t) say
By Claire Giangravé — December 18, 2023
(RNS) — The Vatican approved same-sex blessings, but there are a few caveats.
Pope Francis condemns Saturday’s Israeli attack on Christian church as act of terrorism
By Claire Giangravé — December 18, 2023
(RNS) — 'It’s war, it’s terrorism,' Pope Francis said.
With Pope Francis’ encouragement, Vatican allows blessings for same-sex couples
By Claire Giangravé — December 18, 2023
(RNS) — 'God never turns away anyone who approaches him!' read the document issued by the Vatican's doctrinal department.
Pope, once a victim of AI-generated imagery, calls for treaty to regulate artificial intelligence
By Nicole Winfield — December 14, 2023
ROME (AP) — Francis added his voice to increasing calls for binding, global regulation of AI in his annual message for the World Day of Peace, which the Catholic Church celebrates each Jan. 1.
Vatican to unveil Nativity scene celebrating the 800th anniversary of the crèche
By Claire Giangravé — December 5, 2023
(RNS) — The first crèche was created by St. Francis of Assisi in 1223.
