Alessandro Speciale
Alessandro Speciale has been covering the Vatican since 2007 and wrote for Religion News Service from 2011-2013. Born in Rome, he studied literature at the Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa, Italy, and journalism at City University, London. He has appeared as an expert on Vatican affairs on CNN, BBC World and Al Jazeera English.
Famed American Archbishop Fulton Sheen moves closer to sainthood
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Archbishop Fulton Sheen moved one step closer to sainthood as Pope Benedict XVI recognized his "heroic virtues" and declared him "venerable." By Alessandro Speciale.
Traditionalist SSPX calls Vatican offer ‘clearly unacceptable’
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Catholic traditionalist group SSPX said the Vatican's latest reconciliation offer is "clearly unacceptable,'' a move that comes as Pope Benedict XVI appointed a high-profile American prelate to oversee relations with traditionalists. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican blames lack of priests on secularism, abuse, parents
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The sexual abuse scandal has tarnished the image of the priest and contributed to a crisis of priestly vocations in the Roman Catholic Church, the Vatican said Monday (June 25), while also faulting a widespread “secularized mentality” and parents' ambition for their children. By Alessandro Speciale.
Separating fact from fiction in Vatican leaks case
VATICAN CITY (RNS) For the past four months, the Vatican has been in turmoil over the publication of several internal memos in the Italian press and in a bestselling book. The case led to the unprecedented arrest of the pope's butler, but is it possible to distinguish fact from fiction in this not-so-holy whodunit? By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican offers special solution for conservative splinter group, SSPX
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican offered a breakaway traditionalist group a solution to re-enter the Catholic Church, as the final word on negotiations that lasted almost three years seems to be imminent. By Alessandro Speciale.
Pope makes final offer to breakaway SSPX group
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The leader of the traditionalist Catholic movement that's been at odds with the Vatican for decades received the final draft of Pope Benedict XVI's reconciliation offer on Wednesday. By Alessandro Speciale.
In ‘cordial’ dialogue, Vatican asserts control over U.S. nuns
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Leaders of an umbrella group that represents the majority of U.S. nuns met with top Vatican doctrinal officials on Tuesday (June 12) in an atmosphere of “openness and cordiality,” according to a Vatican statement. By Alessandro Speciale.
Pope’s butler faces trial, and eyes turn to Vatican judicial system
VATICAN CITY (RNS) As the trial begins for the pope's former butler, the court system of the world's smallest nation comes into the spotlight. And sentences are less harsh than one might expect. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican ‘moles’ say pope’s butler didn’t act alone, vow more leaks
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Leaks of confidential Vatican documents continue as self-professed "moles" inside the Vatican vow to continue their action until the pope's two closest aides are sacked. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican censors nun’s book on sexual ethics, and some see a bid to muzzle women’s voices
VATICAN CITY (RNS) A long-running conflict between the Vatican and American nuns exploded again with the condemnation of a popular book on sexual ethics by Sister Margaret A. Farley, citing problematic passages on homosexuality, divorce and masturbation. By Alessandro Speciale.
In Vatican intrigue, all eyes turn to pope’s butler
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The butler who is under arrest for stealing Pope Benedict XVI's secret papers was known by everyone as a devout and good man. And as the investigation continues, few believe he may have acted alone. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican official calls leaked documents an ‘immoral’ and ‘brutal’ attack
Director of Vatican Bank resigns under pressure
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The president of the Vatican Bank was forced to resign Thursday after a months-long dispute over implementing new financial transparency rules to bring the Vatican in line with other institutions. By Alessandro Speciale.
Vatican details rules on Virgin Mary sightings
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican has published the rules used to judge alleged apparitions of the Virgin Mary as more and more sightings gather widespread publicity before the church has been able to judge them. By Alessandro Speciale.
Pope Benedict XVI gives direction to U.S. bishops on hot-button issues
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI has wrapped up his regular meetings with small groups of U.S. bishops, touching all the hot-button issues of the presidential campaign, from same-sex marriage to religious freedom, and many more. Here's a recap of what he said. By Alessandro Speciale.
