Vatican cardinals defend gay union blessing ban amid dissent
By Nicole Winfield — March 18, 2021
ROME (AP) — Boston Cardinal Sean O'Malley and Cardinal Peter Turkson, head of the Vatican's development office, pointed to Francis' pastoral outreach to gay men and lesbians but repeated the church's position.
Pope arrives in Iraq to rally Christians despite pandemic
By Nicole Winfield and Samya Kullab — March 5, 2021
BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq's foreign minister said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis' 'message of peace and tolerance' and described the visit as a historic meeting between the 'minaret and the bells.'
Anti-vax at the Vatican? You might lose your job
By Nicole Winfield — February 19, 2021
ROME (AP) — The pope's decree sparked heated debate, since its provisions go beyond the voluntary nature of COVID-19 vaccinations in Italy and much of the rest of the world.
Pope moves ahead with plans to meet Shiite leader in Iraq
By Nicole Winfield and Samya Kallub — February 8, 2021
ROME (AP) — Francis has spent years trying to improve Christian relations with Muslims, and his meeting with Ali al-Sistani will mark one of his most important encounters with a Shiite leader.
Patriarch: Pope to meet Iraqi Shiite leader Sistani in Iraq
By Nicole Winfield and Samya Kullab — January 28, 2021
(RNS) — The Chaldean patriarch, Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, provided the first details of Francis' March 5-8 itinerary during a virtual news conference hosted by the French bishops' conference.
Vatican convicts ex-bank chief in property embezzlement scam
By Nicole Winfield — January 22, 2021
(RNS) —The scam allegedly involved the suspects selling 29 different properties in Rome and elsewhere to offshore companies that then resold them at market rates, with the suspects pocketing the difference.
