Rosie Scammell
Rosie Scammell is a British journalist with extensive experience reporting for leading international news organizations. She has been based in Italy since 2012 and covers the Vatican for RNS.
All Stories by Rosie Scammell
Cardinal George Pell takes a swing at Pope Francis’ environmental encyclical
By Rosie Scammell — July 17, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Until now, Cardinal George Pell had remained quiet on the contents of the encyclical, despite gaining a reputation in Australia as a climate change denier.
Financial reform at Vatican reveals $1.2 billion in assets
By Rosie Scammell — July 16, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's assets improved, though it still ran a deficit in 2014.
Vatican trial on sex abuse charges delayed as ex-archbishop hospitalized
By Rosie Scammell — July 12, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The trial of the onetime Vatican diplomat, Jozef Wesolowski, was suspended after he was rushed to the hospital. It's not clear what ails him, or when, or if, the trial will resume.
Pope Francis’ carbon footprint: Does he practice what he preaches?
By Rosie Scammell — July 9, 2015
(RNS) A quick glance at the pope’s 2015 foreign travel agenda -- 11 countries across five continents -- and the size of the pontiff’s carbon footprint starts to look quite large. But some say the travel is vital to spread his message on climate change.
Cardinal Peter Turkson: Bishops need to speak up on the environment
By Rosie Scammell — July 5, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican is planning meetings with the world’s major bishops’ conferences, likely after October, to ensure they are successfully acting on the pope’s wishes.
Pope leaves Sunday for Latin America ‘homecoming’ trip
By Rosie Scammell — July 2, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis will depart Sunday (July 5) on a much-anticipated trip to Latin America, seen as a homecoming for the Argentine pontiff and likely to draw attention to key challenges in the region. Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio shocked the world in 2013 when he became the first Latin American to be elected […]
Vatican enlists ‘secular Jewish feminist’ Naomi Klein in environmental fight
By Rosie Scammell — July 1, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The anti-capitalism activist praised Pope Francis for standing up to Republicans who are warring against environmentalists, as the Vatican continues its battle against climate change with a high-level conference at the Holy See.
Thousands march in Rome to show support for Pope Francis’ call for climate action
By Rosie Scammell — June 28, 2015
ROME (RNS) Organizers estimated a crowd of 5,000 reached St. Peter’s Square to celebrate the pontiff’s tough stance on climate change, after parading through Rome under a canopy of painted banners.
Vatican and Palestinian leaders sign historic first legal treaty
By Rosie Scammell — June 26, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) As part of the accord, the Vatican has thrown its support behind a peace deal based on the 1967 border, before Israel annexed large swaths of territory during the Six-Day War.
Don’t expect church to change views on gay families, Chaput says
By Rosie Scammell — June 25, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Philadelphia archbishop said, “People who have experienced same-sex attraction” will be welcome at September event for families but it will not be open to supporting gay families.
Rome summit looks to improve church’s handling of child sexual abuse
By Rosie Scammell — June 25, 2015
ROME (RNS) As the Vatican continues to work on policies to combat clergy sex abuse, a leading pontifical university in Rome hosted a conference this week on how the Catholic Church can better address the current crisis and released details of a new diploma program on protecting children.
Pope: Marital separation can be ‘morally necessary’ to protect kids
By Rosie Scammell — June 24, 2015
(RNS) Francis' comments came as part of a wide reflection on conflicts within families -- “the most ugly thing!” -- during which he focused on the lifelong damage wrought on children whose parents fight.
Vatican road map for fall meeting on families features roadblocks, too
By Rosie Scammell — June 23, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Vatican officials on Tuesday released a document on family values -- a precursor to a major meeting in October -- that underscores the ongoing tension between Pope Francis' desire for a more "welcoming" church and the need to hew to long-standing tradition and doctrine.
Pope Francis goes off script in visit to see Shroud of Turin
By Rosie Scammell — June 22, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Monday (June 22) concluded a whirlwind two-day visit to Turin in northern Italy, during which his lively, often extemporaneous conversations covered everything from chastity to the arms trade.
Pope chides world powers for failing to push for peace in Syria
By Rosie Scammell — June 19, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis on Friday said the international community has not done enough to find a solution to the Syrian conflict, and said the country’s Christians had been united by “the blood of the martyrs” lost in war.
