As coronavirus keeps parishioners homebound, Christian clergy debate online Communion
(RNS) — With churchgoers holed up in their homes for weeks and even months to come, Christian leaders are starting to ask: Is Communion appropriate for cyberspace?
Pope Francis says ‘We are all in the same boat,’ during Urbi et Orbi ceremony
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Urbi et Orbi, meaning to the city and the world, is a blessing usually delivered by the Roman pontiff at Christmas and Easter. It offers plenary indulgence, which means the forgiveness of sins to the faithful present and watching through media outlets.
Catholic convert’s book on the Annunciation hopes to help parents inspire faith in Gen Z
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — In her new book about the Annunciation, Catholic convert and poet Sally Read addresses young people’s relationship with social media and its impact on faith, drawing from her personal experience as a mother.
Univision and Los Angeles Archdiocese partner to offer Mass on local TV channel
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — Parishioners from the largest Catholic archdiocese in the country can now access Spanish-language Mass on local TV in the wake of the novel coronavirus that has led to the cancellation of public services.
Did an Italian priest really give up his respirator for a younger patient?
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Rev. Giuseppe Berardelli was known as someone who gave of himself for others.
Pope Francis will offer plenary indulgence in response to coronavirus
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis announced on Sunday (March 22) that he will be delivering an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing and indulgence due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Is St. Corona the patron saint of pandemics?
(RNS) — No, St. Corona is not the patron saint of pandemics — yet.
Pope Francis and Italian bishops call Italians to recite the rosary to end the pandemic
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Italian Catholic bishops have called for a public recitation of the rosary and prayers for health care workers.
Vatican returns to the past with Easter COVID-19 restrictions
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican has a long history of dealing with plagues and other threats.
What if Easter, Passover and Ramadan get canceled?
(RNS) — The coronavirus pandemic may disrupt major religious holidays such as Easter, Passover and Ramadan.
Despite coronavirus, in Italy communion is stronger than quarantine
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — For the past three days now, my entire neighborhood has emerged from balconies and windows to sing together. People I have never spoken to before now greet me every day at six in the evening.
‘Prayer in the Time of Coronavirus’: LA parishioners worship in mostly empty pews
LOS ANGELES (RNS) — ‘It feels apocalyptic,’ said parishioner Sal Lopez after the service at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Los Angeles. ‘It was so empty in there.’
Faithful may be banned from Easter celebrations with Pope, says Vatican
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — As of Saturday night, Catholic faithful are no longer able to purchase tickets to attend the Holy Week celebrations in St. Peter’s as concerns about the coronavirus pandemic in Italy risk affecting Easter.
A gift of photos from a papal coronation opens a path for Jewish-Catholic healing
CARY, N.C. (RNS) — Howard Shulman didn’t know it at the time, but his donation of the photographs came just as the Vatican was opening its archives into Pope Pius XII's wartime conduct.
A deserted city: Dispatches from Rome in the time of coronavirus
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Overnight, the state has made itself visible in full force while the Catholic Church is nowhere to be found.