Gianfranco Ravasi
From friendships to slogans, the Vatican makes its mark at the Tokyo Olympics
By Claire Giangravé — August 4, 2021
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Vatican wants to promote its message of fraternity and friendship at the Olympic Games by reminding athletes to keep an eye on the real prize.
Italian quake destroys historic Catholic landmarks
By Josephine McKenna — October 31, 2016
ROME (RNS) The quake struck at the heart of the country’s vast religious heritage, destroying several beloved churches.
St. David Bowie? Not yet, but faith leaders pay respects to dead rocker
By David Gibson — January 11, 2016
(RNS) So where was Bowie on the religious spectrum? Apparently everywhere, just as he was on the aesthetic spectrum.
Saint David Bowie? Not yet, but faith leaders pay respects to dead rocker
By David Gibson — January 11, 2016
(RNS) As they should, given the sense of spiritual searching that led Bowie through every tradition and philosophy, and even a "Little Drummer Boy" duet with Bing Crosby. So where did he end up?
Vatican drops image of bound woman after complaints
By Rosie Scammell — March 13, 2015
ROME (RNS) The Pontifical Council for Culture had chosen a photograph of the 1936 "Venus Restored" sculpture for its Feb. 4-7 conference on women and equality. But the choice of a sculpture bound in ropes to discuss women’s emancipation was deemed inappropriate in some quarters.
Vatican’s pop culture guru Gianfranco Ravasi backpedals his tribute to rocker Lou Reed
By Eric J. Lyman — October 29, 2013
ROME (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, who was considered a leading candidate to become pope in the March conclave that selected Pope Francis, is no stranger to pop music-related controversy.
Vatican revives its ancient patronage of the arts
By Alessandro Speciale — May 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) For centuries, popes sponsored the work of artists such as Michelangelo, Raffaello or Bernini, but the marriage between art and faith became estranged in modern times. With a new exhibit at the prestigious Venice Biennial art festival, the Vatican hopes to revive church patronage of the arts.
Vatican gets behind adult stem cell research
By Alessandro Speciale — April 9, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Wading into one of the most controversial fields of modern medicine, the Vatican is promoting adult stem cells as an ethical and scientifically more promising approach to genetic therapy than embryonic stem cells.
A cultural omnivore, and maybe the next pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 22, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi is known for his wide interests, and seemingly Internet-like omniscience. And some Catholics say he could just be the next pope.
Who’s in the running for pope? 12 names to watch
By David Gibson — February 11, 2013
Pope Benedict XVI’s sudden resignation took the church and the world by surprise, in large part because it was a move without precedent in the modern world. But what comes next is as old and familiar as the papacy itself: speculating about who will be the next pope. Here are 12 names to watch.
Vatican admits it doesn’t fully understand youth culture
By Alessandro Speciale — January 31, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican's culture ministry warned that the Catholic Church risks losing future generations if it doesn't learn how to understand young people, their language and their culture.
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