Italy
Italy and Vatican on guard after threat from Islamic State
By Eric J. Lyman — February 22, 2015
(ROME) The video threat, released with images of 21 Coptic Christians from Egypt who were beheaded this month, warned that Islamic State forces were "south of Rome," in Libya. At its closest point, Libya is little more than 100 miles from the Italian islands of Sicily and Sardinia.
Mafia ‘betray the gospel,’ Italian bishops say in rare rebuke
By Josephine McKenna — January 2, 2015
ROME (RNS) Bishops from the heart of Mafia country broke their silence and denounced organized crime, just two days after Pope Francis called for a "conversion" from the mob's sinful ways.
Italian priest, unfazed by death threats, goes after the Mafia
By Josephine McKenna — October 23, 2014
ROME (RNS) The Rev. Luigi Ciotti has had police escorts before, but when a notorious Sicilian boss issued a death threat from his jail cell a couple of months ago, the authorities immediately doubled Ciotti's protection.
Italy’s ‘singing nun’ Sister Cristina covers Madonna’s ‘Like a Virgin’
By Josephine McKenna — October 21, 2014
ROME (RNS) “I chose it, without any intention to be provocative or scandalous,” Sister Cristina said. “I wanted to transmit calmness and poetry."
Priests’ mistresses and wives remind the Vatican: Don’t forget about us
By Josephine McKenna — September 25, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis has made a habit of personally answering letters sent to him from around the world -- but not from a group of two dozen Italian women who say they are married to or involved with Catholic priests.
Italy expels imam for preaching hatred against Jews
By Josephine McKenna — August 5, 2014
ROME (RNS) Interior Minister Angelino Alfano said he had ordered the imam, Raoudi Aldelbar, to be expelled "for seriously disturbing the peace, endangering national security and religious discrimination.”
Pope Francis apologizes for persecution of Pentecostals
By Josephine McKenna — July 28, 2014
CASERTA, Italy (RNS) “I am the shepherd of the Catholics and I ask you to forgive my Catholic brothers and sisters who did not understand and were tempted by the devil," Pope Francis told an Italian Pentecostal pastor.
Why is Pope Francis spending so much time going after the Mafia?
By Josephine McKenna — July 21, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With his second trip to the heart of Italy's Mafia country, experts are debating the impact of Pope Francis' uncompromising stance against organized crime and what it means for his papacy.
Italian priest charged with soliciting sexual favors from desperate refugees
By Josephine McKenna — June 25, 2014
ROME (RNS) The priest is accused of at least 10 episodes of sexual violence against immigrants since 2009, and he also faces embezzlement charges after the alleged discovery of 10,000 euros ($13,600 ) inside his church.
Pope Francis says Mafia members are ‘excommunicated’
By Josephine McKenna — June 23, 2014
ROME (RNS) Francis' determination to challenge organized crime groups has provoked warnings that he himself could become a mafia target.
Pope Francis to visit the heart of Italy’s mafia country
By Josephine McKenna — June 19, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis' frank determination to challenge organized crime groups has sparked warnings that he could become a mafia target. Last May, he warned mobsters that they would "go to hell" if they did not repent.
Italian women seek freedom to marry the priests they love
By Josephine McKenna — June 18, 2014
ROME (RNS) Even when their love is reciprocated by a man of the cloth, the women known as "God's rivals" are frequently rejected by family and friends. They're sidelined in their careers and forced to hide emotional and sexual expression.
Italy’s Catholic bishops try to put brakes on speedy divorce law
By Josephine McKenna — May 30, 2014
ROME (RNS) “I do not believe you can call this an achievement, much less define it as historic,” said Monsignor Nunzio Galantino. “Speedy divorce will not help anyone.”
Italy’s ‘singing nun’ shows that ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’
By Josephine McKenna — April 17, 2014
ROME (RNS) “In my daily life, something has changed,” Sister Cristina said. “Now people stop me in the street and thank me for the joy that I have given them with my performance."
Italian publisher unveils magazine dedicated to Pope Francis
By Eric J. Lyman — March 4, 2014
ROME (RNS) The publisher said it envisions the magazine being a “meeting place” for the faithful to send in letters, poems and drawings related to Francis’ papacy.
