Rome
Five things Pope Francis should do while imprisoned by the pandemic
By Thomas Reese — August 13, 2020
(RNS) — Reforms to the Vatican’s financial system, the Curia and how the church prevents clergy sexual abuse are the ecclesial equivalent of cleaning the basement and the attic, but now’s the time.
Vatican prosecutors seize data from St. Peter’s Basilica
By Nicole Winfield — June 30, 2020
ROME (AP) — Vatican prosecutors have ordered the seizure of documents and computers from the administrative offices of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Pope Francis says ‘We are all in the same boat,’ during Urbi et Orbi ceremony
By Claire Giangravé — March 27, 2020
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.
Pope Francis and Italian bishops call Italians to recite the rosary to end the pandemic
By Claire Giangravé — March 19, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Italian Catholic bishops have called for a public recitation of the rosary and prayers for health care workers.
Faithful may be banned from Easter celebrations with Pope, says Vatican
By Claire Giangravé — March 15, 2020
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.
Under the Vatican dome, shops risk closure due to coronavirus fears
By Claire Giangravé — March 6, 2020
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Italian newspaper Il Messagero reported this week that the Vatican museums have lost as much as 60% of their revenue in the past month, but local workers put the number much higher.
Francis appoints Filipino Cardinal Tagle to key Vatican office
By Thomas Reese — December 9, 2019
(RNS) — Well-liked and respected at home, the bright and pastorally minded archbishop of Manila has all of the attributes prized by Francis.
Controversy mixes with consensus as bishops gather for Amazon synod
By Thomas Reese — October 3, 2019
(RNS) — While disagreements in the synod may arise over how Catholicism is interpreted in the Amazon, the bishops of the synod will be largely united on the environment and justice issues.
Nuns hope to be disciples of hope in changing landscape of human trafficking
By Claire Giangravé — September 25, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A group of religious sisters is meeting with Pope Francis this week in Rome to address the issue of human trafficking, linking the rise of victims to populist movements, increased immigration and climate refugees.
Synod for the Amazon about more than married priests
By Thomas Reese — September 17, 2019
(RNS) — For Pope Francis, the Amazon is important because it touches on so many themes of his papacy: concern for the marginalized, evangelization and protection of the environment.
Synod of bishops to discuss ordaining married men
By Thomas Reese — June 19, 2019
(RNS) — Limiting ordination after marriage to 'mature men' will be portrayed as exceptional, but both traditionalists and progressives believe that it will spread to more and more situations.
How two Jewish Bible scholars got an audience with the pope
By Yonat Shimron — March 26, 2019
(RNS) — Marc Zvi Brettler, a Duke University Hebrew Bible scholar, said it took a bit of chutzpah, but, turns out, the pope was interested.
Five reasons the pope’s clergy sex abuse meeting in Rome will fail
By Thomas Reese — January 17, 2019
(RNS) — Besides a lack of time to prepare and impossible expectations, even Francis' greatest strength, his pastoral sense, is working against him.
Vatican bishops at synod struggle with what to call gay people
By Bob Smietana — October 23, 2018
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Younger Catholics want the church to be more inclusive. But as Catholic leaders wrap up a monthlong synod, they disagree on how to do that — or even how to refer to gay people in official synod documents.
Vatican summit enters the home stretch. But where’s the finish line?
By Bob Smietana — October 22, 2018
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After a monthlong debate about how to engage young people, this Catholic synod may be hard put to forge consensus.
