St. Peter’s Square
Pope Francis showcases his commitment to immigrants with new statue at the Vatican
By Claire Giangravé — October 1, 2019
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — On Sunday, Pope Francis enshrined his commitment to immigrants and refugees by erecting a statue dedicated to the “angels unawares,” who every day put their lives at risk to find a new life in a new nation. The artwork is the first to be added to St. Peter’s Square in 400 years and depicts an issue central to Francis' pontificate.
Pope pays tribute to Iraqi Christians persecuted by Islamic State
By guest — December 26, 2016
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) Francis paid tribute to Middle East Christians who have clung to their faith during persecution by Islamist militants, saying there are more Christians martyrs now than in the Church's early days.
Roman police seize thousands of fake Vatican souvenirs
By Yonat Shimron — May 2, 2016
(RNS) The merchants selling the trinkets wanted to take advantage of increased tourism to Rome associated with the pope’s Jubilee Year of Mercy, the police said.
Homeless baby, born on the street, embraced by pope’s charity
By Rosie Scammell — January 21, 2016
(RNS) Pope Francis' outreach to the homeless is an ongoing theme of his papacy.
Pope at Easter prays for killed Kenyan students, decries persecution
By Reuters — April 5, 2015
(Reuters) The pope spoke as churches in Kenya, where al Shabaab gunmen massacred nearly 150 people, singling out Christians for point-blank executions, turned to armed guards to protect their congregations on Easter.
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.
Vatican to offer haircuts, shaves as well as showers to Rome’s homeless
By Reuters — January 30, 2015
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Hairdressers would volunteer their services on Mondays, the day their shops are traditionally closed in Italy.
Pope Francis to build showers for homeless in St. Peter’s Square
By Josephine McKenna — November 13, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) It’s an unconventional move, even for a pope who constantly preaches that more should be done to help the poor.
On Feast of St. Valentine, a papal blessing
By Eric J. Lyman — February 14, 2014
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis gave the couples advice on how to have a happy and successful marriage.
Photo Gallery: Pope Francis celebrates inaugural Mass
By Sally Morrow — March 19, 2013
Today Pope Francis celebrated Mass at the Vatican. Francis was slowly driven around a sun-drenched St. Peter’s Square in an open-top car, shunning the bulletproof, air-conditioned popemobile preferred by his predecessors. At one point, he asked to stop the car and got out to bless a disabled person.
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