World Dec 24 Pope celebrates Christmas Eve Mass as virus surges in Italy A maskless Francis processed down the central aisle of the basilica as the Sistine Chapel choir sang “Noel,” kicking off the Vatican’s Christmas holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem.
World Dec 17 Gloves come off as Pope Francis pushes for Vatican reforms Pope Francis is celebrating his 85th birthday. It's a milestone made even more remarkable given the coronavirus pandemic, his summertime intestinal surgery and the weight of history.
World Dec 05 Pope chides Europe, comforts migrants on return to Lesbos Pope Francis returned Sunday to the Greek island of Lesbos to offer comfort to migrants at a refugee camp and blast what he said was Europe’s indifference and self-interest “that condemns to death those on the fringes.”…
World Oct 30 Biden receives Communion in Rome amid debate in US The Bidens visited the English-speaking church that is the main place of worship for the American Catholic community in Rome and located near the U.S. Embassy. The president stopped in between events at the Group of 20 world leaders' summit…
World Oct 29 Biden says Pope Francis supports him receiving Communion The world's two most notable Roman Catholics discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change and poverty during their session Friday.
World Oct 12 EU pledges 1 billion euros for Afghan people at virtual G-20 The European Union warned that humanitarian aid for Afghans won't suffice in itself to keep hunger at bay as winter approaches after the bloc announced a support package worth 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion).
World Sep 12 Pope to Orban’s Hungary: Open your arms to everyone Francis spent just seven hours in Budapest before arriving Sunday afternoon in neighboring Slovakia to start a four-day tour. The lopsided itinerary suggested that Francis wanted to avoid giving Orban — the type of populist nationalist he frequently criticizes —…
World Sep 07 Pope, patriarch and Canterbury abbot issue climate appeal The world’s top Christian leaders have issued a joint appeal for delegates at the upcoming climate summit to “listen to the cry of the Earth” and make sacrifices to save the planet.
World Sep 07 Vatican won’t say if women can vote in 2023 church meeting For years, women activists and even nuns have pressed to be able to vote at Synod of Bishops meetings, which gather the Catholic hierarchy to Rome to discuss pressing issues facing the 1.3-billion strong Catholic Church.
World Jul 14 Pope Francis returns to Vatican 10 days after surgery Pope Francis was discharged from a Rome hospital and returned home to the Vatican on Wednesday, 10 days after undergoing surgery to remove half his colon.