Oct 12 4 Swiss Guards test positive as COVID-19 penetrates Vatican By Associated Press The Swiss Guards, the world’s oldest standing army, provide ceremonial guard duty during papal Masses, man the Vatican gates and help protect the 83-year-old Pope Francis. Continue reading
Oct 04 Pope: Market capitalism has failed in pandemic, needs reform By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis says the coronavirus pandemic has proven that the “magic theories” of market capitalism have failed and that the world needs a new type of politics that promotes dialogue and solidarity and rejects war at all costs. Continue reading
Jul 16 Vatican says bishops should report sex abuse to police By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The Vatican is telling bishops around the world they should report case of clergy sex crimes to police even when not legally bound to do so. Continue reading
Jun 07 World reaches 400,000 virus deaths as pope urges caution By Joseph Wilson, Associated Press Worldwide, at least 6.9 million people have been infected by the virus, according to Johns Hopkins University, whose aggregated tally has become the main worldwide reference for monitoring the disease. Its running counter says United States leads the world with… Continue reading
Apr 12 Pope urges solidarity on an Easter of both joy, virus sorrow By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis called for solidarity the world over to confront the “epochal challenge” posed by the coronavirus pandemic, as Christians celebrated a solitary Easter Sunday, blending the joyful feast day with sorrow over the toll the virus has already taken. Continue reading
Mar 27 Pope prays for 'fragile' humanity in need of help during the pandemic By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press Praying in a desolately empty St. Peter's Square, Pope Francis on Friday likened the coronavirus pandemic to a storm laying bare illusions that people can be self-sufficient and instead leaves “all of us fragile and disoriented.”… Continue reading
Mar 15 Vatican's Holy Week to proceed but without public amid virus By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press VATICAN CITY — The Vatican's Holy Week ceremonies will go ahead but without public attendance as Italy tries to contain the coronavirus outbreak, the Holy See said Sunday. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said in a statement that "as far as… Continue reading
Feb 12 Watch 4:26 News Wrap: New novel coronavirus infections declining, WHO says In our news wrap Wednesday, the World Health Organization voiced hope that the outbreak of novel coronavirus may be slowing, as Beijing enforces public health measures. Also, Syrian government supporters attacked U.S. troops, who shot and killed one of the… Continue watching
Feb 12 Pope does not approve ordination of married men in the Amazon By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press In an eagerly-awaited document, Francis didn’t even refer to recommendations by Amazonian bishops to consider the ordination of married men and women deacons. Rather, he urged bishops to pray for more priestly vocations and send missionaries to the region. Continue reading
Jan 15 Pope names 1st woman to Vatican's top management position By Associated Press Pope Francis on Wednesday named Francesca Di Giovanni, a 27-year veteran of the Vatican, as undersecretary for multilateral affairs. Continue reading