Jul 05 Vatican excommunicates former ambassador to the U.S., declaring him guilty of schism By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The Vatican on Friday excommunicated its former ambassador to Washington after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable outcome for Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. The conservative had became one of Pope Francis' most ardent critics and a symbol of the polarized Catholic… Continue reading
May 28 Watch 5:48 Pope apologizes for using slur while discussing opposition to gay men in priesthood By Geoff Bennett, Karina Cuevas Pope Francis issued a rare apology after word broke that he used a derogatory Italian slur referring to gay men while reaffirming his position against their admission to seminaries and priesthood. The Pope made the remark in a closed-door meeting… Continue watching
Mar 30 Pope presides over Easter Vigil at the Vatican after last-minute Good Friday absence By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis presided over the Vatican's somber Easter Vigil service on Saturday night, delivering a 10-minute homily and baptizing eight people, a day after suddenly skipping the Good Friday procession at the Colosseum as a health precaution. Continue reading
Mar 29 Pope skips Good Friday event to preserve health ahead of Easter, Vatican says By Nicole Winfield, Andrew Medichini, Silvia Stellacci, Aritz Parra, Associated Press Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ's Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations that are read aloud at each station. Continue reading
Feb 19 The keeper of the Vatican's secrets is revealing century-old discoveries for forthcoming book By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The longtime prefect of the Vatican Secret Archive is spilling the beans for the first time. He is revealing some of the secrets he has uncovered in the 45 years he has worked in one of the world's most important,… Continue reading
Jan 14 Bishop Álvarez and 18 priests released from prison, handed to Vatican, Nicaragua says By Associated Press Nicaragua's government said Sunday it released a prominent Catholic bishop and 18 other clergy members imprisoned in a crackdown by President Daniel Ortega and handed them over to Vatican authorities. Continue reading
Dec 24 Vatican to release previously unpublished homilies by the late Pope Benedict XVI By Associated Press The Vatican next year will publish a collection of never-before-seen homilies delivered by the late Pope Benedict XVI during his private Sunday Masses, most of them penned during his 10-year retirement, officials said Saturday. Continue reading
Dec 21 Pope asks Vatican staff to avoid 'rigid ideologies,' after approving blessings for same-sex couples By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis has urged Vatican bureaucrats to avoid “rigid ideological positions” that prevent them from understanding today’s reality. Continue reading
Dec 18 Pope formally allows priests to bless same-sex couples By Associated Press The Vatican issued a new document explaining a radical change in Vatican policy by insisting that people seeking God’s love and mercy shouldn’t be subject to “an exhaustive moral analysis” to receive it. Continue reading
Dec 16 Watch 2:50 News Wrap: Israeli protesters pressure government in wake of hostage deaths In our news wrap Saturday, the mistaken killing of three hostages by Israeli forces in Gaza has increased public pressure on Israel’s government to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining hostages, a Roman Catholic cardinal was convicted of… Continue watching