Feb 23 Prayers pour in for Pope Francis, in critical condition with early kidney failure but still alert By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis remained in critical condition Sunday and blood tests show early kidney failure but he remains alert and “well-oriented,” and attended Mass, the Vatican said, as the 88-year-old pontiff battles pneumonia and a complex lung infection. Continue reading
Feb 22 Pope Francis in critical condition after asthmatic respiratory crisis, Vatican says By Nicole Winfield, Silvia Stellacci, Associated Press The 88-year-old Pope Francis, who has been hospitalized for a week with a complex lung infection, also received blood transfusions after tests showed a condition associated with anemia, the Vatican said in a late update. Continue reading
Feb 20 Pope Francis is out of bed, eating and working at hospital while recovering from pneumonia By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press “If you really want him to rest, you have to hospitalize him,” quipped Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, the archbishop of Marseille, France, referring to Francis' work ethic. Continue reading
Feb 18 Vatican cancels papal audiences and Holy Year events as Pope Francis remains hospitalized By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The Vatican has canceled papal audiences through the weekend and delegated others to cover for Pope Francis as the 88-year-old pope remains hospitalized with a multi-pronged respiratory infection. Continue reading
Feb 14 Pope Francis hospitalized to treat bronchitis and undergo tests, weekend events canceled By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis has been hospitalized at Rome's Gemelli Polyclinic to continue his ongoing treatment for bronchitis and to undergo tests. Continue reading
Feb 10 Vatican charity blasts Trump administration’s plan to ‘recklessly’ gut USAID By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Caritas on Monday warned that millions of people could die as a result of the “ruthless” U.S. decision to “recklessly” stop USAID funding. Continue reading
Jan 16 Pope Francis injures right arm after falling for second time in less than six weeks By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press The pope didn’t break his arm, but a sling was put on as a precaution, the Vatican said in a statement. Continue reading
Jan 08 Pope Francis names first woman to head major Vatican office By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office. He is appointing Sister Simona Brambilla, an Italian nun, to become prefect of the Vatican department responsible for all the church's religious orders. Continue reading
Dec 25 PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Christmas by urging all nations to silence arms and overcome divisions By Silvia Stellacci, Associated Press "I invite every individual, and all people of all nations ... to become pilgrims of hope, to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions," the pope said from the loggia of St. Peter's Basilica to throngs of people below. Continue reading
Dec 24 Pope Francis kicks off yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome’s tourism By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press It's a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome. Continue reading