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
Dec 22 At least 22 people killed by Israeli airstrikes as Vatican envoy visits Gaza for pre-Christmas Mass By Wafaa Shurafa, Tia Goldenberg, Associated Press Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 22 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said, while Gaza's small Christian community celebrated a pre-Christmas Mass. Continue reading
Oct 06 Pope names 21 new cardinals, expanding pool of electors who will one day pick his successor By Nicole Winfield, Associated Press Pope Francis named 21 new cardinals Sunday, significantly increasing the size of the College of Cardinals and further cementing his mark on the group of prelates who will one day elect his successor. Continue reading
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