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Vatican

Pope Francis' hospital stay extended due to 'complex clinical picture'

The Vatican said the pontiff will require a new course of treatment and further hospitalisation after being admitted to hospital for a respiratory tract infection.

EuroVerify

No, the Pope hasn’t resigned and appointed a successor

Various videos claim Pope Francis's successor has been appointed, but that's not how a new bishop of Rome is chosen. How does the system actually work?

Culture news

Pope Francis becomes first sitting pontiff to publish autobiography

Pope Francis has released his autobiography "Hope". The book shares anecdotes from his life alongside his thoughts on the most trying issues of the era.

Europe News

Pope Francis opens Holy Door to launch 2025 Jubilee

The 2025 Holy Year, themed around hope and trust, has begun with the Pope opening the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, as Rome prepares for 30 million pilgrims with heightened security and ongoing renovations.

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Culture news

Secret 13th century escape passage for popes reopens to the public

A historic secret passage connecting the Vatican with Rome’s Castel Sant’Angelo has reopened to the public on Monday.

Culture news

Mystery surrounds removal of keffiyeh-cradled Jesus in Vatican display

A Vatican Nativity scene featuring a keffiyeh-draped baby Jesus, symbolising Palestinian identity, was removed without explanation, sparking debate ahead of Pope Francis’s meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Art

130 nativity scenes go on display in Vatican's St. Peter's Square

The Vatican's 100 Nativity Scenes exhibition in St. Peter's Square has been unveiled, this year featuring 130 cribs from 21 countries.

Culture news

Vatican to publish new magazine with Pope replying readers’ questions

The magazine, as well as the livestream of St. Peter's tomb in the Vatican, are part of the outreach programme for the 2025 Jubilee.

Culture news

Pope Francis calls for probe into possible Gaza genocide in new book

Pope Francis has called for an investigation to determine if Israel’s attacks in Gaza constitute genocide, according to excerpts released from a new book ahead of the pontiff’s jubilee year.

Cinema

Thriller about electing a pope comes close to current Vatican debates

'Conclave' draws the crowds at the Rome Film Festival near the Vatican, but is it too close to the bone for Pope Francis?

Europe News

Pope's calls doctors who perform abortions 'hitmen,' sparking furore

It was the second time in as many weeks that Francis has been asked about his views on abortion, which remains a hotly-contested issue for the Catholic Church

Europe News

Pope urges members of the Church to never cover up abuse

Speaking to a crowd of around 39,000 in the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, the pontiff wrapped up a difficult visit to Belgium by saying, "There is no place for the covering up of abuse."

Belgium

Pope makes hope-inspired trip to 'heart of Europe' amid abuse scandal

While in Belgium, Pope Francis will have to face a backlash against local church authorities amid child abuse scandals. The Vatican hopes the visit will also help the EU "rediscover its roots".

Europe News

Will Pope Francis stay silent over child abuse scandal in Timor-Leste?

In 2002, the head of Timor-Leste's church abruptly resigned and moved to Mozambique amidst claims he sexually abused young boys over a 20-year period.

Papua New Guinea

Pope visits Catholics in remote coastal town in Papua New Guinea

Pope Francis is the second pope to visit Papua New Guinea, on the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Indonesia

Pope Francis and Indonesia's grand imam sign pledge calling for peace

The leader of the Catholic Church and Jakarta's Grand Imam Nusaruddin Umar vowed to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the environment, issuing a joint call for interfaith friendship and common cause.

Culture news

Pope Francis: Literature is essential to counter 'violent fake news'

In a letter recently translated in eight languages, Pope Francis argues that literature should not be written off as "a minor art" due to its capacity to stimulate empathy and counter “the obsession with screens and with toxic, superficial and violent fake news.”

Culture news

Have archaeologists uncovered a pre-Vatican papal palace?

Experts say the architectural structure – where popes lived before the Vatican became the official residence – could have been built between the 9th-13th century AD.

Europe News

'Democracy is not in good health,' says Pope Francis

The leader of the Catholic Church addressed thousands in Trieste and renewed his commitment to pray and work for peace in Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Sudan and Myanmar.

Culture news

Pope Francis meets more than 100 comedians at the Vatican

“In the midst of so much gloomy news, immersed as we are in many social and even personal emergencies, you have the power to spread peace and smiles,” Francis told the comedians.