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. 26/11/2024
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. 19/11/2024
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? 27/10/2024
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 30/09/2024
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." 29/09/2024
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". 27/09/2024
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. 08/09/2024
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. 08/09/2024
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. 05/09/2024
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.” 06/08/2024
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. 22/07/2024
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. 07/07/2024
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. 14/06/2024
Europe News Pope Francis encourages forgiveness and love in visit to Verona The pope also spoke of the ''genius of Shakespeare'' the playwright who set his famous Romeo and Juliet play in Verona. 18/05/2024
Europe News Pope Francis says he’s thinking about people of Haiti The pontiff also voiced concerns about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza and expressed concerns about the welfare of Rohingya, thousands of whom have fled a bloody military crackdown in Myanmar. 29/04/2024
Vatican Pope Francis calls for ceasefire in Gaza during Easter Sunday Mass Despite health concerns, the pontiff led the service in front of tens of thousands of people who had gathered in St Peter's Square in Vatican City. 31/03/2024
Vatican Pope's message read by aide as he recovers from illness Pope Francis said on Saturday he has not yet fully recovered from a recent illness, and had a Vatican official read out his message to patients of the Vatican-owned Rome children's hospital Bambino Gesù. 16/03/2024
Vatican Spanish bishop rebukes priests for hoping Pope 'goes to heaven soon' Priests from Toledo were chastised for a comment made earlier this month about praying for Pope Francis "so that he can go to heaven as soon as possible." 29/02/2024
The Cube Altered video shows Pope calling Catholic Church 'mother of harlots' A decade-old video has recently resurfaced claiming to show the Pope revealing his secret agenda to control the world and chastising Christians for watching The Hobbit and Game of Thrones. The Cube takes a closer look. 08/02/2024
Art Vatican plans €700,000 restoration of St Peter's Basilica baldachin Vatican officials have announced a €700,000 restoration of St. Peter's Basilica's baldachin. The project aims to complete the first extensive work on Bernini's masterpiece in 250 years before Pope Francis' 2025 Jubilee. 28/01/2024