Now playing Next Vatican Vatican synod aims for inclusiveness but critics fear a schism Taboo subjects such as the ordination of women and the role of LGBTQ congregants will be discussed 04/10/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Pope Francis elevates 21 new cardinals to fill highest ranks of Church Throughout his papacy, Francis has sought to create a more inclusive, universal Church, looking past Europe to clergy in Africa, Asia and Latin America to fill the Church's highest ranks. 30/09/2023
Now playing Next Vatican New claims that WW2 Pope Pius XII knew about Nazi crimes A letter has been published in Italian media suggesting that the late Pope Pius XII may have had detailed information from a German Jesuit about Nazi crimes in the Second World War. 16/09/2023
Now playing Next Poland Vatican beatifies Polish family executed by Nazis in World War II Representatives for the Vatican held an unprecedented beatification of the Polish family of 9 who were killed for hiding Jews in 1944. 10/09/2023
Now playing Next Mongolia The Pope, Mongolia and China The Pope's visit to Mongolia sent clear signs of friendship toward China and its President Xi Jinping, but Beijing's response hasn't been encouraging. 07/09/2023
Now playing Next no comment Mongolia's children greet Pope Francis in traditional dress With just 1,450 Roman Catholics, Mongolia is one of the newest catholic communities in the world. 01/09/2023
Now playing Next Italy Message in the sky over Italy spread Vatican conspiracy theory Messages transported by small planes over Italy’s beaches this summer have spread the debunked conspiracy theory that Pope Francis is not the legitimate head of the Catholic Church. 30/08/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Pope causes fury after praising Russia's imperialist past The Vatican stepped in to clarify the remarks after Pope Francis told young people they were the "heirs of the great Russia". 29/08/2023
Now playing Next Green News Pope Francis to write second part of landmark environmental letter The previous document is thought to have had an impact on commitments at the 2015 Paris climate conference. 22/08/2023
Now playing Next Portugal Pope Francis visits the world-renowned Catholic Shrine of Fatima Pope Francis prayed with a crowd of around 200,000 people on Saturday on what was his second visit to Portugal's Shrine of Fatima since he became leader of the Catholic Church. 05/08/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Pope Francis greets the public after abdominal surgery in hospital Francis greeted the public in St. Peter’s Square, expressing thanks for the comfort he received after surgery and thanking the crowd. 18/06/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Vatican confirms Pope's Portugal trip, including Fatima shrine visit Vatican confirms Pope's Portugal visit, including a pilgrimage to Fatima shrine, in August for World Youth Day. 22/05/2023
Now playing Next no comment Statue struck by lightning painstakingly cleaned and rebuilt This 2,000-year-old statue of the demi-god is now on display at the Vatican Museums. It is being painstakingly restored to its former glory in a project due to last until December. 15/05/2023
Now playing Next no comment WATCH: Pope Francis prays for peace in Northern Ireland and Ukraine Francis led Mass on Easter Monday in Saint Peter's Square in the Vatican at noon in front of thousands of worshippers to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in the Christian tradition. 10/04/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Pope prays for both Ukrainian and Russian people at Easter Mass In an Easter message highlighting hope, Pope Francis on Sunday invoked prayers for both the Ukrainian and Russian people, praised nations which welcome refugees. 09/04/2023
Now playing Next Italy Pope Francis returns to public eye for Easter vigil Mass Pope Francis returned to public view on Saturday, presiding over Easter vigil Mass in St Peter's Basilica, a day after he skipped Good Friday's nighttime procession. 09/04/2023
Now playing Next no comment WATCH: Good Friday processions around the world Continuing an annual tradition, Catholics in New York included the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in their Way of the Cross procession on Good Friday. 08/04/2023
Now playing Next Vatican Pope Francis misses Good Friday Way of the Cross procession The recently hospitalised Pope Francis will be watching from his home at the Vatican due to unseasonably cold night-time temperatures in Rome, the Holy See said. 07/04/2023
Now playing Next Italy Pope Francis defends the "marginalised" at Palm Sunday mass Pope Francis has presided over Palm Sunday Mass, a day after leaving hospital due to bronchitis. 02/04/2023
Now playing Next Vatican 'I'm still alive': Pope Francis jokes as he leaves hospital Pope Francis was discharged on Saturday from the Rome hospital where he was treated for bronchitis, quipping to journalists before being driven away: “I'm still alive.” 01/04/2023