
Use COVID-19 crisis to create a more economically and environmentally just world, Pope Francis urges govts
Francis made the appeal in his annual foreign policy address to ambassadors accredited to the Holy See, which was postponed after he suffered a bout of sciatica nerve pain

China and Vatican sign deal on appointment of bishops; Pope Francis recognises 7 clerics ordained by Beijing
An official statement said that China and the Vatican will continue to maintain contact and push forward the process of improving bilateral ties,

Venezuela violence: Vatican urges Nicholas Maduro to put new Constituent Assembly on hold
The Vatican on Friday urged Venezuela not to go ahead with installing a powerful new assembly sought by President Nicolas Maduro but challenged by his opponents.

Vatican threatens severe punishment of excommunication for mafia and mobsters
Excommunication could be on the cards for mobsters and the corrupt following an international debate hosted by the Vatican

Reform of Vatican govt will move forward with determination, Pope Francis tells the Curia
Pope Francis said Monday that reform of the Curia, the Church's governing body, would "move forward with determination, clarity and firm resolve", during his annual address to cardinals, bishops and priests running the Holy See.

Maithripala Sirisena meets Pope Francis, discusses peace process in Sri Lanka
Pope Francis on Monday received Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena at the Vatican where they discussed the peace process in the island nation, the Holy See said.

'Put mercy before judgement': Pope Francis opens 'Holy Door', launches Catholic Jubilee
Pope Francis on Tuesday launched an extraordinary Catholic Jubilee year of mercy by opening a "Holy Door" in the walls of St Peter's, embracing a 700-year-old tradition as he urged his Church to reach out to the modern world.

Vatican recognises Palestine as a state in new treaty
The Vatican concluded its first treaty that formally recognises the State of Palestine, a move that gives legal weight to the Holy See's years-long recognition and that drew fast criticism from supporters of Israel.

On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis poses for selfies with faithfuls
In his homily, Francis called on people, himself included, to look into their own hearts to see how they are living their lives.

Typhoon Haiyan: Pope Francis sends $150,000 aid for homeless
Pope Francis has sent what the Vatican calls initial assistance to the typhoon-ravaged Philippines — $150,000 (120,000 euros) to help those left homeless.

Must reform church to give hope to poor, young: Pope Francis
Pope Francis says he wants a missionary church with a modern spirit that gives hope to the poor, young and elderly, speaking as key meetings begin on church reform.

Rene Bruelhart: Vatican's 007 on money-laundering
The revelations of wrongdoing currently rocking the Vatican bank couldn't have come at a worse time for the Swiss-born anti-money laundering expert hired to lead the Holy See's push for greater financial transparency.

Vatican reports 2.2 mn euro profit but donations drop
The Vatican posted a 2.2 million euro ($2.85 million) budget surplus for 2012, an improvement from the previous year and some good news as it struggles to cope with a scandal involving its embattled bank.

Pope: Dialogue with Islam, olive branch to China
Pope Francis has called for more dialogue with Islam and offered an olive branch to China and other countries that don't have diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

Pope calls for defense of weakest in inaugural Mass
Pope Francis inaugurated his papacy on Tuesday with an address calling for the defense of the weakest in society and of the environment, saying that otherwise the way was opened to death and destruction.

Pope wants 'poor Church and Church for the poor'
Pope Francis said on Saturday that he wanted the Catholic Church to be poor and that its mission should be focused on serving the poor.

Live: Argentinian Jorge Bergoglio elected pope, takes name Pope Francis
The Papal Conclave has elected Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as the new Bishop of Rome. Bergoglio has chosen the name Francis.

Black smoke from Vatican again, no Pope yet
Black smoke rose from the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Wednesday, signalling Roman Catholic cardinals had not agreed on a pope to succeed Benedict on their first full morning of voting in a secret conclave.

Indian cardinal is youngest in Vatican conclave
Indian cardinal Cleemis Thottunkal is the youngest cardinal taking part in the conclave to elect a successor to Pope Benedict XVI.