Essay: Popes were once confined to Rome. Now they travel the world – and Francis’ current journey is particularly significant
In an article first published on The Conversation, DARIUS VON GUTTNER SPORZYNSKI, an historian at Australian Catholic University, looks at the storied history of papal trips…
Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano, declares him guilty of schism
Rome, Italy AP The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the US, Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable end for the firebrand conservative who became one of Pope Francis’ most ardent critics. The Vatican’s doctrine office imposed the penalty after a meeting of its members on Thursday and […]
Essay: Pope Francis may have surprised many by inviting comedians to the Vatican, but the value of humour has deep roots in Catholic tradition
JOANNE M PIERCE, a specialist in medieval Christian history, looks – in an article first published on The Conversation – at how Christians have long embraced the role of humour as a valuable part of Christian spirituality…
The Vatican appoints Pope Benedict’s longtime secretary as its envoy to the Baltic states
Berlin, Germany AP Pope Francis has appointed the longtime secretary of the late Pope Benedict XVI, who was sent back to his native Germany without a new assignment last year after he fell out with the current pontiff, as the Vatican’s diplomatic representative to the Baltic states. The Vatican announced in its daily bulletin on Monday that […]
Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI’s aide
Vatican City AP Pope Francis has exposed the political “maneuvers” used to sway votes during the two most recent elections of popes, while denying he is planning to reform the process for future conclaves, in a book-length interview published Tuesday. The revelations are contained in The Successor: My Memories of Pope Benedict XVI, in which the Argentine […]
Unexpected defeat of referendums shows growing power of Ireland’s traditional Catholics
Dublin, Ireland RNS At a Mass said in Latin on Sunday, Ireland’s traditional Catholics declared political victory, days after a pair of referendums aimed at secularizing the Irish Constitution were unexpectedly and resoundingly defeated. On Friday, the Irish Government put two measures to a vote that would have extended the rights of unmarried couples in […]
Essay: The Synod on Synodality called for better liturgy. Will anyone listen?
US Catholic commentator, THOMAS REESE, in an article first published on Religion News Service, says that if the church is to have a Eucharistic revival, its liturgical texts should promote active participation by all people… United States RNS One of the surprises to come out of the Synod on Synodality was a call for better-written liturgies. The final […]
Catholic Church: The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023
CLAIRE GIANGRAVÉ, of Religion News Service, takes a look at a year in which Pope Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares…
Vatican monastery that served as Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement home gets new tenants
Rome, Italy AP The converted monastery in the Vatican gardens that served as Pope Benedict XVI’s retirement home will once again house a small community of nuns. Pope Francis signed a note on 1st October ordering the Mater Ecclesiae monastery to resume its original purpose as a home within the Vatican walls for communities of […]
Pope Benedict’s ex-secretary won’t get a permanent job in his new German archdiocese
Berlin, Germany AP The longtime secretary to the late Pope Benedict XVI won’t be given a permanent job in the German archdiocese where he has settled, but will lead regular services at Freiburg’s cathedral and can take on “individual assignments” such as confirmations, church authorities said Monday. The Vatican announced last month that Pope Francis […]