Vatican

Papal message urges British, Irish Catholics to ‘combat the culture of death’

Jul 24, 2014

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, has sent a message to British and Irish Catholics on behalf of Pope Francis for the Day of Life, which will take place July 27.
Pope Francis to meet with 20 young Asian leaders

Jul 24, 2014

During his upcoming apostolic voyage to South Korea Pope Francis is slated to meet with 20 Asian youth during the 2014 Asia Youth Day, including Korean pop-star BoA.
Pope Francis calls Syro-Catholic patriarch, assures of his prayers

Jul 23, 2014

According an Italian Catholic new organization, Pope Francis made a phone call to Patriarch Ignatius Youssef III Younan over the weekend to reassure him of his continued prayers for Iraqi Christians.
Pope laments exodus of last Christians from Mosul

Jul 22, 2014

In his weekly Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis mourned the fleeing of the last Christians from the Iraqi city of Mosul, who were told by ISIS forces last week to either convert, pay the Jizya tax or leave.
Pope Francis makes phone call to Israel, Palestine presidents

Jul 21, 2014

In wake of the rising death toll in Gaza due to increased tensions between Israel and Palestine, Pope Francis made a personal call to both presidents in order to ask for peace.
Pope Francis to make two trips to Italian city of Caserta

Jul 18, 2014

The Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis will travel twice to the city where an evangelical pastor from Buenos Aires is living, in order to meet with local Catholics in addition to visiting his old friend.
British Lord Patten appointed president of new Vatican media team

Jul 17, 2014

On July 9 after hiring a consulting firm to study the Vatican’s communications structures, the Vatican has now set up an 11-member commission to increase collaboration and cut costs. Britain’s Lord Patten has been appointed as its president.
Vatican appoints first woman rector of pontifical university in Rome

Jul 17, 2014

The Congregation for Catholic Education has named Angeline Franciscan Sr Mary Melone (pic), 49, to a three-year term as rector of Rome’s Pontifical Antonianum University, making her the first woman to head a pontifical university in Rome.
Pope Francis pauses, prays for peace during angelus address

Jul 17, 2014

Following his reflections on the Sunday’s Gospel parable of the sower and the seed, Pope Francis called for peace in the Holy Land, asking participants to join him in a moment of silent prayer.
Vatican appoints three new bishops for Hong Kong

Jul 17, 2014

The Vatican on Friday announced the appointment of three new auxiliary bishops in Hong Kong. A few dozen priests and nuns gathered privately at the diocesan centre to hear the announcement which was made simultaneously in Hong Kong and Rome.