Faith

Retired Pope Benedict XVI smiles at Germany's Munich Airport before his departure to Rome June 22, 2020. Pope Benedict, who is 93, traveled to Germany to see his ailing older brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who is 96.

Benedict XVI 'extremely frail', says author

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VATICAN CITY -- An author with a long and close relationship to retired Pope Benedict XVI told a German newspaper that the 93-year-old retired pope is "extremely frail."

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is pictured at the Vatican. China has been accused of hacking Vatican computers as well as those in the Diocese of Hong Kong and other Catholic organizations in May.

China hacked computers of Vatican, other church entities

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China has been accused of hacking Vatican computers as well as those in the Diocese of Hong Kong and other Catholic organizations in May.

A group including students from Sacred Heart Academy and Presentation Academy in Louisville, Ky., listen to a speaker during the seventh annual prayer service for the victims of human trafficking in 2019 at Jefferson Square Park in downtown Louisville. A Vatican representative said the protection of rights and human dignity is not exclusive to the wealthy but also to the most vulnerable, especially victims of human trafficking.

Justice, dignity not just 'privilege of the rich,' Vatican official says

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VATICAN CITY -- Addressing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a Vatican representative said the protection of rights and human dignity is not exclusive to the wealthy but also to the most vulnerable, especially victims of human trafficking.

Archbishop Paul R. Gallagher, Vatican foreign minister, is pictured in this 2018 photo on Capitol Hill in Washington. Archbishop Gallagher recently said the Catholic Church has grown complacent to the persecution of Christians.

Vatican foreign minister: Religious freedom must be protected

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MANCHESTER, England -- The Catholic Church has failed to defend Christians effectively, partly because it historically accepted persecution as part of its "community story," a Vatican official said.

Souvenirs are displayed at a 2019 demonstration in Madrid against the exhumation of Spain's former dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco. The Vatican released a statement July 21, 2020, distancing itself from any involvement in the Spanish government's decision to exhume Franco's remains, a divisive issue in that country.

Vatican denies involvement in decision to exhume former Spanish dictator

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican distanced itself again from any involvement in the Spanish government's decision to exhume the remains of the country's late dictator, Gen. Francisco Franco.

The Chinese national flag flies in front of a Catholic church in Huangtugang, China, in this 2018 photo. As the Vatican-China agreement on the naming of bishops approaches two years, Beijing is still lagging behind in giving concessions compared with those made ahead of the deal by the Vatican.

As Vatican-China agreement approaches two years, opinion still divided

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VALLA BEACH, Australia -- China has announced that Bishop Paul Ma Cunguo of Shuozhou, a Vatican-recognized bishop, has joined the official state-run Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican is seen through a window of Castel Sant'Angelo in Rome in this 2018 file photo. On July 20, 2020, the Vatican issued a new instruction on pastoral care that emphasizes the role of lay men and women in the church's mission, but said most parishes must be led by priests.

Vatican: Laity have role, but most parishes must be led by priests

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's Congregation for Clergy issued a new instruction on pastoral care that specifies the role of lay men and women in the church's mission of evangelization and offers guidance in parish reforms and restructuring.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is pictured at the Vatican.

Vatican releases guide on how leaders must handle abuse allegations

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.

A file photo shows U.S. military personnel working on an F/A-18E Super Hornet as an aircraft carrier conducts drills in the South China Sea.

Vatican task force calls for an end to arms production

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VATICAN CITY -- Human health, peace, security and progress would be better served with a complete end to the production of weapons worldwide, said members of a Vatican task force.

Carmelo Barbagallo, president of the Vatican's Financial Information Authority, gestures during a July 2, 2020, interview in Vatican City ahead of the release of the authority's annual report.

Financial watchdog sees increased cooperation with Vatican agencies

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's financial watchdog agency has expanded its reach of cooperation, and it plans on continuing to increase its staff to better fulfill its mandate.

Demonstrators take part in a rally in Gaza City July 1, 2020, as Palestinians called for a "day of rage" to protest Israel's plan to annex parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Vatican's top diplomat meets about Mideast with U.S., Israeli ambassadors

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VATICAN CITY -- Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, met with the U.S. and Israeli ambassadors to the Vatican to express concern that "possible unilateral actions" on their part would further jeopardize peace in the region.

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