Faith

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, papal vicar of Rome, smiles during a reception after a consistory at the Vatican in this 2018 file photo. Cardinal De Donatis was hospitalized March 30, 2020, after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, the diocese announced.

Cardinal vicar of Rome hospitalized after testing positive for COVID-19

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ROME -- Cardinal Angelo De Donatis, the papal vicar for Rome, was hospitalized after testing positive for the COVID-19 virus, the Diocese of Rome announced.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of his Vatican residence, the Domus Sanctae Marthae, March 26, 2020. About a dozen priests also live in the Vatican guesthouse, and news reports March 25 said one of them, an Italian monsignor working in the Vatican Secretariat of State, had tested positive for COVID-19.

Vatican confirms Pope Francis does not have COVID-19

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VATICAN CITY -- Neither Pope Francis nor any of his closest collaborators have the COVID-19 virus, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican April 21, 2019.

Vatican says Holy Week liturgies must proceed even if pews are empty

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VATICAN CITY -- Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that is causing public Mass cancellations worldwide, the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter can not be postponed or suspended, said the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments.

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

Vatican says general absolution may be permissible during pandemic

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VATICAN CITY -- In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe limits on people leaving their homes, conditions may exist to grant general absolution without people personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis leads the opening of the 91st judicial year of the Vatican City state court during an audience in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Feb. 15, 2020. In mid-March Pope Francis updated the norms governing the Vatican City State judiciary system.

Pope Francis updates Vatican City State judicial system

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis updated the laws that govern the Vatican judicial system in an effort to establish greater transparency and independence, particularly in financial and criminal matters.

An empty St. Peter's Square is seen at the Vatican March 12, 2020.

Vatican says public will not be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website that "the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful."

Pope Francis is pictured on a video monitor in St. Peter's Square as he leads the Angelus from his library in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican March 8, 2020. As a precaution to avoid spread of the coronavirus, the pope's Sunday Angelus was broadcast on television and displayed on monitors in St. Peter's Square. After leading the Angelus through video the pope said he wanted to see the crowd in "real time" and came to the window of his studio to greet people in the square.

After leading 'virtual' Angelus, pope blesses crowd in St. Peter's Square

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VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis did not recite the Sunday Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square March 8, but he did go to the window to wave and to bless the pilgrims who showed up anyway.

French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon pauses at the courthouse in Lyon Jan. 7, 2019. Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Barbarin March 6, 2020, less than six weeks after a French appeals court overturned his conviction for failing to report clerical sexual abuse.

French cardinal Barbarin resigns following overturned abuse conviction

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, five weeks after a French appeals court overturned his conviction for failing to report clerical sexual abuse.

Fr. Hans Zollner

Abuse rules ordered for lay movements

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VATICAN CITY -- Days after revelations of sexual abuse committed by Jean Vanier, a Vatican abuse expert said organizations led by a charismatic leader who is followed uncritically and commands or demands control over members are at risk for cases of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

Pope Francis uses a handkerchief during Ash Wednesday Mass at the Basilica of Santa Sabina in Rome Feb. 26, 2020.

Pope Francis skips penance service with Rome clergy due to mild cold

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis did not attend a traditional penitential service with priests of the Diocese of Rome due to a mild cold, the Vatican said.

Johan Ickx, director of the historical archive of the Section for Relations with States of the Vatican Secretariat of State, speaks to reporters at the Vatican press hall Feb. 20, 2020, to discuss the opening of materials on Pope Pius XII in the Vatican Apostolic Archives. On March 2 the Vatican plans to open its archives on the World War II pontificate.

Vatican to open WWII archives, research will take time, archivists say

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VATICAN CITY -- When the Vatican's wartime archives open to researchers March 2, it will be just the start of what should be a long, slow process of studying, analyzing and publishing findings, said the Vatican's archivist and librarian.

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