Faith

Pope Francis shares a light moment with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres during a private audience at the Vatican Dec. 20, 2019.

Pope Francis records video of Christmas wishes with U.N. chief

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and the secretary-general of the United Nations said that, like millions of people around the world, during the Christmas season their thoughts turn to yearnings for peace and for the well-being of those in need.

Pope Francis meets in the apostolic palace Dec. 19, 2019, with six new ambassadors to the Vatican who were presenting their letters of credential to the pope. The new ambassadors represented Kenya, Niger, Mali, Latvia, Andorra and Seychelles.

New diplomats to Vatican meet with Pope Francis

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VATICAN CITY -- Peace requires setting aside indifference and fear so that a feeling of mutual respect may grow and flourish, Pope Francis told diplomats.

Pope Francis leads his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis lifts secrecy obligation for those reporting abuse

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has abolished the obligation of secrecy for those who report having been sexually abused by a priest and for those who testify in a church trial or process having to do with clerical sexual abuse.

Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes.

Causes for sainthood require thorough investigation, Pope Francis says

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VATICAN CITY -- The saints are "the true light of the church," so before they are proposed to all Catholics for imitation and veneration, a scrupulous investigation is required, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis meets with Jesuits in Tha Kham, Thailand, Nov. 22, 2019, during his apostolic trip to the Asian country. In his customary question-and-answer session with his Jesuit confreres, Pope Francis spoke about resistance to addressing climate change and about hostility to migrants and refugees.

Pope Francis 'scandalized' by anti-migrant rhetoric

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis told Jesuits in Thailand he was "scandalized" by some of the anti-migrant rhetoric he hears in Europe, and he is convinced people are being manipulated into thinking the only way they can preserve their lifestyles is by building walls.

The Christmas tree sparkles after a lighting ceremony in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican Dec. 5, 2019.

Vatican unveils Nativity scene, lights Christmas tree

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican unveiled the Nativity scene and lit the Christmas tree with energy-saving lights in St. Peter's Square during a late afternoon ceremony Dec. 5.

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

Pope Francis, council of cardinals discuss greater role for lay men and women

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis and his international Council of Cardinals reviewed aspects of the draft of the apostolic constitution that would govern the Roman Curia, including a greater role for lay men and women.

The tower of the Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, is pictured Oct. 2, 2019. The Vatican said in a statement Nov. 27 that the Pope Francis had named Carmelo Barbagallo as the new head of the watchdog Financial Intelligence Authority, known by the Italian acronym AIF.

Pope Francis names new head of Vatican financial agency

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis appointed a seasoned Italian finance inspector to lead the Vatican's financial watchdog agency following the resignation of its president.

The construction of the Israeli settlement of Ramat Givat Zeev is seen Nov. 19, 2019, in the occupied West Bank. The Vatican reiterated its call for a two-state solution in the Holy Land after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced that the United States would no longer recognize the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Vatican advocates for two states in Holy Land amid U.S. reversal

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican reiterated its call for a two-state solution in the Holy Land after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced the United States would no longer recognize the illegality of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Salesian Sister Ana Rosa Sivori is Pope Francis' second cousin and missionary in Thailand. She will translate for the pope during his Nov. 20-23 visit to the country, the Vatican press office announced. She is seen at the St. Mary School in Udon Thani, Thailand, Sept. 24, 2019.

Pope Francis' cousin, missionary in Thailand, will serve as his translator

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis' translator in Thailand will be someone familiar with the nuances and colloquialisms of his Argentine Spanish because she grew up speaking it with him.

The Vatican announced Nov.14, 2019, that Pope Francis named Jesuit Father Juan Antonio Guerrero, general counselor for the Society of Jesus, to lead the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy, which had been headed by Australian Cardinal George Pell. Father Guerrero is pictured in an undated photo.

Pope Francis appoints Spanish Jesuit to lead Secretariat for the Economy

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis tapped a Spanish Jesuit priest with a background in economics to head the Vatican Secretariat for the Economy.

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