FAITH/STORIES

Guzman Carriquiry, the new Uruguayan ambassador to the Holy See, presented his letters of credential to Pope Francis Jan. 9, 2021, during a meeting in the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican.

Papal trip to Argentina, Uruguay still on the table, Pope Francis tells ambassador

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VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis told Uruguay's new ambassador to the Holy See that a future visit to the country as well as to his native Argentina is still very much on the table.

The Vatican health service began vaccinating employees, residents and retirees with the COVID-19 vaccine Jan. 13, 2021, in a makeshift clinic set up in the atrium of the Vatican audience hall. Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI have both been vaccinated.

Popes Francis, Benedict receive their first doses of COVID-19 vaccine

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VATICAN CITY -- Both Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI have received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 after the Vatican started vaccinating its employees and residents Jan. 13.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Jan. 10, 2021. Always celebrate the date of one's baptism, which reflects God's never-ending love, the pope said.
January 11, 2021

Christians lift others up by listening, sharing God's love, Pope Francis says

VATICAN CITY -- Christians are called to lead and lift people up by being close to them and sharing God's love, not by judging them, Pope Francis said.

A lector delivers a reading during Mass at a church in Ronkonkoma, N.Y., Aug. 20, 2014. Pope Francis ordered a change to the Code of Canon Law so that women may be formally instituted as lectors and acolytes.

Pope Francis amends canon law so women can be installed as lectors, acolytes

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VATICAN CITY -- Recognizing "the gifts of each baptized person" -- women and men -- Pope Francis ordered a change to canon law and liturgical norms so that women could be formally installed as lectors and acolytes.

January 6, 2021
Pope Francis walks near a figurine of the baby Jesus as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Jan. 6, 2021.

Like the Magi, look to the heavens for hope, Pope Francis says on Epiphany

In times of doubt and suffering, Christians must not focus on their problems, but instead lift up their eyes to God, who leads them toward the hopeful promise of great things to come, Pope Francis said on the feast of the Epiphany.

Pope Francis baptizes one of 32 babies as he celebrates Mass on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Jan. 12, 2020. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis will not baptize infants this year on the feast of the baptism of the Lord.

Pope Francis will not baptize infants on feast day this year

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VATICAN CITY -- The choral cries of newborn babies will not fill the Sistine Chapel in 2021 because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Pope Francis to cancel his annual celebration of infant baptisms on the feast of the Baptism of the Lord.

January 4, 2021
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from the library of the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican Jan. 3, 2021. "We do not know what 2021 holds for us, but what each one of us, and all of us together, can do is to take care of each other and of creation, our common home," he said.

Pope Francis: Christ's human condition a sign of God's love

By taking on the frail human condition, God showed his love for humanity and his desire to share in people's joys and sufferings, Pope Francis said.

View of the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine boxes at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath, England, Jan. 2, 2021.

Vatican set to launch COVID-19 vaccinations for workers, residents

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican will begin offering COVID-19 vaccinations in mid-January, giving priority to its health care workers, security personnel, employees who deal with the public and older residents, employees and retirees.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, said the new set of finance laws approved by Pope Francis removing management of financial assets from the Secretary of State are a much-needed step toward financial transparency. Bishop Galantino is pictured in an Aug. 8, 2015, file photo.

New law brings needed transparency to finances, Vatican official says

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A new law that removes financial assets from the control of the Vatican Secretariat of State is a step forward on the path of financial reform, said Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

Farmer Tomislav Suknaic touches his horse in front of his destroyed home in the village of Majske Poljane, Croatia, Dec. 30, 2020, following an earthquake. Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked central Croatia the previous day, killing at least seven people and injuring dozens.

Pope Francis prays for victims of earthquake in Croatia

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Pope Francis offered condolences and prayers for the victims of an earthquake that rocked central Croatia.

Pope Francis delivers his Christmas message and blessing "urbi et orbi" (to the city and the world) from the Hall of Blessings at the Vatican Dec. 25, 2020. Also pictured are Cardinal Angelo Comastri, archpriest of St. Peter's Basilica, and Msgr. Guido Marini, papal master of ceremonies.

Pope Francis on Christmas: Share hope, promote peace, give vaccine to all

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VATICAN CITY -- On a Christmas like no other, Pope Francis prayed for people who could not be with their families because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but he urged everyone to recognize and help those who are suffering even more.

December 25, 2020
A figurine of the baby Jesus is pictured as Pope Francis celebrates Christmas Eve Mass in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 24, 2020. The Mass was not open to the general public and began at 7:30 p.m. local time so that the limited number of attendees could return home in time to observe Italy's 10 p.m. curfew.

Christmas Eve: Jesus' birth brings hope in troubling times, Pope Francis says

The birth of Christ is a gift from God that brings people hope and courage in troubled times, Pope Francis said Christmas Eve.

CDF: current COVID-19 vaccines morally acceptable without alternatives

CDF: current COVID-19 vaccines morally acceptable without alternatives

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VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican's doctrinal office said that when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses.

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