Vatican News

'Questionable' financial activities leave Franciscans in serious debt

December 19, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Ineffective budgetary oversight and "questionable" financial activities have plunged the Order of Friars Minor into significant debt and an extremely serious financial situation, its minister general said.

First showers, now sleeping bags: Pope Francis’ birthday gift to the homeless

December 18, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis marked his 78th birthday by giving hundreds of sleeping bags to the homeless in Rome, Vatican officials said Dec. 18.

Pope Francis takes a victory lap after brokering U.S.-Cuba breakthrough

December 18, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis welcomed the renewal of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba Dec. 18, saying he was happy to see an end to a half-century standoff between the two nations.

Christians can't ignore differences on life issues, Pope says

December 18, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Christianity has something to say about human dignity, and "it would be a shame" if differing positions on the sanctity of all human life or on marriage were to increase the divisions among Christian churches and communities, Pope Francis said.

Pope decries 'inhuman terrorist acts' in Australia, Pakistan and Yemen

December 17, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis decried the "inhuman terrorist acts" that killed scores of people the previous day in Australia, Pakistan and Yemen.

Vatican seeks to bury the hatchet with American nuns

December 17, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican ended a six-year inquiry into U.S. nuns with a report designed to bury their differences and celebrate their contribution to the Catholic Church.

Destroy hatred, not enemies, to bring peace, papal preacher says

December 13, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Peace does not come from wiping out enemies, it comes from destroying all hatred with prayer, dialogue and friendship, including in the Church and within the Roman Curia, said the preacher of the papal household.

Synod disagreement part of a dialogue, Pope says

December 10, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis used his weekly audience Dec. 10 to challenge media reports of “clashes between factions” at the recent bishops’ Synod on family issues.

Vatican investigates two former bank managers in embezzlement case

December 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican City prosecutor has opened an investigation into possible embezzlement by two former top officials at the Institute for the Works of Religion, more commonly called the Vatican bank.

Pope issues decrees in sainthood causes of eight women

December 9, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis recognized the miracles needed for the canonization of two Palestinian nuns and of a French woman who founded a religious order.