Vatican News

Pope Francis issues sanctions against former West Virginia bishop

July 22, 2019

WASHINGTON -- The Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston announced July 19 sanctions from the Vatican -- including taking away the faculties of celebrating Mass -- against a former West Virginia bishop who stepped down last year under a cloud of allegations of sexual and financial misconduct.

Pope Francis appoints new Vatican press office director

July 18, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis appointed Matteo Bruni to serve as director of the Vatican press office, replacing Alessandro Gisotti, who had been serving as interim director since Dec. 31.

Being curator of meteorites allows Jesuit to 'find God' in all things

July 17, 2019

HOUSTON -- At the Vatican Observatory in Castel Gandolfo near Rome, Jesuit Brother Robert Macke finds his work as the curator of meteorites for the Vatican Observatory -- formally founded in 1891 by Pope Leo XIII -- allows him to, as the Jesuit saying goes, "find God in all things."

Vatican City State set to end sale of single-use plastics

July 16, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- After current supplies run out, Vatican City State will no longer be selling any single-use plastic items on its tiny territory.

Missing bones found in Vatican investigation

July 15, 2019

VATICAN CITY (CNA) -- The Vatican has found two ossuaries believed to maybe belong to the German noblewomen whose tombs were found empty earlier this week.

Pope Francis' curial reforms: Changing attitudes, not just structures

July 11, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis' plan for the reform of the Roman Curia will change the names of several offices and merge a few of them, but the biggest change it hopes to spark is one of attitude.

Vatican discovers empty tombs as it searches for missing woman

July 11, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Opening the Vatican tombs of a princess and a duchess July 11 in a search for the remains of a young Italian woman missing for more than 30 years, the Vatican found no human remains at all.

Vatican lifts immunity of papal diplomat accused of sexual assault

July 9, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- The Holy See has waived the diplomatic immunity of a Vatican diplomat who has been under investigation by authorities in Paris for allegedly sexually assaulting a city official.

Pope Francis names women as full members of congregation for religious

July 8, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis named six superiors of women's religious orders, a consecrated laywoman and the superior of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to be full members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Wartime demands extra care in ministry, Pope Francis tells Ukrainian bishops

July 8, 2019

VATICAN CITY -- Being a pastor in a country at war means being with people, leading them closer to Jesus and celebrating the liturgy in a way them helps them experience a bit of heaven on earth, Pope Francis told bishops from Ukraine.