Vatican News

Be fruitful and multiply: Threatened trees planted in Vatican Gardens

April 20, 2018

VATICAN – The Vatican Gardens has branched out and added a small orchard to its hillsides, becoming a safe haven for a number of endangered native Italian fruit and nut tree species.

Vatican invites youth to participate in pre-synod meeting via Facebook

March 15, 2018

VATICAN – As the pre-synod gathering on youth approaches, Vatican organizers are inviting young people around the globe to join in the discussion through Facebook groups in six different languages.

Vatican office altered photo of Benedict's letter on Francis's theology

March 14, 2018

VATICAN – A Vatican office has acknowledged blurring portions of a letter written by Benedict XVI regarding Pope Francis' philosophical and theological formation, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.

Pope Francis' theology contradicts "foolish prejudice" against him, Pope Emeritus says

March 12, 2018

VATICAN – On the eve of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis' election, retired Pope Benedict XVI defended the continuity of the church's teaching under his successor and dismissed those who criticize the Pope's theological foundations.

Pope asks that young people write meditations for Way of the Cross

March 8, 2018

VATICAN – In light of this year's Synod of Bishops on young people, Pope Francis has asked that the Way of the Cross meditations be written by a group of students.

Miracles approved: Pope Paul VI, Romero to be declared saints

March 7, 2018

VATICAN – Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of Blesseds Paul VI and Oscar Romero.

Vatican court charges former IOR president with embezzlement

March 5, 2018

VATICAN – A former president of the Institute of Religious Works, the so-called “Vatican Bank,” and his lawyer, have been ordered to stand trial at the Vatican on charges of embezzlement and money laundering.

Francis to proclaim Pope Paul VI a saint this year, debate on his worthiness of sainthood continues

February 22, 2018

VATICAN – While Pope Francis thinks Blessed Paul VI wrote "the greatest pastoral document that has ever been written," great writing does not make a pope a saint.

Pope updates resignation norms for bishops, prelates in Roman Curia

February 15, 2018

VATICAN – Updating the norms and regulations governing the resignation of bishops and of Roman Curia department heads who are not cardinals, Pope Francis said they will continue to hold office until he accepts their resignations.

Vatican denies report Pope Benedict has degenerative disease

February 15, 2018

VATICAN – The Vatican denied that retired Pope Benedict XVI has a degenerative neurological disease or paralyzing condition after his brother, 94-year-old Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, told a magazine that Pope Benedict had a debilitating disease.