Vatican News

Pope receives official invitation to visit Rome's mosque

January 20, 2016

VATICAN CITY - A Muslim delegation formally invited Pope Francis to visit Rome's mosque, the largest mosque outside the Islamic world. It would mark the first time a Pope visited the local mosque, which was opened in 1995.

Judges drop corruption charge, find monsignor guilty of slander

January 19, 2016

ROME - A Rome court dropped charges of corruption against an Italian monsignor, yet found him guilty of slander and gave him a two-year suspended sentence.

Vatican is not a 'den of thieves,' says top Vatican official

January 15, 2016

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican is not "a den of thieves," and such insinuations are an injustice to employees who are proud to serve the pope and the church, said Archbishop Angelo Becciu, a top official in the Vatican Secretariat of State.

Synagogue visit is chapter in Rome's unique Catholic-Jewish history

January 14, 2016

ROME - History and geography have combined to make Catholic-Jewish relations in Rome unique, both negatively and positively -- a fact highlighted by modern papal visits to the city's main synagogue just two miles from the Vatican.

Comedian, cardinal, inmate present Pope Francis book on mercy

January 12, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Arms flailing, the exuberant and perhaps hyperactive Italian actor and comedian Roberto Benigni described Pope Francis as a masterful minister of God's mercy, which is always active and always on the move.

Vatican newspaper denounces ‘blasphemous’ Charlie Hebdo cover

January 6, 2016

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s newspaper has criticized French weekly Charlie Hebdo for manipulating faith in the magazine’s latest front page, which depicts a blood-soaked God armed with a Kalashnikov.

Away in a manger: Pope makes secret stop at Nativity scene's birthplace

January 5, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the place where his namesake, St. Francis of Assisi, created the world's first Nativity scene.

Vatican agreement with Palestine goes into effect

January 4, 2016

VATICAN CITY - A historic agreement signed between the Holy See and Palestine that supports a two-state solution in the Holy Land has gone into effect, the Vatican announced.

In Peace Day message, Pope addresses death penalty, debt, migrants

January 1, 2016

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis called for abolishing the death penalty worldwide, lifting the burden of debt on poor nations, global aid policies that respect life and revamped laws that welcome and integrate migrants.

Singing does good for the soul, Pope tells young choristers

December 31, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Singing is good for one's soul and, as St. Augustine says, Christian life is not a sad path but a joyous one that is done "singing and walking," Pope Francis said.