Vatican News

Greenbacks and the green economy: Ecology is good business

May 23, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Consumers want products that are environmentally friendly, and businesses that are not on board are already starting to feel the pinch, said the CEO of the multinational Unilever.

Mother Teresa's canonization in 2016 only hypothetical, says Vatican

May 19, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Despite reports in the Italian press that Blessed Teresa of Kolkata's canonization has been set for Sept. 4, 2016, a Vatican spokesman says the date is only hypothetical and cannot be confirmed.

Pope gives coaches game plan for building team spirit, ethical players

May 16, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Coaches need to show integrity, fairness, patience, joy and kindness, especially toward those who are struggling, Pope Francis said.

Protecting people means protecting the planet, Turkson says

May 15, 2015

ROME - Pride, greed and selfishness are destroying the planet just as they destroy human lives, said Cardinal Peter Turkson.

Vatican-Palestine accord supports 'two-state' solution

May 13, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Vatican and Palestinian representatives have finalized the text of a formal agreement recognizing freedom of religion in the "State of Palestine" and outlining the rights and obligations of the Catholic Church, its agencies and its personnel in the territory.

Study confirms Pope’s Twitter influence

May 11, 2015

VATICAN CITY - When Pope Francis tweets, the world listens. According to “Twiplomacy,” a study of the Twitter accounts of world leaders and their retweet rates, U.S. President Barack Obama has the most Twitter followers, but Pope Francis’ @Pontifex is the most influential Twitter account — his average “retweet” and “favorite” rate is more than eight times higher than Obama’s.

Pope: Love of sports doesn't mean 'timeout' from church, friends, poor

May 9, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Never let practice and competition get in the way of going to Mass, studying for school, being with friends and helping the poor, Pope Francis told an Italian sports association.

Vatican approves statutes for papal commission for protecting minors

May 8, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors received temporary approval of its first set of statutes.

Europe needs Christians to speak with one voice, Pope says

May 7, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Europe's Christians must speak with one voice to defend religious liberty and to ensure desperate migrants are treated fairly, Pope Francis said.

Muhammad cartoons 'blasphemous,' Vatican paper says

May 6, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican’s semi-official newspaper blasted a series of cartoons of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad as “blasphemous” but also condemned the “mad and bloodthirsty” extremists who opened fire at a Texas exhibit of the cartoons.