Pope, in Easter message, slams weapons spending in time of pandemic
Pope Francis urged countries in his Easter message on Sunday to quicken distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, particularly to the world's poor, and called armed conflict and military spending during a pandemic "scandalous." Coronavirus has meant this has been the second year in a row that ...
Pope says coronavirus should spark new environmental awareness
The drastic reduction in pollution during coronavirus lockdowns around the world should lead to greater concern for the environment as restrictions are lifted, Pope Francis said on Sunday. At his Sunday address in St. Peter's Square, Francis said the pandemic made many people reflect on ...
Pope Francis on Wednesday named the first woman to hold a high-ranking post in the Secretariat of State, the male-dominated Vatican's diplomatic and administrative nerve center. Italian lay woman Francesca Di Giovanni, 66, will assume a newly created post in a division known as the ...
Pope Francis apologized on Wednesday for having angrily slapped a woman's arm when she had grabbed hold of his hand and yanked him toward her, saying he had lost his patience and set a "bad example. His unusual apology came after he used his first ...
Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday, pope condemns 'virus' of consumerism
Pope Francis on Sunday urged people to resist the excesses of consumerism in the period leading up to Christmas, calling it a virus that attacks faith and offends the needy. "When you live for things, things are never enough, greed grows, other people become obstacles ...
Pope Francis strongly criticizes the concept of nuclear deterrence and warned of arms races while calling on world leaders to instead use money and resources to cope with environmental issues and poverty.
The following is the official translation of the full text of a message Pope Francis delivered Sunday in an address in Nagasaki. Dear Brothers and Sisters, This place makes us deeply aware of the pain and horror that we human beings are capable of inflicting upon ...
Expectations are growing that Pope Francis will meet with an 83-year-old man whose death sentence was recently suspended after a 48-year stint on death row, to send a clear signal about his opposition to capital punishment. It was reported in mid-September that the Vatican is ...
With installation of more cardinals, Pope Francis sets future direction of Catholic Church
Pope Francis installed new cardinals on Saturday, putting his stamp on the future of the Roman Catholic Church with men who share his vision for social justice, the rights of immigrants and dialogue with Islam. Ten of the 13 bishops elevated to the high rank ...
Ex-Vatican treasurer George Pell loses appeal against sex abuse convictions in Australia
Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell lost an appeal against his conviction for sexually abusing two 13-year-old choir boys and will remain in prison for at least another three years, an Australian court ruled Wednesday. Pell, the highest ranking Catholic worldwide to be convicted of ...
Not performed for 200 years in Japan, abdication seen recently in monarchies in Europe — and Bhutan
Emperor Akihito on Tuesday became Japan's first monarch in more than 200 years to relinquish the throne, but around the world such moves are not uncommon. Including Commonwealth nations, the world has over 40 countries with some form of monarchy, the structures of which vary ...
How Australian sex abuse victim's 'powerful' testimony sank pope aide Cardinal George Pell
"Guilty." There was a gasp in the Australian courtroom as the jury foreman read out the first verdict on child sex offenses against Cardinal George Pell, the Vatican's treasurer, then stunned silence as the same word was repeated for each of the four other ...
