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The Vatican is administering the coronavirus vaccine in the atrium of the Paul VI Audience Hall. Credit: Vatican Media.

Vatican City Begins Administering First Doses of Coronavirus Vaccine

Jan 13, 2021

Vatican City State began administering the first doses of the coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday.

Pope Francis gives a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Urges Catholics to Praise God in Happy “but above all in difficult moments”

Jan 13, 2021

Pope Francis urged Catholics on Wednesday to praise God not only in happy times, “but above all in difficult moments.”

Pope Francis visits the Bambino Gesù di Palidoro hospital in Rome, Italy, on Jan. 5, 2018. Credit: Vatican Media.

Coronavirus Pandemic Has "exposed inefficiencies" in Care of the Sick: Pope Francis

Jan 12, 2021

Pope Francis said on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic had “exposed inefficiencies in the care of the sick.”

Pope Francis greets Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on Nov. 28, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Benedict XVI to be Vaccinated against Coronavirus “as soon as the vaccine is available”

Jan 12, 2021

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI will receive the coronavirus vaccine as soon as it is available, his personal secretary said Tuesday.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square Feb. 26, 2020. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis Admits Women to Serve as Lectors, Acolytes in Latest Canon Law Change

Jan 11, 2021

Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Monday that changes canon law to allow women to serve as lectors and acolytes.

Pope Francis, April 21, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis’ Opening of Lector and Acolyte Ministries to Women Explained

Jan 11, 2021

On Jan. 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Luis Ladaria explaining his reasoning for the decision.

Pope Francis in the apostolic library on Dec. 9, 2020. Credit: Vatican News/CNA.

We Need Unity in the Catholic Church, Society, and Nations: Pope Francis

Jan 10, 2021

In the face of political discord and self-interest, we have an obligation to promote unity, peace, and the common good in society and in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said Sunday.

St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox monastery on the Jordan River in the West Bank. Credit: Episcopal Diocese of Southwest Florida (CC BY 2.0)

Franciscan Friars Return to Site of Christ's Baptism after 50 Years

Jan 10, 2021

For the first time in over 54 years, the Franciscan friars of the Custody of the Holy Land were able to offer Mass on their property at the site of Christ’s baptism, located in the West Bank.

Pope Francis with Fabrizio Soccorsi. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis' Doctor Since 2015 Succumbs to COVID-19-related Complications

Jan 9, 2021

Pope Francis' personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died from health complications related to the coronavirus, according to the Vatican.

Notices highlight the death of Rosario Livatino in 1990. Credit: Rosario Livatino Study Center.

How a Martyr Killed by the Mafia in Italy Inspired a Generation of Catholic Lawyers

Jan 9, 2021

Soon-to-be Blessed Rosario Livatino was a Catholic judge brutally killed by the mafia in Sicily in 1990. Today his legal legacy lives on through the work of a center in Italy dedicated to issues of life, the family, and religious freedom.

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter’s Basilica in the background. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Pope Francis Appoints First Lay Head of Roman Curia’s Disciplinary Commission

Jan 8, 2021

Pope Francis appointed on Friday the first lay head of the Roman Curia’s disciplinary commission.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

"If we do not worship God, we will worship idols": Pope Francis at Epiphany Mass

Jan 6, 2021

As he celebrated Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord Wednesday, Pope Francis urged Catholics to devote more time to worshiping God.

A consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, June 28, 2017. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.

The College of Cardinals in 2021 Who Could Vote in a Future Papal Conclave

Jan 6, 2021

As of the first month of 2021, the College of Cardinals is composed of 229 members, 128 of whom are under the age of 80, and therefore eligible to vote for the next pope in a future conclave.

Pope Francis baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 12, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pandemic Forces Pope Francis to Cancel Annual Baptism Ceremony in Sistine Chapel

Jan 5, 2021

Pope Francis will not baptize babies in the Sistine Chapel this Sunday due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Vatican flag waves over the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Australia’s Catholic Bishops Seek Answers about Mystery of Billions Linked to Vatican

Jan 4, 2021

Australia’s Catholic bishops are considering raising questions with the country’s financial watchdog authority about whether any Catholic organizations were among the recipients of billions of Australian dollars in transfers reputedly from the Vatican.

Credit: Seasontime/Shutterstock.

Vatican City Set to Launch COVID-19 Vaccinations This Month

Jan 3, 2021

Coronavirus vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Vatican City next week, according to the Vatican director of health and hygiene.

Pope Francis gives the Angelus address Jan. 1, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

With Mary's Help, Fill the New Year with "spiritual growth": Pope Francis

Jan 2, 2021

The Virgin Mary’s motherly care encourages us to use our God-given time for building up the world and peace, not destroying it, Pope Francis said on New Year’s Day.

Bishop Moses Chikwe / Courtesy photo

U.S. Catholics Having Ties with Kidnapped Nigerian Bishop Pray for His Safety, Freedom

Dec 31, 2020

Priests and parishioners in Southern California are praying for the safe return of Bishop Moses Chikwe, the auxiliary bishop of Owerri Archdiocese in Nigeria, who served for several years in the Diocese of San Diego as a priest before returning to his country.

Pope Francis offers Mass on Jan. 1, 2020 in St. Peter's Basilica. Credit: Vatican Media.

"Painful sciatica" Prevents Pope Francis from Attending Vatican's New Year's Liturgies

Dec 31, 2020

Because of sciatic pain, Pope Francis will not preside at the Vatican's liturgies on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, according to the Holy See press office.

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 31, 2017. Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

At the End of a Year of Pandemic, "we praise you, God": Pope Francis

Dec 31, 2020

Pope Francis explained Thursday why the Catholic Church gives thanks to God at the close of a calendar year, even years that have been marked by tragedy, such as 2020’s coronavirus pandemic.