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Pope Francis attends the ‘General State of the Birth Rate’ event in Rome, May 14, 2021./ Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Asks Society which it Values More: Children or Money

May 15, 2021

Pope Francis urged Europeans on Friday to reflect on what they treasure, and whether they consider children to be the valuable gift they are.

Photos of Sr. Floralba Rondi (left), Sr.Clarangela Ghilardi (centre), and Sr.Dinarosa Belleri (right) who died of Ebola in DRC in 1995 / Courtesy Photo

Heroic Virtues of Italian Nuns Who Died Caring for Ebola Patients in DR Congo Recognized

Feb 22, 2021

Pope Francis has issued a decree recognizing the heroic virtues of three Italian Catholic Nuns who succumbed to Ebola, which they contracted when caring for Ebola patients in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 1995.

Fr. François Abeli Muhoya Mutchapa, appointed Bishop of DR Congo's Kindu Diocese by Pope Francis on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.

Italy-based Congolese Cleric Appointed Bishop of DR Congo’s Kindu Diocese

Nov 18, 2020

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. François Abeli ​​Muhoya Mutchapa, who has been ministering at the Parishes of St. Maria and St. Mauro of Italy’s Tivoli Diocese, as the new Bishop of Kindu Diocese located in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Late Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi who died October 30 in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi of heart-related complications.

Late Italian-born Bishop in Kenya Mourned as “devout shepherd, of impeccable character”

Oct 30, 2020

The late Bishop Ambrogio Ravasi who served as the second Bishop of Kenya’s Marsabit Diocese until his retirement in November 2006 is being remembered as a “devout shepherd” and “a man of impeccable character and heroic virtues.”

The Book titled "Freedom and Trinity" by Italian-born Fr. Nicholas Fogliacco. / Paulines Publications Africa.

Late Missionary, Scholar in Kenya Leaves Lasting Legacy in New Book on Freedom, Trinity

Oct 24, 2020

Before he died in May last year aged 81, Italian-born Fr. Nicholas Fogliacco had accumulated enough content that would be put together to make one of the most treasured books that seeks to promote the mission of evangelization in Africa.

A view of St. Peter's Cupola from Casa Santa Marta. Credit: Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Vatican: Coronavirus Case in Pope Francis' Residence

Oct 17, 2020

The Holy See press office said Saturday a resident of the Vatican hotel where Pope Francis also lives has tested positive for COVID-19.

The tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Blessed Carlo Acutis’ Doctors Recall His Last Days in Hospital

Oct 17, 2020

Fifteen-year-old Carlo Acutis died within a week of being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, offering his suffering for the pope and for the Church. Following his beatification last Saturday, his doctors and hospital chaplain recalled their memories of his final days.

Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli, freed Thursday, October 8 after spending two years in captivity. / Society of African Missions (SMA).

Joy, Gratitude to God as Religious Missionary in Niger is Freed after Two-year Abduction

Oct 9, 2020

News reports of the release of Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli who was abducted just over two years ago in Niger have brought joy and gratitude to members of the Clergy in Africa and beyond who have interpreted the event as an answer to concerted supplications.

Some of the flood victims in Sudan receive aid provided by Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI). / Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI)

Thousands in Sudan Receive Help from Italian NGO Founded by Jesuit Cleric amid Flooding

Sep 18, 2020

As Sudan grapples with the effects of the ongoing floods described as the worst in a century, officials of Cooperazione Internazionale (COOPI), an Italy-based non-governmental organization (NGO) that was founded by a Jesuit Cleric, have reached out to some of the affected people in the country with emergency humanitarian aid.

Pope Francis addresses relatives of those killed in a nightclub stampede in 2018 at the Vatican Sept. 12, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Comforts Relatives of Loved Ones Killed in Italy's 2018 Nightclub Stampede

Sep 12, 2020

Pope Francis comforted relatives of loved ones killed in a nightclub stampede in 2018 during an audience at the Vatican Saturday.

Pope Francis Supports Project to "free" Virgin Mary from Mafia Exploitation in Italy

Aug 20, 2020

Pope Francis has praised a new initiative aimed at countering the abuse of Marian devotions by mafia organizations, who use her figure to wield power and exert control

Fr. Claudio Lurati, the newly appointed Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria with Pope Francis in Rome.

Comboni Missionary Cleric Appointed Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria in Egypt

Aug 6, 2020

Pope Francis has appointed Fr. Claudio Lurati, a member of the Congregation of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus (MCCJ), as the Apostolic Vicar of Alexandria in Egypt.

The late founder and first President of the World Family of Radio Maria (WFRM), Emanuele Ferrario. / World Family of Radio Maria

Clergy, Laity in Africa Eulogize Founder of Worldwide Network of Marian Radio Stations

Jul 9, 2020

Clergy and the lay faithful in Africa have paid glowing tribute to the late Emanuele Ferrario, the founder and first President of the Italy-based World Family of Radio Maria (WFRM), a private initiative within the Catholic Church that runs over 80 Marian radio stations across the world, 25 of them in Africa.

Conjoined African Twins Can Have "normal lives" after Vatican Hospital Performs Surgery

Jul 8, 2020

African Twins who were conjoined at the head are likely to return home within months from the Vatican’s pediatric hospital where their bodies were successfully separated by doctors, and they have a high chance of living normal lives, the hospital’s chief neurosurgeon told ACI Africa.

Fr. Jerome Pascal Ombeni. Courtesy photo.

A Tale of Two Churches: Young Congolese Priest Ordained in South Italy

Jul 8, 2020

Last month three men were ordained to the priesthood in a small city in southern Italy. Among them was Fr. Jerome Pascal Ombeni, a young man from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Bishop Jose Luis with representatives of mission hospitals that will benefit from COVID-19 essentials courtesy of a donation by Italian Bishops Conference. / (Bishop) Jose Luis/ Facebook

Church in Italy Partners with Swaziland’s Manzini Diocese in COVID-19 Intervention

Jun 14, 2020

Catholic Church leaders in Italy have partnered with the people of God in Swaziland’s Diocese of Manzini, offering a financial subsidy that has facilitated the procurement of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for various health facilities as they fight against COVID-19 in the one-diocese Southern Africa nation, officially the Kingdom of Eswatini.

Sr. Anastacia Cristian Malisa, a member of the Order of Saint Clare (The Poor Clares) who died of COVID-19 in Italy's city of Rieti / Vatican News

Tanzanian Nun Who Succumbed to COVID-19 Lived a “joyful life of simplicity”

May 1, 2020

Sr. Anastacia Cristian Malisa, the Tanzanian-born nun of the Order of Saint Clare (The Poor Clares) who succumbed to COVID-19 April 25 while serving in Italy is being remembered as a simple and joyful person who was always at the service of vulnerable in the society.

Sister Angel Bipendu (Rught) makes home visits within Zogno, a commune of 9,000 in the province of Bergamo, where the coronavirus has killed about 2,000 people. / AFP

“It is time to give back what God has given me”: Congolese Nun at Italian COVID-19 Centre

Apr 19, 2020

A nun from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a “frontline soldier” against COVID-19 in Italy as a medical doctor, recently described her service as giving back to humanity the gift of God to her.

Cardinal George Pell, Prefect Emeritus of the Secretariat for the Economy

“One day, we will see them all”: Cardinal Pell to Italians about Those Dead of COVID-19

Apr 12, 2020

In a video message sent to his Italian friends to mark Easter Sunday, Cardinal George Pell recalled the joy of Christ’s Resurrection, and said that despite coronavirus measures He is close to each of us.

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

Vatican Flags at Half-staff in Solidarity with Coronavirus Victims

Mar 31, 2020

More than 11,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy after a total of 101,739 people have been documented by the Italian Ministry of Health as infected with the coronavirus.