Cut the debt of poor countries, Pope tells IMF Pope Francis has told world financial chiefs that poor countries hit by the economic impact of the coronavirus need to have their debt burden reduced … Business • 08 Apr 21
Vatican says church cannot bless same-sex unions The Vatican said that priests cannot bless same-sex unions and that such blessings are not valid, in a ruling that greatly disappointed gay Catholics who … World • 15 Mar 21
Pope Francis hails meeting with Muslim cleric Pope Francis has ended his historic tour of Iraq, departing by plane from Baghdad after visiting conflict-torn cities, meeting Muslim and Christian leaders and preaching … World • 08 Mar 21
Pope Francis visits city of Mosul in northern Iraq Pope Francis heard Muslim and Christian residents in the ruined Iraqi city of Mosul tell of their lives under brutal Islamic State rule on Sunday, … World • 07 Mar 21
Pope holds historic meeting with Iraq's top Shia cleric Pope Francis held a historic meeting with Iraq's top Shia cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani today, in a powerful appeal for coexistence in a land … World • 06 Mar 21
Pope urges end to violence on historic Iraq trip Pope Francis, beginning the first trip by a pontiff to Iraq, has made an impassioned call for an end to the militant violence and religious … World • 05 Mar 21
Pope Francis 'determined' on eve of Iraq visit Pope Francis has asked for prayers ahead of his three-day historic visit to Iraq. World • 04 Mar 21
One dead in rocket attack on Iraq base with US troops At least ten rockets slammed into a military base in western Iraq hosting US-led coalition troops leaving one civilian contractor dead, just two days before … World • 03 Mar 21
Pope adapts Christmas plans as cardinals contract virus Pope Francis will deliver his Christmas Day message indoors due to coronavirus restrictions, the Vatican has said, as two cardinals close to the pontiff tested … World • 22 Dec 20
Pope to visit Iraq in first foreign trip since pandemic Pope Francis will break a 15-month hiatus from international travel to visit Iraq in March. World • 07 Dec 20
Pope Francis marks First Sunday of Advent Pope Francis has marked the First Sunday of Advent with a Mass alongside eleven newly installed Cardinals. World • 29 Nov 20
Pope Francis names 13 new cardinals Pope Francis has named 13 new cardinals, including nine under the age of 80 who are eligible to enter a conclave to elect his successor … World • 25 Oct 20
Pope defends civil unions for gay couples Pope Francis has said that homosexual couples should be protected by civil union laws, in what is being seen as some of the clearest language … World • 21 Oct 20
Pope praises 'divine' pleasures of food and sex The pleasures of a well-cooked meal or loving sexual intercourse are "divine" Pope Francis says in a newly-published book of interviews. Pope Francis • 09 Sep 20
Pope appoints Draghi to academy of social sciences Pope Francis has appointed former European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi as a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Vatican has said. Business • 13 Jul 20
Police raid Vatican department in finance investigation Vatican police have seized documents and computers from the department tasked with maintaining St Peter's Basilica. Europe • 30 Jun 20
Vatican urges Catholics to disinvest in fossil fuels The Vatican has urged Catholics to disinvest from the armaments and fossil fuel industries and to closely monitor companies in sectors such as mining to … World • 18 Jun 20
Public returns to St Peter's Square The public returned to St Peter's Square in the Vatican to receive a blessing from Pope Francis for the first time in nearly three months … Coronavirus • 24 May 20
Ex-Pope Benedict complains of efforts to 'silence' him Pope emeritus Benedict XVI has accused opponents of wanting to "silence" him while attacking gay marriage in a new authorised biography published in Germany. World • 04 May 20
Spain cautiously emerges from 'economic hibernation' Spaniards at the country's main transport hubs were handed face masks this morning as the government relaxed some of the tough lockdown measures designed to … Coronavirus • 13 Apr 20
Pope Francis offers Easter prayer for coronavirus sick Pope Francis has offered a Easter Sunday prayer for those killed and suffering from the coronavirus, which has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 … Coronavirus • 12 Apr 20
Pope celebrates Palm Sunday mass behind closed doors Pope Francis has begun the first of several Holy Week ceremonies that will be held behind closed doors this year because of the coronavirus pandemic. Coronavirus • 05 Apr 20
Italy plans to quarantine Lombardy region to stop virus The Italian government is planning to quarantine the entire Lombardy region around Milan to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Coronavirus • 07 Mar 20
Pope tests negative for coronavirus - report Pope Francis, who cancelled a Lent retreat for the first time in his papacy because he has a cold, has tested negative for coronavirus, the … Coronavirus • 03 Mar 20
Pope Francis to miss retreat due to cold Pope Francis has said that a cold he is suffering from will force him to skip a week-long Lenten spiritual retreat with senior Vatican officials … World • 01 Mar 20
