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Pope Francis disclosed the decision to name women on the committee earlier in July

Pope names women to bishops advisory committee

Pope Francis has named three women, two nuns and a lay woman, to a previously all-male committee that advises him in selecting the world's bishops, the Vatican said.

World • 13 Jul 22

Pope Francis delivering the Sunday Angelus prayer overlooking St Peter' Square at the Vatican on 3 July

Pope to give women a say in appointment of bishops

Pope Francis has said he wants to give women more top-level positions in the Holy See and disclosed that for the first time he would name women to a previously all-male Vatican committee that helps him select the world's bishops.

World • 06 Jul 22

Pope Francis said he hoped to visit by Russia and Ukraine

Pope Francis dismisses resignation rumours

Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after that.

World • 04 Jul 22

Pope Pius XII blesses a group of war correspondents in the Vatican, shortly after the liberation of Rome during World War II

Vatican to publish WWII letters to pope from Jews

The Vatican will publish thousands of letters to the pope in an online archive from Jews in Europe seeking help during World War II, including liberation from Nazi concentration camps.

World • 23 Jun 22

Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland Eamon Martin described the views of the LGBTQ+ community as 'really helpful'

Irish Catholics call for more inclusivity

Representatives of Catholic dioceses across Ireland will meet tomorrow to discuss feedback from their parishes about the church which will be compiled and sent to the Vatican

Ireland • 17 Jun 22

At the heart of the scandal is the costly purchase of a prestigious building in London

Cardinal denies financial fraud at Vatican's top court

Cardinal Angelo Becciu, the first high-ranking cleric to appear before the Vatican's top court, has denied financial fraud charges while revealing a secret deal approved by the pope to free a nun in Mali.

World • 05 May 22

Pope Francis waved as he was wheeled into the Vatican's general audience hall

Pope uses wheelchair in public for first time

Pope Francis used a wheelchair in public for the first time since a new flare-up of pain in his knee that has limited his ability to walk.

World • 05 May 22

The Vatican said Pope Francis met privately with a Ukrainian delegation before the Mass

Pope condemns cruelty of Ukraine war at Easter vigil

Pope Francis has condemned the cruelty of the war in Ukraine at an Easter vigil Mass he attended but at which he did not preside, presumably because of leg pain that has forced him to curtail activities.

World • 16 Apr 22

Pope Francis met survivors from the First Nations, Metis and Inuit groups at the Vatican this week

Pope Francis apologises to Canadian indigenous people

Pope Francis has apologised to Canadian indigenous people for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools that sought to erase their cultures and where many children were abused.

World • 01 Apr 22

The man was led away after he shouted during the papal audience

Man shouting during papal audience detained by police

A man interrupted Pope Francis' general audience at the Vatican, shouting "this is not the church of God" in English and waving a medical mask he had removed from his face before being taken away by police.

World • 02 Feb 22

Pope Francis said violence against women is an insult to God

Pope issues call to end violence against women

Pope Francis has used his New Year's message to issue a clarion call for an end to violence against women, saying it was insulting to God.

World • 01 Jan 22

Sister Raffaella Petrini will be responsible for overseeing administrative operations at the Vatican

Pope names first woman to head Vatican governorate

Pope Francis has appointed a woman to head up the governorate of the Vatican, as he forges ahead with a mission to achieve greater gender equality in the Catholic Church.

World • 04 Nov 21

More than 1,200 unmarked graves wrere found at three sites where indigenous children were forced to attend school

Pope to visit Canada after indigenous school scandal

Pope Francis will visit Canada as the Catholic Church seeks to rebuild bridges with the indigenous community following a horrifying scandal of abuse at church-run residential schools, the Vatican said.

World • 27 Oct 21

John Paul I, real name Albino Luciani, was pope for just 33 days before his death

John Paul I's step to sainthood after 'miracle' healing

The Vatican has recognised a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul I, a step towards sainthood for one of the shortest serving heads of the Catholic Church.

World • 13 Oct 21

Cardinal Angelo Becciu denies charges of embezzlement

Cardinal on trial as Vatican financial case resumes

The trial of a once powerful Catholic cardinal and nine others resumes today at the Vatican over alleged financial fraud and a disastrous London property deal paid for with charity funds.

World • 05 Oct 21

The 91-year-old is accused of three counts of indecent assault and battery against a child over 14

Ex-US cardinal charged with sexual assault of teenager

Former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has been charged with sexually assaulting a teenage boy, court documents show.

US • 29 Jul 21

Vatican prosecutors allege that ten defendants engaged in various crimes such as embezzlement, fraud, and corruption

'Rotten' Vatican financial scandal trial is postponed

Vatican magistrates today postponed an historic trial over alleged financial fraud relating to Catholic charity funds, giving the defence until October to prepare for the complex case.

World • 27 Jul 21

Pope Francis pictured during his weekly address from a window overlooking St Peter's Square

Learn to switch off, says pope in public address

Pope Francis made his first public appearance since returning to the Vatican mid-week after an 11-day hospital stay, telling well wishers they should take a break and switch off from the stresses of modern life.

World • 18 Jul 21

Pope Francis led last Sunday's Angelus prayer from the Vatican before going to hospital for surgery

Pope to lead Sunday Angelus prayer from hospital

Pope Francis will lead Sunday's Angelus prayer from the Rome hospital where he is recovering from colon surgery, the Vatican said.

World • 09 Jul 21

Pope Francis waving to crowds in Rome yesterday just hours before surgery

Pope in 'good condition' after 3-hour surgery - Vatican

Pope Francis is doing well following intestinal surgery, the Vatican has said, after the 84-year-old pontiff was hospitalised for the first time since his election in 2013.

World • 05 Jul 21

Pope Francis delivered his traditional Sunday prayer this morning

Pope Francis in hospital for 'scheduled surgery'

Pope Francis has been admitted to a Rome hospital this afternoon for "scheduled surgery" on his colon, Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

World • 04 Jul 21

Cardinal Angelo Becciu has always maintained his innocence

Vatican indicts cardinal for alleged financial crimes

A Vatican judge has ordered ten people, including an Italian cardinal, to stand trial for alleged financial crimes including embezzlement, money laundering, fraud, extortion and abuse of office.

World • 03 Jul 21

Gianluigi Colalucci worked on the Sistine Chapel from 1980 to 1994, removing centuries of dust and smoke that had dulled the vivid colours of the Renaissance masterpiece

Master restorer of the Sistine Chapel dies aged 92

The chief restorer of the Sistine Chapel, who revived the "dazzling splendour" of Michelangelo's frescoes, has died aged 92, the Vatican Museums has said.

World • 29 Mar 21

The Church teaches that being gay is not inherently sinful but forbids same-sex sexual activity

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 had hoped their church was becoming more welcoming under Pope Francis.

World • 15 Mar 21

Pope Francis bids farewell at Baghdad's airport

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 peace and coexistence over war.

World • 08 Mar 21