Both prayers and economic assistance, Pope Francis stressed, are needed to ameliorate the ongoing humanitarian catastrophes in Syria, Yemen and Lebanon.
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Cardinal Czerny ordains 20 Jesuits from 15 countries as Italy comes out of coronavirus lockdown
At the Church of the Gesú in Rome, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., ordained 18 deacons and two priests who have been studying in Rome.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
At Angelus, Pope Francis calls for more protection of refugees during coronavirus pandemic
“The coronavirus crisis has highlighted the need to ensure the necessary protection for refugees.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis thanks Italian doctors and nurses in first public audience since lockdown
“You have been one of the pillars of the whole country,” the pope said in his first public audience since lockdown.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
In a new book, the Vatican presses practical implications of ‘Laudato Si’
The text seeks “to relaunch the rich contents” of an encyclical still relevant today and even more so in the light of a world hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Benedict XVI makes surprise visit to gravely ill brother in Germany
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, 93, flew to Germany this morning to visit his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, 96, who is gravely ill at his residence in Regensburg.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis on the Feast of Corpus Christi: the Eucharist heals our wounded memory
“Jesus approaches us gently, in the disarming simplicity of the host. He comes as bread broken in order to break open the shells of our selfishness.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis’ message for the World Day of the Poor amid pandemic: We are all responsible
“Until we revive our sense of responsibility for our neighbor and every person, grave economic, financial and political crises will continue,” the pope said in his message for the World Day of the Poor.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis sets up new fund for workers left out of coronavirus support
“As bishop of Rome, I have decided to institute in the diocese the ‘Jesus the Divine Worker Fund’ to affirm the dignity of work,” Pope Francis said.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis: ‘We have the chance to reverse course to a better, healthier world.’
Pope Francis: “The protection of the environment and respect for the biodiversity of the planet are issues that affect us all. We cannot pretend to be healthy in a world that is sick.”