“The Holy See is following the situation closely and expresses concern about any future actions that could further compromise dialogue.”
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
Pope Francis celebrates St. John Paul II centenary: ‘God sent his people a prophet.’
Francis celebrated the centenary Mass at the altar on the tomb of St. John Paul II. And for the first time since the national lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic, he celebrated in the presence of over 100 people.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican task force says millions risk hunger problems during pandemic; calls for ‘creative solidarity’ to solve global problems
Pope Francis asked the group to ‘prepare the future’ not ‘prepare for the future.’
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis highlights ways for Christians to help internally displaced people
The pope also called on people “to embrace all those who are experiencing situations of precariousness, abandonment, marginalization and rejection as a result of Covid-19.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican faces difficult budget choices as coronavirus pandemic crushes revenue
The Holy See, the central government of the Catholic Church, is in crisis mode as it struggles to find ways to balance its budget in these turbulent times.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis praises nurses for heroics during coronavirus pandemic
Pope Francis also called on world leaders “to invest in health care as the primary common good.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Amid pandemic, Pope Francis prays for Europe and for all mothers on Mother’s Day
Pope Francis also drew attention to Africa and recalled that 40 years ago, St. John Paul II spoke out about the plight of the people of the Sahel.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis, in surprise appointment, chooses a Franciscan as archbishop of Genoa, Italy
“I am a friar and I remain a friar,” the Rev. Marco Tasca told his fellow Franciscans.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Italy will soon allow public Masses—with conditions
Italian Catholics will be able to attend Mass in public beginning on May 18, provided certain norms are respected.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
As Covid-19 pandemic rages, the Vatican pleads for the world’s 50 million internally displaced persons
“Pope Francis gives enormous importance to the plight of the millions of forgotten men, women and children forced to migrate within their own countries and known internationally as ‘internally displaced people.’”