The country’s economy was already in serious difficulty before the pandemic hit. Now, Italy could enter its fourth recession in a decade.
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 compares crucial response of women to coronavirus to women in the Gospels
On Easter Monday, Pope Francis offered solidarity and prayers to the people of the United States and other countries hard hit by Covid-19.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
In Easter ‘Urbi et Orbi’ address, Pope Francis calls for an end to indifference
In his Easter “Urbi et Orbi” address, Pope Francis appealed for a global ceasefire, as well as for the relaxing of sanctions and the reduction or forgiveness of the debt of poor countries. He urged an all-out effort to care for those who lack the basic necessities of life, including refugees and migrants.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis delivers stirring message of hope to humanity in its ‘darkest hour’ at Easter Vigil
At the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening, Pope Francis delivered an inspiring homily in which he likened the experience of the women in Jerusalem to that of people around the world today as they endure the Covid-19 epidemic.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis oversees an emotional Way of the Cross in empty square
In an empty St. Peter’s Square, Pope Francis presided over the historic ‘Via Crucis” with help from groups of health care workers and prisoners.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis counsels world’s priests: ‘Take risks for forgiveness’
“Today, I wish to be close to priests, to all priests, from the most recently ordained to the pope,” Pope Francis said. “Today, dear brother priests, you are all with me at the altar.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican thanks Chinese Catholics for gifts of medical supplies to assist in combating coronavirus
Chinese Catholics have donated significant medical supplies to the Vatican to assist in the fight against Covid-19.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis has set up a new commission to study women deacons
This is the second commission established by Pope Francis to study the question of a women’s diaconate.
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Vatican responds with measure to Cardinal Pell’s acquittal and release from prison
“The Holy See, which has always expressed confidence in the Australian judicial authority, welcomes the High Court’s unanimous decision concerning Cardinal George Pell, acquitting him of the accusations of abuse of minors and overturning his sentence.”
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Papal almoner issues extraordinary appeal to Vatican churchmen for coronavirus offering
Cardinal Krajewski invited these churchmen to “participate in the sufferings of all those who are enduring trial” because of the coronavirus “by giving an offering.”