Even at the height of Italy's strict COVID-19 lockdown this spring, migrants arrived. The government said 241 newcomers came in March and 671 arrived in April.

Peter Seewald described Pope Benedict as “extremely frail,” and as saying that while he is mentally sharp, his voice is barely audible.

“Democracy can be one of the victims of the pandemic if we do not take care with our political condition,” Father Arturo Sosa told Vatican News. “Many governments—including so-called democratic governments—are taking the path of authoritarianism.”

Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization, has said that catechesis is a process in leading young people to a personal relationship with Jesus.

In a recent symposium sponsored by the American and British embassies to the Holy See, women religious were recognized for being "on the front lines" in combatting the pandemic with faith, generosity, and compassion.

During his last morning in Regensburg, the 93-year-old retired pope visited his brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, one last time.

The Vatican and bishops around the world have been urging governments and scientists to support the development of vaccines that have no connection to abortion.

The opportunity to return to Mass -- with restrictions -- since May 18, and the need for ongoing vigilance to control the COVID-19 pandemic have combined in Italy to create a situation in which some people rushed back to Mass and others were convinced it was too soon to be safe.

Pope Francis led the recitation of rosary and asked Mary to intercede to save the world from the pandemic in the Vatican Gardens at a replica of the grotto at Lourdes, France.

The closure of the museums dealt a major financial blow to the Vatican; more than 6 million people visit the museums each year, generating an income of more than $100 million.