Pope’s envoy is joyfully welcomed by faithful in South Sudan
Juba, South SudanAP Hundreds of people braved a scorching sun Tuesday to welcome Pope Francis’ envoy to South Sudan’s capital, Juba, where many were disappointed last month when the pontiff canceled a trip to this East African country. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, was received by religious leaders, government officials, and hundreds […]
Congo bishops say Pope’s Canada trip a good sign for future
Rome, ItalyAP Congo’s Catholic bishops, coping with disappointment over a scrubbed visit by Pope Francis, said Saturday that his decision to go ahead with a trip to Canada was an “encouraging sign” that his knee treatment was working, as they held out hope for a rescheduled date. In the meantime, Francis is sending the Vatican […]
“Just rumours”: Cardinal Parolin dismisses chatter about Pope’s plan to resign
Vatican CityRNS Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the second-highest-ranking official at the Vatican, told reporters on Thursday that reports predicting Pope Francis will retire due to his ailing health “are just rumours.” “There is nothing to comment on,” Parolin said when asked about the possibility that Francis might follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, Pope Benedict […]
Vatican number two says giving Ukraine weapons legitimate, with conditions
Rome, ItalyReuters The Vatican’s number two said on Friday that supplying weapons to Ukraine to help it defend itself against Russian aggression is morally legitimate under certain conditions, citing the Catholic Church’s teaching on “just war”. Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a conference in Rome, as the […]
With war in Ukraine, Pope Francis’ years-long outreach to Kirill appears to be in ruins
Vatican CityRNS High-ranking Vatican officials criticised Patriarch Kirill of Moscow this week for his failure to push for peace in Ukraine, nearly ensuring that among the casualties of Russia’s invasion may be Pope Francis’ years-long campaign to strengthen the Catholic Church’s bonds with Russian Orthodox Christians. Only a month ago, the Vatican still eagerly anticipated a possible […]
Top Vatican official says reported bombing of Ukraine children’s hospital “unacceptable”
Rome, ItalyReuters The Vatican’s secretary of state on Wednesday condemned the reported bombing of a children’s hospital in the besieged port of Mariupol in Ukraine. The Mariupol city council said the hospital had been hit several times by a Russian air strike, causing “colossal” destruction. Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin leads a mass […]
Vatican tells Moscow armed attacks in Ukraine must stop
Vatican CityReuters The Vatican’s Secretary of State told Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a phone call on Tuesday that the Holy See wants armed attacks in Ukraine to stop and humanitarian corridors to be guaranteed. A Vatican statement said Cardinal Pietro Parolin also repeated the Vatican’s willingness “to do anything” to help bring about […]
Vatican offers to mediate negotiations between Russia and Ukraine; Ukrainian Orthodox bishops call for end to war
Vatican CityRNS Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state and Pope Francis’ top lieutenant, said in an interview to Italian papers on Monday that the Holy See is willing to mediate between the two warring parties in the conflict in Ukraine. The Vatican, the cardinal said, is “willing to facilitate dialogue with Russia” and […]
“There is still time” – The Vatican assesses its influence as war breaks out in Ukraine.
Vatican CityRNS As the threat of war looms once again over Europe, the Vatican weighs its options to promote dialogue and peace, starting with its ecumenical relations with the split Orthodox Church. Despite the sudden outbreak of violence across Ukraine, the Vatican said in a statement on Thursday that “there is still time” for negotiation […]
EU draft pulled after Vatican complains Christmas “cancelled”
Rome, Italy AP The European Commission on Tuesday retracted internal communication guidelines that had proposed substituting the “Christmas period” with “holiday period” after an outcry by conservatives and the Vatican, which termed the document an attempt to “cancel” Europe’s Christian roots. The European Commissioner for Equality, Helena Dalli, said the draft document had been intended […]