Peru archbishop who sued two journalists over reports on abuses, financial corruption resigns early
Rome, Italy AP A Peruvian archbishop who sued two journalists over their reports about sexual abuse and alleged financial corruption in his religious movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, has resigned amid a Vatican investigation. Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Piura Archbishop José Eguren. At 67, he is several years shy of the normal retirement age […]
Pope shows off rosary of slain Ukrainian soldier, denounces “madness of war”; Indonesian minister says Pope planning visit
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis led thousands of people in a moment of silence Wednesday to pray for the aid workers killed by an Israeli strike in Gaza and a young Ukrainian soldier named Oleksandre who was killed in ‘’this madness of war”. Francis appealed anew for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and the release […]
Pope exposes confidential details of past conclaves and settles scores with Pope Benedict XVI’s aide
Vatican City AP Pope Francis has exposed the political “maneuvers” used to sway votes during the two most recent elections of popes, while denying he is planning to reform the process for future conclaves, in a book-length interview published Tuesday. The revelations are contained in The Successor: My Memories of Pope Benedict XVI, in which the Argentine […]
Pope overcomes health concerns to preside over Easter Mass and appeal for peace in Gaza and Ukraine
Updated: 8am, 1st April, 2024 (AEDT) Rome. Italy AP Pope Francis rallied from a winter-long bout of respiratory problems to lead some 60,000 people in Easter celebrations Sunday, making a strong appeal for a cease-fire in Gaza and a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine. Francis presided over Easter Sunday Mass in a flower-decked St […]
Pope soldiers through Easter Vigil after missing procession
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis on Saturday soldiered through a more than two-hour Easter Vigil Mass in St Peter’s Basilica, one of the longest services in Catholic liturgy, amid renewed concerns about the 87-year-old’s frail condition. His voice at times sounded raspy and out of breath, but he read out all of his prepared texts, […]
Pope skips Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to preserve health, Vatican says
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis skipped the traditional Good Friday procession at Rome’s Colosseum to protect his health, the Vatican said, adding to concerns about his frail condition during a particularly busy liturgical period. Francis had been expected to preside over the Way of the Cross procession, which re-enacts Christ’s Passion and crucifixion, and composed the meditations […]
Pope, looking healthy, begins busy four days leading to Easter
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis looked well as he began four intense days of events leading to Easter on Thursday, and renewed his own ordination vow on the day the Roman Catholic Church marks Jesus’s founding of the priesthood the night before the crucifixion. Francis, who recently curtailed his speaking engagements because of fatigue related […]
For Pope Francis and Vatican diplomats, peace in Ukraine more important than ideology
Vatican City RNS On Palm Sunday, Pope Francis once again expressed his closeness to the “martyred” country of Ukraine, while also praying for the victims of the “vile terrorist attack” in Moscow on Friday that left 139 people dead and many more wounded. As many Christians draw closer to Easter, Pope Francis and the Vatican […]
Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis decided at the last minute to skip his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, avoiding a strenuous speech at the start of a busy Holy Week that will test his increasingly frail health. Hobbled by bad knees and persistent respiratory problems, Francis also didn’t participate in the procession […]
Pope says “all efforts” must be made to end wars in Ukraine, Middle East
Vatican City Reuters Pope Francis on Wednesday issued a fresh call for peace through negotiation as he deplored the bloody conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and once again limited his public speaking at his weekly audience in St Peter’s Square due to lingering health issues. Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with the management, staff […]