The Vatican on Sunday dismissed as “nonsense” Irish media reports that Pope Francis might nominate two Irish women as cardinals. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi said: “This is just nonsense… It is simply not a realistic possibility that Pope Francis will name women cardinals for the February consistory.” The Vatican statement came after reports said Read more
The US National Security Agency has denied reports in an Italian magazine that the Vatican has been a target of its spying activities. “Assertions that the [National Security Agency] has targeted the Vatican, published in Italy’s Panorama magazine, are not true,” an NSA spokesperson told the Los Angeles Times. Citing a document purportedly furnished by Read more
The government of Belgium, where euthanasia is now legal for people over the age of 18, is considering passing a law that will legalize euthanasia for children and adults with early dementia. Advocates argue that euthanasia for children, with the consent of their parents, is necessary to give families an option in a desperately painful Read more
Although it is one of the youngest and smallest “dioceses” in southeast Asia, the Apostolic Vicariate of Brunei is a steadily thriving Church with growing spiritual activities in its communities. “Our logo is ‘Duc in altum’ (Put out into the deep), and we now have projects to empower and sustain the missionary dimension of the Read more
The Vatican has said it is not concerned about a report that a United States spy agency intercepted its internal communications — including phone calls by cardinals during the conclave that elected Pope Francis. The report was denied by the National Security Agency, which said: “The National Security Agency does not target the Vatican. Assertions Read more
Pope Francis will call a consistory next February to bestow red hats on a group of new cardinals, a news agency has reported. The Rome-based French religious agency I-Media says the consistory will be on February 21 and 22, following a two-day meeting of the Pope with the entire College of Cardinals to discuss his Read more
The sacrament of marriage is “not just a pretty ceremony” — through it a couple receive from God the grace they will need to fulfill their mission in the world, Pope Francis has told a Pilgrimage for Families. The pilgrimage, organised for the Year of Faith, attracted more than 100,000 people to St Peter’s Square. Read more
Two Orthodox bishops kidnapped in Syria by rebel forces in April are alive, and the head of the Lebanese secret services says negotiations are under way for their release, according to media reports. The Grand Mufti of Syria, Ahmad Hassoun Badreddin — the spiritual leader of Sunni Islam, said the bishops are now being held Read more
During a meeting with Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, Pope Francis has expressed his support for her commitment towards democracy in her country. While the Pope assured the Nobel Peace Prize winner of the Church’s support for her cause, he specified that the Church does not show discrimination but is at the service Read more
State officials in North Dakota are warning Catholics who received Holy Communion from Bishop John Folda, between September 27 and October 7, to be aware of symptoms of Hepatitis A. Bishop Folda contracted hepatitis from contaminated food while in Italy last month for a conference of newly ordained bishops, Aliceyn Magelky, spokeswoman for the diocese, said Read more