The German bishops can expect a discussion with the Vatican over their vote in favour to bless same-sex unions. The move, made by the influential and wealthy German Church, does not align with official Catholic doctrine, which forbids such blessings. “A local, particular church cannot make a decision like that which involves the discipline of Read more
Pope Francis says he is deeply saddened to learn of the huge loss of life caused by a powerful earthquake that has struck south-eastern Turkey and north-western Syria. The 7.8 magnitude earthquake rocked wide swaths of the neighbouring countries early Monday morning, toppling hundreds of buildings and killing thousands of people. Hundreds are still believed Read more
Pope Francis has warned the leader of Russia’s Orthodox Church that he “cannot become Putin’s altar boy.” In a recent media interview Francis says Patriarch Kirill’s support of the war in Ukraine became clear to him during their 40-minute zoom discussion in March. In this, Kirill spent half the time reading out justifications for President Read more
People’s real battles should be spent on fighting poverty, hunger, disease, thirst and slavery, Pope Francis says. They should be spending money on those battles, not on fighting each other, nation against nation. Yet vast sums are spent on armaments for waging war. This is “a scandal” that just drags civilisation backward, Francis told a Read more
According to the Vatican’s top diplomat, Russia has “taken note” of the Holy See’s willingness to mediate between the Kremlin and Ukraine to end the war, but has made no sign of wanting to take up the offer. The Holy See is “ready” to help mediate, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Read more
The Vatican Secretary of State said that it is not too late for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, and that the Holy See is willing to mediate between the two warring parties. Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the Vatican is “willing to facilitate dialogue with Russia” and “ready to help” all parties involved to return Read more
The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will not travel to Glasgow for the COP26 climate summit but stopped short of giving a reason for his non-attendance. The Director of the Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund, Alistair Dutton, is said to be “gutted” over Francis no-show. The announcement was “an enormous disappointment for everyone who Read more
Humanity needed the “reserves of goodness present in human hearts” to confront the many challenges facing the world community says Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Parolin, Secretary of State of the Holy See made the comment in a video statement addressed to the General Debate of the UN General Assembly. Referring to the theme of the Debate, Read more
Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin says the long-awaited constitution for a reformed Roman Curia is basically finished. It is now undergoing a legal review by the Church’s canon lawyers, he says. How the Catholic Church continues to deal with the clergy sex abuse crisis, bioethical issues in society and the upcoming Vatican maxi-trial Read more
Accusations that the Vatican is trying to block Italy’s government from passing laws to further protect LGBT rights are unfounded, says the Vatican Secretary of State. Cardinal Pietro Parolin says he personally approved the diplomatic communication, which rather than attacking the LGBT community, was intended to express concerns over the proposed Italian legislation. The Vatican Read more