Pope Francis met for three hours with Vatican officials on Tuesday to hear their questions and suggestions about his ongoing reform of the Vatican bureaucracy. Some 30 people attended the meeting, which included the heads of the Vatican’s eight congregations and 12 councils, as well as top officials from the Church’s tribunals and from the Read more
Pope Francis on Saturday announced the appointment of Archbishop Pietro Parolin as secretary of state, replacing Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. Archbishop Parolin, 58, is currently the Vatican envoy to Venezuela and served as the Vatican’s deputy foreign minister from 2002 to 2009. He has led various Vatican diplomatic delegations in thorny geopolitical negotiations, including talks to Read more
Sparks flew over the Vatican Bank when cardinals met on the eve of the conclave that elected Pope Francis, according to Vatican watcher Andrea Tornielli. The journalist said Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, administrator of the Holy See until the new pope was elected, criticised Brazilian Cardinal Joao Braz de Aviz for previously complaining about the management Read more
The Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has sent a letter around the Roman Curia, reminding clerics to turn up for work in traditional clerical garb — dog collar and black cassock. But an experienced Vatican-watcher suggests it is really a hint to those visiting from outside. Continue reading
Gossipy rumors have been mixed with more than a pinch of midsummer madness and served, stirred but not chilled, as a James Bond-like intrigue cocktail for Vatican conspiracy theorists who like to keep a glow on their paranoia. The main ingredients are the leaked confidential papers of Pope Benedict XVI in an incident that has Read more
The suicide of Mario Cal, vice-president of Milan’s San Raffaele hospital was tragic enough. But all indications are that his death will be a sign of trouble to come for the Vatican. The hospital, which has links to the Vatican, and whose founder is the priest, Don Luigi Verzè, has a shortfall of €1.5bn. Though Read more