The Vatican’s first ever auditor general, Italian financier Libero Milone, has resigned. He has not given any reasons for his unexpected departure from the post, which he has held for just two years. His role was to help ensure transparency in the Vatican’s finances. In a statement, the Vatican said: “It is noted that Doctor Read more
The World Day of Refugees has sparked a number of ideas Pope Francis suggests we might want to share. All five ideas are practical. The involve addressing the widespread problem with urgency, doing one’s civil duty, being welcoming, and showing hospitality and love. Read more
South Sudan is about to get US$500,000 (NZ$700,000) to help pay for two hospitals, a school and farm equipment. Pope Francis is the donor. The country is suffering the effects of decades of civil war and its people are facing starvation. Read more
Until Pope Francis, papal fashion was not known for its simple styles. The papal tailors and shoemakers had their place in the sumptuous papal wardrobe. The pope’s elegance was an attribute many clergy strove to copy. The delectable heavy velvets, silks and satins, fine cottons, jewels, embroideries, fine lace, furs – church was a wonderful Read more
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Pope Francis met privately for the fourth time on Saturday. The Holy See Press Office called their discussions “cordial” and said they spoke about “the good relations and fruitful collaboration between the Holy See and Germany”. They also discussed climate change and ways the world can work multilaterally to combat Read more
Decentralising some Vatican offices as part of a number of Curia reforms is on the cards, communications from Pope Francis and the Council of Cardinals suggested after they met last week. This would mean transferring some offices from the Vatican to local bishops or episcopal conferences “in a spirit of healthy decentralization.” The Council said Read more
The answers that Pope Francis gave to workers at a steel plant in Genoa, Italy, last month suggested an important distinction in the Holy Father’s economic thinking, one that addresses the increasing importance of the financial sector in the contemporary economy. In meeting the workers of the Ilva steel factory May 27, Pope Francis had Read more
On 8 December of last year, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Pope Francis released his message for the celebration of the Fiftieth World Day of Peace. It was titled, “Nonviolence: A Style of Politics for Peace.” In addition to this message, Pope Francis used Twitter in the days following its release to Read more
The Vatican bank’s annual report shows a profit of €36 million (about NZ$55,630 million) for its last financial year. The profits, which are up €20 million from the €16.1 million in the 2015 year, are “being distributed in aid of the Holy See’s mission”. More properly called the Institute for the Works of Religion, the Read more
The international line-up of new Pontifical Academy of Life appointments include clergy and lay advisors from countries as diverse as Australia, Ukraine, Congo, Japan and Sweden. The 45 mainly male appointees include several former members as well as new ones. Experts chosen by Pope Francis for the Academy (which is his bioethics advisory board) include: Read more