Vatican astrophysicists are offering a new way to study gravity after the Big Bang that gave birth to our universe. Published in the prestigious Physical Review D journal, Fr Gabriele Gionti SJ and Fr Matteo Galaverni’s theory suggests an alternative explanation about the way gravity might have behaved as the cosmos expanded rapidly at its Read more
Last year, I spent about six months reporting a feature story and an accompanying podcast episode for America on how women are rising to leadership positions in the Vatican. It’s one of my favorite subjects: In 2019, when I traveled to Rome to report on the Vatican’s historic summit on preventing sexual abuse, I carved Read more
Pope Francis offered his initial diagnosis of the Roman Curia a long time ago – on December 22, 2014 to be precise – and it was severe. He was still riding the momentum of his recent election to the papacy at the time, and before a gathering of stunned cardinals and top Vatican officials he Read more
Last week a hornet landed on the Vatican’s live webcam overlooking St. Peter’s Square. Located on a nearby roof, the fixed cam continuously broadcasts around-the-clock view of the square. But with the unexpected guests crawling around the camera lens, the view has been blurred. Read more
Anyone wanting to go to the Vatican State will need a green pass before they’re allowed in. A green pass shows proof of COVID-19 vaccination, recovery from the virus or a negative COVID-19 test. The Vatican’s new entry rules, which take effect from 1 October, aim to keep the virus out of the independent city Read more
The Vatican has issued the world’s Catholic dioceses with synodal path guidelines as they prepare for the 2023 Synod of Bishops. The preparatory document and a “handbook” for dioceses focuses on the theme, ‘For a synodal church: communion, participation and mission’. “Pope Francis invites the entire Church to reflect on a theme that is decisive Read more
Vatican diplomacy has diverged sharply from U.S. foreign policy under Pope Francis, according to a new book, which details examples to illustrate the widening divide. “While Francis has continued the pragmatism of his two predecessors, he’s also a skilled administrator, who’s mobilized the whole diplomatic corps with its interlocking assets to implement a culture of Read more
A group of con men who dressed up as Catholic clergy to swindle victims out of millions of euros as been caught by Italian police. The thieves’ ruse involved dressing as priests, monsignors and cardinals and presenting themselves as “intermediaries of the Vatican” to business owners in financial trouble. They offered their victims seemingly advantageous Read more
The organization of the universal Catholic Church has a precise hierarchy, but there is no such thing as a “vice pope,” who steps in when the reigning pontiff is traveling abroad, ill or under anesthesia. Although hospitalized since July 4, when he underwent a three-hour surgery on his colon, Pope Francis is still the supreme 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