Pope Francis praises UN Security Council campaign for ceasefires in wars across the globe to help in fight against Covid-19 Pope Francis praised the UN Security Council efforts for worldwide ceasefires to help tackle the pandemic He called for the prompt implementation ‘for the good of the so many persons who are suffering’ Security Council resolution … Read more
An exiled billionaire has accused the Chinese government of giving the Vatican £1.6billion every year in bribes to prevent it from criticising Beijing’s sweeping clampdown on religions. Fugitive tycoon Guo Wengui claimed in a podcast that the Communist Party had been paying the Holy See generously since 2014 because Beijing ‘wanted the Vatican to shut … Read more
‘Evil seems to reign supreme’: Pope Francis urges Christian faithful to ‘fill your hearts with hope’ amid anger at death of George Floyd and coronavirus pandemic Pope Francis today delivered a message marking the 4th World Day of the Poor Urged faithful to ‘revive responsibility’ for their neighbour to end world’s crises He told followers … Read more
Pope Francis calls El Paso bishop and thanks him for showing solidarity with George Floyd protesters after he took a knee and prayed silently for 8 minutes and 46 seconds during demonstrations Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz, of the Diocese of El Paso, was joined by 12 other priests as they knelt in silence for 8 … Read more
Worshippers return to St Peter’s Square to receive Pope’s blessing from his window for first time in almost three months as Italy emerges from lockdown Pope Francis spoke to the square which reopened after three months of closure St Peter’s Basilica was also reopened on Monday and worshippers wore masks Pope has been blessing an … Read more
Pope Francis warns coronavirus recovery must not ‘leave anyone behind’ or world faces ‘an even worse virus of selfish indifference’ to follow Pope Francis said today that now was the time to heal injustice around the world He spoke at the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia to mark Divine Mercy Sunday More than 23,000 people have … Read more
Pope Francis was helped to his feet as he celebrated Good Friday mass in St Peter’s Basilica with no worshippers present as the Italian public obey strict lockdown rules triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. The head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State led the Good Friday Passion of the Lord with no … Read more
Pope Francis conducts Holy Week ceremonies from behind closed doors as tens of thousands pilgrims stay away due to the coronavirus pandemic while Italy’s death toll rockets to 15,362 Francis lead the ceremony inside the shelter of an empty St Peter’s Basilica He was joined only by his aides, some nuns and a few laypeople … Read more
Self-pity and sadness are ‘the seed of the devil’ the Pope warns during livestreamed Mass as he urges Christians not to ‘complain about everything’ Pope Francis live-streamed Holy Mass from the chapel of his Vatican residence He prayed for people to recognise the ‘evil’ of complaining about their lives ‘Many of us [are] unable to do … Read more
Sixty Italian priests have died amid country’s coronavirus pandemic and Pope’s call for them to be brave enough to attend the sick Among Italy’s 5,476 dead are at least 60 priests who tested positive for the virus Pope Francis called on priests to ‘have courage to go out to the sick’ this month In Bergamo, in … Read more