The Vatican

Pope Francis, who reached out to the margins of society, has died at 88

4:18am April 21, 2025

The pope was a strong advocate for the poor and the environment and a towering figure on the world stage, addressing not just Catholics but the men and women of our time.

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Pope Francis greets the faithful during an Easter Sunday public appearance

7:00am April 20, 2025

The 88-year-old prelate appeared on the loggia of St Peter's Basilica and toured through St Peter's Square in the Popemobile.

Pope Francis is in stable condition after a respiratory relapse, the Vatican says

3:14pm February 28, 2025

The Vatican says Pope Francis's condition has stabilized after a breathing crisis in hospital on Friday — two weeks after he was first admitted to hospital in Rome with bronchitis.

Pope Francis arrives as he celebrates Easter mass in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Sunday, March 31, 2024.

Pope Francis appeals for peace in Gaza and Ukraine at Easter Mass

11:00pm March 31, 2024

by The Associated Press

Pope Francis overcame concerns about his health to preside over Easter Sunday Mass, leading tens of thousands of people in a flower-decked St. Peter's Square.

Pope Benedict XVI greets a crowd in Venice's St. Mark's Square in 2011.

Retired Pope Benedict XVI dies at 95

1:44pm December 31, 2022

by Sylvia Poggioli

He is remembered as a staunch conservative who opposed modernizing reforms and as the first pope to step down since the 15th century.

Pope Francis greets Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and her husband, Paul, on Wednesday before celebrating a Mass on the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican. Pelosi received Communion during the papal Mas

Pelosi receives Communion in the Vatican, despite her home archbishop refusing it

10:03am June 29, 2022

by The Associated Press

The head of the church in San Francisco has said the House Speaker can't receive the sacrament there because of her abortion rights support, but Pope Francis has avoided politicizing the Eucharist.

Pope Francis appears on a balcony of the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic in Rome, where he was recovering from intestinal surgery, for the traditional Sunday blessing and Angelus prayer on July 11, 2021. Pope Francis left the hospital Wednesday to continue hi

Pope Francis Seen Leaving Hospital 10 Days After Intestinal Surgery

5:47am July 14, 2021

by The Associated Press

AP journalists saw a car with Francis sitting in the front passenger seat leaving Rome's Gemelli Polytechnic hospital on Wednesday morning.

Astronomical text books in Latin are displayed at the Vatican Observatory.

The Vatican's Space Observatory Wants To See Stars And Faith Align

7:53am June 06, 2021

by Sylvia Poggioli

For a long time, the Catholic Church rejected scientific findings that conflicted with its doctrine, even persecuting Galileo. Now the Vatican looks to promote its observatory as a bridge to science.

Pope Francis delivers his homily during an ordination mass on April 25, at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. This week, the pope decreed that all bishops and cardinals can be tried if they are suspected of criminal behavior.

Pope Francis Issues Orders Aimed At Cracking Down On Vatican Corruption

9:41pm May 01, 2021

by Jeannette Muhammad

Pope Francis decreed that all bishops and cardinals can be tried if suspected of criminal behavior. He also banned Vatican employees from accepting gifts amounting to more than 40 euros (about $48).

Pope Mandates Strict Financial Rules For Cardinals, Senior Vatican Staff

3:38pm April 29, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The new rules are also aimed at shutting down the churches "envelope" culture — requiring a limit on the value of gifts that cardinals and managers can receive.