Vatican

Anti-Pope Francis posters appeared in Rome last week, with a message in a Roman street dialect saying, "Hey, Frank, you took over Congregations, suspended priests, decapitated the Order of Malta and the Franciscans of The Immaculate, ignored Cardinals...

Steve Bannon Aligns With Vatican Hard-Liners Who Oppose Pope Francis

6:52pm February 08, 2017

by Sylvia Poggioli

Bannon has made common cause with those in the Vatican who resist the pope's liberal moves. Francis' supporters worry that after Trump's victory, the pope is a lonely progressive on the global stage.

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For Pope Francis, A Year Of Reconciliation Abroad Amid Opposition At Home

12:12pm December 25, 2016

by Sylvia Poggioli

The pope worked to repair relations within the Christian world, but things were tougher in the Catholic world. A church historian says no other pope has met as much opposition from bishops and clergy.

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There are 12 million Catholics in China, less than 1 percent of the population. St. Peter's Catholic Church in downtown Shanghai is one of the country's few officially approved churches.

In China's Tiny Catholic Community, Hopes Rise For Beijing-Vatican Ties

5:53am December 23, 2016

by Rob Schmitz

China and the Vatican are working to settle longstanding differences. Their efforts may pave the way for the Holy See and Beijing to work together to ordain bishops inside of China.

Pope Francis speaks to Vatican employees on Thursday.

Pope Francis Outlines More Reforms, And Addresses Powerful Church Critics

4:37pm December 22, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

In his Christmas address to Vatican employees, the leader of the Catholic Church called for more laypersons and women in positions of power and said resistance to change came from misguided minds.

The columbarium where cremated remains are kept at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.

Vatican: Don't Scatter Cremation Ashes, And Don't Keep Them At Home

4:03pm October 25, 2016

by Rebecca Hersher

New guidelines from the Roman Catholic Church note that the practice of cremation is increasing and recommend that ashes be buried in "cemeteries and other sacred places."

Riot police confront students opposed to President Nicolas Maduro's government in San Cristobal, Venezuela, on Monday. Pope Francis met with Maduro on Monday night to discuss the crisis in Venezuela.

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Pope Francis Meets With Venezuelan President To Discuss Country's Crisis

11:08am October 25, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

The pope urged President Nicolas Maduro to "alleviate the suffering of the people" amid Venezuela's economic and political disaster. The Vatican will mediate between the government and the opposition.

Pope Francis meets migrants at the Moria refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos on Saturday.

'Do Not Lose Hope': Pope Francis Visits Migrants In Greece's Lesbos

11:08am April 16, 2016

by Merrit Kennedy

Pope Francis paid a visit to the Greek island of Lesbos Saturday and meet with migrants at a detention center. The EU has started deporting migrants from Greece to Turkey.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, seen here in 2014, is being replaced as the apostolic nuncio in the United States, after reaching mandatory retirement age in January.

Pope Francis Replaces Ambassador Who Arranged Kim Davis Meeting

3:11pm April 12, 2016

by Bill Chappell

The move had been anticipated since the exiting nuncio, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 earlier this year.

Pope Francis looks on during a penitential ceremony on March 4 at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Francis has imposed new financial rules on those working to promote the canonization of potential saints.

New Vatican Rules Will Put More Spreadsheets Into The Saint-Making Process

12:08pm March 10, 2016

by Camila Domonoske

Canonization is pricey: One journalist estimates half a million dollars is spent per candidate. Until now, it was spent with little oversight or documentation. Pope Francis is pushing to change that.

Polish nuns do most of the cooking at the Vatican. Here, they prepare sweets for the Feast of St. Nicholas.

Holy Ravioli! Cookbook Reveals The Vatican's Favorite Recipes

1:34pm February 17, 2016

by Tove Danovich

We all have comfort foods — even Pope Francis and the men who guard him. The Vatican Cookbook is a tour of life and food in the world's smallest country, as told by members of the Swiss Guard.