Relations with China affect timing of Matteo Ricci cause

May 16, 2013 - 10:00 am .- Approval for the beatification of the Italian Jesuit missionary Matteo Ricci, who ministered in China 500 years ago, depends to some degree on the Vatican’s relations with China.

Vatican announces its debut at Venice art festival

May 14, 2013 - 09:33 am .- The Vatican is participating for the first time in a famous international art exposition in Venice under the theme “Creation, Un-Creation and Re-Creation,” with the aim of promoting modern dialogue on faith.

Ohio University band gives Vatican taste of America

May 10, 2013 - 09:01 am .- Priests and Vatican employees opened their office windows this afternoon to find out why they were hearing trumpets and drums, and in the piazza below them they discovered the University of Ohio marching band.

Coptic Pope stresses urgency of Christian unity at Vatican

May 10, 2013 - 07:06 am .- The Pope of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Egypt met with Pope Francis at the Vatican and spoke about the urgent need for unity among Christians in the Middle East.

Sisters encouraged, grateful Pope met with them

May 9, 2013 - 10:09 am .- Sister Alice Matilda Nsiah says that Pope Francis’ decision to meet with her and other superiors general on Wednesday left them encouraged, grateful and proud to be Catholic.

Vatican, US sign anti-money-laundering memo

May 8, 2013 - 03:50 am .- The Vatican continued its efforts to update its financial standards by signing an agreement with the United States to allow the two countries to exchange information to prevent money laundering and terrorism funding.

Vatican invites Buddhists to help build culture of life

May 2, 2013 - 07:22 am .- The Vatican’s top official for interreligious dialogue, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, sent a message to all Buddhists urging a joint commitment to “unmask the threats to human life.”

Vatican monastery prepares for Benedict XVI's return

Apr 30, 2013 - 08:30 am .- Benedict XVI will return to the Vatican on May 2 by helicopter, coming back the same way he left just two months ago when he resigned as Pope.

Theologian: Same-sex civil unions discriminate against married couples

Apr 24, 2013 - 04:31 am .- After a Vatican official stated that the Church could support same-sex civil unions, a Swiss theologian is saying that if they are equated with marriage these unions discriminate against married heterosexual couples.

St. George's feast becomes Vatican holiday this year

Apr 22, 2013 - 01:03 pm .- St. George's feast day falling on April 23 means Vatican employees will have the day off to celebrate the saint their boss, Pope Francis, is named after.

Former NBA player visits Swiss Guard basketball team

Apr 19, 2013 - 10:25 am .- The former Los Angeles Lakers player Vlade Divac was thrilled to meet with the Swiss Guard to discuss sports and learn about their work at the Vatican.

Advisory group will not weaken Pope's power, analyst explains

Apr 16, 2013 - 01:28 pm .- Although some have worried Pope Francis’ creation of a group of cardinals to advise him means he is giving up some of his papal authority, an expert in Church law says a better description of the move is choosing the members of a cabinet.

Vatican unveils plans for International Family Center in Nazareth

Apr 16, 2013 - 10:54 am .- The Vatican is moving ahead with plans to build the International Family Center in Nazareth, a complex that will include a church, meeting spaces, a hotel for visitors and play areas for children, all as part of an effort to build up the family in the Holy Land.

Vatican plans huge pro-life, evangelization gathering

Apr 15, 2013 - 05:03 pm .- A major highlight for the Year of Faith will be a two-day celebration in Rome on the Church’s teaching about the dignity of life and how it fits with the New Evangelization.

Vatican honors boy for courage during trachea transplant

Apr 12, 2013 - 11:13 am .- During the Second International Adult Stem Cell conference at the Vatican, a boy who had his windpipe replaced with one grown using his own stem cells won the “Pontifical Hero Award” for his courage.

Adult stem cells helping teen with 'brittle bone disease' grow

Apr 11, 2013 - 10:45 am .- A girl whose bones used to break every two months was awarded for her courage in successfully battling her disease during a stem cell research conference at the Vatican.

Vatican response to financial evaluation will exceed requirements

Apr 10, 2013 - 10:02 am .- The Vatican plans to demonstrate its commitment to financial transparency by presenting progress it has made in areas the Council of Europe’s money laundering prevention committee is not requiring.

Vatican stem cell event aims for wide cultural impact

Apr 9, 2013 - 10:26 am .- The Vatican's upcoming conference on adult stem cell research aims to influence culture by promoting dialogue between politicians, medical researchers, journalists and students on the latest developments.

Pope Francis confirms strong stance against clerical abuse

Apr 5, 2013 - 06:49 am .- Pope Francis has reaffirmed the Vatican process established by Benedict XVI for handling instances of sexual abuse by priests.

Pope Francis prays at John Paul II's tomb on anniversary

Apr 3, 2013 - 03:30 am .- Pope Francis spent a “long time” kneeling in silent prayer before the tomb of Blessed John Paul II on April 2, the eighth anniversary of his death.