A Vatican Observer

Pope Francis arrives for his general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican Oct. 14, 2020 -

Is Pope Francis moving toward a conclave?

A Vatican Observer

Oct 14, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There are two ways to interpret the exclusion of the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, from the Cardinals... Read more

The "Torrione Niccolo V" in the Vatican, the headquarters of the Institute for Religious Works -

IOR: Secretariat of State out of the Cardinals commission

A Vatican Observer

Oct 10, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

For the first time since its establishment, the Cardinals Commission of the Institute for Religious Works (the so-called Vatican bank)... Read more

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with Cardinal Parolin and Archbishop Gallagher. With him, Callista Gingrich, US ambassador to the Holy See /

Pompeo's visit to the Vatican, how to decrypt it

A Vatican Observer

Oct 2, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

It was no surprise that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not meet with Pope Francis during his visit... Read more

Gentlemen of His Holiness welcome Queen Elizabeth at the Vatican, Oct. 17,, 2000 -

A sneak peek at some of Pope Francis' lesser known decisions

A Vatican Observer

Sep 23, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The devil, the saying goes, hides in detail. To understand the things in the Vatican,  details are essential. Without the... Read more

Press conference on Pope Francis' post-synodal apostolic exhortation

Pope Francis: a new encyclical to outline his post-COVID 19 vision?

A Vatican Observer

Sep 1, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis will issue a new encyclical on the human fraternity. The document will outline Pope Francis' vision for the... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican flag -

Vatican, is there a problem in the International Catholic Migration Commission?

A Vatican Observer

Aug 26, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Anne Therese Gallagher was elected President of the International Catholic Migration Commission in March 2018. In that role she is mandated to... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican flag -

Pope’s reshuffle of the Economy Council: what does it mean?

A Vatican Observer

Aug 7, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The new Council for the Economy, tailored by Pope Francis, keeps the same coordinator, brings back two cardinals who seemed... Read more

Pope Francis and Ahmed el-Tayeb, grand imam of al-Azhar, signed a joint declaration on human fraternity during an interreligious meeting in Abu Dhabi, UAE, Feb. 4, 2019

Pope Francis replaces one of his shadows

A Vatican Observer

Jul 31, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Today, Monsignor Yoannis Lahzi Gaid leaves Domus Sanctae Marthae forever. The Pope’s second secretary greeted the personnel of the Domus on Jul. 30, thus... Read more

The banner at the entrance of the APSA office in the Vatican .-

Vatican Finances: what is the transfer of institutional cash to the Vatican “central bank” all about?

A Vatican Observer

Jul 28, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

A recent provision by the Secretariat for the Economy made clear that the Administration for the Patrimony of the Apostolic... Read more

A session of the Parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe /

Europe and the challenge of religious freedom

A Vatican Observer

Jul 17, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The European Union’s Special Envoy for promoting the Freedom of Religions and Belief outside of Europe will soon be appointed.... Read more

The AIF banner in the Vatican /

AIF 2019 report, is the reform a good idea?

A Vatican Observer

Jul 7, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

So, the Vatican’s financial watchdog is getting a name change and new statutes. The Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority will soon... Read more

Bishop Daniele Libanori, auxiliary of Rome -

Pope Francis, a Jesuit at the helm of the Congregation for the Clergy?

A Vatican Observer

Jun 30, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Bishop Daniele Libanori, Jesuit and auxiliary for the diocese of Rome, might be appointed next Friday as the successor of... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

A layperson as secretary of the Vatican “central bank”?

A Vatican Observer

Jun 12, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Fabio Gasperini, a well-known manager who is working for Ernst & Young, might soon be appointed the secretary of the... Read more

European Parliament in Strasbourg /

Two cases show that religious freedom is dwindling in Europe

A Vatican Observer

Jun 1, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Conscientious objection and freedom of expression are under threat in Europe, as shown by two legal cases that made news... Read more

The Governatorato (Vatican City State Administration) building in the Vatican -

Vatican Finances, what is going on? The Vatican City State Administration

A Vatican Observer

May 21, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Plans for a “Vatican Asset Management” outfit were laid out almost as soon as Pope Francis created the new Secretariat... Read more

Vatican City flag waiving over St. Peter's dome - Bohumil Petrik / CNA

Vatican Finances, what is going on? Sloane Avenue and more

A Vatican Observer

May 20, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Holy See is reportedly seeking to renegotiate the £120 million loan it used to complete the purchase of property... Read more

The Torrione Niccolo V, the IOR's headquarters

Vatican finances, what is going on? The Malta case

A Vatican Observer

May 19, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Attorneys for a Maltese business venture involved in a legal dispute say the so-called Vatican bank’s new management care more... Read more

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle of Manila, Philippines at a press briefing at the Holy See Press Office during the Synod of Bishops on October 9, 2015. -

Is Pope Francis setting up the next Conclave?

A Vatican Observer

May 6, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At the end of the last week, Pope Francis elevated cardinals Luis Antonio Tagle and Beniamino Stella to the Order... Read more

A view of Vatican City State -

Coronavirus, how much money did the Vatican lose?

A Vatican Observer

May 5, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As governments around the world work to assess and contain the effect of the coronavirus emergency on the economy and... Read more

The original image of the Divine Mercy in Vilnius /

The image of the Divine Mercy was exposed for the first time 85 years ago. In Vilnius

A Vatican Observer

Apr 25, 2020

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is situated at the geographic center of Europe. The Gate of Dawn is one of... Read more