A Vatican Observer

St. Peter's Basilica /

Vatican finances, how this institutional crisis can harm the Holy See’s international credibility

A Vatican Observer

Oct 21, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The searches and seizures conducted by Vatican police at  the Secretariat of State and the Financial Intelligence Authority inaugurated an... Read more

The Institute for Religious Works -

Vatican finances, the latest events are not just a financial scandal

A Vatican Observer

Oct 10, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican Gendarmes Corps seized documents, computers, and other electronic equipment in the offices of the Vatican Secretariat of State... Read more

Vatican City - May 7, 2017: Pope Francis ordains ten men to the priesthood in St. Peter's Basilica on May 7, 2017.

Why does celibacy matter in the end?

A Vatican Observer

Sep 24, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

According to the French writer Jean Mercier, who passed away in 2018, the Church of the future will be a... Read more

Cardinals gathered in St. Peter's Basilica for a consistory, Nov. 4, 2012.

Five keys to interpreting Pope Francis’ sixth consistory

A Vatican Observer

Sep 1, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

With the consistory of Cardinals set on Oct. 5, Pope Francis will create 13 new cardinals. His choices are revealing... Read more

The Apostolic Palace, where the headquarters of the Secretariat of State are -

How the Vatican Secretariat of State is changing

A Vatican Observer

Aug 27, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

It is time for change within the ranks of the Vatican Secretariat of State. On July 26th, two officials of... Read more

Matteo Bruni, new director of the Holy See Press Office, greets Pope Francis -

Vatican communication, what now?

A Vatican Observer

Jul 19, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The first declarations that followed the new appointments in Vatican media departments showed a series of clues that might disclose... Read more

Pope Francis and the Metropolitan bishops and the members of the Synod of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Apostolic Palace, Sala Bologna, July 5, 2019 -

Ecumenism, the dream of the Patriarchate for the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church

A Vatican Observer

Jul 9, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

According to Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has the mission to be the catalyst of dialogue... Read more

Pope Francis and Metropolitan Job of Telmessos during the audience Pope Francis gave to the delegation of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on June 28 -

What is the meaning of Pope Francis' gift to the Ecumenical Patriarchate?

A Vatican Observer

Jul 5, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ unexpected gift to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople is part of the Pope’s effort in advancing ecumenical dialogue.... Read more

Pope Francis leads the introductory prayer and delivers his greeting on the opening day of the 15th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops -

Viri probati, the discussion was already settled

A Vatican Observer

Jun 20, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The working document of the upcoming Special Synod for the Pan-Amazonian region does not have any mention to viri probati.... Read more

Pope Francis meets apostolic nuncios in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, June 13, 2019.

Pontifical Diplomacy, impact and scope of the Pope's army

A Vatican Observer

Jun 14, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Speaking to French Minister Pierre Laval May 13, 1935, Josip Stalin provocatively asked: "The Pope? How many divisions has he... Read more

Vatican City - September 27, 2017: Press Conference on Share the Journey, a Caritas International initiative -

What does Caritas Internationalis reform mean?

A Vatican Observer

Jun 6, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Caritas Internationalis is “the umbrella” of 165 Catholic relief service spread all over the world. Its 21st general assembly took... Read more

Vatican City - May 6, 2015. The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background -

Sex abuse by clergy, what if media lead the debate?

A Vatican Observer

May 22, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

No doubt that the scandal of sex abuse by clergy has shocked the Church. No doubt that the Church is... Read more

The Institute for Religious Works -

Waiting for the annual report, the Vatican financial watchdog released the "General risk assessment"

A Vatican Observer

May 20, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

On the eve of the presentation of the Annual report of the Vatican Financial Intelligence Authority, the “General Risk Assessment”... Read more

A crucifix during Pope Francis' meeting with religious and clergy at the athletic field at St. Mary's School in Nairobi, Kenya on November 26, 2015. /

The Holy See vs. secular “soft totalitarianism” that excludes religion

A Vatican Observer

May 15, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Abu Dhabi declaration on “Human Fraternity,” co-signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Ahmed al-Tayyeb,... Read more

Pope Francis meeting the Holy Synod of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, Sofia, May 5, 2019 -

Did Pope Francis' trip to Bulgaria mark a new phase in the dialogue with Bulgarian Orthodox Church?

A Vatican Observer

May 11, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

During Pope Francis' trip to Bulgaria on May 5-6, the media focused on how the Bulgarian Orthodox Church showed bitterness... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Patriarch of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church Neofit in Sofia, Bulgaria, May 5th, 2019 /

Pope Francis’ ecumenical “equivicinity”

A Vatican Observer

May 6, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

On May 4th, on the eve of Pope Francis’ trip to Bulgaria and North Macedonia, the Holy See Press Office... Read more

Vatican City - November 19, 2016: Pope Francis elevates 17 new cardinals during the November 19, 2016 consistory in St. Peter's Basilica -

Pope Francis, consistory and Curia reform set for June?

A Vatican Observer

Apr 23, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

By the end of June, Pope Francis could not only finalize the Curia reform. We are still in the field of... Read more

Vatican City - February 27, 2013: Pope Benedict XVI stands to show his thanks after a standing ovation from the audience. @ Stephen Driscoll / CNA

Benedict XVI and the martyrdom of being misunderstood

A Vatican Observer

Apr 16, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Church is made of martyrs, visible testimonies of the gospel.  There is not only the martyrdom of blood. Cardinal... Read more

Vatican City - November 23, 2017: Pope Francis at the Prayer for Peace in South Sudan event in Vatican City on November 23, 2017

Pope Francis, ecumenism as a diplomatic tool?

A Vatican Observer

Apr 10, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis’ diplomatic way can be understood from the decision to host a spiritual retreat for South Sudan leaders in... Read more