Vatican diplomacy

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(L-R) Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Pope Francis, Israeli President Shimon Peres, and Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew meet in the Vatican, June 8, 2014.

Vatican and 'State of Palestine' agree to treaty safeguarding religious liberty

May 13, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Holy See and the State of Palestine have agreed on the text of a treaty regarding the life and... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Raul Castro, president of Cuba, at the Vatican, May 10, 2015.

Raul Castro to Pope: Thanks to you, I may come back to the Church

May 10, 2015

Following a private meeting at the Vatican with Pope Francis, who has helped to broker improved relations between Cuba and... Read more

1954.

No to nuclear weapons, yes to nuclear technology – the Holy See's stance

Apr 28, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In an effort to abolish the production of nuclear weapons worldwide, the Holy See is pushing an agreement – with... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Pope Francis meets with gay French ambassador nominee

Apr 24, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis met April 17 with Laurent Stefanini, the openly gay foreign service officer named by France to be ambassador... Read more

Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, with refugee children in Iraq, March 28, 2015.

How the Holy See is using diplomacy to aid Christians in the Middle East

Apr 8, 2015

In the face of increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the Holy See's diplomatic arm is developing a... Read more

Archbishop Silvano Tomasi, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the UN in Geneva, speaking Aug. 25, 2014.

Use of force is a last resort against Islamic State – Vatican diplomat

Mar 17, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

By presenting a joint statement to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council to support Christians and other communities in the... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Jan. 25, 2015.

Curia reform may include an office for negotiations in the Secretariat of State

Mar 11, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican Secretary of State suggested Wednesday that an ‘office for pontifical mediation’ may established within the ranks of the... Read more

Volunteers distribute food to Ukrainians displaced from their homes by the violence.

In Ukraine, Pope Francis backs effort for peace – not any particular party

Feb 10, 2015

Following mixed interpretations of Pope Francis’ words on the crisis in Ukraine, the director of the Holy See press office... Read more

Much remains to be done, but Vatican-China relations may be improving

Feb 5, 2015

Despite the recent death of a long-imprisoned Chinese bishop, there are mixed signals suggesting the People's Republic of China wills... Read more

Pilgrims gather in Havana for Mass during Benedict XVI's March 2012 visit to Cuba.

'Given the new situation, a papal trip to Cuba would be hoped for'

Jan 20, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Following the Vatican-brokered restoration of relations between the US and Cuba, a visit of Pope Francis to the island should... Read more

Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.

Francis lauds Nobel Peace laureates, declines to meet with Dalai Lama

Dec 12, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Following the reception of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize by two south Asians this week, Pope Francis has praised Nobel... Read more

'Pacis nuntius', the Oct. 24, 1964 apostolic letter by which Bl. Paul VI declared St. Benedict a patron of Europe, displayed at Montecassino abbey.

Cardinal Parolin: Without its Christian roots, Europe won't help the world

Oct 27, 2014

The European Union could be significant and helpful in solving crises around the world, but its common effort should lie... Read more

Flag of Vietnam.

Meeting of Pope Francis, Vietnamese minister a key step in restoring ties

Oct 18, 2014

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis met with Vietnamese prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung Saturday morning, which is a move seen as a important... Read more

These children who have taken refuge from the Islamic State at St. Josef parish in Erbil, are among the 1.2 million internally displaced Iraqis.

Apostolic nuncios to Middle East will discuss aid, response to terrorists

Oct 1, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis and Vatican officials are due to meet this week with the nuncios to seven Middle Eastern nations to... Read more

The United Nations flag flying outside its headquarters.

Vatican's new UN observer to face key challenges

Jul 10, 2014

Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza, the new head of the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the United Nations, served on... Read more

Celtic Cross on the hill at Cashel, Tipperary, Ireland.

Ireland's invite to Pope could signal defrosting relations

May 7, 2014

By Andrea Gagliarducci

After years of tension, news that Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has invited Pope Francis to visit the country may... Read more

Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Tot, apostolic nuncio to Sri Lanka, upon his arrival in Colombo, April 3, 2014.

Sri Lankans welcome new apostolic nuncio

Apr 9, 2014

Sri Lankan Catholics accorded a traditional welcome to their newly appointed apostolic nuncio, who arrived in Colombo to begin his... Read more

Pope Francis and US President Barack Obama speak during a private audience at athe Vatican, March 27, 2014.

Obama meets with Pope at time of 'tense' relations with Church

Mar 27, 2014

By Kevin J. Jones

U.S. President Barack Obama’s March 27 meeting with Pope Francis comes at a time of tension between his administration and... Read more

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti speaks as U.S. Ambassador Ken Hackett looks on at the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome Januay 23, 2014.

US celebrates 30 years of diplomacy with the Vatican

Jan 23, 2014

By Elise Harris

On the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See's founding, new Ambassador Ken Hackett lauded the many... Read more

Smoke billows skyward as buildings are shelled in Homs, June 9, 2012.

Vatican to appeal for reconciliation at Syrian peace conference

Jan 21, 2014

Pope Francis' continual focus on the Syrian civil war will contribute to the Holy See playing a key role at... Read more