Vatican diplomacy

The Latest

The faithful in Nicaragua participate in a pilgrimage in support of the bishops, July 28, 2018.

Report: Nicaragua to close Vatican embassy in Managua, Nicaraguan embassy to Holy See

Mar 13, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The request to close the two embassies follows just days after Pope Francis likened Nicaragua’s Sandinista government to Nazi Germany. Read more

Archbishop Gabriele Caccia, Holy See Permanent Observer to the United Nations (left), and Mohammed Al-Hassan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations, at a signing ceremony establishing diplomatic relations between Oman and the Holy See. The ceremony took place  at the Permanent Mission of the Sultanate of Oman to the United Nations in New York City.

Holy See and the Sultanate of Oman establish diplomatic ties

Feb 23, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The move leaves only six countries worldwide without any diplomatic connection to the Vatican. Read more

Pope Francis addresses international diplomats to the Holy See on Jan. 9, 2023, in the Vatican's Blessing Hall.

To counter ‘third world war,’ Pope Francis proposes ‘truth, justice, solidarity, and freedom’

Jan 9, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Pope Francis Monday gave his annual address to Vatican diplomats, describing the speech as “a call for peace in a... Read more

Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti with Pope Francis

Analysis: What is behind Pope Francis’ appointment of the new prefect for the Eastern Churches?

Nov 22, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

For the role of prefect of the Dicastery for the Oriental Churches, Pope Francis has chosen Archbishop Claudio Gugerotti, who... Read more

The episcopal consecration of Francis Cui Qingqi in Wuhan, China, Sept. 8, 2021.

U.S. religious freedom commission ‘tremendously disappointed’ with Vatican-China deal renewal

Oct 26, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

A member of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom says it is “tremendously disappointed” with the Vatican’s decision.  Read more

Pilgrims wave a Chinese flag at the general audience with Pope Francis, Oct. 12, 2022.

Vatican renews China deal for second time

Oct 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The terms of the deal, first signed in 2018, have not been made public. Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher in 2018.

Archbishop Paul Gallagher to represent Pope Francis at Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral

Sep 16, 2022

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis’ representative at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II will be veteran Vatican diplomat Archbishop Paul Gallagher, the Holy... Read more

President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping during the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China.

Report: Pope Francis sought to meet with Xi Jinping, but China declined

Sep 16, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

Pope Francis expressed his “availability” to meet with Chinese president Xi Jinping while both men were in Kazakhstan this week,... Read more

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The geopolitics of Pope Francis’ trip to Kazakhstan

Sep 12, 2022

By Courtney Mares

This week Pope Francis is traveling to Kazakhstan, a Muslim-majority country sandwiched between Russia and China. Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the AVSI Foundation for the 'Open Hospitals' Project in Syria at the Vatican's Clementine Hall, Sept. 3, 2022.

'Hope is dying' in Syria, nuncio says

Sep 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ representative in Syria has said people are losing hope as the Syrian civil war continues and widespread poverty... Read more

Charles de Foucauld

Pope Francis to future Vatican diplomats: See St Charles de Foucauld as model

Jun 9, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope was speaking to members of the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy. Read more

Pope Francis attends the funeral Mass of Cardinal Angelo Sodano in St. Peter’s Basilica, May 31, 2022.

With Cardinal Sodano’s death, an era has come to a close

Jun 1, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At his peak, the Italian cardinal was arguably the Vatican’s most influential personality. Read more

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki.

Polish bishops’ leader: Vatican’s approach to Russia ‘naive and utopian’

May 24, 2022

By Luke Coppen

Archbishop Stanisław Gądecki made the remark after a May 17-20 visit to Ukraine. Read more

Archbishop Paul Gallagher meets with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba in Kyiv on May 20.

Vatican foreign minister meets Ukrainian counterpart in Kyiv

May 20, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Paul Gallagher prayed at a former mass grave site in Bucha during his Ukraine visit. Read more

St. John Paul II (1920-2005).

George Weigel on what the Vatican can learn from JPII’s diplomacy with Russia

May 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The papal biographer said the Vatican ought to realize that ‘appeasement of communist regimes never works.’ Read more

Pope Francis takes part in a video call with Patriarch Kirill, March 16, 2022.

Pope Francis says Vatican canceled meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

Apr 22, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In an interview with an Argentine newspaper published Thursday, Pope Francis said a meeting with Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill will... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin in Salerno, Italy, on Oct. 13, 2019.

Cardinal Parolin discusses the future of Vatican diplomacy

Apr 19, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In the final part of an exclusive interview, the Vatican Secretary of State discusses threats to religious freedom. Read more

Pope Francis meets Latvian foreign minister Edgars Rinkēvičs at the Vatican, March 14, 2022.

Latvia’s foreign minister: The Church must keep its moral compass

Mar 16, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Edgars Rinkēvičs met with Pope Francis on March 14. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address on March 6, 2022.

How Pope Francis’ tone on the Ukraine war has shifted

Mar 8, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The pope’s words at the Angelus marked a subtle but important change. Read more

The late Cardinal Agostino Cacciavillan.

Cardinal Cacciavillan, former nuncio to the US, has died

Mar 5, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis is expected to attend Cardinal Cacciavillan’s funeral, which will be held in St. Peter’s Basilica on the morning... Read more