Vatican City

The Latest

The Vatican announced in September 2023 the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome will be open to the public.

Vatican allows a peek at historic palazzo in heart of Rome

Sep 14, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The palace was originally home to Cardinal Raffaele Riario, known for having invited Michaelangelo to Rome after being impressed by... Read more

The Vatican has withdrawn a commemorative stamp for the 2023 World Youth Day.

Vatican withdraws World Youth Day 2023 stamp after criticism in Portugal

May 19, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The stamp’s design drew negative comments because it “recalls a colonial past very distant from Pope Francis’ message of universal... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015.

Rome prepares for 35 million pilgrims during 2025 Jubilee Year

May 18, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican and the city of Rome are expecting an estimated 35 million people to flock to the Eternal City... Read more

A Vatican flag, with the incorrect design likely drawn from Wikipedia, and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Wikipedia had the wrong Vatican City flag for years. Now incorrect flags are everywhere

Apr 8, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Imagine many people’s surprise to discover that the image of the “Flag of Vatican City” displayed on Wikipedia has been... Read more

Palazzo della Rovere, also called Palazzo dei Penitenzieri.

Historic building near Vatican to become Four Seasons hotel

Mar 14, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Catholic order of knighthood has signed a leasing agreement that will allow a Four Seasons hotel to manage part... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Cesar Landa, Peru's foreign minister, at the Vatican, Oct. 17, 2022.

Vatican to return three pre-Columbian mummies to Peru 

Oct 19, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Vatican on Monday returned three pre-Columbian mummies to Peru, which had been loaned for the 1925 Universal Vatican Exposition. Read more

An exhibit at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., focuses on the history of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Museum of the Bible exhibit explores architectural history of St. Peter's Basilica

Jun 21, 2022

By Maisy Sullivan

The exhibit opened May 27 and will remain in the museum's long-term Vatican exhibit through Sept. 25. Read more

Sister Marie Lucindis Stock.

The story of Sister Lucindis, the nun who made St. Peter’s Square her home

May 5, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sister Maria Lucindis Stock died on March 11. This is her story. Read more

A police officer on duty at St Peter’s Square. Credit: Maciej Matlak/Shutterstock

Is Vatican City’s judicial system in peril?

Mar 31, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The U.K. court ruling that overturned an account seizure request by Vatican City prosecutors has raised questions about the reliability... Read more

People pass in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of May 2020.

Pope Francis appoints new director of Vatican healthcare fund

Jul 18, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Saturday named Italian surgeon Giovanni Battista Doglietto as director of the Vatican health fund known as Fondo di... Read more

Swiss Guards at the commemoration of the fallen with conferment in the Protomartyrs' Square in Vatican City, May 6, 2015.

Swiss Guards postpone swearing-in of new recruits due to coronavirus

May 6, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The annual swearing-in of new Swiss Guards, which would usually take place May 6, was moved to Oct. 4 because... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica and square closed to public March 10, 2020.

Vatican City prepares to ease coronavirus restrictions in May

Apr 22, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin met with members of the Roman curia on Wednesday to discuss the gradual... Read more

Casa Santa Marta and the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican official living in Santa Marta tests positive for coronavirus

Mar 26, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Vatican official who is a resident of the guesthouse where Pope Francis lives has tested positive for coronavirus, according... Read more

The Sistine Chapel.

Vatican Museums closed until April 3

Mar 8, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican Museums will be closed until April 3 as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the... Read more

Visitors inside of St. Peter's Basilica March 2020.

Vatican City confirms first case of coronavirus

Mar 6, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Vatican City has confirmed its first case of coronavirus, a Vatican spokesman said Friday.  Read more

Swiss Guards.

Pope Francis urges Swiss Guard to witness to the joy of faith

May 4, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis encouraged the Swiss Guard Saturday to use their work, and the encounters they have in and around Vatican... Read more

Corruption trial of former Vatican hospital officials begins

Jul 18, 2017

By Elise Harris

One year after Vatican City charged a priest and a laywoman in the second “Vatileaks” trial, it has begun a... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica as seen from the Vatican Gardens.

Vatican goes green, amps up recycling efforts

Nov 15, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

A year after Pope Francis released his encyclical on the environment, Laudato si', the Vatican has stepped up its efforts... Read more

As 'Vatileaks' trial proceeds, Holy See spokesman explains Vatican justice system

Dec 7, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As a Vatican City trial over the leaking of private documents continues, the director of the Holy See Press Office... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.

US embassy: Saint Peter's Basilica a potential terrorist target

Nov 19, 2015

St. Peter’s Basilica tops the list of potential targets for terrorist attacks in Rome and Milan, the U.S. Embassy in... Read more