Vatican City State

The Latest

Pope Francis delivers the Angelus address on Feb. 26, 2023.

Pope Francis cuts free and discounted rent for cardinals, Vatican managers

Mar 1, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinals and other high-level positions at the Vatican will no longer be able to live in Vatican-connected apartments for free... Read more

Runners in the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot around Vatican City on Nov. 24, 2022.

Seminarians run a Thanksgiving Turkey Trot around Vatican City State

Nov 24, 2022

By Courtney Mares

More than 130 seminarians, priests, and Catholic college students ran in the 13th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Trot around Vatican City... Read more

From the Netflix documentary series, "Vatican Girl: The Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi"

Netflix series ‘Vatican Girl’ offers up conspiracy theories in the style of Dan Brown

Oct 20, 2022

By Zelda Caldwell

The true-crime documentary series suggests, among other theories, that “someone close to the pope” may have been involved in the... Read more

Pope Francis opens the 93rd Judicial Year of the Tribunal of the Vatican City State, March 12, 2022.

Why does Pope Francis inaugurate the Vatican City State’s judicial year?

Mar 17, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Previously, the judicial year was inaugurated by the president of the Vatican City State Tribunal. Read more

The Vatican Museums.

New COVID-19 rules for visitors to Vatican Museums

Jan 13, 2022

By CNA Staff

The museums are a major source of revenue for the Holy See. Read more

Sr. Raffaella Petrini meets Pope Francis.

How Vatican City State’s government is changing under Pope Francis

Nov 9, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The appointment of Sr. Raffaella Petrini is a sign. Read more

Sr. Raffaella Petrini meets Pope Francis.

Pope Francis names Franciscan sister to No. 2 position in Vatican City State

Nov 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sr. Raffaella Petrini is the first woman to be secretary general of the Vatican’s governorate. Read more

People wearing face coverings walk past St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican clarifies COVID-19 vaccine pass rules for employees

Sep 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

From Oct. 1, all visitors and personnel will be required to show proof of vaccination. Read more

The flag of Vatican City.

Who is going to be No. 2 in the Vatican City State administration?

Sep 28, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There are signs that it could be a layman. Read more

Bishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, L.C.

Pope Francis names Legionary bishop as president of Vatican City State governorate

Sep 9, 2021

By CNA Staff

He succeeds 78-year-old Cardinal Giuseppe Bertello as head of government of Vatican City. Read more

St. Peter's Dome.

Is the Vatican’s new judicial activism good for the Holy See?

Apr 30, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican judicial system is pursuing cases of financial wrongdoing like never before. But there is a downside. Read more

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

Pope Francis changes law to allow Vatican City court to judge cardinals, bishops

Apr 30, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope has amended part of a law issued last year regulating the Vatican City’s judicial system. Read more

The Vatican flag. Credit: Mazur/www.thepapalvisit.org.uk.

Pope Francis nominates new prosecutor, judges for Vatican Court of Appeal

Feb 5, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Friday tapped a long-time Rome prosecutor to be public prosecutor for the Vatican City State’s Court of... Read more

Credit: Seasontime/Shutterstock.

Vatican City set to launch COVID-19 vaccinations this month

Jan 2, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Coronavirus vaccines are scheduled to arrive in Vatican City next week, according to the Vatican director of health and hygiene.  Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims wearing face masks at the general audience Sept. 30, 2020.

Vatican City State makes masks compulsory outdoors

Oct 6, 2020

Face coverings must be worn outdoors within the territory of Vatican City State to prevent the spread of the coronavirus,... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Feb. 26, 2020.

Pope Francis appoints extra prosecutor to Vatican City court

Sep 28, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Monday named an Italian lawyer and professor of commercial law to work as an additional prosecutor in the... Read more

Pope Francis looks out a window of the apostolic palace March 18, 2020.

Vatican does coronavirus testing, says Pope Francis does not have virus

Mar 28, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican said Saturday Pope Francis does not have the coronavirus, and that recent testing of 170 Holy See employees... Read more

Skyline of the Octagonal Court in Pio-Clementino Museum, Vatican City.

Pope Francis reforms Vatican City courts with new law

Mar 16, 2020

The new law provides enhanced safeguards for the independence of judges and prosecutors in Vatican City.  Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican prosecutors conduct raid on Secretariat of State offices

Oct 1, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican prosecutors seized documents and electronic devices in a raid executed Tuesday at the offices of the most senior curial... Read more

Pope Francis May 22, 2018.

Pope Francis issues child protection laws for Vatican City State, Roman Curia

Mar 29, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Friday issued new laws and guidelines on the protection of minors for those working within Vatican City State... Read more