Sicily

The Latest

Pope Francis meets the bishops and priests of the churches of Sicily, Italy, in the Vatican's Clementine Hall on June 9, 2022.

Pope Francis urges Sicily’s Catholic priests to be moral guides — but to drop the lace

Jun 9, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Noting that he has seen photos from Masses in Sicily, the pope appeared to comment on the use of lace... Read more

Archbishop Corrado Lorefice visits Santa Maria dei Rotoli cemetery on Nov. 2, 2021

‘No more coffins piled up’: Palermo archbishop laments lack of burial space

Nov 3, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The archbishop blessed 800 bodies still awaiting burial. Read more

Baptism.

Godfather ban: Sicilian Catholic diocese suspends naming of godparents at baptism for 3 years

Oct 20, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A decree issued by the archbishop of Catania came into full effect this month. Read more

Rosario Livatino.

Rosario Livatino beatified in Sicily, honored as ‘martyr of justice and faith’

May 9, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Blessed Rosario Livatino, a Catholic judge brutally killed by the mafia in 1990, was beatified Sunday in the Cathedral of... Read more

Notices highlight the death of Rosario Livatino in 1990. Credit: Rosario Livatino Study Center.

How a martyr killed by the mafia inspired a generation of Catholic lawyers

Jan 8, 2021

Soon-to-be Blessed Rosario Livatino was a Catholic judge brutally killed by the mafia in Sicily in 1990. Today his legal... Read more

Judge Rosario Livatino. Public domain.

Judge killed by mafia to be beatified

Dec 22, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has recognized the martyrdom of Rosario Livatino, a judge who was brutally killed by the mafia on his... Read more

Biagio Conte, a lay missionary based in Palermo, is seen doing a pilgrimage in an almost deserted street March 20, 2020, in Palermo, Italy.

Catholic hermit is ‘full of hope’ after 40-day fast for humanity

Jul 15, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A lay missionary who was fasting for 40 days in a cave outside Palermo, Italy, says he is returning to... Read more

Archbishop Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento, who will be made a cardinal at the Feb. 14 consistory.

A cardinal for migrants: Italy's Archbishop Francesco Montenegro

Feb 13, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Archbishop Francesco Montenegro of Agrigento still feels himself more of a priest with concern for the poor than a cardinal,... Read more