Italy

The Latest

A variety of fish dishes served on Christmas Eve.

Where does the Feast of the 7 Fishes Christmas Eve tradition come from?

Dec 24, 2022

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The feast stems from the southern part of Italy and spans generations. Read more

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PHOTOS: Living Nativity takes to the streets of Rome

Dec 19, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Families dressed as traditional artisans, Roman soldiers, and other characters from the story of Christ’s birth also joined the walk. Read more

The Holy House of Our Lady in the Shrine of Loreto.

How could the Holy House of Mary in Nazareth have ended up in Loreto, Italy?

Dec 10, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Catholic pilgrims have flocked to the Holy House of Loreto since the 14th century to stand inside the walls where... Read more

Pope Francis has lunch with his second cousin Carla Rabezzana at her home in Portacomaro, Italy on Nov. 19, 2022.

Pope Francis travels to northern Italy to share a special meal with his cousins

Nov 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The visit was the first time that Pope Francis had met with his 90-year-old second cousin since the start of... Read more

Member of the right-wing Lega (League) party, Lorenzo Fontana, delivers a speech after being elected new speaker of the lower house on Oct. 14, 2022, at the parliament building in Rome.

Italy’s new No. 3 is a Catholic politician studying philosophy at a pontifical university

Oct 14, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Lorenzo Fontana, 42, was elected president of the Chamber of Deputies, the lower house of Italy's Parliament, with 222 out... Read more

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy) holds a “Thank You Italy” sign during a press conference at the party electoral headquarters on Sept. 25, 2022 in Rome.

What does Giorgia Meloni’s victory mean for Catholics in Italy?

Sep 29, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

In short, the reality of Meloni’s politics is much more nuanced than it may seem at first glance. Read more

Giorgia Meloni, leader of the Fratelli d'Italia (Brothers of Italy), speaks at a press conference at the party electoral headquarters overnight on Sept. 26, 2022. in Rome. Italy’s national elections on Sept. 25 saw voters poised to elect Meloni, a Catholic mother, as the country's first female prime minister.

7 things to know about Giorgia Meloni, Italy’s likely new Catholic prime minister

Sep 26, 2022

By Edie Heipel, Jonah McKeown

A Catholic mother is poised to become the country’s first female prime minister.  Read more

A member of the Dominican Sisters’ Congregation of St. Rose of Lima in northern Italy sells prints at the Santa’s Sanctuary of Lima.

The congregation in honor of St. Rose of Lima where all the sisters are named Rose

Aug 30, 2022

By CNA Staff

After the miracles in Italy worked through the intercession of St. Rose of Lima and her canonization in 1671, a... Read more

Pope Francis received an audience with President Mattarella on Dec. 16, 2021.

Pope Francis to Italian president: Italy faces ‘crucial choices for the life of the country’

Jul 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis sent birthday greetings to Italian President Sergio Mattarella and thanked him for his dedicated service amid "not a... Read more

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

Pope Francis preaches at Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, June 5, 2022.

What is the meaning of Pope Francis’ trip to L’Aquila?

Jun 7, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The 85-year-old pope will make a brief trip to the city associated with papal resignations. Read more

Pope Francis sat at the front of the congregation in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of Pentecost on June 5, 2022.

Why is everyone talking about Pope Francis’ trip to L’Aquila?

Jun 6, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope will visit the central Italian city on Aug. 28. Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, president of the Italian bishops’ conference.

Cardinal Zuppi announces report on clerical sex abuse in Italy

May 27, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The report will only cover the years 2000 to 2021. Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Italy.

Will Cardinal Zuppi lead Italy’s bishops’ conference in a new direction?

May 25, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The 66-year-old cardinal is often described as ‘papabile.’ Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, Archbishop of Bologna, Italy, in St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

‘Bicycling cardinal’ is new leader of Italy’s Catholic bishops’ conference

May 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, 66, has led the Bologna archdiocese since 2015. Read more

Participants in the Choose Life rally in Rome, Italy, on May 21, 2022.

40,000 people take part in Italy’s March for Life

May 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

‘We are here to reaffirm the right of children to come into the world,’ said Father Andres Bonello. Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter’s Square on May 11, 2022.

Pope Francis: Low birth rate is a ‘social emergency’

May 12, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘Italy, Europe, and the West are impoverishing their futures,’ the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis attends the Italian bishops’ plenary assembly in Rome on May 24, 2021.

Pope Francis narrows choice for next leader of Italy’s Catholic bishops

May 3, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The pope said that ‘an authoritative cardinal’ should lead the influential bishops’ conference. Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi and Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice.

Who will be the next leader of Italy’s Catholic bishops’ conference?

Mar 29, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The choice will ultimately be made by Pope Francis. Read more

Cardinal Giuseppe Betori of Florence, Italy.

Florence cardinal hopes papal visit will ‘revive the spirit’ of Italian city’s ‘holy mayor’

Feb 22, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis will speak to bishops and mayors of the Mediterranean region in Florence on Feb. 27. Read more