As the Catholic archbishop of Palermo paid a visit to the Sicilian city’s largest cemetery on All Souls’ Day, he passed through a tent filled with stacks of coffins and blessed the 800 bodies still awaiting burial. “Palermo needs new cemetery spaces where we can bury or cremate our dead, to keep them with dignity,…

Pope Francis names Franciscan sister to second-highest position in Vatican City State Pope Francis has appointed Sr Raffaella Petrini to the second-ranking position in the government of the Vatican City State. Sr Petrini is the first woman and non-clergy member to be secretary general of the Vatican’s governorate. The appointment makes her one of the…

Spanish bishop dismisses Joe Biden’s claim that Pope said he can receive Communion Bishop José Ignacio Munilla of San Sebastián, Spain, strongly criticised US President Joe Biden’s claim that Pope Francis personally encouraged him to continue receiving Communion despite his open support for abortion. “These incredible statements reveal the moral character of those who are…

Pope Francis has called on Israel and the Palestinians to restart direct negotiations to work towards a two-state solution to the Middle East peace process. He also insisted that only peaceful means can bring about a just settlement to the conflict. The Pontiff made the remarks this morning (Thursday) while receiving in audience at the…

Pope Francis on Thursday appointed Franciscan Sister Raffaella Petrini to the second-ranking position in the government of the Vatican City State. Sr Petrini is the first woman and non-clergy member to be secretary general of the Vatican’s governorate. She replaces Bishop Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, who was promoted to president, effective October 1. The governorate is the…

The Pope received US President Joe Biden and according to the US President, the Pontiff referred to him as “a good Catholic”. Biden was in Rome for the G20 Heads of State and Government Summit. He met with Pope Francis for 75 minutes on Friday, during which they did not reference abortion, a topic that…

Chinese authorities have kidnapped Catholic Bishop Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou, according to reports emerging from China. The Vatican confirmed Bishop Shao to lead the diocese in September 2016, following the death of his predecessor, Bishop Vincent Zhu Weifang, who was imprisoned for 16 years. The 58-year-old prelate was taken by authorities “on vacation,” adding that…

Cardinal Raymond Burke has maintained that Catholic bishops have a “sacred duty” to apply canon law by advising pro-choice politicians not to receive Holy Communion. Issuing a 2,800-word statement Cardinal Burke recalled his efforts to persuade Catholic politicians to defend the lives of unborn children while serving as the bishop of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and…

Pope Francis donates €145,000 to Catholic Church in Syria Pope Francis has donated approximately €145,000 to the Catholic Church in Syria for its charitable work with the poor. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, prefect of the Congregation of the Eastern Churches, announced that each of the country’s 17 ecclesiastical circumscriptions would receive roughly €8,500. The 77-year-old Argentine…