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Vatican News

Pope Francis: ‘I too kneel on the streets of Myanmar and say stop the violence’

March 17, 2021

“Once again and with great sadness, I feel the urgency to speak about the tragic situation in Myanmar, where many people, mostly young people, are losing their lives to give hope to their country,” Pope Francis said at the end of his general audience on March 17.

Pope Francis: Keep praying for ‘our sorely tried brothers and sisters’ in Iraq

March 10, 2021

He said that by visiting Iraq, he had fulfilled a dream of his predecessor Pope John Paul II, who had hoped to mark the turn of the millennium with a journey “in the footsteps of Abraham,” but was unable to travel to the ancient city of Ur.

Pope Francis: Meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric offered ‘universal message’ of fraternity

March 08, 2021

During an in-flight press conference on the flight back to Rome March 8, the pope was asked if the meeting with al-Sistani was a message to the religious leaders of Iran.

Pope Francis appoints new archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica

February 20, 2021

With the positions of archpriest and vicar general, Cardinal Mauro Gambetti was also appointed president of the Fabric of St. Peter, the office responsible for maintenance of the basilica.

Council for the Economy discusses 2021 Vatican budget

February 18, 2021

According to a press release, the virtual assembly focused on the Holy See’s annual budget for the current year, presented by Spanish layman Maximino Caballero Ledo, who was appointed to the number two position in the Secretariat for the Economy in August.

Accused priest asserts innocence at Vatican seminary abuse hearing

February 11, 2021

“These are unfounded accusations,” Fr. Gabriele Martinelli said during two hours of questioning in a Vatican courtroom on Feb. 10.

Pope Francis adds feast of Martha, Mary, and Lazarus to Church calendar

February 02, 2021

The memorial of St. Martha was already included on Jan. 29 in the General Roman Calendar before the Second Vatican Council, but St. Lazarus and St. Mary had been originally left off due to uncertainty about the identity of Mary Magdalene. The decree explained that these uncertainties “have been resolved in recent studies and times,” and pointed out that Mary and Lazarus are already commemorated on July 29 in the Roman Martyrology, the Church’s official catalog of martyrs and saints.

Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio

January 11, 2021

In the motu proprio “Spiritus Domini,” issued on Jan. 11, the pope changed canon 230 § 1 of the Code of Canon Law to read: “Lay people who have the age and skills determined by decree of the Episcopal Conference, they can be permanently assumed, through the established liturgical rite, to the ministries of lectors and of acolytes; however this contribution does not give them the right to support or to remuneration by the Church.”