Pope Francis

Vatican Networks Infiltrated by Chinese Hackers, Says US Cyber-Security Firm

Reuters | Wednesday July 29, 2020

Hackers linked to the Chinese government have infiltrated Vatican computer networks, including the Roman Catholic Church's Hong Kong-based representative, said a US firm that tracks state-backed cyber-attacks.

Pope's Ex-Envoy To Stand Trial For Sexual Assault Charges

World News | Agence France-Presse | Thursday July 23, 2020

Pope Francis's former ambassador to France, Luigi Ventura, will stand trial for sex assault in Paris in November following complaints by four men, one of whom accused the cleric of inappropriate touching, lawyers said Thursday.

Pope Francis Urges US Reconciliation, Condemns Racism And Street Violence

World News | Reuters | Wednesday June 3, 2020

Pope Francis called for national reconciliation in the United States on Wednesday, saying that while racism is intolerable, the street violence that has broken out is "self-destructive and self-defeating".

Pope Calls For Action To "End Pandemic Of Poverty" After Coronavirus

World News | Agence France-Presse | Sunday May 31, 2020

Pope Francis called on Saturday for a "more just and equitable society" in the post-pandemic world, which he said would be changed for "better or worse" by the coronavirus crisis.

Pope Offers Easter Prayer From Empty Saint Peter For COVID-19 Victims

World News | Agence France-Presse | Sunday April 12, 2020

Pope Francis offered a Easter Sunday prayer for those killed and suffering from a novel coronavirus that has killed more than 100,000 people worldwide.

Pope Opens Holy Week Amid Pandemic; Says Now Is The Time To Serve

World News | Reuters | Sunday April 5, 2020

Pope Francis marked a surreal Palm Sunday in an empty St. Peter's Basilica, urging people living through the coronavirus pandemic not to be so concerned with what they lack but how they can ease the suffering of others.

Pope Francis Faces Coronavirus "Tempest" Alone At Vatican City Square

World News | Agence France-Presse | Saturday March 28, 2020

Pope Francis stood alone in vast Saint Peter's Square Friday to bless Catholics around the world suffering under the coronavirus pandemic, urging people to ease their fears through faith.

Italian Clergyman In Pope Francis 's Residence Tested Positive For Coronavirus: Reports

World News | Thursday March 26, 2020

An Italian employee of the Holy See who lives in the same residence as Pope Francis was reported Thursday to have tested positive for COVID-19 and been hospitalised.

Pope Urges "Small Gestures" Like Hugs, Phone Calls To Fight Off Isolation

World News | Agence France-Presse | Thursday March 19, 2020

Pope Francis stressed Wednesday the importance of families and friends making small gestures such as hugs and phone calls during times of isolation in a pandemic.

Vatican Cancels Public Participation At Easter Events Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

World News | Agence France-Presse | Sunday March 15, 2020

Pope Francis' Holy Week and Easter services, which normally draw tens of thousands of people, will be held without the public attending because of the coronavirus outbreak, a step believed to be unprecedented in modern times.

Pope Francis To Deliver Sunday Prayer By Livestream Amid Virus Threat

World News | Agence France-Presse | Saturday March 7, 2020

The Vatican said Pope Francis will deliver Sunday's Angelus Prayer by livestream instead of in person from his window overlooking Saint Peter's Square out of concern over spreading the new coronavirus.

Pope, Coughing And Sneezing, Skips Retreat As Italy Battles Coronavirus

World News | Agence France-Presse | Monday March 2, 2020

Pope Francis announced on Sunday that a cold he is suffering from has forced him to skip a Lenten spiritual retreat with senior Vatican officials near Rome for the first time in his papacy.

Pope Francis Expels Kerala Priest Jailed For Raping 16-Year-Old Girl

Kerala News | Press Trust of India | Sunday March 1, 2020

Adhering to a policy of "zero tolerance" towards clergy who sexually exploit minors, Pope Francis has expelled a Kerala priest convicted of rape from all priestly duties and rights, according to church officials.

Pope Francis Names First Woman To Senior Vatican Diplomatic Post

World News | Reuters | Friday January 17, 2020

Pope Francis on Wednesday named the first woman to hold a high-ranking post in the Secretariat of State, the male-dominated Vatican's diplomatic and administrative nerve centre.

What Pope Francis Said After Nun Asked Him For A Kiss

Offbeat | Reuters | Wednesday January 8, 2020

Pope Francis, who last month angrily slapped the hand of a woman who yanked him toward her, gave a light-hearted reaction more typical of his papacy on Wednesday when a nun asked him for a kiss. He said yes, although only after she promised not to bite him.