Pope Francis wanted the summer program to support employees with families given the ongoing restrictions and fewer organized summer activities available during the global pandemic.
Vatican releases guide on how leaders must handle abuse allegations
The Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith released a 17-page document offering a step-by-step guide for how bishops, religious superiors and canon lawyers are supposed to handle accusations of alleged abuse by clerics against minors.
Pope: Migrants seeking new life end up instead in ‘hell’ of detention
Decrying the unimaginable “hell” migrants experience in detention centers, Pope Francis urged all Christians to examine how they do or don’t help — as Jesus commanded — the people God has placed in their path.
Twins conjoined at head successfully separated at Vatican-owned hospital
After more than a year of preliminary studies and three difficult operations, a medical team at the Vatican-owned pediatric hospital successfully separated conjoined twin girls.
Vatican task force calls for an end to arms production
Human health, peace, security and progress would be better served with a complete end to the production of weapons worldwide, said members of a Vatican task force.
Pope creates fund for workers in Rome struggling in wake of pandemic
With so many people left unemployed or in a precarious position because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Pope Francis launched a fund aimed specifically at helping people in Rome struggling economically in the wake of the crisis.
Pope prays for U.S., calls racism a pro-life issue
Observing with great concern the social unrest unfolding in the United States, Pope Francis said no one can claim to defend the sanctity of every human life while turning a blind eye to racism and exclusion.
St. John Paul was a good shepherd, pope says on saint’s birthday
St. John Paul II was a man of deep prayer, who loved being close to people and loved God’s justice and mercy, Pope Francis said.
Pope approves foundation promoting example, works of Pope John Paul I
Pope Francis approved the establishment of the John Paul I Vatican Foundation to preserve and promote the writings, thinking, example and study of “the smiling pope.”
Creation is sacred gift deserving respect, care, pope says on Earth Day
Humanity has failed to take care of the earth and its inhabitants, sinning against God and his gift of creation, Pope Francis said.
Now is time to build new world without inequality, injustice, pope says
As the world slowly recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a risk it will be struck by an even worse virus — that of selfish indifference, Pope Francis said.
On Holy Thursday, pope thanks God for world’s priests
Unable to invite Rome’s priests to mark Holy Thursday in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis thanked all priests for their service and called those who died ministering to the sick and health care workers part of the community of “saints next door.”