Vatican approves special ‘Mass in the Time of Pandemic’ April 2, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments has approved a special “Mass in the Time of Pandemic” to plead for God’s mercy and gift of strength in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Vatican confirms pope does not have COVID-19 March 28, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News Neither Pope Francis nor any of his closest collaborators have the COVID-19 virus, said Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office.
COVID-19 is not God’s judgment, but a call to live differently, pope says March 27, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The worldwide coronavirus pandemic is not God’s judgment on humanity, but God’s call on people to judge what is most important to them and resolve to act accordingly from now on, Pope Francis said.
Pope announces extraordinary ‘urbi et orbi’ blessing March 27 March 22, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News In response to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Pope Francis said he will give an extraordinary blessing “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) at 6 p.m. Rome time March 27.
Vatican issues decree for Holy Week liturgies with pandemic restrictions March 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, Lent, News, Vatican, World News “By the mandate of the supreme pontiff for the year 2020 only,” the congregation issued guidelines March 20 for celebrating the Triduum and Easter liturgies without the presence of the faithful.
Stay firm in faith, seek St. Joseph’s intercession, pope says March 19, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, Saints, Vatican, Video, World News In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the daily lives and routines of millions of people have been turned upside down, Pope Francis said, but they must help each other stay firm in faith.
Science-solidarity combo needed to stop pandemic, says Vatican official March 17, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, World News The effects of the coronavirus can be defeated only with a combination of science and solidarity, said the president of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
Pope makes mini-pilgrimage outside Vatican to pray for end of pandemic March 16, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, Feature, News, Vatican, World News With Italy on lockdown and Rome streets almost deserted, Pope Francis left the Vatican March 15 in a mini-pilgrimage to an icon and to a crucifix associated with miraculous interventions to save the city and its people.
Pope chooses ‘synodality’ as theme for 2022 synod March 9, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Feature, News, Synodality, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has decided the next world Synod of Bishops at the Vatican, which will take place in October 2022, will have the theme: “For a synodal church: Communion, participation and mission.”
Northern Italian dioceses take drastic measures against coronavirus February 25, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Coronavirus, News, World News With the biggest two days of celebration and costume parades left, the famous pre-Lenten “Carnevale” of Venice was canceled as were Ash Wednesday services and even funeral Masses throughout the diocese.
Pope says revision of canon law section on crime, penalties is necessary February 21, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: News, World News The 12-year process of updating the Code of Canon Law section dealing with crimes and penalties was necessary “to make it more organic and responsive to new situations and problems,” Pope Francis said.
Pope adds year of missionary service to Vatican diplomats’ training February 17, 2020By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Feature, News, World News Pope Francis, adopting a suggestion made at the Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, has decided that every priest preparing for service in the Vatican diplomatic corps must spend a year in ministry as a missionary.
