Vatican

VATICAN CITY – The White House has thanked Pope Francis for his personal involvement in the historic agreement between the US and Cuba, which the pontiff declared a “noble” achievement on Thursday.

VATICAN CITY – St Peter’s Square hosted a crowd of well-wishers who danced a tango in honour of the Pontiff’s 78^th birthday on Wednesday.

VATICAN CITY – At over 25 metres high, the Calabrian Christmas tree which was installed at St Peter’s on Thursday dominates the iconic square.

ROME – Pope Francis lashed out Thursday at what he said were the “market priorities” and the “primacy of profit” hindering the struggle against hunger and denutrition among the world’s poor.

VATICAN CITY – Liverpudlian Archbishop Paul Gallagher has been appointed as the new head of foreign affairs in a re-shuffle at the top of the Catholic Church.

VATICAN CITY – The currently expensive and controversial process of marriage annulment in the Catholic Church is to be reformed, announced Pope Francis on Wednes

VATICAN CITY – “This was not a dignified death,” said the Vatican on Tuesday of the case of Brittany Maynard, whose death sparked a global debate on euthanasia.

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis used his General Audience on Wednesday morning to call for the international community to use “all force necessary” to tackle Ebola.

VATICAN CITY – As Pope Francis’ landmark family synod draws to a close, the Vatican prepares for the beatification of Pope Paul VI on Sunday.

VATICAN CITY – A report released Monday suggests a softening of church teachings on re-marriage, extra-marital sex, and homosexuality halfway through synod.

   VATICAN CITY – Allowing divorcees who remarry to take communion will be one of the issues in contention at a synod of 200 Roman Catholic bishops at Saint Peter's.

LAMPEDUSA – A memorial service was held on Friday on the island in honour of the 366 people who lost their lives in the shipwreck which took place Oct 3 2013.

ROME – Security around St. Peter's Square has been doubled recently due to an increased concern of a possible terrorist threat against Pope Francis and the Vatican.

TIRANA – The pontiff’s trip to the predominantly Muslim country was a great success despite increased security fears, Vatican officials announced Monday.

NAPLES – Thousands gather today in Naples Cathedral to feast, commemorate the martyrdom of the principal patron Saint of Napoli, Saint Januarius, and marvel at what is know as The Blood Miracle.

VATICAN – On Sunday Pope Francis officiated at the marriages of twenty couples in Saint Peter’s Basilica, some of whom already cohabit or have children. 

KAMENGE (BURUNDI) – Third victim named as Pope Francis expresses his grief over the deaths of three Italian nuns in Burundi.

 VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis gave a private audience Monday to Turkish Ambassador to the Holy See Kenan Gursoy and confirmed he hopes to travel to Turkey soon, diplomatic sources said.