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A priest hears confession inside the cathedral in Valencia, Spain, May 19, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic. In an interview Dec. 5 with the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, said confession by phone is still most likely invalid.

Cardinal upholds 'probable invalidity' of confession by phone

VATICAN CITY - Even though the world is facing a pandemic that may limit many people's ability to celebrate the sacraments, particularly those people who are in isolation, quarantining or hospitalized with COVID-19, confession by phone is still most likely invalid, said Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary.

Pope Francis greets Iraqi President Barham Salih at the Vatican Jan. 25, 2020. The Vatican has confirmed Pope Francis will visit Iraq March 5-8.

Pope Francis plans to visit Iraq in March

VATICAN CITY - Barring any obstacles caused by the global pandemic, Pope Francis is set to begin international travel again in 2021 by visiting Iraq in March, which would make him the first pope to visit this nation.

Red birettas are pictured during Pope Francis' Mass with new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican Nov. 29, 2020.

Pope Francis creates 13 new cardinals at consistory

VATICAN CITY -- One by one 11 senior churchmen, including two U.S. citizens -- Cardinals Wilton D. Gregory of Washington and Silvano M. Tomasi, a former Vatican diplomat -- knelt before Pope Francis to receive their red hats, a cardinal's ring and a scroll formally declaring their new status and assigning them a "titular" church in Rome.

Fr. Ivan Camilleri

Problem solved: Camilleri appointed Toronto auxiliary

As a man naturally drawn to problem solving, Fr. Ivan Camilleri says he finds fulfilment in helping others in their journey of faith.

The Chinese national flag flies in front of a Catholic church in the village of Huangtugang, Hebei province, China.

Vatican says bishop ordained in China is in communion with pope

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican confirmed that a bishop recently ordained in China is in full communion with the pope and that more Vatican-approved nominations would be coming.

Advent candles and a wreath help bring focus to the time before the coming of our Lord. This Advent, may we find greater resonance with Mary.

The season is still about the coming of Christ

Getting ready for Christmas in the middle of a pandemic will certainly be different.

The stained glass panels at Frassati House in Kingston, Ont. — depicting, from left, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, St. Oscar Romero, St. Maximilian Kolbe and Blessed Karl of Austria — were produced by Joseph Aigner of Artistic Glass in Toronto and commissioned by Fr. Raymond J. de Souza.

Windows of inspiration for Catholic men

In the lead-up to the Nov. 22 feast of Christ the King, young men in Kingston, Ont., were introduced to a saintly king and emperor, Bl. Karl of Austria.

Pope Francis meets then-Cardinal Theodore E. McCarrick during his general audience at the Vatican June 19, 2013.

McCarrick report documents repeated lack of serious investigation

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Although dogged for years by rumors of sexual impropriety, Theodore E. McCarrick was able to rise up the Catholic hierarchical structure based on personal contacts, protestations of his innocence and a lack of church officials reporting and investigating accusations, according to the Vatican report on the matter.

Archbishop Edgar Pena Parra, substitute secretary for general affairs in the Vatican Secretariat of State, is pictured in Maputo, Mozambique, in this Sept. 5, 2019, file photo. Archbishop Parra is one of three members on a joint commission established by Pope Francis to transfer the administration and control of the Vatican Secretariat of State's assets to two separate Vatican bodies.

Pope Francis expedites transfer of management of Secretariat of State assets

VATICAN CITY -- After the Vatican Secretariat of State missed a Nov. 1 deadline to hand over the management and monitoring of its own assets to two separate Vatican bodies, Pope Francis set up a commission to make the transfer and external oversight happen.

A visitor wears a mask for protection from the coronavirus while touring the Vatican Museums Feb. 2, 2020. The Vatican has announced that museums and necropolis tours will be closed to the public from Nov. 5-Dec. 3 as Italy faces increased COVID-19 cases and restrictions.

Vatican shuts down museums as COVID-19 cases, deaths mount in Italy

VATICAN CITY -- As COVID-19-related deaths in Italy reached their highest daily level since early May and Italy began enacting new restrictions to slow the spread, the Vatican decided it will once again close its museums to the public.

Bishop Nunzio Galantino, now president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See, is pictured with Pope Francis during the pope's visit to Cassano allo Ionio, Italy, in this June 21, 2014, file photo. In an Oct. 31 interview with the newspaper Avvenire, Bishop Galantino said investments by the Vatican's Secretariat of State are now under tighter control.

Investments by Secretariat of State now under tighter control, says bishop

VATICAN CITY -- A lack of oversight and control over the Vatican Secretariat of State's investment activities may have facilitated some bad property deals, said Bishop Nunzio Galantino, president of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See.

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