Faith
Vatican says general absolution may be permissible during pandemic
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- In places particularly hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and with severe limits on people leaving their homes, conditions may exist to grant general absolution without people personally confessing their sins first, the Vatican said.
Pope Francis updates Vatican City State judicial system
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis updated the laws that govern the Vatican judicial system in an effort to establish greater transparency and independence, particularly in financial and criminal matters.
Vatican says public will not be admitted to papal Holy Week liturgies
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The Vatican office that distributes free tickets to papal events has posted a notice on its website that "the liturgical celebrations of Holy Week will take place without the physical presence of the faithful."
After leading 'virtual' Angelus, pope blesses crowd in St. Peter's Square
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY - Pope Francis did not recite the Sunday Angelus from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square March 8, but he did go to the window to wave and to bless the pilgrims who showed up anyway.
French cardinal Barbarin resigns following overturned abuse conviction
By Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of French Cardinal Philippe Barbarin of Lyon, five weeks after a French appeals court overturned his conviction for failing to report clerical sexual abuse.
Abuse rules ordered for lay movements
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Days after revelations of sexual abuse committed by Jean Vanier, a Vatican abuse expert said organizations led by a charismatic leader who is followed uncritically and commands or demands control over members are at risk for cases of physical, sexual and psychological abuse.
Pope Francis skips penance service with Rome clergy due to mild cold
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis did not attend a traditional penitential service with priests of the Diocese of Rome due to a mild cold, the Vatican said.
Vatican to open WWII archives, research will take time, archivists say
By Carol Glatz, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- When the Vatican's wartime archives open to researchers March 2, it will be just the start of what should be a long, slow process of studying, analyzing and publishing findings, said the Vatican's archivist and librarian.
Vatican official denies use of charity money for London property deal
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Italian Cardinal Giovanni Angelo Becciu, prefect of the Congregation for Saints' Causes, denied allegations that money earmarked for helping the poor was used to invest in a London property deal.
Pope Francis: New Vatican finance laws are working
By Cindy Wooden, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- The decade-long process of updating the laws of Vatican City State is part of the Vatican's support for international commitments to protect people and safeguard vulnerable groups, who are "frequently the victims of new, odious forms of illegality," Pope Francis said.
Pope Francis defrocks Argentine founder of religious institute
By Junno Arocho Esteves, Catholic News ServiceVATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis expelled from the priesthood the founder of Miles Christi, a religious institute based in Argentina, after he was found guilty of sexual and physical abuse.