exclamation

Important notice: To continue serving our valued readers during the postal disruption, complete unrestricted access to the digital edition is available at no extra cost. This will ensure uninterrupted digital access to your copies. Click here to view the digital edition, or learn more.

Faith

A general view shows the New Safe Confinement structure over the old sarcophagus covering the damaged fourth reactor at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, in Chernobyl, Ukraine, April 7, 2022. The Pontifical Academy of Sciences has warned that Russia's war on Ukraine raises the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons and the unleashing of radioactive material from nuclear power plants.

Pontifical Academy of Sciences raises alarm about nuclear weapons

By

Russia's war on Ukraine frighteningly raises the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons, the unleashing of radioactive material from nuclear power plants and a new push to develop or acquire nuclear weapons, including by terrorists, said members of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

A view of central Kharkiv, Ukraine, shows the area near the regional administration building March 1, 2022.

Cardinal: Vatican looking at implications of possible papal visit to Kyiv

By

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, said it appeared Ukraine could keep Pope Francis safe if he made a wartime trip to Kyiv, but the pope's safety was not the Vatican's only concern.

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Peter Turkson chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences. Cardinal Turkson, pictured in a Feb. 11, 2022, photo, succeeds Bishop Marcelo Sanchez Sorondo, who will be 80 in September.

Cardinal Turkson to head pontifical academies of sciences, social sciences

By

Pope Francis has named Cardinal Peter Turkson the new chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, two groups of top-level scholars and experts who promote studies on issues of concern to the Vatican.

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in is seen at the Vatican in this 2020 file photo. On March 19, 2022, Pope Francis promulgated the long-awaited constitution reorganizing the Roman Curia.

Changes to Curia constitution open positions to laity

By

VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican office led by a cardinal or archbishop has no more authority than one led by a layperson because all offices of the Roman Curia act in the name of the pope, said experts presenting Pope Francis' new constitution on the Curia's organization.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov attends a news conference following talks with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Ruslan Kazakbayev, in Moscow March 5, 2022. Russian authorities released a statement March 8 saying that Lavrov spoke over the phone with Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, about the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine.

Vatican secretary of state speaks with Russian foreign minister

By

VATICAN CITY -- In a telephone call with Russia's foreign minister, the Vatican secretary of state "conveyed Pope Francis' deep concern about the ongoing war in Ukraine," the Vatican said.

People sort donations from Vatican employees for Ukraine outside the Governatorato, a building housing the Vatican's governing offices, at the Vatican March 7, 2022.

Vatican mobilizes humanitarian efforts to aid Ukraine

By

VATICAN CITY -- As the Russian military continues to bombard Ukraine, the Vatican is mobilizing efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to those suffering.

Pope Francis

Canon Law amendments grant bishops more authority

By

VATICAN CITY -- Saying he wanted to promote a “healthy decentralization” of some aspects of Church life, Pope Francis made several changes to Church law, granting greater authority to individual bishops, bishops’ conferences and synods of bishops of the Eastern Catholic churches.

Then-Archbishop Luis Ladaria, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, arrives for a meeting with Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican in this May 11, 2018, file photo. On Feb. 14, 2022, Pope Francis split the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith into two main sections: doctrine and discipline.

Pope Francis restructures the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

By

VATICAN CITY -- As part of ongoing measures to reform the Roman Curia, Pope Francis has approved restructuring the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the oldest of the congregations.

A woman on a boat talks with a friend in the evening in Valletta, Malta, in this March 25, 2010, file photo. The Vatican announced that Pope Francis will visit the island nation of Malta April 2-3, 2022.

Vatican confirms Pope Francis to visit Malta in April 2022

By

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will visit Malta April 2-3, a Vatican spokesman said.

Pope Benedict XVI is pictured during his final general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in this Feb. 27, 2013, file photo. The retired pope released a statement Feb. 8 concerning the recent report on abuse in the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, where he served as archbishop from 1977-1982.

Benedict asks forgiveness in response to Munich abuse report

By

VATICAN CITY -- At the age of 94, retired Pope Benedict XVI said he knows he will soon stand before God's judgment and he prayed that he would be forgiven for his shortcomings, including in handling allegations of clerical sexual abuse.

Pope Benedict XVI gives Communion to a young man during Mass at Westminster Cathedral in London in this Sept. 18, 2010, file photo. During the service the pope expressed his "deep sorrow" to the victims of clerical sexual abuse, saying these crimes have caused immense suffering and feelings of "shame and humiliation" throughout the church.

Vatican editorial defends Benedict XVI after release of abuse report

By

VATICAN CITY -- A Vatican editorial defended retired Pope Benedict XVI's record in fighting clerical sexual abuse after the release of a report that accused him of mishandling four cases during his time as archbishop of Munich.

Page 9 of 150