Vatican

The Vatican has reported a second miracle that can soon make Blessed Carlo Acutis, a Saint.

Pope Francis led a Palm Sunday service the day after he was discharged from hospital following a bout of bronchitis, and urged the world to take better care of the poor, the lonely and the infirm.

The treatment has seen "a marked improvement in his state of health" and Francis could be back home in the Vatican "in the coming days"

Tests showed a respiratory infection that was not Covid-19, requiring "a few days of appropriate hospital medical treatment"

Pope Francis marked the Roman Catholic Church's traditional World Day of Peace on Sunday but the start of the new year at the Vatican was overshadowed by the death of his predecessor, Benedict.

Former pope Benedict XVI remains in a serious but stable condition, Italian media reported Thursday, the day after the Vatican revealed the 95-year-old's health had deteriorated.

Pope says ex-pontiff Benedict 'very ill'

The pope has called for peace in Ukraine ever since Russia invaded its neighbour in February, condemning the war but seeking to maintain a delicate dialogue with Moscow.

A man toppled two ancient Roman busts in the Vatican Museums on Wednesday, causing moderate damage before being stopped by staff and arrested, a museums source said.

The Vatican acted to mend strained relations with Ukraine on Tuesday after Pope Francis upset Kyiv by referring to Russian ultra-nationalist Darya Dugina.

Pope Francis, who has often said he may step down in the future if bad health impedes him from leading the Catholic Church, on Sunday praised the humility of one of the few popes in history to resign willingly instead of ruling for life.

Pope Francis will on Saturday create 20 new cardinals picked from the four corners of the world, most of whom could one day end up choosing the pontiff's successor.

Pope Francis asks North Korea to invite him to visit

Pope Francis on Tuesday acted to eliminate wiggle room or foot- dragging by Vatican departments in imposing tighter financial controls, setting a deadline for the closing of investment portfolios in foreign banks, including in Italy.

Pope Francis will install the first cardinal of Brazil's Amazon region this month in a sign of his concern for the rainforest and its indigenous inhabitants, the man whom he picked for the role said.

Becciu has been charged with embezzlement and abuse of office over the purchase of the London property.

Following the operation, a statement from the Vatican said he has reacted well to the intervention.

The pope was driven in a golf cart around the historic Old City, largely razed during the grinding fight to dislodge the jihadists.

Pope Francis is an outspoken proponent of interfaith efforts and has visited several Muslim-majority countries including Bangladesh, Turkey, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

Bruck, now 88, has been settled in Rome for many years and is now an Italian citizen.

The virus has killed more than 37,000 people in Italy, but thousands have also turned out in recent days to protest curbs on social activities.

The Pope's favourable stance on civil unions marks a step away from a 2003 document prepared by the Vatican's dogma office, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Most of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics were in forced confinement as the Pope spoke.

Pope Francis apologised for slapping the hand of a woman who grabbed him on New Year's Eve.

Thousands of Palestinians and foreigners converged in Bethlehem, revered by Christians as the birthplace of Jesus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

This will be the pope's third trip to Asia, taking him to two Buddhist-majority countries.

The Vatican has created a smart wearable device for praying.

Former Irish president Mary McAleese has strongly criticized the Catholic Church over a lack of gender inclusion and LGBT rights.

A Vatican magazine has denounced how nuns are often treated like indentured servants in the Roman Catholic Church.

A Vatican gendarme intercepted her and she was detained. Femen's website identified her as Alisa Vinogradova and called her a "sextremist".