Pope Francis officially launched the 2025 Holy Year on Christmas Eve by opening the Holy Door at St. Peter's Basilica, an event expected to draw over 30 million pilgrims to the Italian capital city, Rome.
Since the first Holy Year in 1300, passing (...)
Pope Francis has called for a ceasefire on all war fronts in his Sunday Angelus prayer ahead of Christmas, condemning the "cruelty" of bombing schools and hospitals in Ukraine and Gaza.
"Let the weapons fall silent and let the Christmas carols ring (...)
ROME — Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, received Sheikh Muhammad Al-Issa, secretary general of the Muslim World League and chairman of the Muslim Scholars Association, at the Pope's office in Vatican City.
During the meeting, they (...)
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and early Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, according to Palestinian medical officials.
Israeli authorities permitted Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the leader of the (...)
Syrian and Russian jets are stepping up strikes on opposition forces in northern Syria in retaliation for the sudden offensive that has cost the regime control of the country's second largest city, Aleppo.
The offensive has also led to the capture (...)
It's the first time that Francis has openly urged for an investigation of genocide allegations over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. In September, he said Israel's attacks in Gaza and Lebanon have been "immoral" and disproportionate, and that its (...)
On September 18, 2024, Omar Harfouch brought his visionary "Concerto for Peace" to the prestigious Théâtre des Champs-Elysées in Paris.
A unique fusion of classical and oriental music, the concert captivated a capacity audience of over 1,900 people. (...)
Russian missiles have hit a civilian container ship at a port in Ukraine's Odesa region, killing eight people, according to local officials.
"This is the third attack on a civilian vessel in the past four days," said the region's governor, Oleh (...)
The Catholic Church was ashamed and humiliated by the clerical sexual abuse in Belgium, Pope Francis said on Friday, stating that it "must be ashamed and try to resolve the situation with Christian humility and make every effort so this doesn't (...)
LISBON — The Board of Parties of the International Center for Dialogue (KAICIID) held its regular meeting at its headquarters in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon.
The meeting, which took place in the presence of KAICIID Secretary-General, Dr. Zuhair (...)
Pope Francis began a landmark 12-day visit to Asia and Oceania on Tuesday, starting with Indonesia in what is the longest trip of his pontificate.
"Today I begin an Apostolic Journey to several countries in Asia and Oceania. Please pray that this (...)
Israel and the United States are preparing for a potential Iranian attack on Israel, as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza intensify ahead of the expected resumption of formal negotiations this week.
Mediators have urged Israel and Hamas to (...)
When are reports of a weeping statue fake news? How credible is the claim that a holy relic led to a miraculous healing? And how should a divine apparition be confirmed?
These are the themes addressed in the Vatican's new guidelines on supernatural (...)
Pope Francis has used his traditional Easter message to call for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and for the return of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
The 87-year-old pontiff led Easter Mass at the Vatican in front of thousands, despite concerns over (...)
Pope Francis has no intention of retiring and plans to remain in post for life, according to his new autobiography.
In "Life: My Story Through History", Pope Francis, who is 87, says there is "no risk" of him resigning despite speculation he might (...)
Pope Francis has sparked anger after saying Ukraine should have the "courage of the white flag" and negotiate to end the war with Russia.
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS) published on Saturday, Francis was asked (...)
Two gunmen attacked a Catholic church in Istanbul, turning morning mass into a scene of terror and killing one man.
The shooting happened at the Church of Santa Maria during Sunday mass at around 11:40 local time (08:40 GMT).
Turkey's interior (...)
Taiwan has lost another diplomatic ally to China just days after its presidential election in what Taipei said was both sudden and designed by Beijing to suppress the island's "democratic achievements."
The Pacific Island nation of Nauru on Monday (...)
People across Europe welcomed 2024 against a backdrop of heightened security concerns.
Ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and tensions in parts of the world, have affected this year's New Year's Eve celebrations in a myriad of ways.
Many cities in (...)
Security has been stepped up around Christmas celebrations in the Vatican, Germany and Austria over attack concerns, the Associated Press reported.
Sightseeing visits were barred at Germany's landmark cathedral in Cologne and Christmas Eve (...)
The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says an Israeli air strike killed at least 70 people in the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in the centre of the strip.
A spokesman said the death toll was likely to rise given the large number of families living in the (...)
Pope Francis has allowed priests to bless same-sex couples, a significant advance for LGBT people in the Roman Catholic Church.
The leader of the Roman Catholic Church said priests should be permitted to bless same-sex and "irregular" couples, under (...)
A multi-million-pound investment in a luxury property in London that went wrong, a once powerful Vatican cardinal secretly recording a conversation with the pope and a female security consultant accused of spending church funds on fashion (...)
In one corner: Pope Francis, who insists on a merciful Catholic Church open to everyone, a "field hospital" ready to bind up the wounds of a suffering humanity. In the other corner: a small but vocal minority that has set itself against the Pontiff (...)
Countries and oil companies at the UN climate talks have promised to make major progress in tackling global warming in a large new energy pledge.
Around 100 countries promised to treble world renewable energy use by 2030.
And 50 oil and gas (...)
