Federico Lombardi
Raising expectations for the Vatican’s abuse summit
By Mark Silk — February 5, 2019
There's good reason to think significant progress will be made.
Vatican urges a slowdown in the rush to reform
By Eric J. Lyman — October 9, 2013
ROME (RNS) The Diocese of Freiburg in Germany recently broke ranks and said divorced and remarried Catholics could receive Communion if they were "trying to live according to their faith."
Pope Francis redirects employee bonuses to charity
By Alessandro Speciale — April 18, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Francis apparently meant what he said when he spoke of a "poor church, for the poor": Vatican employees won't get the $1,300 bonus many were expecting with the election of a new pope.
Pope Francis opts for Vatican guesthouse instead of papal apartment
By Alessandro Speciale — March 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) With his move to a Vatican guesthouse, Pope Francis becomes the first pope since 1903 not to live in the regal papal apartment that overlooks St. Peter's Square.
Vatican defends Pope Francis’ actions during Argentina’s ‘Dirty War’
By Alessandro Speciale — March 15, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican swiftly rejected accusations that Pope Francis sided with the brutal Argentinian government in the 1970s when he was a Jesuit leader.
Pope Francis’ first day hints at a change in papal style
By Alessandro Speciale — March 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Not only is he the first Latin American and the first Jesuit to serve as pope, but Pope Francis seems bent on shaking the ritualized world of Vatican traditions and taboos.
Vatican makes final preparations for papal conclave
By Alessandro Speciale — March 11, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI's former personal secretary will return to Rome to assist the opening of the papal election in the Sistine Chapel, highlighting the unprecedented situation created by the resignation of a living pope.
Vatican goes high-tech to ensure conclave secrecy
By Alessandro Speciale — March 8, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The high-tech defenses the Vatican is deploying for next week’s conclave are so impressive that it will be a miracle if even the Holy Spirit can slip in to the Sistine Chapel to do its job.
Vatican: Conclave to start on Tuesday
By David Gibson — March 8, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The conclave to pick a new pope will begin on Tuesday, an apparent compromise between cardinals who wanted to get things going and those who wanted more time to size up potential contenders.
The papal election timeline: Coffee, cocktails, then conclave
By David Gibson — March 7, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Because the closed-door conclave doesn't allow cardinals to do much talking to each other, they're taking their time getting started to allow the electors to size up the candidates.
Cardinals hold first meeting but don’t set date for conclave
By Alessandro Speciale — March 4, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Roman Catholic cardinals will be called on to decide the start date of the conclave to elect a new pope, but they don't seem to be in a hurry to do so.
Pope Benedict defends choice to resign in last public address
By Alessandro Speciale — February 27, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) In his final public address, Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday forcefully defended his decision to resign from the papacy while trying to reassure Catholics still reeling from the shock of his unprecedented move.
Benedict will be ‘Pope Emeritus’ after resignation
By Alessandro Speciale — February 26, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI will be known as “Pope Emeritus” after his retirement on Thursday, and will continue to wear the traditional white papal vestments.
Vatican mulling changes to election of new pope
By Alessandro Speciale — February 20, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) The Vatican confirmed that Pope Benedict XVI is considering changing church law regulating the election of a new pope, but stopped short of saying whether he would authorize an earlier start to the conclave.
Benedict intends to live ‘hidden from the world’
By Alessandro Speciale — February 14, 2013
VATICAN CITY (RNS) Pope Benedict XVI said Thursday that he intends to live "hidden from the world'' in retirement even as his closest aide will assist his successor.
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