Vatican diplomacy
Vatican’s top diplomat begins a 6-day visit to Vietnam aimed at normalizing relations
By Aniruddha Ghosal — April 10, 2024
HANOI, Vietnam (AP) —Vietnam described that appointment as a “historic moment,” underscoring a stronger relationship that could have implications in the future for the Holy See’s ties with China.
For Pope Francis and Vatican diplomats, peace in Ukraine more important than ideology
By Claire Giangravé — March 26, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The pope’s peace mission in Ukraine hasn’t failed, according to Vatican diplomacy experts.
Celebration of lay Catholics of Sant’Egidio highlights group’s growing influence
By Claire Giangravé — February 9, 2024
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Members of the lay movement have been handpicked by Pope Francis to aid him at the Vatican.
Nicaraguan Bishop Rolando Álvarez and 18 priests arrive in Rome from prison, guests of Vatican
By Associated Press — January 16, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Bishop Rolando Álvarez and the other clergy were jailed more than a year ago, in most cases, as part of a crackdown on the opposition and Catholic church by Ortega.
The most important stories from the Vatican in 2023
By Claire Giangravé — December 27, 2023
(RNS) — Francis has continued to push for changes in the church, braving daunting opposition and several medical scares.
Confusion follows Pope Francis’ audience with Israeli and Palestinian delegations
By Claire Giangravé — November 22, 2023
(RNS) — The Vatican denied that Francis referred to the Israeli attacks in Gaza as genocide.
The head of China’s state-backed Catholic church begins historic trip to Hong Kong
By Kanis Leung — November 14, 2023
HONG KONG (AP) — Experts said the invitation was a symbolic gesture that could strengthen the fragile relationship between China and the Vatican.
Head of China’s state-backed Catholic church will visit Hong Kong as ties with Vatican are strained
By Kanis Leung — November 6, 2023
HONG KONG (AP) — Joseph Li, the state-appointed archbishop of Beijing, will take a five-day trip to Hong Kong starting Nov. 14 at the invitation of the city’s newly appointed cardinal Stephen Chow
Pope Francis mobilizing Vatican diplomats to quell a world war he says has begun
By Claire Giangravé — November 2, 2023
(RNS) — Pope Francis and the Vatican are pursuing peace in the globe’s two major conflicts, working through official and unofficial channels.
Vatican seeks to defuse tensions with Israel as it offers mediation in the Holy Land
By Claire Giangravé — October 16, 2023
(RNS) — The Israeli foreign minister asked for ‘an unequivocal and clear condemnation’ of Hamas by the Holy See.
New crop of cardinals shows Francis’ push for dialogue, whatever the cost
By Claire Giangravé — September 28, 2023
(RNS) — From the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to relations with China and Russia, Pope Francis has made dialogue a key theme of his pontificate, a principle reflected in his latest crop of new cardinals.
Vatican brings its message for peace in Ukraine to Beijing
By Claire Giangravé — September 15, 2023
(RNS) — The meeting with Chinese officials is the latest step in Pope Francis’ appeals for peace in Ukraine.
Catholics in Ukraine struggle as Pope Francis’ approval rating is at an all-time low
By Claire Giangravé — September 14, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis and Ukraine have a different vision for peace in the region.
After accusations by top Ukrainian official, Vatican Bank denies receiving funds from Russia
By Claire Giangravé — September 11, 2023
VATICAN CITY (RNS) — A high-ranking Ukrainian official accused the Vatican of taking money from Russia and called Pope Francis a ‘Russophile.’
What the pope’s visit to Mongolia says about his priorities and how he is changing the Catholic Church
By Kristy Nabhan-Warren — August 21, 2023
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Roman Catholicism explains why Pope Francis’ visit to Mongolia, home to fewer than 1,500 Catholics, is significant.
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