The Vatican & The Pope

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Vatican excommunicates a former ambassador to the US and declares him guilty of schism

ROME (AP) — The Vatican on Friday excommunicated its former ambassador to Washington after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable outcome for Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano. The conservative had became one of Pope Francis ' most ardent critics and a symbol of the polarized Catholic Church in the United States and beyond.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-vigano-schism-excommunicate-170df099cd1fe2cf556485c8a3acd072?

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Church sex abuse scandals in East Timor have been met by silence, but Pope Francis’ visit brings new attention When the Vatican acknowledged in 2022 that the Nobel Peace Prize-winning, East Timorese independence hero Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo had sexually abused young boys, it appeared that the global clergy sexual abuse scandal that has compromised the Catholic Church’s credibility around the world had arrived in Asia’s newest country. And yet, the church in East Timor today is stronger than ever. Read more.

Key points: Pope Francis will come face to face with the Timorese faithful on his first trip to the country. But so far, there is no word if he will meet with victims or even mention the sex abuse directly, as he has in other countries where the faithful have demanded an accounting from the hierarchy for how it failed to protect their children.   “Bishops are powerful, and in developing countries where the church is dominant, they are inordinately powerful,” said Anne Barrett Doyle, of the online resource Bishop Accountability. “But no case we’ve studied exhibits as extreme a power differential as that which exists between Belo and his victims.”   Because so many remember the church’s significant role during the nation’s fight for independence, it has fostered an environment where it is difficult for victims of abuse to speak out for fear of being labeled anti-church.

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Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis is embarking on his longest trip yet despite a series of health complications in recent months. Earlier today, the 87-year-old pontiff landed in Indonesia, kicking off a marathon 12-day visit to four countries in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific — which also includes Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. It is one of the longest foreign trips any pope has taken and marks the furthest geographical distance (about 20,000 miles) that Francis has traveled since his 2013 election. Analysts say the landmark visit will allow the pope to highlight key themes of his pontificate, including inter-religious dialogue and protection of the environment.

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Pope Francis

 

Pope Francis arrived in the tiny Southeast Asian nation of East Timor earlier today for the penultimate stop on a marathon trip through Asia and the South Pacific for the 87-year-old pontiff. East Timor is one of the world’s youngest countries and has deep ties to the Catholic Church, which was influential in its fight for independence from Indonesia. The country of just 1.3 million people is the second-most Catholic country in the world, with 97% of the population identifying as Catholic — the highest share outside of the Vatican. But the issue of clerical sexual abuse is also hanging over this leg of the pope’s visit as revelations of mistreatment concerning high-profile East Timor clergy have emerged in recent years. Two years ago, the Vatican acknowledged that it had secretly disciplined East Timor bishop and Nobel Peace Prize winner Carlos Ximenes Belo after he was accused of sexually abusing boys decades before.

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Pope Francis’ Mass in East Timor draws 600,000 people, nearly half the population

TASITOLU, East Timor (AP) — An estimated 600,000 people — nearly half of East Timor’s population —- packed a seaside park Tuesday for Pope Francis’ final Mass, held on the same field where St. John Paul II prayed 35 years ago during the nation’s fight for independence from Indonesia.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-asia-east-timor-john-paul-ii-8a12d6cfa771b2603d1044afd4ac68a8?

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Pope expels a bishop and 9 other people from a Peru movement over ‘sadistic’ abuses

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis took the unusual decision Wednesday to expel 10 people – a bishop, priests and laypeople -- from a troubled Catholic movement in Peru after a Vatican investigation uncovered “sadistic” abuses of power, authority and spirituality.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-abuse-peru-sodalicio-068c8f57dfc37aa86f14198ad08f9157?

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Pope Francis

Pope Francis has selected 21 new cardinals in a move that broadens the pool of who will choose his successor. Cardinals are second only to the pope in the church hierarchy, hold senior positions in the Vatican and act as the pope's main advisers. Most of them will elect the next pontiff. Francis, 87, made the surprise announcement Sunday after commenting on the spiraling conflict in the Middle East. Among the new list is the Archbishop of Tehran Dominique Mathieu, a Belgian missionary, with the pope's decision to choose a cardinal in Iran likely part of his desire to push for dialogue with Islam and peace in the Middle East. Francis also chose a Ukrainian bishop, Mykola Bychok, who at 44 will become the youngest cardinal. His selections also include bishops from Indonesia, Algeria, Japan and the Ivory Coast.

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Pope’s child protection board urges transparency from Vatican sex abuse office and compensation

Pope Francis’ child protection board called Tuesday for victims of clergy sexual abuse to have greater access to information about their cases and the right to compensation, in the first-ever global assessment of the Catholic Church’s efforts to address the crisis.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-sex-abuse-report-catholic-pope-f87c5e22b48a96b37179c244ccfa8032?

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Vatican, Microsoft create AI-generated St. Peter's Basilica to allow virtual visits

The Vatican and Microsoft on Monday unveiled a digital twin of St. Peter’s Basilica that uses artificial intelligence to explore one of the world’s most important monument’s while helping the Holy See manage visitor flows and identify conservation problems. Read More.

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Pope Francis Chooses Humble Burial, Redefines Papal Tradition

In a move symbolic of his vision for a simpler, more grounded Catholic Church, Pope Francis has announced his intention to forgo the traditional, ornate burial rites observed by his predecessors. The 87-year-old pontiff’s decision reflects his commitment to humility and a focus on Christ-centered faith, challenging centuries of Vatican tradition.

https://www.beliefnet.com/columnists/christnewstoday/2024/11/pope-francis-chooses-humble-burial-redefines-papal-tradition.html?

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Pope Francis presides over ceremony for new cardinals with wide bruise on his chin

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis was seen with a significant bruise on his chin Saturday, but presided over a ceremony to install new cardinals without apparent problems.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-bruise-chin-health-cardinals-consistory-a4329e36f9e36809511f0b461155b396?

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Pope Francis kicks off a yearlong Jubilee that will test his stamina and Rome’s patience

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis kicked off the 2025 Holy Year on Tuesday, inaugurating a celebration of the Catholic Church that is expected to draw some 32 million pilgrims to Rome in a test of the pope’s stamina and the ability of the Eternal City to welcome them.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-holy-year-jubilee-957b791dcb4143c9f33e4cb23ea9cd6b?

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Pope appoints Trump critic to be archbishop of Washington, DC

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, a vocal defender of migrants and critic of Donald Trump’s first administration, as the next archbishop of Washington, DC.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/06/europe/robert-mcelroy-archbishop-washington-intl/index.html?

Pope Francis has named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, tapping an Italian nun

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis on Monday named the first woman to head a major Vatican office, appointing an Italian nun, Sister Simona Brambilla, to become prefect of the department responsible for all the Catholic Church’s religious orders.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-women-cf2602d26d3ec84a7993f872916b1b89?

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Pope Francis congratulates Trump but calls mass deportation plan a "disgrace"

Pope Francis offered President Trump his congratulations on returning to the White House, but called his plan to deport millions of immigrants from the U.S. a "disgrace."

https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/pope-francis-trump-mass-deportation-disgrace?

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Pope Francis’ hospital treatment dealing with ‘complex clinical’ condition, Vatican says

Pope Francis has a “polymicrobial infection” of his respiratory tract that will require his hospital treatment to be changed, the Vatican said Monday, with tests indicating a “complex clinical picture” for one of the oldest popes in the church’s history.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/17/europe/pope-francis-polymicrobial-infection-intl/?

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Vatican authorities say the pope now has pneumonia in both lungs. How worrying is that?

LONDON (AP) — Vatican officials have said Pope Francis has developed pneumonia in both lungs, further complicating his recovery. The 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized Friday after a weeklong bout of bronchitis worsened. On Monday, doctors said he had developed a mix of infections in his respiratory tract.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-illness-explainer-pneumonia-vatican-6c90fdb0d03ed1703293564686a80978?

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Pope Francis isn’t out of danger but his condition isn’t life-threatening, medical team says

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis’ complex respiratory infection isn’t life-threatening but he’s not out of danger, his medical team said Friday, as the 88-year-old pontiff marked his first week in the hospital battling pneumonia in both lungs — along with bacterial, viral and fungal infections on top of his chronic bronchitis.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-pneumonia-hospital-b211a400c4cedc1f419d932447cfc189?

Pope given high flows of oxygen but has peaceful night in hospital, Vatican says

Pope Francis has received high flows of oxygen after suffering a respiratory crisis but had a peaceful night in hospital, the Vatican said.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/21/europe/pope-francis-rome-hospital-pneumonia-one-week-intl/index.html?

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?️ Pope in critical condition

Pope Francis is conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen this morning, as he remains in critical condition with a complex lung infection, the Vatican said.

• The brief statement said: "The night passed quietly, the pope rested."

 

Pope Francis is conscious and receiving supplemental oxygen following a respiratory crisis

Pope Francis was conscious but still receiving high flows of supplemental oxygen Sunday following a respiratory crisis and blood transfusions, as he remains in critical condition with a complex lung infection, the Vatican said. Read more.   Pope shows ‘slight improvement’ but remains in critical condition, Vatican says Pope Francis is showing “slight improvement” but is still in “critical” condition, the Vatican said in an update on Monday, adding that his mild kidney issues are not concerning. https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/23/europe/pope-francis-hospital-kidney-intl-latam/? Pope Francis The Vatican says Pope Francis is in critical condition and is experiencing "mild" kidney failure due to a complex medical issue that landed him in the hospital over a week ago. While officials say he is responding to treatment, it's another unwelcome health complication for the 88-year-old pontiff. Francis is currently fighting pneumonia in both lungs and suffered an acute respiratory crisis on Saturday, which is "currently under control," the Vatican said. The Pope continues to be "vigilant and well oriented," the Vatican added, though he did not deliver the weekly Angelus prayer Sunday — for only the third time in his almost 12-year papacy.

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Pope Francis' health stays critical but stable as Vatican starts nightly prayers in St. Peter's Square

Vatican City — Pope Francis remained in critical but stable condition Tuesday evening, with his blood parameters remaining stable as he works from the hospital while battling double pneumonia, the Vatican said.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pope-francis-thousands-pray-st-peters-square/?

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Pope Francis had two episodes of ‘acute respiratory failure’ but is alert and resting, says Vatican

Pope Francis experienced “two episodes of acute respiratory failure,” the Vatican said Monday, marking the latest in a series of medical crises the 88-year-old pontiff has endured since he was first hospitalized last month.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/03/europe/pope-francis-respiratory-failure-intl/index.html?

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In his own words: Pope Francis’ views on resigning changed over time

ROME (AP) — As he recovers from pneumonia in the hospital, Pope Francis has increasingly handed off his day-to-day responsibilities to cardinals as questions swirl about the near and long-term future of his papacy.

https://apnews.com/article/pope-francis-resignation-memoir-9e98edbc7c04c5383e6393d212b10711?

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? Pope's first photo in a month

The Vatican released the first photograph of Pope Francis in more than a month yesterday. The pontiff is shown in a three-quarter view from behind sitting in a wheelchair before the altar of his personal hospital chapel.

• He was celebrating Mass with other priests in the 10th-floor papal apartment in the Gemelli hospital in Rome.

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Pope Francis to be discharged from hospital on Sunday

Pope Francis will be discharged on Sunday from the hospital where he has spent more than a month being treated for double pneumonia, Dr. Sergio Alfieri, the head of the team taking care of the pontiff, announced.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/22/europe/pope-francis-release-hospital-intl/index.html?

Pope Francis appears frail as he’s discharged from hospital to continue recovery at Vatican

Pope Francis was released from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he has been battling double pneumonia for the past five weeks, on Sunday, returning to the Vatican where he will continue his recovery.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/23/europe/pope-francis-hospital-appearance-intl?

Pope Francis is back home after a 5-week hospital stay for life-threatening double pneumonia

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A frail Pope Francis returned to the Vatican on Sunday after a five-week hospitalization for life-threatening double pneumonia, and he made a surprise stop at his favorite basilica on the way home before beginning two months of prescribed rest and recovery.

https://apnews.com/article/vatican-pope-first-public-appearance-hospital-pneumonia-cacf6c5cb7d5c09595973aeb8f51e44f?

Pope Francis came so close to death that his medical team considered stopping treatment

The medical staff looking after Pope Francis considered stopping his treatment so he could die, according to the lead doctor, while the 88-year-old pontiff was hospitalized with a drawn-out respiratory illness.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/europe/pope-francis-doctors-treatment-intl/index.html?

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Venezuela will have its first female saint after approval from Pope Francis

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela is set to have its first female saint following approval from Pope Francis.

https://apnews.com/article/venezuela-female-saint-pope-francis-carmen-rendiles-bda0ada90dc32aad74c3f24cc40de920?

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Pope wishes ‘Happy Easter’ to delighted crowds at Vatican after briefly meeting Vance

Pope Francis gave the traditional Easter blessing on Sunday, appearing from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica in front of delighted crowds after a brief meeting with Vice President JD Vance in what marks his highest-profile appearance yet since being discharged from hospital.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/20/europe/pope-easter-blessing-sunday-appearance-pneumonia-intl/index.html?

?️ Pope's Easter blessing

Pope Francis tours St. Peter's Square this morning. Photo: Gregorio Borgia/AP Pope Francis made his highest-profile appearance since his hospitalization this morning, bestowing a blessing at the end of the Easter mass at the Vatican. He also took a surprise popemobile ride through the piazza, a scene that was common in the past but unthinkable just a few weeks ago as the 88-year-old Francis fought for his life, AP reports. "Brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!" Francis said. Photo: Vatican Media via AP Earlier in the morning, the pope met briefly with Vice President Vance to exchange Easter greetings.   Pope Francis, voice for the poor who transformed the Catholic Church, dies on Easter Monday Pope Francis, a voice for the poor who overcame fierce resistance to reshape the Catholic Church, died of a stroke and heart failure on Easter Monday at the age of 88, the Vatican announced. https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/21/europe/pope-francis-dies-intl/index.html?