Pope Francis

In an effort to cut down on corruption among Vatican employees, Pope Francis instituted a new policy that prohibits them from receiving any work-related gift with a value over 40 euros ($48). The "work-related" qualifier will likely be open to interpretation, but the new rule is aimed at cutting back…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — Pope Francis continued his crackdown on financial corruption at the Vatican on Thursday (April 29) by issuing a decree requiring church bureaucrats, clergy or lay, to sign a declaration stating that they have no assets in tax havens. The papal decree, known as a motu proprio,…

Pope Francis said in his Earth Day message on Thursday that the planet was "at the brink" and humanity had to avoid "the path of self destruction." The pope, who has issued many appeals for environmental protection since his election in 2013, spoke in two video messages, one for the…

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — After decades of child sexual abuse scandals, the Catholic Church is ready to share its successes — and failures — with other religious and lay institutions. At an April 8-10 online symposium with religious representatives from around the world, Pope Francis expressed his hope that together,…

Pope Francis appealed for peaceful coexistence in Iraq on Sunday as he prayed for the country’s war dead amid the ruins of four demolished churches in Mosul that suffered widespread destruction in the war against Islamic State. The Pope travelled to northern Iraq on the final day of his historic…

Pope Francis has said Mass to thousands of people in the packed Franso Hariri stadium in Erbil. At the end of the last official event before he returns to Rome on Monday, Francis told the crowd: "Iraq will always remain with me, in my heart." He closed by saying "salam,…

Pope Francis and Iraq's top Shiite cleric delivered a powerful message of peaceful coexistence Saturday, urging Muslims in the war-weary Arab nation to embrace Iraq's long-beleaguered Christian minority during an historic meeting in the holy city of Najaf. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said religious authorities have a role in protecting…

Saturday marks the second day of Pope Francis' historic four-day historic pilgrimage to Iraq. The Pope met with Iraq's Grand Ayatollah, calling for interfaith unity. Chris Livesay reports from Iraq. Read More

Pope Francis met with Iraq’s Shia Muslim leader before crossing the desert to the ruins of the ancient city of Ur for an interfaith meeting. March 7, 2021 Read More

Pope Francis is in Iraq to encourage Christians to return home after years of persecution and violence Iraq declared on Saturday that March 6 will be a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence following the landmark visit by Pope Francis to the country. The pontiff is in Iraq to encourage…