Vatican News

The cross has changed the meaning of suffering, says papal preacher on Good Friday

Vatican City, Apr 10, 2020 / 11:57 am (CNA).- Through his death on the cross, Jesus has redeemed all human pain, including the suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap., said at the Vatican on Good Friday.

The apostolic preacher said “the cross of Christ has changed the meaning of pain and human suffering -- of every kind of suffering, physical and moral.”

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis recalls priests dying amid pandemic

Vatican City, Apr 9, 2020 / 01:30 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis recalled the priests who have lost their lives during the coronavirus crisis as he offered the Mass of the Lord’s Supper in a nearly empty St. Peter’s Basilica.

“I cannot allow this Mass to pass by without mentioning the priests,” Pope Francis said in his homily on April 9.

“Today all of you brother priests, you are with me on the altar,” the pope said on Holy Thursday.

Malta court authorizes seizure of €29 million in Vatican bank assets

Washington D.C., Apr 9, 2020 / 01:00 pm (CNA).- A Maltese court has authorized the seizure of assets belonging to the Institute for Works of Religion (IOR), commonly called “the Vatican Bank.” The garnishment order was issued last month, allowing three companies involved in a lawsuit against the bank to seize €29.5 million in assets.

Vatican thanks Chinese groups for donations to combat coronavirus

Vatican City, Apr 9, 2020 / 07:00 am (CNA).- The Vatican has thanked Chinese organizations for donating medical supplies to help it combat the coronavirus.

The Holy See press office said April 9 that the Vatican Pharmacy had received donations from Chinese groups including the Red Cross Society of China and the Jinde Charities Foundation of Hebei Province.

Retired Scripture professor is first priest known to die in Rome of coronavirus

Vatican City, Apr 8, 2020 / 02:45 pm (CNA).- Fr. Miguel Ángel Tábet is believed to be the first priest to die of the coronavirus in Rome. Two other priests living in the same residence of Opus Dei in Rome remain hospitalized.

The 78-year-old priest died on April 8 after treatment in the intensive care unit of the Biomedical University of Rome. He was an emeritus professor of Sacred Scripture and the exegetical history at the Pontifical University of Santa Croce.

‘Thank God I’m healing’: Cardinal with coronavirus sends Easter message

Vatican City, Apr 8, 2020 / 10:30 am (CNA).- The first cardinal known to have tested positive for coronavirus has released a message from hospital, thanking his flock for their prayers and saying he is recovering from the disease.

Writing from the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, where he was hospitalized March 30, Cardinal Angelo De Donatis said: “Thank God I'm healing and I should be discharged soon.” 

Pope Francis establishes new commission to study women deacons

Vatican City, Apr 8, 2020 / 06:30 am (CNA).- The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis has created a new commission to study the question of a female diaconate in the Catholic Church, after some members of the 2019 Amazon synod requested the pope re-establish a 2016 commission on the subject.

Among the 10 theologians making up the new study commission are two permanent deacons, three priests, and five lay women. They hail from Europe and the United States.

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