Pope Francis opens ministries of lector and acolyte to women: A CNA Explainer

Vatican City, Jan 11, 2021 / 11:45 am (CNA).- On Jan. 11, Pope Francis published an apostolic letter issued motu proprio (which means “on his own impulse” in Latin), modifying canon law regarding women’s access to the ministries of lector and acolyte. He also released a letter to Vatican doctrinal chief Cardinal Luis Ladaria explaining his reasoning for the decision.

What’s changed?

Why is the internet abuzz with false claims of a ‘Vatican blackout’?: A CNA Explainer

CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2021 / 07:30 am (CNA).- On Sunday, Jan. 10, the internet was abuzz with false reports of an overnight blackout at the Vatican, accompanied by a series of claims concerning Pope Francis, the Italian police, and the FBI. The claims were widely shared by conspiracy theorists, generating bewilderment and concern among Catholics around the world.

What happened?

Pope Francis admits women to ministries of lector and acolyte in new motu proprio

Vatican City, Jan 11, 2021 / 04:05 am (CNA).- Pope Francis issued a motu proprio Monday changing canon law to allow women to serve as lectors and acolytes.

Pope Francis: We need unity in the Catholic Church, society, and nations

Rome Newsroom, Jan 10, 2021 / 02:30 pm (CNA).- In the face of political discord and self-interest, we have an obligation to promote unity, peace, and the common good in society and in the Catholic Church, Pope Francis said Sunday.

Pope Francis asks Immaculate Virgin Mary to intercede for US after Capitol violence

Vatican City, Jan 10, 2021 / 05:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis prayed Sunday for the United States, asking the Immaculate Virgin Mary to help foster a “culture of encounter” after the recent violence at the U.S. Capitol Building.

“I extend an affectionate greeting to the people of the United States of America, shaken by the recent siege of Congress. I pray for those who lost their lives, five lost in those dramatic moments,” Pope Francis said after his Angelus address Jan. 10.

Pope Francis' doctor dies from COVID-19 complications

Rome, Italy, Jan 9, 2021 / 11:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis' personal doctor, Fabrizio Soccorsi, has died from health complications related to the coronavirus, according to the Vatican.

The 78-year-old physician, who was being treated for an "oncological pathology," died at Rome's Gemelli Hospital, according to Vatican newspaper L'Osservatore Romano.

Pope Francis 'astonished' by disruption at US Capitol

Vatican City, Jan 9, 2021 / 09:51 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has said he was surprised by the news of the incursion of pro-Donald Trump protestors into the U.S. Capitol Building this week, and has encouraged people to learn from the event in order to heal.

First lay head of disciplinary commission at Roman Curia appointed

Vatican City, Jan 8, 2021 / 04:40 pm (CNA).- For the first time, the Disciplinary Commission of the Roman Curia will be presided by a layperson after Pope Francis appointed professor Vincenzo Buonomo, rector of the Pontifical Lateran University. And it is possible that more laypersons will be appointed for other Vatican positions.

Pope Francis sends message of encouragement to Venezuelan cardinal

CNA Staff, Jan 8, 2021 / 01:00 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis sent a message this week to Cardinal Baltazar Porras Cardoza, as Venezuela suffers the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on top of a severe socio-economic crisis.

Vatican preparing ‘joint message’ on Martin Luther with Lutheran World Federation

Vatican City, Jan 8, 2021 / 12:00 pm (CNA).- The Vatican’s ecumenical office is preparing a “joint message” on Martin Luther with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), a cardinal said Friday.

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