How the Vatican Became a Country
A secretive deal, a historic compromise. February 11, 1929, marked a key moment in the modern history of the Church. On that day, with the signing of the Lateran Treaty—an agreement between the Holy See and Italy—the Vatican City State was officially established. Lateran Treaty: Vatican City State A Historic Agreement That Changed the Church’s […]
Vatican to Meet SSPX After Unauthorized Bishop Plan
Planned consecrations could trigger automatic excommunication and deepen rupture with Rome. The Vatican will receive representatives of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) following the traditionalist group’s announcement that it plans to consecrate new bishops without permission from Rome — a move that could incur automatic excommunication of all bishops involved and deepen […]
Pope Leo XIV Laments Lack of Progress in Protecting Children
The pontiff told organizers of a Vatican-backed initiative that global crises are still leaving many children in extreme poverty. Pope Leo XIV on Thursday voiced deep concern at a “lack of progress in protecting children from danger” as he met with the organizing committee of the initiative “From Crisis to Care: Catholic Action for Children.” […]
Pope Leo XIV Urges Christians to Strengthen Unity
The pontiff said Christians grow closer when they deepen their shared faith in Christ, “the ultimate source of our peace.” Pope Leo XIV on Thursday called on Christians to remove prejudices and “disarm” their hearts in order to strengthen bonds of unity in Christ and advance the cause of Christian communion. The pope made the […]
Church Angel Resembling Giorgia Meloni Painted Over
The restored fresco in an ancient church in Rome sparked controversy after one of the angels depicted in the restoration bore a striking resemblance to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The recent restoration of a fresco in an ancient baroque church in central Rome, just a short distance from the Spanish consulate and the Italian […]
Monastic
Trappist Bishop Erik Varden of Trondheim will preach the week of spiritual exercises, with two daily meditations beginning Feb. 22. A week of spiritual exercises for Pope Leo XIV and the Roman Curia at the start of Lent will take on a distinctly monastic character, with the retreat returning to the Apostolic Palace but relocating […]
Pope Leo XIV’s Liturgical Celebrations for Lent and Holy Week
The Vatican has published the schedule of liturgies that Pope Leo XIV will celebrate in February, March, and the beginning of April, which includes the start of Lent, Holy Week, and Easter. The Vatican has published the schedule of liturgies that Pope Leo XIV will celebrate in February, March, and the beginning of April, a […]
Pope Leo XIV Warns Against a New Global Arms Race
At his general audience, Pope Leo XIV appealed for renewed nuclear arms-control efforts and asked Catholics to proclaim the Gospel in ways that speak to people’s real lives. Pope Leo XIV warned Wednesday of the grave danger of a “new global arms race” as the New START nuclear weapons treaty between the United States and […]
Vatican: SSPX, Newman, and the Olympics
From gestures of peace ahead of the Winter Games to historic appointments and emerging tensions, this week’s Vaticano Updates highlight key developments shaping the life of the Church under Pope Leo XIV. Vatican & SSPX, Newman, and the 2026 Olympics A Cross of Unity Ahead of the Winter Games A powerful symbol of unity through […]
Pope Leo XIV’s February Prayer Intention: Children Who Are Ill
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of February is for children with incurable diseases. Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of February is for children with incurable diseases. In a video to be released on Feb. 5, the Holy Father prayed that the faithful would realize that “the smiles, even in […]