October 21, 2020 Pope Francis returns to not wearing a mask amid growing criticism A day after donning a face mask for the first time during a liturgical service, Pope Francis was back to his mask-less old ways Wednesday despite surging coronavirus infections across Europe and growing criticism of his behavior and the example he is setting.
October 13, 2020 Hydrogen-powered Toyota Popemobile donated to the Holy See Toyota built the car for Pope Francis' trip to Japan last year.
October 7, 2020 Pope Francis calls on Catholics to pray the rosary amid pandemic, other 'looming threats' His remarks come just days after he laid out his vision for a post-COVID world.
October 1, 2020 Pompeo defends criticizing Vatican over China ties Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did not get his meeting with Pope Francis, but he said he did have very constructive talks with the Vatican secretary of state and some other high-level prelates on Thursday -- less than two weeks after he criticized plans for the Vatican to renew an agreement with China regarding church operations.
September 6, 2020 Pope: Gossiping is "plague worse than COVID" Amid the weird, crazy year of the global coronavirus pandemic, the pope said on Sunday that gossiping is worse than COVID-19.
September 2, 2020 Pope holds first public audience in months, prays for Beirut and solidarity during coronavirus pandemic Pope Francis called for a day of prayer and fasting in Italy to commemorate the one-month mark after the deadly blast that destroyed large swaths of Beirut and killed hundreds.
August 19, 2020 Pope Francis warns against prioritizing coronavirus vaccines by social class The world can emerge from the coronavirus pandemic "either better or worse," the pontiff said in improvised remarks during a weekly public speech at the Vatican. "We must come out better.”
August 7, 2020 Pope Francis names six women to Vatican council in historic shift Pope Francis appointed six women to oversee the Vatican's finances on Thursday, making them the most senior female officials who have ever served there.
July 21, 2020 Vatican: In rare cases, lay faithful can lead marriage rite The Vatican said on Monday that in very exceptional circumstances and with special permission, lay Catholics can be allowed to perform marriage rites.
July 14, 2020 Turkey’s decision to convert Hagia Sophia into mosque strikes fears for other holy sites Religious and political leaders are decrying Turkey's decision to make Istanbul's Hagia Sophia, known for its Christian origin and as the secular Muslim nation's most popular tourist site, into a mosque.