The first joint prayer since Henry VIII anchors a Vatican day focused on peace, climate ahead of COP30 in Belém, and closer Anglican Catholic ties, with Charles named Royal Confrater at Saint Paul Outside the Walls.
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Curia cleanup, abuses, Ukraine-Russia mediation, China. A month of pontificate as a litmus test of the Leo method.
In the U.S., Catholics have been embracing technological innovations to transform the way their faith is practiced and shared. Even Pope Leo XIV has highlighted the importance of using modern communication tools such as social media.
Jumping straight into the geopolitical fray, the words of the U.S.-born pontiff are meant to single out Vladimir Putin — a notable difference with Pope Francis. The timing may also be just right to help his fellow American, Donald Trump, orchestrate the end to the war.
Die Zeit speaks with Father Lukas Schmidkunz, who has known Robert Provost for a long time, about the man who has become Pope Leo XIV.
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The pre-conclave favorite, Italy’s Pietro Parolin had a good number of preferences in the first two votes, but his support dropped off in the third ballot. Meanwhile, the darkhorse candidacy of Robert Prevost had been gaining momentum, thanks to a well-organized U.S. campaign.
In electing Pope Leo XIV, the institution of the Catholic Church appears quite clear about the place it should occupy beyond its spiritual commitment.
With photographs from the Vatican, Kyrgyzstan and the Czech Republic, among other places.
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“HabemUS papam!” The global press covers the election of Chicago-born Robert Prevost as Pope Leo XIV, the first North American to be elected pope.
Italian novelist Viola Ardone reflects on childhood dreams, institutional patriarchy, and why the Catholic Church still silences women as 133 cardinals gather to elect the next pope.
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If a compromise was found in pre-Conclave talks, it would likely be a shorter wait for white smoke. Keep an eye on the Italians.
In the last hours before the Cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel, a negotiation between powerful Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Luis Tagle, a favorite of the Church’s progressive wing from the Philippines could unblock the election for the next Pope.
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As the conclave approaches, Vatican intrigue intensifies, with Italian ambitions, global rivalries and conservative strategy shaping the next papal election.
Each cardinal brings strengths and weaknesses, but a Vatican insider tells La Stampa that it is now clear: more time is needed.
Pope Francis had a remarkable impact on the Vatican. In Poland, the last Catholic stronghold of Europe, Francis took action, forcing high-ranking officials in the Church to resign, and dismissing some altogether. For Poland, a country still reckoning with the impacts of Pope John Paul II, both positive and negative, Francis’s papacy held particular weight.
Despite his distance from traditional centers of power, Pope Francis strengthened the Church’s role as a global mediator, a legacy now highlighted by the remarkable Trump-Zelensky encounter at his funeral.
In the wake of Pope Francis’s death and Trump’s return to power, fears of civilizational decline abound. But Italian political analyst Gabriele Segre argues that apocalyptic narratives risk becoming self-fulfilling prophecies.
The link between political developments in the Middle East and the theological and cultural exchange between Judaism and Christianity has always remained tight. Since Oct. 7, old ghosts have appeared — and ugly insinuations against the late Pope.
The Argentine-born pontiff appeared equal parts combative and caring, and apt to share parts of papal life long held secret by his predecessors. A look back on a of a pope who was more like you and me than bishops of Rome are thought to be — and who seemed to be just fine with it all.
Victor “Tucho” Fernandez, one of the closest collaborators of Pope Francis, recounted his last encounter: “This world has lost a father”.
In life and in death, Francis has been praised as a reformer, even if he basically left the Church structurally untouched. His image was shaped more by clever media strategy than genuine change.
Right-wing authoritarians around the world are speculating on an opportunity: the next pope could be one of their own. It would provide much moral authority on a global stage.
To revisit the life and journey of Pope Francis, we are republishing a La Stampa article from shortly after his rise to the papacy.
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One day after the announcement of Pope Francis’ death, the global press is paying hommage to the pontiff.
A defender of immigrants and leader of interfaith dialogue, Pope Francis’ strength was his presence where people needed him.
Prophecy necessarily destabilizes, disturbs, disrupts, subverts. And precisely because he was a prophet, Pope Francis at times appeared to clearly be unsuitable for the role of Supreme Pontiff, which requires prudence, diplomacy, patience, moderation. Yet nobody can doubt his faith, or his commitment to speak before God on behalf of the world.
Pope Francis’s final days were marked by calls for mercy and solidarity, including a critical meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance over immigration policies. He dedicated his final energy to being with his flock for one last Easter Mass.
A special meeting of Cardinals has reportedly been scheduled, though the Vatican denies that it is linked to any announcement of the 88-year-old pontiff stepping down. Still, others ask why the Pope hasn’t at least appeared from his hospital window. In both cases, the example of his two predecessors, John Paul II and Benedict XVI hang over the question of resignation.
Only a select few reside behind the walls — and even fewer women. From strict rules to unique traditions, is life inside this “man’s world” worth the sacrifice?
Pope Francis appears incapable of grasping that for Ukraine to “raise the white flag” would be to concede defeat, and accept the victory of evil over good. Is he a poor theologian or a poor global strategist, or both?
Argentina’s rabidly privatizing president, Javier Milei, had a curiously warm meeting with “socialist” and fellow Argentine Pope Francis. As both have an emotive side and abhor the technocratic élites, it could even open the door to an unlikely entente, and even a long-awaited papal visit.
It is not only the health of the Pope that worries the Holy See. From the collapse of vocations to the conservative wind in the USA, there are many ills to face.
The synod had promised to bring forth revolutionary ides for both members of the LGBTQ and women within the Church. But looking at the first session’s conclusion reveals that hopes for change may have come too early.
Pope Francis has convoked a momentous synod gathering in Rome to debate changes to Catholic doctrines and practices. It is a frontal reformist push that reflects the current pope’s ideals — and it has conservatives seething.
An agreement between the Vatican and Beijing was quietly renewed recently. However, China still views Catholicism with a mix of deep suspicion and general distraction. Meanwhile the faithful and pastors are caught between two very different worlds.