Pope Francis appointed Matteo Bruni to serve as director of the Vatican press office, replacing Alessandro Gisotti, who had been serving as interim director since Dec. 31.
International News
Pelosi, Wolf Urge US to Call Out China for Religious Freedom Abuses
Democratic Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi described repression of religious minorities in China as a “challenge to the conscience of the world” Tuesday during the opening day of a high-level U.S. summit on religious freedom.
Vatican’s ’Empty Tomb’ a Challenge to Credibility When it Matters
Christianity, of course, is founded on the discovery of an empty tomb. Perhaps it’s only fitting, therefore, that Christ’s vicar on earth now has his own “empty tomb” ferment on his hands.
Empty Tomb at Vatican Raises Questions About Missing Bodies
The Vatican opened on July 11 two graves in the Teutonic Cemetery next to St. Peter’s Basilica in hopes of finding the remains of Emanuela Orlandi, the daughter of a Vatican bank employee who has been missing since 1983, and found that Orlandi’s remains weren’t there.
CEO Zuckerberg Confirms That Facebook Blocked Pro-Life Ads in Ireland
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has confirmed that the social media giant blocked Americans from posting ads supporting the right to life in Ireland during the election cycle before Ireland’s referendum last year that made abortion legal in that country.
Pope Names Women as Full Members of Congregation for Religious
Pope Francis named six superiors of women’s religious orders, a consecrated laywoman and the superior of the De La Salle Christian Brothers to be full members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.
Vatican Lifts Immunity of Papal Diplomat Accused of Assault
The Holy See has waived the diplomatic immunity of a Vatican diplomat who has been under investigation by authorities in Paris for allegedly sexually assaulting a city official.
Irish Primate Urges Protection of Pro-Life Laws in Northern Ireland
Ireland’s top prelate warned against an attempt to “hijack” a bill concerning Northern Ireland’s government to legalize abortion in the territory.
Pope Meets Putin; Two Leaders Talk About Ukraine, Syria, Venezuela
Pope Francis welcomed Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Vatican July 4, and the two discussed the ongoing wars in Eastern Ukraine and in Syria, the Vatican said. Russia plays a major role in both conflicts.
French Government Moves Forward on Notre Dame Restoration Plans
Nearly three months after a fire devastated Paris’s famed Notre Dame Cathedral, France’s National Assembly moved closer to enacting legislation to approve the restoration process and timeline for one of the world’s most beloved landmarks.