At Synagogue, Pope Says Covenant Is Not Broken

While the Catholic Church affirms that salvation comes through Jesus, it also recognizes that God is faithful and has not revoked his covenant with the Jewish people, Pope Francis said.

New Year’s Eve at Vatican

Pope Francis visits the Nativity scene in St. Peter’s Square after vespers New Year’s Eve in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican Dec. 31.

Vatican Royalty

Pope Francis accepts offertory gifts from children dressed as the Three Kings during Mass marking the feast of Mary, Mother of God, in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Fewer People Visiting Vatican

More than 3.2 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services at the Vatican in 2015, the Vatican said.

Pope Prescribes Antidotes To Cure What Ails Curia

If Pope Francis sees the church as a field hospital after battle, then his annual Christmas address to the Roman Curia often looks like the triage tent, with him holding the charts.

Pope Begins Jubilee Year Of Mercy

On a cloudy, damp morning, Pope Francis’ voice echoed in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica: “Open the gates of justice.” With five strong thrusts, the pope pushed open the Holy Door, a symbol of God’s justice, which he said will always be exercised “in the light of his mercy.”

The Vatican Christmas Stamp Features 15th Century Painting

This year’s Vatican Christmas stamps feature a 15th-century manuscript illumination of the Holy Family. The special edition stamps went on sale Nov. 19 in two denominations of 80 euro cents and 95 euro cents in sheets of 10.

Vatican Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is positioned in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. It arrived earlier than usual to be ready for the Dec. 8 opening of the Holy Year of Mercy.