More than 3.2 million pilgrims visited and attended papal events, liturgies or prayer services at the Vatican in 2015, the Vatican said.
Vatican
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.
Christmas in St. Peter’s Square
The Christmas tree and Nativity scene decorate St. Peter’s Square during a lighting ceremony at the Vatican.
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.
Leaked Docs Won’t Stop Vatican Reforms
Leaked and published information about Vatican financial problems and irregularities were already known and are the reason “measures have already been taken that have begun to bear fruit,” Pope Francis said.
Arrests at Vatican Plug Leaks
A Vatican official and a former lay consultant on a pontifical commission were arrested for leaking documents to an Italian journalist who has announced plans to publish the documents in a book.
Vatican Releases Papal Schedule for Africa
Despite continued instability and outbreaks of violence in the Central African Republic, the Vatican announced Pope Francis will spend about 33 hours in the country during a Nov. 25-30 visit to Africa.
Vatican Opens Shelter at Vatican for Homeless Men
“Gift of Mercy,” a shelter for homeless men, is just a few hundred yards away from St. Peter’s Square.