# pope francis
Last week
19th March 2023 - 25th March 2023
# Catholic Church
Pope Francis extends 2019 sex abuse law to cover lay leaders
A letter, directly sent by the pontiff, also said that vulnerable adults could be victims of predator priests
This month
March 2023
# Los Angeles
Family pays tribute to Cork native Bishop David O'Connell as funeral takes place in LA
Bishop David O’Connell was fatally shot on 18 February in the bedroom of his Los Angeles home.
Last month
February 2023
# pope francis
Pope Francis urges end to ethnic hatred at open-air mass in South Sudan
It was the pontiff’s first visit to the largely Christian country since it achieved independence from mainly Muslim Sudan in 2011.
# Kinshasa
Pope Francis slams 'brutal atrocities' of conflict during Congo visit
The pontiff also appealed to those who ‘plunder, scourge and destabilise’ the turbulent region to lay down their weapons.
January
January 2023
# Congo
Pope Francis denounces 'economic colonialism' in Africa on first day of tour
‘Stop choking Africa: It is not a mine to be stripped or a terrain to be plundered,’ the pope said.
# pope francis
Pope Francis: Those criminalising homosexuality are 'wrong'
The Pontiff has written a letter clarifying his earlier comments about homosexual acts being a sin.
# LGBTQ
Pope calls for bishops to welcome LGBTQ people into church
Some 67 countries or jurisdictions worldwide criminalise consensual same-sex sexual activity, 11 of which can or do impose the death penalty.
# Lying in state
Tens of thousands pay tribute to ex-pope Benedict at Vatican
Today is the first day of three days of lying-in-state at St Peter’s Basilica.
# Pope Benedict XVI
Pope leads New Year's services with homage to 'beloved' Benedict
Delivering his Sunday Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, the pope bowed his head in a moment of silence.
Last year
2022
# Vatican
Vatican says health of retired pope Benedict XVI ‘worsening’
95-year-old Benedict became the first pontiff to resign in six centuries when he stepped down in 2013.
# Christmas Message
Pope Francis calls for an end to 'senseless' war in Ukraine in Christmas message
The pope made the address from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.
# Catholic Church
Pope removes entire leadership of Vatican-based Caritas charity
This comes after outside experts highlighted management and procedural “deficiencies”.
# Nicaragua
Pope 'concerned' after Nicaraguan bishop detained
Pope Francis said he was following “closely with concern and sorrow” the situation in Nicaragua, two days after bishop and regime critic Rolando Alvarez was detained.
# pope francis
Pope Francis says he may have to slow down or retire
The 85-year-old pope has been using a wheelchair more frequently due to knee pain.
# pope francis
Pope to begin ‘penitential pilgrimage’ in Canada to apologise to Native peoples
Pope Francis will express his sadness over the horrors of church-run Indigenous residential schools.
# pope francis
Pope appoints first women to Vatican department responsible for choosing new bishops
Two nuns and a laywoman have been appointed to the Dicastery for Bishops.
# Vatican
Pope Francis dismisses resignation rumours
Francis also said he hopes to visit Moscow and Kyiv.
# Passport Office
Family miss out on meeting the Pope due to passport delays
The Taoiseach said it must be very distressing for the mother and her four children who did not make their flight today.
# pope francis
Pope Francis fuels speculation on future
Italian and Catholic media have been rife with unsourced rumours that the 85-year-old, who is suffering mobility problems, might resign.
# pope francis
Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals
Many of the names are figures from outside Europe, keeping with Francis’s determination to have church leaders reflect the global face of the Catholic Church.
# Vatican
Powerful Vatican prelate Cardinal Angelo Sodano dies aged 94
His legacy was tarnished by his support for the paedophile founder of an influential religious order.
# Catholic Church
Pope Francis apologises to Canadian Indigenous people for abuse at church-run schools
Numerous investigations into the former residential schools are underway across Canada after the discovery of mass unmarked graves.
# Oh The Humanity
Pope claims having pets not kids robs us of 'humanity'
The Pope said replacing children with pet dogs or cats is a ‘denial of fatherhood and motherhood’.
All time
# Family
Pope warns of 'demographic winter' and advises married couples to use 'please, thanks and sorry'
Francis has acknowledged how some relationships may have become strained during lockdown.
# pope francis
Pope Francis urges humility as he chides cardinals and bishops in Christmas address
As he has before, the pontiff used his annual Christmas address to take Vatican administrators to task for their perceived moral and personal failings.
# Greece
Pope calls Europe's neglect of migrants 'the shipwreck of civilisation' during Lesbos visit
The pontiff said Europe was “torn by nationalist egoism”.
# Vatican
Joe Biden’s meeting with Pope Francis runs into overtime
Biden’s support of abortion rights and same-sex marriage has put him at odds with many US bishops.
# Vatican
Cardinal on trial as Vatican financial scandal case resumes
Cardinal Angelo Becciu served as the equivalent of chief of staff for Pope Francis at the time of the deal.
# Budapest
Pope Francis calls for 'openness' after meeting Hungary's Orban
The pontiff has said Europe must welcome migrants, while the Hungarian prime minister is staunchly against mass immigration.
# Vatican
Vatican challenges Italian homophobia law in 'unprecedented' move
The Vatican argues the anti-homophobia law violates a treaty between Rome and the Holy See.
# reinhard marx
Pope refuses to accept resignation of German cardinal over sex abuse scandal
German Cardinal Reinhard Marx offered to resign as archbishop of Munich and Freising over the church’s mishandling of abuse cases
# Vatican
Pope updates canon law to address sexual abuse of children by priests
It came after repeated complaints by victims of sexual abuse and others that previous wording within the code was outdated and opaque.
# Papal Visit
Phoenix Park gates to be rehung this summer nearly three years after Pope Francis visit
The OPW said it was hopeful the €800,000 plus refurbishment would be completed by the end of July.
# Iraq
'I have heard voices of sorrow and loss': Pope Francis leaves Iraq after historic trip
During the first ever papal trip to Iraq, the Pope called for an end to violence and extremism.
# Papal Visit
Pope prays for Iraq’s war dead in Mosul on last day of tour
The pontiff was due to celebrate an open-air Mass on the last day of his visit.
# Papal Visit
Iraqi Shiite leader says Christians should live 'in security and peace' after meeting Pope Francis
Pope Francis met with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Iraq today.
# Papal Visit
Pope Francis arrives in Iraq for first papal visit amid pandemic and security concerns
Foreign minister Fuad Hussein said Iraqis were eager to welcome Francis’s ‘message of peace and tolerance’.
# pope francis
Intense preparations being carried out ahead of Pope's visit to Iraq
Pope Francis is set to meet the revered Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf.
# Capitol Violence
Pope calls for US to show 'sense of responsibility'
Pope Francis urged the US authorities to protect democratic values.
# Urbi et Orbi
Pope Francis pleas for Covid-19 vaccines for all in Christmas Day message
The pontiff also called for fraternity and compassion to be shared among all peoples this Christmas.
