21/03/2013 | Argentina

Pérez Esquivel meets Pope, rejects links to last dictatorship

Pope Francis met today with Nobel Peace Prize winner Adolfo Pérez Esquivel who defended the new pontiff against accusations of involvement with the last military dictatorship.

28/03/2013 | Argentina

Vatican names Bergoglio's successor in Buenos Aires

Pope Francis has appointed Bishop Mario Auerlio Poli, 65, of the diocese of Santa Rosa to succeed him as archbishop of Buenos Aires, the Vatican said today.

18/03/2013 | Argentina

CFK asks Pope for his 'holy intervention' over Malvinas case

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner told reporters to be surprised by the Pope Francis’ invitation to share lunch with her, and revealed she asked the pontiff for his "holy intervention" ovewr Malvinas case in a press release celebrated at the Vatican.

19/03/2013 | Argentina

Hope for change as new Pope inaugurated

19/03/2013 | Argentina

CFK, first head of state to salute Pope Francis

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner was the first head of state to salute Pope Francis after the inauguration mass.

10/12/2012 | Argentina

President inaugurates 'Nativity scene' exhibition

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner inaugurated a "nativity scene" replica of the Vatican's Christmas crèche on display in St. Peter's Square, and wished the Argentines "merry Christmas."

14/03/2013 | Argentina

Against liberalism, critic of the IMF and foreign debt

By Carlos Burgueño
Harsh critic of free-market liberalism, the IMF and adjustment policies, and defender of the debt restructuring processes, Jorge Bergoglio, now Pope Francis, never refused to define where he stands when it comes down to economics, even in the most difficult moments.

17/03/2013 | Argentina

CFK arrives in Rome for papacy inauguration

President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner arrived to the Vatican where she will meet with elected Pope Francis and attend the inauguration mass of his papacy next Tuesday.

10/05/2013 | World

Pope Francis, Egypt's Coptic leader meet, pray for communities reconciliation

At the Vatican today not one, not two, but three popes were inside the tiny city-state's walls at the same time. Coptic Pope Tawadros II and Catholic Pope Francis, each addressing the other as "Your Holiness", prayed together for reconciliation among communities and nations without mention of events in Egypt.

15/05/2013 | World

Disgraced Cardinal O'Brien to leave Scotland for penance

Cardinal Keith O'Brien, who resigned as head of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland after acknowledging sexual misconduct, will leave Scotland for months of "prayer and penance", the Vatican said.

05/04/2013 | World

Pope Francis wants Church to 'act decisively' against sex abuse

Pope Francis wants the Catholic Church to "act decisively" to root out sexual abuse of children by priests and ensure that the perpetrators undergo due process, the Vatican said today.

12/04/2013 | World

Pope meets Vatican administrators ahead of changes at top

Pope Francis held his first meeting with staff of the Vatican department that was at the center of last year's scandal over leaked documents alleging corruption, ahead of expected changes to its leadership.

07/05/2013 | World

Pope Francis to visit Brazil slum, meet prisoners, on first trip

Pope Francis will visit a favela and meet young prisoners when he travels to Brazil on his first international trip as pontiff in July, the Vatican said.

17/03/2013 | World

'Show mercy, don't rush to condemn others' failures,' Pope Francis

Pope Francis, speaking to an overflow crowd of more than 150,000 in St Peter's Square, urged the world to be more forgiving and merciful and not so quick to condemn other people's failures.

19/03/2013 | World

New pope's style an implicit criticism of Benedict's papacy

With every day Pope Francis reigns, his style reveals more contrasts with his predecessor Benedict in ways that amount to an unspoken criticism of how the retired pontiff conducted his papacy.

28/03/2013 | World

Pope includes women for first time in Holy Thursday foot-washing rite

Two young women were among 12 people whose feet Pope Francis washed and kissed at a traditional ceremony in a Rome youth prison on Holy Thursday, the first time a pontiff has included females in the rite.

15/03/2013 | World

Pope to cardinals: 'Let us never give in to the pessimism'

Pope Francis today urged leaders of the Roman Catholic Church never to give in to discouragement and bitterness but to keep their eyes on their true mission.

15/03/2013 | World

Official translation of Pope Francis' first homily

Pope Francis delivered his first homily last night in the Sistine Chapel, indicating the path he wanted the Catholic Church to take. Here is the Vatican's official translation of the homily, released today.

15/03/2013 | World

Vatican denies Pope Francis stayed silent during dictatorship

The Vatican today strongly denied accusations by some critics in Argentina that Pope Francis stayed silent during systematic human rights abuses by the former military dictatorship. Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi told reporters the accusations "must be clearly and firmly denied." He added, "They reveal anti-clerical left-wing elements that are used to attack the Church."

13/03/2013 | World

Pope Francis welcome in Malvinas, says priest

By Andrew Hughes. - The head of the Catholic Church in the Malvinas Islands, Monsignor Michael McMarcam, told the Herald that he was delighted by the news of Pope Francis’ election.

14/03/2013 | World

For electing him, Pope Francis tells cardinals: 'May God forgive you'

"May God forgive you," Bergoglio said to the cardinals at a dinner, raising loud laughter, according to the Vatican’s Spoeksman, Federico Lombardi.

14/03/2013 | World

With Francis, 'we'll have to get used to a new way of doing things'

The Vatican, an age-old institution used to having almost everything done by the book, is bracing for the unscripted papacy. In less than 24 hours after he became the first non-European pope in some 1,300 years, Francis seemed to break more rules than his predecessor did in eight years.

13/03/2013 | World

Faithful celebrate in St Peter's Square

13/03/2013 | World

Bergoglio delivers first blessing

Pope Francis, the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Argetnina, delivered his first blessing to a huge crowd in St Peter's Square on Wednesday night, asking for the prayers of "all men and women of good will" to help him lead the Catholic Church.

13/03/2013 | World

Vatican takes to Twitter to announce new Pope

The Holy See announced to the World that a new Pope had been chosen not only through white smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel, but also via a social network after it tweeted “Habemus Papam”.

08/03/2013 | World

Chimney raised on Sistine Chapel as conclave nears

Vatican workers hoisted a chimney onto the roof of the Sistine Chapel in readiness for the conclave of Roman Catholic cardinals that will elect a successor to Pope Benedict.

11/03/2013 | World

Cardinals hold last discussions before Vatican lockdown

Cardinals held final discussions on the troubled state of the Roman Catholic Church, the day before they seclude themselves from the world to elect a new pontiff, with no frontrunner in view.

13/03/2013 | World

Cardinals fail to elect pope after three ballots

Black smoke rose from above the Sistine Chapel for a second day today after a secret conclave of cardinals held two more inconclusive votes for a new pope to lead the troubled Church.

23/02/2013 | World

Vatican accuses Italian media of false reports ahead of conclave

The Vatican today accused the Italian media of spreading "false and damaging" reports in what it condemned as a deplorable attempt to influence cardinals who will meet in a secret conclave next month to elect a new pope.

26/02/2013 | World

Pope will keep title 'His Holiness' after resignation

Pope Benedict will keep the honorific title of "His Holiness" after he abdicates and will be known as "pope emeritus," the Vatican said.

01/03/2013 | World

Ex-pope relaxes as cardinals prepare for vote

A relaxed and rested Pope Emeritus Benedict read messages from well-wishers and strolled in his retirement palace gardens today as cardinals due to elect his successor planned pre-vote meetings for next week.

14/02/2013 | World

Benedict says to be 'hidden from world' after papacy

Pope Benedict will see out his life in prayer, "hidden from the world", he said today in his first personal comment on his plans since he stunned Roman Catholics by announcing his retirement.

15/02/2013 | World

German appointed to head scandal-hit Vatican bank

The Vatican appointed a German lawyer to head its bank, but the bid to turn the fortunes of the scandal-hit institution was clouded by his business links to a military shipbuilder.

16/02/2013 | World

Conclave electing new pope could start before March 15 - Vatican

The conclave to choose Pope Benedict's successor could start earlier than expected, giving the Roman Catholic Church a new leader by mid March, the Vatican said..

11/02/2013 | World

Pope announces unexpected resignation

11/02/2013 | World

Pope's decision sends shockwaves through the Church

12/02/2013 | World

Vatican plans big send off for pope, consultations begin

Cardinals around the world began informal contacts to discuss who should next lead the Church through a period of major crisis and the Vatican said it planned a big send-off for Pope Benedict before he becomes the first pontiff in centuries to resign

31/10/2012 | World

Vatican may limit Sistine Chapel visits

Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes turned 500 with the Vatican warning it may eventually limit visitors to protect one of the wonders of Western civilisation.

10/11/2012 | World

Vatican computer expert convicted in leaks case

A Vatican court found a Holy See computer expert guilty of obstruction of justice in the investigation of leaks of sensitive papal documents to the media by Pope Benedict's former butler

10/11/2012 | World

Vatican vows to fight gay marriage after gains in US, Europe

The Vatican, reacting to strong gains for gay marriage in the United States and Europe, today pledged never to stop fighting attempts to "erase" the privileged role of heterosexual marriage, which it called it "an achievement of civilisation".

05/10/2012 | World

Judgment looms for butler who leaked papal papers

A trial that has thrown open the window on a betrayal of trust and sensitive secrets in the Vatican will come to a head on Saturday with final arguments before judges deliver their verdict on Pope Benedict's former butler.

06/10/2012 | World

Pope Benedict's former butler sentenced to prison

A Vatican court convicted Pope Benedict's former butler of stealing sensitive documents and sentenced him to 18 months in prison today, at the end of one of the most sensational trials in the recent history of the Holy See.

21/10/2012 | World

Vatican names seven saints including first Native American

Pope Benedict created seven new saints on Sunday including the first Native American to be canonized, as the Roman Catholic Church reaches out to its global flock to rebuff encroaching secularism.

29/09/2012 | World

Pope's butler goes on trial

Pope Benedict's former butler went on trial on Saturday for using his intimate access to the pope's desk to steal and leak explosive documents in what he said was an attempt to clean up corruption in the Vatican.

01/10/2012 | World

Pope's butler set to testify at Vatican trial

Pope Benedict's former butler is to give evidence for the first time on Tuesday on the second day of his trial for stealing documents he hoped would expose corrupt dealings in the Vatican.

02/10/2012 | World

Vatican orders probe of police for abuse of butler after arrest

A Vatican judge ordered an investigation of the Holy See's police force after Pope Benedict's former butler said he was held in a tiny room with the light on constantly for the first few weeks of his detention.

13/08/2012 | World

Vatican orders butler to stand trial, charges second man

A Vatican magistrate ordered Pope Benedict's former butler to stand trial on charges of aggravated theft for leaking documents alleging corruption in the Vatican.

28/09/2012 | World

Vatican: 'Gospel of Jesus' wife' fragment is a fake

An ancient papyrus fragment which a Harvard scholar says contains the first recorded mention that Jesus may have had a wife is a fake, the Vatican said today.

28/09/2012 | World

Trial of Pope Benedict's former butler to start on Saturday

Pope Benedict's former butler, Paolo Gabriele, goes on trial on Saturday in one of the most embarrassing episodes in recent Vatican history.

18/06/2012 | World

Vatican accuses media of 'imitating Dan Brown'

The Vatican's number 2 accused the media of trying "to imitate Dan Brown" in their coverage of the VatiLeaks scandal and said the Roman Catholic Church's latest travails were part of the Devil's attempt to destabilise it.

23/06/2012 | World

Vatican hires US journalist to help media relations

The Vatican has hired an American journalist from the Fox News Network and member of the conservative Catholic group Opus Dei to help improve its relations with the media, a senior Church source said on Saturday.

21/07/2012 | World

Vatican censures leading Peruvian university

The Vatican has stripped the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, one of the most prominent centres of learning in Latin America, of its right to continue calling itself a Catholic or pontifical university, saying it had damaged the interests of the Church.

29/02/2012 | World

Vatican archive treasures in first public display

Members of the English parliament wrote to Pope Clement VII in 1530 urging him to annul Henry VIII's marriage to his first wife so the king could marry Anne Boleyn, according to Vatican documents on display to the public for the first time.

07/03/2012 | World

Hackers group Anonymous take down Vatican website

The Italian branch of the hackers group Anonymous took down the Vatican's website, saying it was an attack on the Roman Catholic Church's scandals and conservative doctrine.

28/05/2012 | World

Vatican says trust in church hurt by leaks scandal

The faith of Roman Catholics in their Church has been damaged by a scandal over leaked documents in which the pope's butler has been arrested, the Vatican said today.

26/01/2012 | World

Corruption scandal shakes Vatican as internal letters leaked

The Vatican was shaken by a corruption scandal after an Italian television investigation said a former top official had been transferred against his will after complaining about irregularities in awarding contracts.

04/02/2012 | World

Vatican officials contest corruption charges

In the latest twist of a messy internal conflict shaking the Vatican, four clerics in the office that manages the tiny city-state on Saturday rejected charges of corruption, mismanagement and greed levelled by a former deputy governor.

18/02/2012 | World

Pope leaves stamp on Church future with new cardinals

Pope Benedict, putting his mark on his Church's future, on Saturday inducted 22 men into the exclusive group of cardinals who will one day elect one of their own to succeed him as leader of the world's 1.3 billion Roman Catholics.

03/09/2011 | World

Vatican rejects Irish parliament child abuse rebuke

The Vatican today rejected accusations from the Irish parliament that it had sought to cover up child sex abuse by its priests and undermine child protection laws.

24/10/2011 | World

Vatican asks for the creation of economic global authority

The Vatican called for sweeping reforms of the world economy and the creation of an ethical, global authority to regulate financial markets as demonstrations against corporate greed continued to spring up in major cities across the globe today.

17/11/2011 | World

Vatican takes legal action over Benetton Pope kiss ad

The Vatican said today it would take legal action to stop the distribution of a photo montage in an advertisement by the Italian fashion firm Benetton showing Pope Benedict kissing an imam on the mouth.

01/06/2011 | World

Belgians molested by Catholic priests to file suit against Vatican

Belgians molested by Catholic priests will go ahead with their legal proceedings against the Vatican for damages despite an offer by local bishops to compensate them, their lawyers said.

04/07/2011 | World

Vatican condemns ordination of bishop in China

The Vatican condemned the ordination of a bishop in China that took place last week without papal authorisation, saying it was an illegitimate act that damaged the unity of the Church.

17/08/2011 | World

Priests to forgive abortion in Pope youth festival

The Vatican has granted priests the right to forgive the sin of abortion when hearing the confessions of hundreds of thousands of young people attending a Roman Catholic youth festival in Spain this week.