Vatican News

Popes from Palestine: could we see another?

when people think of the papacy, they often envisage st peter’s basilica, the vast halls of the vatican and centuries of european dominance ...
Jack Nassar

Unusually late smoke signal follows veiled snub of Pope Francis in conclave sermon

the first all-important smoke signal of the conclave came unusually late, set against a rapidly darkening sky over the vatican yesterday. it...
Elise Allen

Ballot burning times: when to watch for white smoke

on 7 may, a total of 133 cardinals – the highest number ever – entered the sistine chapel to begin the papal conclave, the secretive voting ...
The Catholic Herald

Black smoke after conclave's first ballot

after a long wait among the expectant crowds gathered in st peter's square – so much so that rumours had started to build – black smoke fina...
The Catholic Herald

Top cardinal prays for a pope who can ‘awaken' world's conscience

one of the most senior cardinals has stressed the importance of unity and prayed that the conclave will bestow a new pontiff who reminds the...
Elise Allen

Relations with Israel at historic low as Holy See awaits new pope

as the cardinals of the catholic church gather in conclave for the election of a successor to pope francis, various issues facing the vatica...
Charles Collins

Cardinal Dolan slams NY assisted suicide bill that turns 'healers into killers'

new york’s cardinal has severely criticised a vote to allow assisted suicide across new york state, describing the proposed law as “a disast...
Simon Caldwell

In Rome’s shadows, smoke and speculation: the conclave’s political ballet begins

i find myself back in rome. more than three years have passed since my last visit, but the place seems barely to have changed: steadfast; gr...
Miles Pattenden

How should a conflicted Catholic pray for the papacy this conclave?

the bells of rome have tolled. the see of peter stands empty once more. with the death of pope francis, who reigned from 2013 to 2025, the c...
Tom Colsy

‘Papabile’ of the Day: Cardinal Fernando Filoni, the diplomat who braved Baghdad

each day between now and the may 7 conclave to elect a successor to pope francis, john allen is offering a profile of a different  papa...
John L Allen