Vatican

Pope Leo meets Rubio amid growing tensions with Trump over Iran

Rubio met Pope Leo at the Vatican amid growing tensions after Trump repeatedly criticized the pontiff over his opposition to the Iran war.

 Pope Leo XIV shakes hands with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio as they meet at the Vatican, May 19, 2025.
A combination picture shows Pope Leo XIV addressing Algeria's political leaders at the cultural centre of the Great Mosque of Algiers (Djamaa El Djazair), where he criticized violations of international law by "neocolonial" world powers, in Mohamadia, Algiers, Algeria, April 13, 2026.

Pope Leo dismisses latest Trump attack, to meet with Rubio Thursday

US President Donald Trump attends a bilateral meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting on January 21, 2026 in Davos, Switzerland.

Iran war opens new rifts between Washington, Europe, the Vatican, and Israel

Pope Leo XIV walks as he leaves the papal residence to head back to the Vatican, in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 31, 2026.

'I like his brother more': Trump slams Pope Leo over Iran nuclear issue, left-wing policies


Historic first: Psychologist nun Simona Brambilla appointed as Vatican's first female prefect

Women are still excluded from ordination as priests, and discussions about female ordination continue to create divisions within the Church.

 Historic first: Psychologist nun Simona Brambilla appointed as Vatican's first female prefect. Illustration.

Jewish leaders to Pope: Build bridges, don’t fuel antisemitism

Major Jewish organization leaders called on the Pope to refrain from 'incendiary comments' about the Israel-Hamas War.

Members of the Palestinian embassy to the Holy See give a keffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf, to Pope Francis during a Christmas ceremony at St Peter's Square at the Vatican, Dec. 7, 2024.

Secret Papal escape route reopens after restoration

The fortified passageway, which connects the Vatican with Castel Sant'Angelo, offers visitors a unique glimpse into the tumultuous history of Rome.

 Vicolo d'Orfeo with the arch under the walls of the Passetto in the Borgo district adjacent to the Vatican in Rome, Italy.

'The Vatican was silent during the Holocaust, now it spreads modern blood libels’: MK Chikli

Diaspora Minister AMichai Chikli also accused Canada and Australia of creating unsafe policies for Jewish citizens.

 Israeli minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli and Pope Francis. (Illustrative)

Pope Francis to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican

Abbas travels to Italy this week, where he is expected also to meet with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Pope Francis (R) shakes hands with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas in the Vatican

Baby Jesus in keffiyeh unveiled in Vatican nativity

Bethlehem artists' Christmas display in St. Peter's Square features Palestinian symbolism amid Pope Francis' calls for peace in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis holds an audience with donors of the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree and Nativity scene, at the Vatican

Pope Francis breaks with tradition on his own funeral and burial rites

Francis opts to be buried at Santa Maria Maggiore, breaking with St. Peter's Basilica tradition.

 Pope Francis in March 2013.

Rome gears up for 2025 Jubilee with major renovations and record tourist influx

Visiting Rome nowadays is like entering a huge construction site. “Rome wasn’t built in a day,” but the Eternal City doesn’t have the time anymore, as only a few weeks remain. 

 ELEGANT AND chic atmosphere in the reception area of the Leonardo Boutique Hotel Rome Termini.

'I pray for your people,' says Pope Francis to families of hostages who visit Vatican

The delegation was led by the Hostage Family Forum, the Foreign Ministry, Israeli embassies in Rome and the Vatican, the government's hostage unit, and the Defense Ministry.

 Pope Francis meets delegation of Israeli Hostages Freed in Gaza, at the Vatican, November 14, 2024.

Pope Francis meets wounded Israeli soldier, Sheba Medical Center leaders at Vatican

A Vatican official arranged the encounter in Sheba, where he met with civilians and soldiers injured in the ongoing conflict, including Alon Kaminer, an Israeli soldier.

 Pope meets with Israeli soldier