Pope replaces divisive Vatican figure with top diplomat

Last Updated: Saturday, August 31, 2013, 18:04

Pope Francis on Saturday appointed a senior Vatican diplomat as his Secretary of State, ousting powerful and highly divisive cardinal Tarcisio Bertone as he looks to overhaul the Church`s government.

First papal `selfie` goes viral on social media

Last Updated: Saturday, August 31, 2013, 15:11

Pope Francis has broken protocol once again, appearing with a puzzled look on his face in a "selfie" photo taken with a group of teenagers visiting the Vatican.

Pope calls for mutual respect between Christians, Muslims

Last Updated: Sunday, August 11, 2013, 21:13

Pope Francis reached out to Muslims on Sunday to mark the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and called on them and Christians to promote mutual respect.

Pope urges `mutual respect` with Islam in personal

Last Updated: Friday, August 2, 2013, 19:24

Pope Francis called on Friday for "mutual respect" between Christianity and Islam and an end to "unfair criticism" in a personal message congratulating Muslims on the feast of Eid al-Fitr.

Vatican bank launches website in transparency drive

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 31, 2013, 21:08

The Vatican bank launched a website in a drive for greater transparency as it tries to reform following money-laundering accusations.

Pope ditches bullet-proof car for Brazil trip

Last Updated: Wednesday, July 17, 2013, 21:46

Pope Francis will ditch the bullet-proof "popemobile" used by his predecessors on his visit to Brazil this month and travel in an open-top jeep, the Vatican said.

Vatican issues first text co-written by two popes

Last Updated: Friday, July 5, 2013, 21:54

Vatican issued unprecedented religious text co-written by Pope Francis and his predecessor Benedict XVI in which 2 popes said faith should serve "common good" but restated opposition to gay marriage.

Pope Francis clears John Paul II for sainthood

Last Updated: Friday, July 5, 2013, 18:36

Pope Francis cleared Pope John Paul II for sainthood, approving a miracle attributed to his intercession and setting up a remarkable dual canonization along with another beloved pope, John XXIII.

Vatican reports €2.2 mn profit amid drop in donations

Last Updated: Friday, July 5, 2013, 08:51

The Vatican posted a budget surplus of EUR 2.2 million for the 2012 fiscal year, although its charitable offerings fell, the Holy See said.

Priest arrested in Vatican bank probe: Report

Last Updated: Friday, June 28, 2013, 18:44

A priest has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and corruption in connection with the sweeping probe of the scandal-plagued Vatican bank, Italian media reported on Friday.