Pope Francis

Pope Leo scraps Francis’s Vatican fundraising panel amid budget shift

Pope Leo has dissolved the Vatican's fundraising panel, created in Francis’s final months, and ordered a review of future efforts.

|ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV holds a Jubilee audience on the occasion of the Jubilee of Sport, at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican June 14, 2025.
A Palestinian works on the Vehicle of Hope, the former popemobile used by Pope Francis during its transformation into a fully equipped mobile clinic, in Bethlehem in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, May 20, 2025.

Pope Francis' popemobile turned into mobile clinic for Gaza children

"We're pleased that we have here a serious contribution towards the healthcare of children in Gaza," Caritas Secretary-General Alistair Dutton told a press conference in Bethlehem.

|ByREUTERS
Pope Leo XIV performs a blessing during a meeting with the academic community of Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, Italy, November 14, 2025.

Vatican returns to Canada artifacts connected to Indigenous people

Catholic missionaries sent the artifacts to Rome on the occasion of a 1925 exhibition held by Pope Pius XI that displayed more than 100,000 objects.

|ByREUTERS
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, Cardinal Robert Prevost of the Unites States looks on from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican, May 8, 2025.

Pope Leo, in first month, makes a break in style from Francis - analysis

"Leo is taking his time," Rev. Mark Francis, told Reuters. "While he is going to continue in the path indicated by Pope Francis, his disposition is very different."

|ByREUTERS

Biden awards Pope Francis medal of freedom, highest US civilian honor

This is the first time during his administration that Biden gave the award with distinction, the White House said.

JANUARY 11, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Pope Francis and U.S. President Joe Biden meet as they attend the G7 summit, in Savelletri, Italy June 14, 2024.

Ramping up criticism of Israel, Pope calls situation in Gaza 'shameful'

In a yearly address to diplomats delivered on his behalf by an aide, Francis appeared to reference deaths caused by winter cold in Gaza.

JANUARY 9, 2025ByREUTERS
Pope Francis attends the weekly general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. January 8, 2025.

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.

JANUARY 9, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Historic first: Psychologist nun Simona Brambilla appointed as Vatican's first female prefect. Illustration.

An open letter to Pope Francis: Words with good intent can still harm - opinion

I am also a man of faith, of Jewish faith, and as such, could not comprehend the [nativity] Scene as I saw it in the media.

JANUARY 7, 2025ByHARRY MOSKOFF
THE WRITER meets with the Papal Nuncio (Apostolic Delegation) to Jerusalem, His Excellency Archbishop Yllana at the cleric’s residence on the Mount of Olives.

Pope names Italian sister as first woman to lead major Vatican office

Pope Francis has elevated women to leadership roles at the Vatican throughout his 11-year papacy, naming a range of women to second-in-command positions at various offices.

JANUARY 6, 2025ByREUTERS
Sister Simona Brambilla, first woman named to oversee Catholic religious orders.

Pope Francis names Trump critic McElroy as Washington's new archbishop

Cardinal McElroy criticized Trump's mass deportation campaign in 2019, adding that Catholics "simply can't stand by and watch [immigrants] get deported."

JANUARY 6, 2025ByREUTERS
Cardinal McElroy at the pulpit

First Holy Door opened in prison since 1,300: Pope Francis opens Holy Door at Rebibbia prison

Rebibbia prison, built in 1946, is Italy's largest penal institution, housing over 62,000 inmates, with a critical overcrowding rate exceeding 132%.

JANUARY 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
First Holy Door opened in prison since 1,300: Pope Francis opens Holy Door at Rebibbia prison.

Vatican ambassador called by Israeli Foreign Ministry over Pope's comments on Israel

The Pope had condemned the Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, stating "This is cruelty. I want to say this because it touches my heart."

DECEMBER 25, 2024ByAMICHAI STEIN
Pope Francis presides over a vigil, ahead of the Synod of bishops, at Saint Peter's church at the Vatican, October 1, 2024.

‘This is cruelty, this is not war’: Pope cites Hamas death claims in latest Israel condemnation

The pope also complained, "Yesterday they (Israel) did not allow the Patriarch (of Jerusalem) into Gaza as promised.”

DECEMBER 21, 2024ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD
Pope Francis, with a large bruise on his chin, arrives to hold an audience with donors of the St. Peter's Square Christmas tree and Nativity scene, at the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, December 7, 2024.

Inspiration behind Poulenc's Opera: 16 guillotined nuns canonized by Pope Francis

On July 17, 1794, at 8:00 p.m., the nuns were executed in the Place du Trône, today's Place de la Nation, after being convicted of hostility to the French Revolution.

DECEMBER 20, 2024ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Pope Francis approved the canonization of 16 Carmelite nuns executed during the French Revolution.