Rome (CNN)The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions, in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See referred to same-sex unions as a "choice," described them as sinful and said they "cannot be recognized as objectively ordered" to God's plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world. "The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit,"...…Rome (CNN)The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions, in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See referred to same-sex unions as a "choice," described them as sinful and said they "cannot be recognized as objectively ordered" to God's plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world. "The blessing of homosexual unions cannot be considered licit,"...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions, in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See referred to same-sex unions as a “choice,” described them as sinful and said they “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.“The blessing of homosexual...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The Vatican said Monday that the Catholic Church would not bless same-sex unions, in a combative statement approved by Pope Francis that threatens to widen the chasm between the church and much of the LGBTQ community.Explaining their decision in a lengthy note on Monday, the Holy See referred to same-sex unions as a “choice,” described them as sinful and said they “cannot be recognized as objectively ordered” to God’s plans. The stance is certain to disappoint millions of gay and lesbian Catholics around the world.“The blessing of homosexual...WW…

By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Italy is facing another lockdown, as the government attempts to contain a recent surge of cases, marred by the presence of .Half of Italy’s 20 regions, which include the cities Rome, Milan and Venice, will be entering new coronavirus restrictions from Monday, March 15. The measures will be effective through April 6, according to a decree passed by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet on Friday.In regions demarcated as “red zones” people will be unable to leave their houses except for work or health reasons, with all non-essential...…By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Italy is facing another lockdown, as the government attempts to contain a recent surge of cases, marred by the presence of .Half of Italy’s 20 regions, which include the cities Rome, Milan and Venice, will be entering new coronavirus restrictions from Monday, March 15. The measures will be effective through April 6, according to a decree passed by Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi’s cabinet on Friday.In regions demarcated as “red zones” people will be unable to leave their houses except for work or health reasons, with all non-essential...WW…

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN)Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country's dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight. The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country's top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff's first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It's a duty," the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the papal plane. "It has been a...…Baghdad, Iraq (CNN)Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country's dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight. The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country's top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff's first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. "I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It's a duty," the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the papal plane. "It has been a...WW…

By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country’s dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight.The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country’s top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff’s first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.“I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It’s a duty,” the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the...…By , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — Pope Francison Friday for a historic tour of the war-ravaged nation, where he is meeting with members of the country’s dwindling Christian community, aiming to draw attention to their plight.The trip, which marks the first-ever papal visit to Iraq, also includes meetings with the country’s top political and religious officials. It is the pontiff’s first trip outside of Italy since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.“I am happy to start trips again and this is a symbolic trip. It’s a duty,” the Pope told journalists traveling with him on the...WW…

Rome (CNN)For the past week, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC, was holed up in a Vatican guesthouse, receiving meals at his door. On Saturday, Gregory stepped out of his quarters and into history, becoming during an installation ceremony in Rome.Gregory was one of 13 men -- and the only American -- elevated to the College of Cardinals during Saturday's ceremony. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, two of the bishops were not in Rome for the ceremony, another first in church history, .In keeping with the Pope's concerns for Catholics who have been historically marginalized, the...…Rome (CNN)For the past week, Archbishop Wilton Gregory of Washington, DC, was holed up in a Vatican guesthouse, receiving meals at his door. On Saturday, Gregory stepped out of his quarters and into history, becoming during an installation ceremony in Rome.Gregory was one of 13 men -- and the only American -- elevated to the College of Cardinals during Saturday's ceremony. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, two of the bishops were not in Rome for the ceremony, another first in church history, .In keeping with the Pope's concerns for Catholics who have been historically marginalized, the...WW…

By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The late Pope John Paul II was warned about allegations of sexual impropriety by Theodore McCarrick, but chose to promote him to Archbishop of Washington anyway following McCarrick’s own denials and an investigation by American bishops that returned “inaccurate and incomplete information,” an internal Vatican investigation concluded Tuesday.The report into the Vatican’s handling of the highest ranking Church figure to be defrocked over sexual abuse comes after two years of investigation, and years of scrutiny over how McCarrick was allowed...…By , , and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The late Pope John Paul II was warned about allegations of sexual impropriety by Theodore McCarrick, but chose to promote him to Archbishop of Washington anyway following McCarrick’s own denials and an investigation by American bishops that returned “inaccurate and incomplete information,” an internal Vatican investigation concluded Tuesday.The report into the Vatican’s handling of the highest ranking Church figure to be defrocked over sexual abuse comes after two years of investigation, and years of scrutiny over how McCarrick was allowed...WW…

Rome (CNN)The Vatican has sought to clarify Pope Francis' , saying they were taken out of context and do not signal a change in doctrine.In a letter sent on October 30 from the Vatican's Secretariat of State to papal representatives (nuncios) around the world, the Vatican said that two comments made by Pope Francis in the film "Francesco" by Russian-born director Evgeny Afineevsky were taken out of context.The Vatican's letter was first published on the Facebook page of the Vatican nuncio to Mexico, Archbishop Franco Coppola, on Sunday. A senior Vatican official has confirmed the letter's...…Rome (CNN)The Vatican has sought to clarify Pope Francis' , saying they were taken out of context and do not signal a change in doctrine.In a letter sent on October 30 from the Vatican's Secretariat of State to papal representatives (nuncios) around the world, the Vatican said that two comments made by Pope Francis in the film "Francesco" by Russian-born director Evgeny Afineevsky were taken out of context.The Vatican's letter was first published on the Facebook page of the Vatican nuncio to Mexico, Archbishop Franco Coppola, on Sunday. A senior Vatican official has confirmed the letter's...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The Vatican says it has extended its controversial agreement with China over the appointment of bishops for another two years.Details of have never been made public. It has been criticized by some Catholic officials as well as by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.But the Vatican said on Thursday that the deal “is of great ecclesial and pastoral value” and said it “intends to pursue an open and constructive dialogue for the benefit of the life of the Catholic Church and the good of Chinese people.” Officially, there are about 6 million...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — The Vatican says it has extended its controversial agreement with China over the appointment of bishops for another two years.Details of have never been made public. It has been criticized by some Catholic officials as well as by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo.But the Vatican said on Thursday that the deal “is of great ecclesial and pastoral value” and said it “intends to pursue an open and constructive dialogue for the benefit of the life of the Catholic Church and the good of Chinese people.” Officially, there are about 6 million...WW…

By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — met with at the Vatican on Monday in their first meeting since Pell’s return to Rome late last month following his acquittal on child sex abuse charges in his native Australia.The Vatican did not provide any details on what the two men discussed.Pell arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport from Sydney on September 30. A source told CNN they did not know his official reason for for going nor how long he planned to stay there.Pell served at the Vatican from 2014-2019 as Minister of Economy, in charge of Pope Francis’ financial reforms, which largely...…By and , CNNLink Copied!Ad Feedback — met with at the Vatican on Monday in their first meeting since Pell’s return to Rome late last month following his acquittal on child sex abuse charges in his native Australia.The Vatican did not provide any details on what the two men discussed.Pell arrived at Rome’s Fiumicino airport from Sydney on September 30. A source told CNN they did not know his official reason for for going nor how long he planned to stay there.Pell served at the Vatican from 2014-2019 as Minister of Economy, in charge of Pope Francis’ financial reforms, which largely...WW…