Pope Francis holds historic meeting with powerful Shia Islam cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistan

Pope Francis today held a historic meeting with the top Shia Islam cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on day two of his landmark visit to Iraq. The 84-year-old, who defied security fears and the pandemic to become the first pontiff to travel to the Gulf, met with the Grand Ayatollah in Najaf as his four-day trip … Read more

The Pope departs from Rome for historic first-ever visit by a pontiff to Iraq

The Pope departs from Rome for historic first-ever visit by a pontiff to Iraq – and his most dangerous foreign journey since his election Pope Francis boarded flight at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport on Friday  84-year-old will arrive in Baghdad today, for the start of a three-day visit to Iraq  It marks the first … Read more

18th century priest who is a distant uncle of Prince William and Harry is step closer to sainthood

A priest related to Princes William and Harry has been moved a step closer to sainthood by the Pope. A decree issued by Pope Francis said Father Ignatius Spencer lived a life of ‘heroic virtue’. Englishman Father Spencer, who was born George Spencer in 1799, now needs two miracles attributed to him if he is … Read more

Pope Francis to receive Covid vaccination days after his doctor died

Pope Francis will receive Covid-19 jab this week and declares ‘without a vaccine you are playing with life’ Vatican City is preparing to vaccinate its 450 residents this week with Pfizer jab Pope Francis said it is an ‘ethical duty’ for everyone to get inoculated He has been in favour of vaccines despite misgivings among … Read more

Pope’s personal doctor dies from coronavirus ‘complications’, aged 78, as pontiff awaits vaccination

Pope’s personal doctor dies from coronavirus ‘complications’, aged 78, after pontiff revealed he will get vaccine as early as next week Fabrizio Soccorsi was hospitalised on Boxing Day with an oncological disease Pope Francis’ personal doctor died on Saturday with Covid complications  It is not known when he was last in close contact with the … Read more

Pope’s personal doctor dies from coronavirus ‘complications’, aged 78, as pontiff awaits vaccination

Pope’s personal doctor dies from coronavirus ‘complications’, aged 78, after pontiff revealed he will get vaccine as early as next week Fabrizio Soccorsi was hospitalised on Boxing Day with an oncological disease Pope Francis’ personal doctor died on Saturday with Covid complications  It is not known when he was last in close contact with the … Read more

Pope Francis to receive Covid vaccine next week and says opposition to jab is ‘suicidal denial’ 

Pope Francis reveals he will get Covid vaccine as early as next week and says opposition to jab is ‘suicidal denial’ Pope Francis, 84, will receive Covid vaccine as early as next week, he confirmed Pontiff had part of one lung removed as a younger man in his native Argentina Described people not getting the vaccination … Read more

Pope Francis to receive Covid vaccine next week and says opposition to jab is ‘suicidal denial’ 

Pope Francis reveals he will get Covid vaccine as early as next week and says opposition to jab is ‘suicidal denial’ Pope Francis, 84, will receive Covid vaccine as early as next week, he confirmed Pontiff had part of one lung removed as a younger man in his native Argentina Described people not getting the vaccination … Read more

Pope says he is ‘saddened’ by Covid rule breakers who are ignoring travel restrictions

Pope says he is ‘saddened’ by Covid rule breakers who are ignoring travel restrictions during pandemic as he condemns people looking after their own interests above others Francis said he read reports of people catching flights to flee government curbs  ‘This really saddened me,’ he added in address from Vatican’s Apostolic Palace Many countries have … Read more