Coronavirus bailouts should only go to companies helping the needy, Pope says

Pope Francis has urged world leaders to only give coronavirus bailouts to companies which protect the environment and help the needy. The 83-year-old pontiff said the pandemic has laid bare inequalities in the world, and it would be a ‘scandal’ if leaders missed the opportunity to fix them. As countries race to return to ‘normal’, … Read more

Pope Francis praises UN Security Council campaign for ceasefires in wars across the globe

Pope Francis praises UN Security Council campaign for ceasefires in wars across the globe to help in fight against Covid-19 Pope Francis praised the UN Security Council efforts for worldwide ceasefires to help tackle the pandemic He called for the prompt implementation ‘for the good of the so many persons who are suffering’ Security Council resolution … Read more

Fugitive tycoon says China bribes Vatican with £1.6n every year

An exiled billionaire has accused the Chinese government of giving the Vatican £1.6billion every year in bribes to prevent it from criticising Beijing’s sweeping clampdown on religions.  Fugitive tycoon Guo Wengui claimed in a podcast that the Communist Party had been paying the Holy See generously since 2014 because Beijing ‘wanted the Vatican to shut … Read more

Pope Francis: Coronavirus put spotlight on politicians’ hypocrisy

Pope Francis attacks ‘hypocrisy’ of politicians in their response to coronavirus pandemic and says outbreak has exposed divisions in society Pope has called for the coronavirus crisis to lead to less hypocrisy in politics Pontiff says divisions in society has been heavily emphasised by the pandemic  He added the rate of consumption globally now needs to … Read more

‘Evil seems to reign supreme’: Pope Francis urges Christian faithful to ‘fill your hearts with hope’

‘Evil seems to reign supreme’: Pope Francis urges Christian faithful to ‘fill your hearts with hope’ amid anger at death of George Floyd and coronavirus pandemic Pope Francis today delivered a message marking the 4th World Day of the Poor Urged faithful to ‘revive responsibility’ for their neighbour to end world’s crises  He told followers … Read more

El Paso bishop receives a call from Pope Francis after he kneeled for BLM protests

Pope Francis calls El Paso bishop and thanks him for showing solidarity with George Floyd protesters after he took a knee and prayed silently for 8 minutes and 46 seconds during demonstrations Catholic Bishop Mark Seitz, of the Diocese of El Paso, was joined by 12 other priests as they knelt in silence for 8 … Read more

Pope Francis warns coronavirus recovery must not ‘leave anyone behind’

Pope Francis warns coronavirus recovery must not ‘leave anyone behind’ or world faces ‘an even worse virus of selfish indifference’ to follow Pope Francis said today that now was the time to heal injustice around the world  He spoke at the church of Santo Spirito in Sassia to mark Divine Mercy Sunday More than 23,000 people have … Read more