Ad Vaticanum
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Articles by Ad Vaticanum
Global reactions pour in after Pope Leo XIV’s AI encyclical
Politicians, bishops and technology leaders across the United States, Britain and Canada have begun responding to Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas
May 26, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Archbishop accuses Papua documentary makers of “one-sided” propaganda
Archbishop Petrus Canisius Mandagi has accused the makers of a controversial documentary on development projects in Papua of producing “one-sided” propaganda
May 24, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Germany’s bishops continue to push for women deacons
Germany’s bishops are continuing to press Rome on women deacons. Bishop Franz Jung has said that Pope Leo XIV received a “very clear vote in favour” from the country’s episcopal conference following the Katholikentag gathering in Würzburg
May 22, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Three monks flee Papa Stronsay monastery
Three monks secretly left the Transalpine Redemptorists’ monastery on Papa Stronsay by boat after allegedly arranging their departure with the Diocese of Aberdeen without informing superiors
May 22, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Spain’s religious orders turn to professional investment managers
Religious orders and dioceses across Spain are increasingly turning to professional investment managers and ethically screened funds as ageing communities, falling vocations and rising maintenance costs force Catholic institutions to modernise their finances
May 21, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Armenian Church says Pope Leo XIV discussed possibility of a “Third Vatican Council”
The Armenian Apostolic Church has said that Pope Leo XIV and Catholicos Aram I discussed the possibility of convening a “Third Vatican Council” during a private meeting at the Vatican focused on Christian unity, Artsakh and the Middle East
May 21, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Fake priest seeks forgiveness and asks to return to Catholic Church
A man previously accused of falsely presenting himself as a Catholic priest has sought forgiveness and asked to return to full communion with the Church
May 19, 2026 · Outside the Walls
German Synodal Conference delayed
Germany’s planned Synodal Conference is unlikely to meet this November as the Vatican delays approval over its statutes
May 19, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Paris Olympics performer Barbara Butch to direct installations inside Paris churches
Barbara Butch, the DJ and activist who used the Olympics opening ceremony in 2024 to mock Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper, is set to direct a series of immersive art installations inside churches across the French capital during this year’s Nuit Blanche festival
May 18, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Vatican and US embassy clarify Iran ambassador’s papal honour
The Vatican and the United States Embassy to the Holy See have issued clarifications after Iranian media reports claimed Pope Leo XIV had personally granted a special honour to Iran’s ambassador to the Holy See
May 15, 2026 · The Vatican
Argentina’s bishops warn middle class is turning to Church charities in economic crisis
Argentina’s Catholic bishops have warned that worsening economic conditions are driving growing numbers of middle-class families to seek help from Church charities
May 14, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Catholic diocese fights Trump administration over seizure of land close to Mount Cristo Rey
Diocese of Las Cruces has launched a legal battle against the Trump administration after federal authorities moved to seize Church-owned land near Mount Cristo Rey on the United States-Mexico border
May 13, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, first non-Italian nuncio to Italy, dies aged 79
Cardinal Emil Paul Tscherrig, the first non-Italian to serve as Apostolic Nuncio to Italy and San Marino, has died at the age of 79. The Swiss diplomat served the Holy See across four continents during a diplomatic career spanning almost five decades and later took part in the 2025 conclave as a cardinal elector
May 12, 2026 · The Vatican
Canary Islands bishop says politicians must stop using migration “to win votes” ahead of papal visit
Bishop José Mazuelos Pérez of the Canary Islands has urged Spain’s political leaders to stop “playing politics” with immigration ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s expected visit to the country. The bishop warned against ideological polarisation, criticised the handling of migrant policy and said the Pope would call for unity and “the most humane solutions possible”
May 12, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Dutch Bishop Rob Mutsaerts seriously injured in car crash
Auxiliary Bishop Rob Mutsaerts of ’s-Hertogenbosch has been seriously injured in a car crash while returning home after hearing confessions. The conservative Dutch bishop reportedly suffered a dislocated hip, fractured pelvis and broken elbow in the accident on 10 May
May 12, 2026 · Outside the Walls
British ambassador-designate to the Holy See faces scrutiny over activism and Mandelson links
Britain’s newly appointed ambassador to the Holy See has voiced strong support for LGBT Pride activism during her time as British Consul General in San Francisco and has retained social media posts featuring the disgraced politician Peter Mandelson
May 11, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo XIV appoints outspoken immigration bishop to conservative West Virginia diocese
Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop-Designate Evelio Menjivar-Ayala to lead the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston in West Virginia. The Salvadoran-born bishop, who entered the United States illegally as a teenager after fleeing civil war, has become one of the most prominent episcopal voices on immigration in America
May 11, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Blood of Saint Januarius liquefies during Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Naples
The blood of Saint Januarius reportedly liquefied at Naples Cathedral during the visit of Pope Leo XIV, outside the three traditional dates on which the phenomenon is normally expected to occur
May 11, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pakistan Court upholds marriage of a 13-year-old abducted Christian girl
Pakistan’s Catholic bishops have expressed scepticism after the government announced a review of a court ruling which upheld the marriage of a 13 year old Christian girl to the Muslim man accused of abducting and forcibly converting her
May 10, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Cardinal Sarah says liturgy has been reduced to ‘mere entertainment’
Cardinal Robert Sarah has called for “clarifications” to parts of the interpretation of Vatican II in order to prevent readings that represent “a break with the faith”. The former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments also warned against liturgy becoming “mere entertainment” and said the Church must resist pressure to conform to the modern world
May 10, 2026 · Outside the Walls
New general director of Legionaries of Christ says the congregation has “much to contribute”
The new general director of the Legionaries of Christ has said the congregation still has “much to contribute and give” to the Church as it continues its process of renewal
May 9, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Rubio in Rome after month of tension between Washington and Vatican
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Pope Leo XIV and senior Vatican officials on Thursday after weeks of tensions between Washington and the Holy See. The Vatican said the talks were “cordial” and focused on conflicts, humanitarian crises and peace efforts
May 8, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Three priests sent from Fréjus-Toulon to leave Diocese of Amiens
Three priests from the Diocese of Fréjus-Toulon will leave parishes in Amiens after disputes over cassocks, Latin liturgy and preaching led to divisions within local communities. Bishop Gérard Le Stang insisted the decision was not based on doctrinal or liturgical positions, but on the need to restore peace and communion
May 7, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Body of missing Papa Stronsay monk found
A body has been recovered from the sea near Orkney in the search for Brother Ignatius, the 24-year-old monk who disappeared from the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer on Papa Stronsay in April. Police Scotland said formal identification has yet to take place, but his family has been informed
May 7, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo expected to visit France in September
Pope Leo XIV is expected to visit France at the end of September, with Paris and Lourdes among the proposed destinations. The Vatican has yet to formally confirm the journey, which would follow the Pope’s June visit to Spain
May 7, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Pope Leo’s Spain itinerary released ahead of June visit
The Vatican has released the full itinerary for Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic journey to Spain from June 6 to June 12. The visit will include stops in Madrid, Barcelona, Gran Canaria and Tenerife
May 6, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Bishop-designate of Tagbilaran withdraws weeks before ordination
In the Philippines, Father Gerardo Fortich Saco Jr. has withdrawn from his appointment as Bishop of Tagbilaran less than two months after his nomination, halting his scheduled ordination and leaving the diocese without a bishop
May 5, 2026 · Outside the Walls
US seeks to reset Vatican ties as Rubio heads to Rome
Marco Rubio is set to meet Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Parolin in Rome, as Washington moves to ease tensions with the Vatican after recent clashes over Iran and criticism from President Trump
May 4, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Cardinal Marx denounces “reactionary propaganda” over German Synodal Path
Cardinal Reinhard Marx has criticised what he called “reactionary propaganda” surrounding Germany’s Synodal Path, rejecting claims of a rupture with Rome and defending the direction of the German Church
May 4, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Papal Foundation approves record $15 million in grants for 2026
The Papal Foundation has approved more than $15 million in grants for 2026, its largest total to date, funding over 140 projects worldwide
May 4, 2026 · Outside the Walls
How the Church decides who becomes a saint
The canonisation process is now a structured system handled by Rome. Reforms have allowed more causes to move forward, but questions over scrutiny and rigour remain
May 2, 2026 · Catechesis
Cardinal Müller rejects claims Vatican finances influenced election of Pope Leo XIV
Cardinal Müller has dismissed speculation that financial concerns shaped the election of Pope Leo XIV
May 1, 2026 · The Vatican
Cardinal Farrell warns of global collapse in Catholic baptisms and marriages
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life, says baptisms of young children have fallen by 31.1 per cent and Catholic marriages by 48 per cent since 1991, warning of a weakening transmission of the faith within families
Apr. 30, 2026 · The Vatican
Switzerland drops case against Crasso in setback for Vatican ‘trial of the century’
Swiss prosecutors have dismissed proceedings against Enrico Crasso, rejecting Vatican claims over fund mismanagement and criticising the Secretariat of State’s lack of cooperation
Apr. 30, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Bishop of the Diocese of Charlotte refuses communion to family at altar rail
A Catholic family in North Carolina claims they were refused Holy Communion after approaching the altar rail during a Confirmation Mass, according to a report from the Diocese
Apr. 29, 2026 · Outside the Walls
German Synodal Way figures defend blessings guidance as Pope reiterates opposition
Leaders behind the German Synodal Way have defended new guidance permitting blessings for couples in irregular unions, as Pope Leo states that the Holy See does not support formalised blessings beyond those allowed under Fiducia supplicans
Apr. 29, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Vatican examines appeal over Charlotte liturgical restrictions
The Vatican has confirmed it is reviewing a formal appeal over liturgical decisions in the Diocese of Charlotte, including restrictions placed on the Traditional Latin Mass
Apr. 29, 2026 · Outside the Walls
Channel 4 drama Falling turns celibacy into a hollow spectacle
A new Channel 4 drama will depict a nun and a priest in a romantic relationship, placing Catholic vows at the centre of a storyline that treats celibacy as something to be tested and overcome
Apr. 28, 2026 · Culture
Pope Leo receives Cardinal Simoni in private Vatican audience after Easter appearance
Pope Leo received Cardinal Ernest Simoni in a private Vatican audience on April 27, marking their second meeting since Easter Sunday. The Albanian cardinal, once sentenced to death under communism, presented a relic the Albanian martyrs
Apr. 28, 2026 · The Vatican
Vatican accepts monks’ appeal over Valle de Cuelgamuros plans
The Vatican has accepted an appeal from Benedictine monks at Valle de Cuelgamuros against government plans, with ministers claiming an agreement with Cardinal José Cobo and the Vatican, while bishops deny any sign-off
Apr. 27, 2026 · Culture
Pope Leo reaffirms opposition to blessing of same sex couples in face of Cardinal Marx’s directive
Pope Leo has reaffirmed that the Holy See does not approve the blessing of same sex couples, as Cardinal Marx advances new pastoral provisions in Munich.
Apr. 24, 2026 · The Vatican
Vatican sets out next phase of Synod on Synodality
The Vatican has confirmed the next stage of the Synod on Synodality, with a series of international meetings planned through to 2028
Apr. 23, 2026 · The Vatican
Archbishop Gänswein on Benedict and Francis relationship
In an interview with La Repubblica, Pope Benedict’s longtime personal secretary discusses Benedict XVI and Pope Francis’s relationship, including tensions over the traditional Mass
Apr. 23, 2026 · The Vatican
Cardinal Marx directs Munich priests to offer blessings to same-sex and irregular couples
Cardinal Reinhard Marx has instructed clergy in Munich to offer blessings to couples in irregular unions, including same-sex couples, under new diocesan guidelines based on Fiducia Supplicans
Apr. 23, 2026 · Outside the Walls