Author: Phoebe Natanson

Conclave to begin May 7, Vatican says

Pope Francis made a short and unannounced visit Saturday to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray before this evening’s Easter vigil and greet some of the faithful present. The 88-year-old pontiff, in a wheelchair, arrived at around 6 p.m. local time accompanied by his nurse and stayed for about a quarter hour, stopping to pray at […]

ROME — Pope Francis met with Vice President JD Vance at the Vatican on Sunday, church officials said. “The meeting, which lasted a few minutes, gave them the opportunity to exchange Easter greetings,” the Vatican’s Holy See Press Office said in a statement. The motorcade of Vice President JD Vance is seen en route to […]

ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis arrived on Thursday for a meet-and-greet with inmates at a prison in Rome amid the Catholic Holy Week, making a public appearance for one of the first times since his lengthy hospital stay. The pontiff, 88, made the short drive from the Vatican to Regina Coeli prison to greet […]

LONDON — Pope Francis is expected on Sunday to make his first public appearance since being hospitalised in Rome more than five weeks ago. Officials at Gemelli Hospital, where the 88-year-old pope has been undergoing treatment after being diagnosed with bilateral pneumonia, said they were preparing for the pope to appear in a window. He’s […]

The Vatican press office released a photo of Pope Francis concelebrating Mass on Sunday in a private chapel of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment. The photo shows the 88-year-old pontiff seated in his wheelchair in front of an altar. It is the first photo released of the pope since he entered […]

Pope Francis’ prognosis has been “lifted” on Monday, according to the Vatican. “The improvements recorded in previous days have further consolidated, as confirmed by both blood tests and clinical objectivity and the good response to pharmacological therapy. For these reasons, the doctors decided to lift the prognosis,” the Holy See, the Vatican’s press office, said […]

ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis spent another quiet night in the hospital on Saturday, the Vatican’s press office said in a brief statement. “The night was quiet, the pope is resting,” the Holy See said on Sunday morning. Catholic worshippers pray during a prayer of the Rosary for Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square […]

ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis “slept all night” following Monday’s medical intervention amid two episodes of “acute respiratory failure,” the Vatican said Tuesday. “The pope slept all night, now he continues his rest,” the Holy See, the Vatican’s press office, said in a brief update. The episodes on Monday were caused by a “significant […]

ROME and LONDON — Pope Francis “rested well” overnight, his 17th night in Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican said on Monday. “The pope rested well all night,” the Holy See, the Vatican’s press office, said in a brief statement. A man walks in the ward where Pope Francis is hospitalized at the Agostino Gemelli Polyclinic, […]