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Holy See

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Holy See. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Vatican City

Head of State

Pope Francis

Head of Government

President of the Governorate Fernando Vérgez Alzaga

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence outside Moscow on Wednesday. Photo: Sputnik via Reuters

Ukraine war

Putin and Pope Leo discuss Ukraine war, as pontiff presses for peace

The Russian leader, however, claimed Kyiv was ‘betting on an escalation of the conflict and carrying out of acts of sabotage’ in his country.

5 Jun 2025 - 8:13AM

Ukraine war

US and Russia row as Moscow masses 50,000 troops near Ukrainian region

28 May 2025 - 7:58PM

China-Vatican relations

Pope Leo prays for Chinese Catholics to be in communion with Rome

26 May 2025 - 9:24AMvideocam

Ukraine war

‘Inelegant?’ Russia casts doubt over Vatican as venue for Ukraine talks

Pope Leo had said the Vatican could act as a mediator in global conflicts, but Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said ‘many people are fantasising’ about meeting location.

23 May 2025 - 10:30PMvideocam

Pope Leo talks to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Vatican on Sunday. Photo: via EPA-EFE

Pope Leo XIV

Vance gives Pope Leo an invitation from Trump to visit White House

The Chicago-born pope accepted the invitation letter and replied: ‘at some point’.

20 May 2025 - 4:28PM

Ukraine war

Zelensky, Vance shake hands at Vatican after Oval Office row

Zelensky and Vance last met at the White House in February, in a meeting described as one of the worst diplomatic incidents in recent history.

19 May 2025 - 12:16AM

Pope Francis

J.D. Vance, Marco Rubio to attend Pope Leo’s inaugural Mass

Pope Leo had been critical of Trump and Vance before taking leadership of the global Roman Catholic Church.

15 May 2025 - 11:54PM

US Vice-President J.D. Vance departs Giovan Battista Pastine International Airport, in Ciampino, Italy on April 20, 2025. Photo: AFP

Religion

Pope Leo offers to mediate between world leaders to end wars

Ending conflicts has been a dominant theme in Pope Leo’s addresses since he became pope last week.

14 May 2025 - 5:03PMvideocam

Italy

Pope Leo urges release of reporters held for ‘seeking truth’ at Vatican gathering

During the pope’s first address, President Zelensky invited him to Ukraine, seeking hope amid conflict.

12 May 2025 - 7:59PMvideocam

Catholic Church

Pope Leo appeals for global peace in first Sunday address

New pope denounces the number of conflicts ravaging the globe, calling it a ‘third world war in pieces’.

12 May 2025 - 11:24AM

Pope Leo at the central balcony of St Peter’s Basilica for his first Sunday blessing. Photo: AP

Religion

Editorial | New pope may inspire global quest for peace

Some predict Leo XIV will be a moderate offering gentle continuity and that his relatively soft-spoken style may counter divisive voices.

11 May 2025 - 6:30AM

Pope Leo, who has served as a missionary in Peru and previously led the Vatican’s powerful office of bishops, is the Roman Catholic Church’s first pope from the United States. Photo: Xinhua

Religion

Pope Leo XIV sees AI as main challenge for humanity, explains link to his name

The new pontiff then visited the tomb of Pope Francis and a sanctuary south of Rome on his first trip outside the Vatican.

11 May 2025 - 3:25AM

United States

From Villanova to the Vatican: American ‘Bob’ becomes Pope Leo XIV

The US university, steeped in Augustinian tradition, celebrated its first papal link – Cardinal Robert Prevost.

10 May 2025 - 10:24AMvideocam

Religion

New pope vows to bring light to world’s ‘dark nights’ after historic election

America’s first pope gives first homily after he was chosen as the successor to Pope Francis.

9 May 2025 - 7:26PMvideocam

Pope Leo XIV, centre, after holding mass with the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. Photo: Vatican Media via AP

Hong Kong society

Faithful called to pray for Leo XIV, first US pope, by Hong Kong Catholic Church

The new pontiff, formerly Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected on Thursday as 267th pope of Roman Catholic Church.

9 May 2025 - 4:13PM

Catholic Church

Robert Prevost chosen as new pope, first US pontiff in history

He has taken the name Leo XIV and will succeed Pope Francis, who died on April 21 at age 88.

9 May 2025 - 5:43PMvideocam

Catholic Church

Pink smoke: excluded from conclave, Catholic women want their voices heard

The only women the men choosing the next pope will see are ‘nuns tidying their rooms’, protesters say as they call for more female priests.

8 May 2025 - 1:30AMvideocam

Pope Francis

Black smoke: cardinals fail to elect new pope in first conclave vote

133 electors from 70 countries are under lockdown as they vote for the Catholic Church’s 267th pontiff.

8 May 2025 - 3:42AMvideocam

Black smoke rises from the chimney on the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

The Philippines

From Imus to pope? Filipino cardinal’s hometown reflects on his journey

Luis Antonio Tagle began his career in Imus, where residents have fond memories of the cardinal with a 3-1 shot at becoming the next pope.

6 May 2025 - 4:20PMvideocam

Hong Kong society

Pope Francis cared deeply for ‘church in China’, Hong Kong mourners hear

About 1,000 people flocked to Hong Kong’s main Catholic cathedral for late pope’s requiem mass, including former leaders and current officials.

28 Apr 2025 - 11:40PM

Pope Francis

My Take | Pope’s final message was a vital tenet for our time and for all times

Francis’ words at Easter were ones of reconciliation, compassion, inclusivity and understanding. Let us hope that they will be heeded.

27 Apr 2025 - 5:30AM

The coffin of Pope Francis arrives at St. Mary Major Basilica in Rome on Saturday. Photo: AP

My Take

My Take | Wise pope tamed retired Hong Kong bishop and reached out to Beijing

Francis sidelined Cardinal Joseph Zen, restraining his anti-communist opposition to stabilise relations between China and the Vatican.

24 Apr 2025 - 6:32AM

Pope Francis

Opinion | The world has lost a pope dedicated to the poor and the planet

From promoting climate justice to supporting migrants, Pope Francis genuinely practised the ‘preferential option for the poor’.

24 Apr 2025 - 9:02AMvideocam

Pope Francis

Editorial | Path of trust to Beijing forged by Francis is there to be followed

During his 12-year papacy, Francis helped stabilise relations between the Vatican and China, and his successor would be wise to build on consensus.

23 Apr 2025 - 8:15AM

China-Vatican relations

China conveys condolences after death of Pope Francis, seeks closer Vatican ties

Future of relations remains uncertain, analysts warn, given unresolved issues and possible policy shifts under the next pope.

22 Apr 2025 - 11:35PMvideocam

Pope Francis

Pope in critical condition with early kidney failure, remains alert as prayers pour in

Doctors have said 88-year-old Francis’ condition is touch-and-go, given his age, fragility and pre-existing lung disease.

24 Feb 2025 - 5:29AMvideocam

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to remain in hospital as doctors treat ‘complex’ infection

The 88-year-old pontiff has been suffering from a respiratory infection for more than a week, but the Vatican said he was in ‘good humour’.

18 Feb 2025 - 4:16PM

Pope Francis

Pope Francis taken to hospital for bronchitis after struggling to speak

Francis, 88, has been pope since 2013 and has suffered from influenza and other health problems several times over the past two years.

14 Feb 2025 - 9:26PM

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