February
Lost opportunity that might have reshaped the Catholic Church
A little-remembered gathering in the 1960s could have stopped the problems which now batter the Church’s reputation, a new book argues.
‘Conclave’, Chalamet win at SAG Awards, setting up Oscars battle
The Conclave cast won best movie ensemble at the awards, the last major honours before next weekend’s Oscars.
Former Nats MP to be appointed as Vatican ambassador
Labor is poised to name Keith Pitt to a plum diplomatic post in Rome, in a shock appointment ahead of the federal election.
December 2024
Australian-based bishop among Pope’s new cardinal picks
At 44 years of age, Mykola Bychokthe, head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in Melbourne, is also the youngest cardinal.
September 2024
East Timor gives Pope Francis a massive welcome
Timorese jammed the motorcade route, waving Vatican and Timorese flags and toting yellow and white umbrellas – the colours of the Holy See.
April 2024
No cruise? No problem. We got a bonus week in Rome
The disappointment of a cancelled cruise is replaced by the joy of an unexpected luxury stay in the Eternal City.
January 2024
World revels, but wars cast shadow over New Year festivities
Midnight advanced from one time zone to the next starting with Oceania, then the rest of Asia and the Middle East, followed by Europe, Africa and the Americas.
December 2023
Cardinal guilty of mass fraud in Vatican ‘trial of the century’
The former papal confidant, who oversaw the management of Holy See funds, faces jail time after the verdict in the landmark court case.
March 2023
Responding to Indigenous people, Vatican rejects discovery doctrine
The statement marked a historic recognition of the Vatican’s own complicity in colonial-era abuses committed by European powers.
February 2023
Pell endured ‘modern-day crucifixion’, Abbott tells funeral
The former PM used his eulogy to rail against George Pell’s since-overturned conviction as John Howard, Peter Dutton, Alan Jones gathered for the Sydney service.
January 2023
‘Unwavering courage’: Vatican holds funeral for George Pell
Pope Francis gave a final blessing for the Australian cardinal who lamented that the current papacy was a “disaster” and a “catastrophe”.
George Pell: a priest who endured scandal and success
To his supporters, the cardinal was at the heart of the struggle for the soul of the church in a secular world. To his enemies, he was a dogmatic and abrasive bully who surrounded himself with yes-men.
Benedict supporters demand sainthood as Pope presides at funeral
Three of the last five popes have been made saints, but only about a third of all pontiffs have been canonised in the church’s 2000-year history.
More than 65,000 view Benedict XVI’s body on first day
Benedict’s body was dressed with a mitre, the peaked headgear of a bishop, and a red cloak.
Benedict’s death leaves Catholic conservatives bereft
Conservatives are mourning the loss of a leader who championed the traditions, doctrines, and church law and order they cherished.
Benedict’s lasting mark on papacy will be his resignation
For all his accomplishments and accolades, Pope Benedict, who died on Saturday AEDT, aged 95, will forever be known as the first pope in 600 years to resign.
February 2022
Vatican ready to facilitate Russia-Ukraine talks
The Vatican said “despite the war unleashed by Russia against Ukraine”, there “is always room for negotiations”.
January 2021
AUSTRAC's $2.3b Vatican error 'deeply concerning'
The government's anti-money laundering credentials took a hit after AUSTRAC admitted a software glitch caused it to wrongly accuse the Vatican of transferring $2.3 billion to Australia.
AUSTRAC in embarrassing $2b climbdown over Vatican transfers
A joint review of money transfers from the Vatican to Australia showed that only $9.5 million transited instead of the $2.3 billion originally calculated by AUSTRAC.
December 2020
Vatican denies knowledge of $US1.8 billion transferred to Australia
The Vatican and the Australian Catholic Church have both denied knowledge of transfers worth $US1.8 billion which AUSTRAC said was sent to the country over seven years.