Francis and Benedict receive COVID vaccine (Vatican News) The vaccination campaign against Covid-19 in the Vatican which began on Wednesday continues with both Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI receiving their first doses of the vaccine. “I can confirm that as part of the vaccination program of the Vatican City State, as of today, the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine has been administered to Pope Francis and to the Pope Emeritus,” said Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office in response to journalists’ questions…

Report gives glimpse into horror of Ireland’s mother and baby homes (The New York Times) A government-commissioned report released on Tuesday found a shocking number of deaths and widespread abuses at religious institutions in Ireland for unwed mothers and their children. Survivors say the document is a small step toward accountability after decades of horrors…

Archbishop of Glasgow dies after COVID diagnosis (BBC) The Archbishop of Glasgow, the Most Reverend Philip Tartaglia, has died suddenly at his home in the city. He was 70 years old. Archbishop Tartaglia had tested positive for Covid-19 shortly after Christmas and was self-isolating. The Catholic Church said the cause of his death was not yet clear…

Pizzaballa makes first visit to Jordan as patriarch (Vatican News) The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Archbishop Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, is in Jordan for a two weeks’ pastoral and official visit which is his first one since his appointment as head of the Latin Church in the Holy Land on October 24…

Pope’s phone call helps children of gay couple become Catholic (NCR) Thanks to the personal intervention of Pope Francis, three young children of one Italian gay couple are being brought up in the Catholic faith and even ministering as altar servers…

Become a Patron!