Pope: Moon landing inspires progress on justice, environment

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is hoping that the 50th anniversary of the first moon walk inspires efforts to help our "common home" on Earth. Francis told the public in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, the day after the anniversary of the July 20, 1969, lunar landing, that the feat achieved an...

Vatican college space holds bones of dozens, expert says

VATICAN CITY (AP) — A genetics expert retained by the family of a girl who went missing in 1983 said Saturday that a cavernous underground space near a Vatican cemetery holds thousands of bones that appear to be from dozens of individuals, both "adult and non-adult." The expert, Giorgio Portera, said the...

Pope Francis names British-born Matteo Bruni as spokesman

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis named a new Vatican spokesman Thursday, tapping Matteo Bruni, the British-born official who has handled media logistics for papal trips, in the latest shakeup of the Vatican's communications operations. Bruni takes over from Alessandro Gisotti, who became interim spokesman...

Pope Francis has named a new Vatican spokesman, tapping British-born Matteo Bruni

Pope urges better protection of fishermen's human rights

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is encouraging efforts to safeguard the human rights of fishermen and mariners. Francis tweeted that he is praying for them and their families and noted that Sunday is a day dedicated to seafarers and fishermen. Francis tweeted: "I encourage every effort to protect and...

Vatican mystery over missing girl deepens as bones are found

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The mystery of the 1983 disappearance of the 15-year-old daughter of a Vatican employee took yet another twist Saturday following excavations this week at a Vatican City cemetery. The Vatican said it had discovered two sets of bones under a stone slab that will be formally opened next...

No bones found in Vatican tombs searched for missing girl

VATICAN CITY (AP) — The tombs of two 19th-century German princesses were pried open at a tiny Holy See cemetery Thursday and turned out to be completely empty, dashing any expectations they held the remains of a teenager who vanished in 1983 after leaving her family's Vatican City apartment. Emanuela...

Sistine Chapel Choir director quits after funding scandal

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of the Sistine Chapel Choir director in the wake of a funding scandal. The Vatican said Wednesday that Monsignor Massimo Palombella will be temporarily replaced by Monsignor Marcos Pavan, currently in charge of the boys' division of what's...

Pope approves miracle for late US Archbishop Sheen

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis has approved a miracle bringing the late American Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen, known for his revolutionary radio and TV preaching, closer to sainthood. The Vatican announced the move Saturday, which clears the way for beatification. It comes just weeks after a New York court...

Frenchman takes groping complaint case to Vatican

VATICAN CITY (AP) — One of a half-dozen men who have accused the Vatican's ambassador to France of groping them said Wednesday he plans to take his legal complaint directly to the Vatican, alleging the Holy See had invoked diplomatic immunity for the high-ranking churchman in a French criminal probe....