The Vatican is denying that it has rejected several candidates for U.S. ambassador to the Holy See because of their support for abortion rights. ...more

April 10, 2009

The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI has told U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi that Catholic politicians have a duty to protect life "at all stages of its development." Pelosi is a Catholic who supports abortion rights. ...more

February 18, 2009

The interim leader of the Russian Orthodox Church, seen as a modernizer who could seek a historic reconciliation with the Vatican and more autonomy from the state, was overwhelmingly elected patriarch Tuesday. ...more

January 28, 2009

Vatican officials said Saturday they were disappointed by President Barack Obama's decision to end a ban on federal funding for international groups that perform abortions or provide information on them. ...more

January 25, 2009

The Rev. Joe Waters apologized to parishioners and the public today for his arrest on charges of driving under the influence. ...more

January 8, 2009

It's billed as the world's most expensive, most beautiful new book. Valued at more than $100,000, a 62-pound handmade tome depicting the work of Michelangelo has arrived at the New York Public Library. ...more

November 26, 2008

Italy's highest court ruled Thursday in favor of a man's request to disconnect his daughter's feeding tube and allow her to die after 16 years in a vegetative state. ...more

November 14, 2008

The Vatican ran a deficit in 2007, hurt by the weak dollar in collection baskets from U.S. faithful and steep costs of running its media, the Holy See said Wednesday. ...more

July 10, 2008

"Vatican Splendors," here for three months, features about 200 rare objects in nine themed galleries. ...more

February 10, 2008

A long-missing Michelangelo sketch for the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, possibly his last design before his death, has been discovered in the basilica's offices, the Vatican newspaper said Thursday. ...more

December 7, 2007