The Vatican houses the central government of the Catholic Church and is also an independent city-state. The pope is both the ...

The Catholic Church has opened the solemn Lenten season leading to Easter without the participation of Pope Francis ...

St Peter's Square is bustling, but behind the Vatican's walls, activities have slowed as the Catholic Church grapples with ...

Pope Francis is resting after sleeping through the night with a ventilation mask as he undergoes hospital treatment for ...

Vatican City, the world's smallest country, hasn't seen a birth in 96 years due to its unique population of celibate clergy ...

On Ash Wednesday, observant Catholics receive a sign of the cross in ashes on their foreheads, a gesture that underscores ...

The pope, who has chronic lung disease, has been stable for two days after suffering two respiratory crises Monday.

The 88-year-old Francis has pneumonia in both lungs and remains in critical condition despite showing a slight improvement ...

The Vatican has detailed laws and rituals to ensure the transfer of power when a pope dies or resigns, but not when he is ...

Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State and president of the Pontifical ...

Pope Francis, head of the Roman Catholic Church, has held his title for 12 years. What to know about the Jesuit.

Despite his hospitalization, the pope has maintained a degree of governance and authorized the appointment of four new ...