Philip Pullella
latest news & developmentsPope Francis names first Sri Lankan saint
The revolutionary Catholic pope has called 17th-century missionary Joseph Vaz a model of reconciliation after the country’s recent civil war.
Pope’s third book on Jesus reaffirms virgin birth
Pope Benedict published the last part of his trilogy on the life of Jesus which reaffirms the the virgin birth as an "unequivocal" truth of faith.
Vatican convicts computer expert in Vatileaks case
A Vatican court has convicted a computer programmer of helping the Pope’s butler leak confidential papers in a scandal that embarrassed the Vatican.
Case against Pope’s former butler adjourned
The case against Paolo Gabriele, in which he is accused of stealing and leaking documents alleging corruption in the Vatican, has been adjourned.
Pope decries technology without God
Pope Benedict, leading Catholics into Easter, says technological progress, in the absence of awareness of God, poses a threat to the world.
Italy enthralled by reluctant hero
The officer ordering the captain of a capsized Italian cruise ship to go back aboard has become an instant hero, credited with saving national honour.
Pope decries commercialisation of Christmas
Pope Benedict has ushered in Christmas, urging people to see through the commercialism of the season and rediscover the significance of the day.
Wall Street protests sweep the globe
Anti-greed protesters rallied globally on Saturday, denouncing bankers and politicians over the international economic crisis.
Occupy Wall Street protests go global
Demonstrators worldwide have shouted their rage against bankers and politicians they accuse of ruining economies and condemning millions to hardship.
Santa Croce restoration offers rare close up view
For lovers of Italian art, the Santa Croce Basilica is as close as you can come to ascending a stairway to heaven and looking angels in the eye.
Pope says God was behind Big Bang
God’s mind was behind scientific theories such as the Big Bang, and Christians should reject the idea that the universe came into being by accident.
Pope says Christmas mass amid security concerns
Pope Benedict prayed for peace on Friday as he led the world’s Roman Catholics into Christmas at a mass marked by heightened security.
Rare pope trip to Britain will pose challenges
Pope Benedict this week makes a trip to Britain and his welcome in one of Europe’s most secular nations will range from polite to indifferent.
Pope begs forgiveness for sexual abuse scandal
Pope Benedict begged forgiveness from God and victims of child sexual abuse by priests on Friday.
Preacher compares attacks on pope to Jewish suffering
Attacks on the Catholic Church over a sexual abuse scandal are comparable to "collective violence" against Jews, the pontiff’s personal preacher said.