London Archives

No matter how it’s framed, report card on Vatican reform a mixed bag

Jun 10, 2021

There are troubling elements of the Moneyval findings that can’t simply be spun away or chalked up to “areas for growth,” especially for a financial reform under Pope Francis that’s supposedly been underway for the better part of a decade.

By John L. Allen Jr.

Catholic school in London fights COVID fallout with laptops, bean bags

Jun 1, 2021

Nik Geraj’s voice fills with pain as he talks about how he struggled to help his daughter study during the coronavirus lockdowns that shut her school for more than four months over the past year.

By Danica Kirka

UK PM Boris Johnson marries fiancee in private Catholic ceremony

May 30, 2021

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has married his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, in a small private ceremony that came at the end of a tumultuous week during which a former top aide said he was unfit for office.

By Danica Kirka

Key suspect in Vatican corruption case detained in London

May 12, 2021

The main suspect in the Vatican’s corruption investigation into a London real estate venture was taken into custody Tuesday in London after he appeared for his first extradition hearing, his lawyers said.

By Associated Press

Rome judge orders arrest of Vatican suspect in London deal

Apr 12, 2021

A Rome judge ordered the arrest Monday of an Italian businessman living in London who is a prime suspect in the Vatican’s two-year investigation into the Holy See’s 350-million-euro ($416 million) investment in a London real estate venture.

By Nicole Winfield

London police ‘deeply regret’ aftermath of Good Friday liturgy shutdown

Apr 12, 2021

Catholic officials and members of London’s Metropolitan Police Service pledged to “move forward in friendship” after a controversial forced ending of the Good Friday service at Christ the King Polish Catholic Church in the capital.

By Charles Collins

Catholic church in London seeks answers after Good Friday liturgy stopped by police

Apr 4, 2021

Archbishop John Wilson of Southwark visited Christ the King Polish Catholic Church in south London on Saturday, a day after police stopped a Good Friday service for allegedly violating COVID-19 safety guidelines.

By Charles Collins

Vatican can’t blame the media for spin cycles around Becciu

Apr 4, 2021

If you stand on a balcony and chuck a brick over the side, and that brick ends up hitting somebody in the street, it’s no defense to blame the law of gravity. Similarly, if you build a PR bomb and take no steps to defuse it, you don’t get to blame the media for the blast.

By John L. Allen Jr.