St. Peter's Basilica Archives

Say ‘yes’ to the Holy Spirit, ‘no’ to divisive ideologies, pope says

May 23, 2021

The Holy Spirit’s gift of comfort and solace is meant to unite all men and women and not take sides with any ideology, Pope Francis said on Pentecost.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Celebrating Holy Thursday Mass, Cardinal Re calls for prayers to end pandemic

Apr 1, 2021

With Pope Francis not in attendance, on Thursday the dean of the College of Cardinals celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Last Supper in an eerily empty St. Peter’s Basilica, describing this liturgy as a reminder of “how much we have been loved.”

By Inés San Martín

Holy Week music series recorded at St. Peter’s Basilica

Apr 1, 2021

At a time when enjoying choir music in churches is banned almost everywhere in the world due to COVID-19 restrictions, two young German tenors recorded a series of songs inspired by Christ’s passion and his resurrection in an empty St. Peter’s Basilica, with new songs being released every day from Wednesday until Easter Sunday.

By Inés San Martín

Vatican releases pope’s Holy Week, Easter schedule

Mar 24, 2021

The Vatican published Pope Francis’ calendar for Holy Week and Easter, which due to coronavirus restrictions, will be celebrated primarily in St. Peter’s Basilica with a very small congregation.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Vatican pressed on decree limiting Latin Mass in St. Peter’s

Mar 19, 2021

A second Catholic cardinal has questioned the legitimacy of a recent decree by the Vatican to restrict the celebration of the old Latin Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica and forbid private Masses in its side chapels.

By Nicole Winfield

Vatican ends practice of priests celebrating Mass alone in St. Peter’s

Mar 15, 2021

The Vatican is putting an end to the practice of priests going into St. Peter’s Basilica early every morning to celebrate their own Mass at a side altar with just an altar server.

By Cindy Wooden

Pope praises Filipino Catholics as joyful witnesses of the Gospel

Mar 15, 2021

The joy of the Gospel has been an integral part of the Filipino identity since the arrival of Christianity in the Southeast Asian country five centuries ago, Pope Francis said.

By Junno Arocho Esteves

Will the Vatican investigate a cardinal implicated in its own abuse trial?

Feb 26, 2021

Three witnesses testified that Italian Cardinal Angelo Comastri, who was relieved of his position as Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica last Saturday by Pope Francis, or his aides, had been aware of sexual abuse allegations at a pre-seminary on Vatican grounds and took no action.

By John L. Allen Jr.