Advertisement

Image: Andrew Medichini/AP Photo/picture alliance/dpaImage: Andrew Medichini/AP Photo/picture alliance/dpa

Vatican

The Vatican is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and its head, the pope.

Skip next section All Content on this topic

All Content on this topic

Mascots Xin, Luce, Fe and Sky, with the little angel Lubi and the dog Santino

Mascots Xin, Luce, Fe and Sky, with the little angel Lubi and the dog Santino

Holy Year 2025: What to expect

The Pope will open the "Jubilee" or "Holy Year 2025" on Christmas Eve. What does that entail?

Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden

Pope Francis and US President Joe Biden

US: Biden to meet with Pope Francis, Italy PM Meloni

President Biden and Pope Francis will be discussing "efforts to advance peace around the world."

General view on the day Pope Francis attends a mass to canonise fourteen new saints including Spanish Father Manuel Ruiz Lopez in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 20, 2024.

General view on the day Pope Francis attends a mass to canonise fourteen new saints including Spanish Father Manuel Ruiz Lopez in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, October 20, 2024.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals

Pope Francis has appointed 21 new clergymen to the Catholic Church's College of Cardinals.

Pope Francis looks at the cardinals he has appointed in red robes (in 2022)

Pope Francis looks at the cardinals he has appointed in red robes (in 2022)

Pope Francis names diverse group of cardinals

Francis is further shaping the circle of senior Catholic clergy who will eventually elect his successor in the conclave.

A Chinese flag waving in front of the Wangfujiang Catholic Church in Beijing, China

A Chinese flag waving in front of the Wangfujiang Catholic Church in Beijing, China

China and Vatican agree to extend controversial bishops deal

Some conservative Catholics have criticized the accord for handing over too much control to Beijing.

Pope Francis kisses the hand of Indonesia's Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar

Pope Francis kisses the hand of Indonesia's Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar

Vatican's 'pivot to Asia' reflected in Pope Francis' tour

The pope's 12-day tour shows that the Vatican — like many other Western states — is working to deepen ties with Asia.

St. Joseph's Church with a Chinese flag flying

St. Joseph's Church with a Chinese flag flying

Decoding China: The Vatican's difficult diplomacy

To what extent can China allow the Catholic Church in the country if Beijing has little influence over the Vatican?

Pope Francis sits on a chair while addressing the faithful in Venice

Pope Francis sits on a chair while addressing the faithful in Venice

Pope Francis travels to Venice to attend Biennale

The pontiff flew from the Vatican into a women's prison in Venice, home to the Vatican's exhibition at the Biennale.

Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Pilgrims from Vietnam pose as they gather to attend mass led by Pope Francis at the Steppe Arena in Ulaanbaatar on September 3, 2023

Vatican eyes closer ties with communist Vietnam

Religious organizations in Vietnam are tightly under the thumb of the communist authorities.

Pope Francis gestures as he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

Pope Francis gestures as he delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" (To the city and the world) message at St. Peter's Square, on Easter Sunday, at the Vatican March 31, 2024.

Vatican: Pope Francis urges peace on Easter Sunday

He called for peace in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages, and for prisoner swaps between Russia and Ukraine.

Pope Francis waves after presiding over the Easter vigil celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Francis waves after presiding over the Easter vigil celebration in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Saturday, March 30, 2024

Pope Francis leads Easter vigil after health concerns

Pope Francis used his homily to decry war and hatred in the world. It comes a day after he missed an Easter procession.

Pope Francis, seen here, has been battling health problems since last year

Pope Francis, seen here, has been battling health problems since last year

Pope Francis skips Good Friday procession for health reasons

It marks the second year in a row the 87-year-old has had to pull out of the Good Friday procession.

Pope Francis receives German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during an audience at the Vatican March 2, 2024.

Pope Francis receives German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during an audience at the Vatican March 2, 2024.

Germany's Scholz meets Pope Francis at the Vatican

The German chancellor said his talk with the head of the Catholic Church was "important" and "meaningful."

Married and same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Married and same-sex couples take part in a public blessing ceremony in front of the Cologne Cathedral in Cologne, Germany, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023.

Vatican: Same-sex couple 'blessings' aren't 'heretical'

The Vatican said it could not be "blasphemous," not least because they are "blessings without a liturgical format."

A church welcoming LGBT+ people to the congregation

A church welcoming LGBT+ people to the congregation

Pope Francis allows Catholic blessings for same-sex couples

The Vatican allows priests to bless same-sex couples, but adds that such blessings are not a sign of approval.

Cardinal Angelo Becciu and Pope Francis stand side by side as the pope signs a document

Cardinal Angelo Becciu and Pope Francis stand side by side as the pope signs a document

Vatican cardinal handed 5.5 years jail for embezzlement

Cardinal Angelo Becciu is the highest-ranking Catholic Church official to stand before the Vatican court.

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul IV hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis arrives in the Paul IV hall on the occasion of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis 'still not well' after canceling COP28 trip

The 86-year-old pontiff was set to become the first Catholic Church head to address the UN climate summit.

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer, from his residence rather than St Peter's Square, on November 26, 2023

Pope Francis delivers his blessing during the Angelus prayer, from his residence rather than St Peter's Square, on November 26, 2023

Pope Francis 'good, stable' but suffers lung inflammation

The Vatican says the Pontiff is showing signs of improvement after suffering from lung inflammation.

Fokus Europa Italien Papstschneider

Fokus Europa Italien Papstschneider

The pope's tailor

Filippo Sorcinelli has tailored the vestments of many Catholic dignitaries.

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

DW Podcast | Inside Europe | provisorisch f ROAD

Inside Europe - 12 October 2023

How Russia is using the Israel-Hamas conflict for its own ends, no show for Syria in The Hague as the country is tried for war crimes, and we meet the international volunteers keeping vital aid to Ukraine stocked up. Also: two German states shift to the right, Paris cleans up a major bedbug infestation, and conservatives threaten to halt major reforms in the Catholic Church.

St Peter's Basilica at sunset

St Peter's Basilica at sunset

Catholic Church synod: How explosive are calls for reform?

The church is in crisis but a major meeting of bishops in Rome will see unusually open dialogue.

Newly elected Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop of Hong Kong, right, receives his biretta from Pope Francis as he is elevated in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican

Newly elected Cardinal Stephen Chow, Bishop of Hong Kong, right, receives his biretta from Pope Francis as he is elevated in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican

Vatican: Pope Francis appoints 21 new cardinals

Pope Francis elevated 21 clerics from around the world to the rank of cardinal. There are now 137 cardinal electors.

A thin-faced man, Cardinal Franz Hengsbach, holds a crozier and looks stern

A thin-faced man, Cardinal Franz Hengsbach, holds a crozier and looks stern

Catholic Church investigates claims against late cardinal

Victims groups want to know if Pope Benedict was involved in quashing an investigation a decade ago.

Portraits of the Ulma family members at a museum in Markowa

Portraits of the Ulma family members at a museum in Markowa

Vatican beatifies Polish family that sheltered Jews

For the first time, the Vatican has given an entire family one of Catholicism's highest honors.

People wave Chinese flags as Pope Francis leaves after presiding over a mass in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on September 3

People wave Chinese flags as Pope Francis leaves after presiding over a mass in the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar on September 3

Pope Francis in Mongolia sends greeting to Chinese Catholics

After a mass attended by some groups of Chinese Catholics, the pope told them to be "good Christians and good citizens."

Pope Francis is received by Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Batmunkh Battsetseg during his arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar

Pope Francis is received by Mongolia's Minister of Foreign Affairs Batmunkh Battsetseg during his arrival at Chinggis Khaan International Airport in Ulaanbaatar

Pope Francis visits Mongolia's tiny Catholic community

The Catholic Church sanctioned a presence in Mongolia as recently as 1992 after the nation adopted religious freedom.

Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, 07 June 2023.

Pope Francis leads the weekly general audience in Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, 07 June 2023.

Pope Francis names 21 new cardinals from across the world

The latest consistory comes as Francis continues to handpick those who would choose his successor.

Pope Francis greets people on the day of his discharge from Gemelli hospital in Rome

Pope Francis greets people on the day of his discharge from Gemelli hospital in Rome

Pope Francis leaves hospital 9 days after operation

The head of the Roman Catholic Church is "better than before," a doctor said, after he underwent a hernia operation.

Two members of Italian climate activist group, Ultima Generazione (Last Generation), glued themselves to the iconic statue of the priest "Laocoon" at the Vatican Museums on August 18, 2022.

Two members of Italian climate activist group, Ultima Generazione (Last Generation), glued themselves to the iconic statue of the priest "Laocoon" at the Vatican Museums on August 18, 2022.

Vatican court fines climate activists over museum protest

The activists were received a suspended jail sentence for gluing themselves to the base of a Vatican Museum statue.

Pope Francis greets people as he arrives for the weekly general audience on the day he is due to undergo abdominal surgery, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Pope Francis greets people as he arrives for the weekly general audience on the day he is due to undergo abdominal surgery, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican

Pope Francis recovering well from operation: Vatican

The spiritual leader of the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics has suffered increasing health issues in the last one year.

Front view of Rome's Gemelli hospital

Front view of Rome's Gemelli hospital

Pope Francis surgery over with 'no complications' — Vatican

The pontiff had 33 centimeters (13 inches) of his large intestine removed in 2021.

An Italian police car passes in front of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, late Thursday, May 18, 2023

An Italian police car passes in front of St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, late Thursday, May 18, 2023

Vatican: Man arrested after crashing car into gate

A medical examination showed that he was in a "serious state of psychophysical alteration."

The pope waves at crowds as he arrives at the central square in Budapest

The pope waves at crowds as he arrives at the central square in Budapest

Pope Francis urges unity in final Mass in Hungary

The pope capped his trip to Hungary with a Mass in Budapest, telling thousands to fight "closed doors" of nationalism.

Pope Francis after the general assembly at the Vatican on April 26th 2023

Pope Francis after the general assembly at the Vatican on April 26th 2023

Pope says women will be allowed to vote in bishops' assembly

Catholic women's groups have long campaigned for the right to vote at synods.

Pope Francis celebrates Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Pope Francis celebrates Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City

Pope Francis to skip Good Friday procession

The pontiff is recovering from bronchitis and was released from hospital late last week.

Pope Francis

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to leave hospital in time for Easter mass

Pope Francis was hospitalized just weeks after his tenth anniversary as the head of the Catholic Church.

Pope Francis is helped get up the popemobile car as he leaves on March 29, 2023 at the end of the weekly general audience at St. Peter's square in The Vatican.

Pope Francis is helped get up the popemobile car as he leaves on March 29, 2023 at the end of the weekly general audience at St. Peter's square in The Vatican.

Vatican says Pope Francis recovering well in hospital

Pope Francis's health is improving after his first night in the hospital with a respiratory infection, the Vatican says.

Pope Francis is helped get up the popemobile car as he leaves on March 29 at the end of the weekly general audience at St. Peter's square in The Vatican

Pope Francis is helped get up the popemobile car as he leaves on March 29 at the end of the weekly general audience at St. Peter's square in The Vatican

Pope Francis taken to hospital with respiratory infection

The Pope will stay at a hospital in Rome for several days of treatment. The Vatican said his infection is not COVID.

Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis (L) speaks to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (second from the left), Greece's Orthodox Church Archbishop Ieronymos (C) and Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity (first from the right), during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on March 24, 2023.

Acropolis Museum Director Nikolaos Stampolidis (L) speaks to Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni (second from the left), Greece's Orthodox Church Archbishop Ieronymos (C) and Bishop Brian Farrell, a Vatican secretary for promoting Christian unity (first from the right), during a ceremony at the Acropolis Museum in Athens on March 24, 2023.

Vatican returns Parthenon pieces to Greece Acropolis

The Vatican returned three fragments of the Parthenon temple in what Pope Francis has called a gesture of friendship.

A combination picture of Pope France and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

A combination picture of Pope France and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega

Vatican shuts embassy in Nicaragua in row with Ortega

The closure follows Pope Francis calling President Daniel Ortega's socialist government a dictatorship.

Opposition members praying in a church in Managua, Nicaragua

Opposition members praying in a church in Managua, Nicaragua

Vatican-Nicaragua relations: Strained or broken?

Media reports say diplomatic relations between Managua and the Holy See are over. But are they really?

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum.

Tourists look at a piece of the Parthenon frieze in the British Museum.

No plans to give Parthenon Marbles back to Greece

PM Sunak says UK will not alter law to give Parthenon fragments to Greece. The debate over their restitution continues.

Pope Francis looks out from a balcony at the Vatican in 2013

Pope Francis looks out from a balcony at the Vatican in 2013

Approachable and opaque: 10 years of Pope Francis

Pope Francis has been head of the Catholic Church for 10 years. What has the former clergyman from Argentina achieved?

Pope Francis surrounded by cardinals and bishops at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican

Pope Francis surrounded by cardinals and bishops at St. Peter's Basilica, at the Vatican

Pope instructs cardinals to pay rent at the Vatican

Pope Francis says cardinals and senior Holy See officials must pay full rent for their housing in the Vatican and Rome.

Pope Francis takes a question from a reporter aboard the papal plane

Pope Francis takes a question from a reporter aboard the papal plane

Pope Francis defends LGBT rights, Pope Benedict aboard plane

Returning from Africa, Pope Francis took umbrage with those who used Pope Benedict XVI's death to attack the church.

Italian Cardinal Battista Re speaks at George Pell's funeral; he is wearing a red robe and skullcap

Italian Cardinal Battista Re speaks at George Pell's funeral; he is wearing a red robe and skullcap

Vatican holds funeral for Cardinal Pell

The Australian-born cardinal died at age 81. He was imprisoned in 2019, a conviction which was later overturned.

The coffin of former Pope Benedict is carried during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, January 5, 2023.

The coffin of former Pope Benedict is carried during his funeral, in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, January 5, 2023.

Pope Benedict XVI honored at St. Peter's Square funeral

For the first time in centuries, a sitting pontiff is presiding over his predecessor's funeral.

Several people line up to pay their respects to Pope Benedict at St. Peter's Basilica

Several people line up to pay their respects to Pope Benedict at St. Peter's Basilica

Thousands pay tribute to late Pope Benedict at the Vatican

Mourners have begun paying their respects to the former pope, whose body will lie in state for the next three days.

Pope Benedict XVI at his final general audience before retirement

Pope Benedict XVI at his final general audience before retirement

Benedict XVI shocked the Catholic Church

Benedict XVI was loved by some but reviled by others. He has died at the age of 95.

German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger blesses the coffin of Pope John Paul II during his funeral mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican City 08 April 2005.

German Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger blesses the coffin of Pope John Paul II during his funeral mass in St Peter's Square at the Vatican City 08 April 2005.

What happens when a former pope dies?

The death of former Pope Benedict XVI has thrown up speculation about the funeral plans for a pope who has resigned.