Pope Francis has last week appointed Australian Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Tito Yllana as the new Apostolic Nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and Apostolic Delegate in Jerusalem and Palestine. By Vatican News.

On the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ Pope Francis said that the church of the perfect and pure is a room where there isn’t a place for anyone; the church with open doors that celebrates around Christ is, on the other hand, a large hall where everyone, the righteous and sinners, can enter. By Carol Glatz/CNS.

A series of laws and procedures to protect children, promote the investigation of allegations of clerical sexual abuse and punish offenders are included in a heavily revised section of the Code of Canon Law.

Melbourne priests Msgr Anthony Ireland and Fr Martin Ashe, have last week been appointed as new Auxiliary Bishops of the Archdiocese of Melbourne by Pope Francis.

Pope Francis is preparing to formally institute the “ministry of catechist”.

The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican this year was limited to 200 congregation members due to the COVID-19 lockdown. In his homily, Pope Francis said Jesus calls on all Christians today to “overcome barriers, banish prejudices” and to recognise the Lord “here in our Galilees, in everyday life.” By Junno Arocho Esteves and Cindy Wooden.

The Gospel account of Jesus’ temptation in the desert, read each year at the beginning of Lent, is a reminder that following the Lord’s footsteps “is a battle against the spirit of evil,” the Holy Father stated in his 21 February Sunday Angelus address.

The Vatican has announced that Pope Francis will today participate in a meeting hosted by the United Nations to mark the first International Day of Human Fraternity. According to a statement published on 1 February by the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, the Holy Father will take part in the 4 February virtual event, which will be hosted in Abu Dhabi by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, the crown prince.

A catechist always must teach what the church teaches and that includes the vision and teachings of the Second Vatican Council. It must focus on leading people to a personal relationship with Christ and building a community of believers where the talents of each person are valued and where all go out to share the Gospel and serve the poor, Pope Francis said.

In the age of instant communications and fake news, journalists – like everyone else – need to recover the practice of going out and verifying information before they share it, Pope Francis said. By Cindy Wooden.