Sylvia Poggioli

The Vatican is holding its biggest criminal trial in modern history. The case alleges 10 people, including a once-powerful cardinal, of defrauding the Holy See of tens of millions of dollars.

Pope Francis is recovering following colon surgery. The Vatican says the 84-year-old pontiff's surgery was planned and uneventful.

For a long time, the Catholic Church rejected scientific findings that conflicted with its doctrine, even persecuting Galileo. Now the Vatican looks to promote its observatory as a bridge to science.

The first major revision of Catholic canon law in nearly four decades redefines clerical sex abuse and mandates specific punishments. It also sets punishments for the attempted ordination of women.

The series is Italy's first with a majority Black cast. Lead actor Giuseppe Dave Seke tells NPR that Zero is "opening up a door in Italy that was just waiting to be opened."

Italy is in mourning after a cable car in the country's majestic northern lakes region plunged to the ground. The disaster is reviving questions about the safety of Italy's transport infrastructure.

The possible plan could affect President Biden, among other Catholic political figures. The Vatican is calling for U.S. bishops to reach a consensus and says any such move could sow division.

Italy has approved plans to install a new floor for the Colosseum, the ancient arena in Rome. The new floor will give visitors the view gladiators once had.

The captain, identified by Italian media as Walter Biot, was reportedly caught Tuesday evening as he handed over allegedly top-secret documents to one of the Russian diplomats in exchange for money.

Italy is expected to impose a partial national lockdown over Easter weekend. It was the first country to impose a national lockdown a year ago, and is battling a potential third wave of COVID-19.

Pope Francis goes to the Iraqi city of Mosul and visits ancient Christian sites in northern Iraq on the last day of his trip to fortify local Christians and promote interfaith relations.

On the second of a three-day trip to Iraq, Pope Francis is focusing on interfaith relations as he meets with Muslim leaders and visits a church in Baghdad.

The Vatican has sought to make a papal trip to Iraq, the traditional home of Abraham and now a shrinking Christian minority, since 2000. Pope Francis ended his first day there with religious leaders.

Pope Francis starts a four-day visit to Iraq on Friday. It's the first such papal visit. The goal is to strengthen local Christian communities and build dialogue with Muslims.

The pope and the president share liberal stances on climate change and economic disparity. A theology scholar argues U.S. Catholic Church leadership is increasingly allied with the political right.

Pope Francis has appointed women to two Vatican posts previously held only by men. One of the appointments is to a high position in the bishop's synod, which helps decide Catholic rules.

Giuseppe Conte handed in his resignation Tuesday following weeks of political uncertainty and the loss of a coalition partner over his handling of the coronavirus' second wave and economic recovery.

A nonprofit has identified 2,000 works by women artists that had been stashed in Italy's public museums and damp churches. It's also supported restoration of 70 works from the 16th to 20th centuries.

NPR remembers the Rev. Reginald Foster — perhaps the world's foremost Latin scholar. He was the official translator for four popes and inspired Roman tour guides for Latin enthusiasts worldwide.

A Vatican investigation into church leaders' failings that allowed the rise of a now-disgraced former U.S. cardinal has led some Catholics to call for "difficult reckoning" with the sainted pope.