VATICAN CITY -- Among the many titles under which Catholics invoke Mary, Pope Francis has asked them to add "Mother of Mercy," "Mother of Hope" and "Comfort of Migrants."

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of three men and two women, including an Italian nun who was brutally murdered by three teenage girls who claimed it had been a satanic sacrifice.

VATICAN CITY -- During the darkest, most deadly days of the COVID-19 pandemic in northern Italy, medical professionals and volunteers were "silent artisans of a culture of closeness and tenderness," a culture that cannot be allowed to disappear, Pope Francis said.

VATICAN CITY -- Carlo Acutis, a 15-year-old Italian who used his computer programming skills to spread devotion to the Eucharist, will be beatified in October, the Diocese of Assisi announced.

VATICAN CITY -- An Italian broker who was arrested for his involvement in the questionable majority stake purchase of a property in London by the Vatican's Secretariat of State was granted a conditional release after 10 days in a Vatican jail cell.

VATICAN CITY -- Tasked with protecting the pope even at the cost of their own lives, members of the Swiss Guard are not just highly trained specialists in security and ceremonial detail, they also receive extensive spiritual formation, the guard's chaplain said.

VATICAN CITY -- The Institute for the Works of Religion, often referred to as the Vatican bank, made a profit of 38 million euros (about $42.9 million) in 2019, more than twice the profit reported in the previous year, according to its annual report.

VATICAN CITY -- Vatican authorities arrested and took into custody an Italian broker who was involved in the Vatican Secretariat of State's majority stake purchase of a property in London's posh Chelsea district.

Ray TemmermanöÏÓãÊÓƵapp been a committed Catholic all his life. HeöÏÓãÊÓƵapp a former president of the National Council of Development and Peace. HeöÏÓãÊÓƵapp taken time out from his career in automotive technology and human resources to study theology at the University of Winnipeg, earning a Masters in Sacred Theology.

VATICAN CITY -- To prevent fraud and corruption, uphold Catholic principles and save money, Pope Francis has issued a new set of laws covering contracts for the purchase of goods, property and services for both the Roman Curia and Vatican City State offices.