The Vatican began vaccinating its employees and residents against COVID-19 Jan. 13, giving priority to its health care workers, security personnel, employees who deal with the public and older residents, employees and retirees.
Popes Francis, Benedict XVI in line for vaccination against COVID-19
Pope says he was ‘astonished’ by violence at Capitol
Pope Francis offered prayers for the people of the United States “shaken by the recent siege on Congress” and prayed for the five people who lost their lives “in those dramatic moments” when protesters stormed the Capitol Jan. 6.
Prohibition on in-person gatherings in parishes remains until Feb. 1
The suspension of in-person gatherings and activities in the Diocese of St. Cloud due to COVID-19 will continue until at least Feb. 1, Bishop Donald Kettler reiterated in a Jan. 6 letter to pastors.
COVID-19 claims lives of over 200 priests in Italy since start of pandemic
Of the more than 76,000 people known to have died of COVID-19 in Italy the past 11 months, more than 200 were priests, according to the Catholic newspaper, Avvenire.
Church bells to ring Dec. 30 in honor of 336,000 lives lost to COVID-19
Churches are invited to ring bells at noon Dec. 30, during the octave of Christmas, to remember and honor the more than 336,000 people who have died in the United States from COVID-19.
Prohibition on in-person gatherings in parishes extended to Feb. 1
Bishop Donald Kettler is continuing the suspension of in-person social activities and other gatherings in parishes until at least Feb. 1, he notified pastors in a letter Dec. 18.
New Jersey parishes find creative new ways to engage Catholics this Christmas
Tickets for Masses, virtual holiday concerts, video Christmas cards, and drive-by Nativity scenes: It’s beginning to look a lot like a different sort of Christmas.
Vatican: Without alternatives, current COVID-19 vaccines are morally acceptable
The Vatican’s doctrinal office said that when alternative vaccines are not available, it is morally acceptable to receive COVID-19 vaccines developed or tested using cell lines originating from aborted fetuses.