Pope Francis, who has been in hospital for two weeks with double pneumonia, is in a “stable” condition, with no recurrence of the previous day’s breathing crisis, the Vatican said on Saturday. The 88-year-old head of the Catholic Church is still receiving oxygen but has no fever, has been eating, is alert, and praying, the Holy See said in its …

The first item that caught my attention on Facebook penultimate Wednesday was Mr. Nsikak Essien’s page. It reads: “Christianity is not a primitive accumulation of wealth, an obscene display of opulence”. The photograph of the Catholic Church’s Pope Francis blessing a white car followed. A horde of executives clad in black (business) suits stood behind him. Nsikak’s narrative continued: “This …

Pope Francis on Sunday gave Easter Mass with tens of thousands of Catholics at Saint Peter’s Square in Vatican City before his traditional blessing, as concerns persist over his health. The 87-year-old arrived in a wheelchair to preside over the mass from 10:00 am (0800 GMT) in cloudy and windy weather, with the events broadcast live around the globe. France …

Pope Francis on Saturday elevated 21 clergymen from distant corners of the world to the rank of Cardinal, saying diversity was indipensable to the future of the Catholic Church. Under sunny skies and with a crowd that filled half of Vatican City’s grandiose, colonnaded St Peter’s Square, the 86-year-old pope welcomed the new “Princes of the Church” — one of …

Pope Francis on Saturday denounced “disinformation” and fake news spread in an effort to influence public opinion as journalism’s principal offence. “Disinformation is the first of the sins, the mistakes — let’s say — of journalism,” Francis told Italian journalists at a Vatican gathering to bestow a journalism prize. Widely considered a savvy communicator himself, the pontiff returned to the …

Pope Francis has invoked prayers for the war-torn Ukraine to regain peace as he led Easter Sunday mass to big crowds in Vatican Square. In an Easter message highlighting hope, Pope Francis on Sunday invoked prayers for both the Ukrainian and Russian people. He also praised nations which welcome refugees and called on Israelis and Palestinians tormented with guilt by …

Pope Francis has been discharged following a brief hospital stay that involved scheduled tests and treatment for bronchitis. While leaving, he jokingly told journalists before being driven away: “I’m still alive”. Pope Francis, 86, was hospitalised on Wednesday at Gemelli Polyclinic after reportedly having breathing difficulties following his weekly public audience. The Pontiff was treated with antibiotics administered intravenously, the …

The Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, Barrister Samuel Lalong on Friday tendered apology to the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) following a “blasphemous” remark about the head of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis. Lalong, who is also the Governor of Plateau State, told the State House media corps at the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Thursday …

Pope Francis is using a wheelchair to protect his injured knee. The 85-year-old head of the Catholic Church was pushed by a Vatican employee to an audience with nuns on Thursday. The Pontiff said recently that his doctors had told him to rest his painful right knee. He has been seen hobbling in recent weeks and had to cancel some …