Pope Francis recently met with Brazil President Lula in the Vatican on Thursday, with the leftist president offering to help with the Vatican's ongoing problem with Nicaragua.
The Roman Catholic world is holding its breath after Pope Francis was sent to a hospital. The 86-year-old Argentina-born pontiff is expected to stay in the hospital for several days as he remains under observation.
As the first pope from Latin America, Pope Francis has been very busy with matters concerning the region. During his weekly Sunday noon blessing, he offered prayers to the people of Ecuador and Peru following a massive earthquake. This comes as the Vatican closes its embassy in Nicaragua.
The political repression in Nicaragua intensified after the government under dictator Daniel Ortega exiled 222 political prisoners to the United States and sentenced dissident Bishop Rolando Alvarez to 26 years in prison, Now, Pope Francis has expressed his thoughts on the case.
The 2021 Cuban protests resulted in the arrests of hundreds of people who criticized Cuba's government over economic hardships, and now, Pope Francis seeks to have them freed.
The political unrest in Peru has sparked violence all over the South American country. This came after former president Pedro Castillo was ousted from power, and new President Dina Boluarte was sworn in. Now, Pope Francis is calling for an end to the violence.
Pope Benedict XVI, formerly known as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger of Germany, was finally laid to rest in the Vatican on Thursday, with his successor, Pope Francis, overseeing his funeral rites.
The death of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has overshadowed the Vatican's New Year celebrations as the entire papal state is in mourning as 2023 arrives. Pope Francis then took to social media to ask the world to pray for his predecessor.
Pope Francis has reportedly made comments that may have been racist against Russia's minority soldiers fighting in Ukraine, and the Vatican has issued an apology for this comment.