vatican
Pope Francis, who has repeatedly called for the fighting to end, prayed Sunday for “martyred” Ukrainians and for Russians to feel “the light of Easter."
The Vatican said the Pontiff will be hospitalized for several days for treatment of a pulmonary infection after experiencing difficulty breathing in recent days.
The body of the 95-year-old former pontiff, who shocked the world by retiring a decade ago, lied in state in St. Peter's Basilica after he died this weekend.
Footage of the Pope refusing worshippers a chance to kiss his papal ring went viral this week. We take a look at the significance of the ring and why his holiness would whip his hand away so mercilessly.
WHAT'S HAPPENING
Recent decisions and increased mobility issues are fueling rumors that he might be planning to step down.
The Pontiff said the Vatican is "still pushing" for the meeting "even if I fear that Putin cannot and does not want to have this meeting at this moment.”
The pope also condemned the European Union for turning away migrants.
Pope Francis took the extraordinary measure despite a health issue that prompted him to cancel other engagements.
Francis added his Christmas greetings in the form of another public brow-beating of Vatican clerics, who normally are treated with the utmost deference.
“It’s a bit strange, because humanity has a history of friendship with vaccines,” the Pontiff said.