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Pope Francis delivers a special Urbi et Orbi blessing in an empty Saint Peter's Square, praying for the end of the coronavirus pandemic and offering a plenary indulgence to repentant sinners before San Marcello al Corso's miraculous crucifix, which was moved from its original church in Rome two days ago.
2020-03-27

At Saint Peter's Square, Vatican City, Pope Francis canonizes the 19th-century Anglican convert John Henry Newman, who was a unifying figure in both the Anglican and Catholic churches.
2019-10-13

Pope Francis recalls the 70th anniversary of the Geneva Conventions after his Sunday afternoon Angelus address. The 1949 conventions concern the treatment of the sick, the wounded, prisoners, and civilians in war.
2019-08-11

Pope Francis comforts a crying boy in San Paolo della Croce, Rome, by telling him his recently-deceased father, an atheist, will have ascended to heaven on the basis his father had "a good heart".
2018-04-15

At the Indigenous Peoples Forum in Rome, Italy, Pope Francis says that developmental needs have to be reconciled with the protection of the particular characteristics of indigenous peoples and their territories. This is taken by some as a reference to the Standing Rock Sioux and other groups opposing the Dakota Access Pipeline.
2017-02-15

106 of the 108 papal nuncios and other papal diplomatic representatives meet in Rome for three days of meetings. On the final day, Pope Francis presides at a Mass with the nuncios.
2016-09-15

Pope Francis appeals for peace in the Holy Land following his Angelus address at St. Peter’s Square. He exhorts all interested parties and all those with political responsibility not to spare efforts to achieve the cessation of all hostilities and the desired peace for the good of all.
2014-07-13

Pope Francis creates 19 new cardinals in a ceremony at St Peter's Basilica in Rome. In addition, the Pope emeritus Benedict XVI makes his first public appearance at the Vatican since his resignation in 2013.
2014-02-22

Hundreds of thousands of people attend the papal inauguration ceremony for Pope Francis in Rome's Saint Peter's Square. [https:--www.bbc.co.uk-news-world-europe-21839069 (BBC)] [http:--www.straitstimes.com-breaking-news-world-story-pope-francis-set-grandiose-inauguration-mass-20130319 (AFP via "Straits Times")]date=August 2019
2013-03-19

Pope John Paul II is beatified by Pope Benedict XVI in Saint Peter's Square, Rome.
2011-05-1