Jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome, led by the Pope
The Vatican Museums have launched a five-year, $5.5 million restoration project for the Raphael Loggia, a pinnacle of Renaissance figurative art. The effort, supported by the World Monuments Fund and funded by the Stephen A. Schwarzman Foundation, will use laser cleaning and new sun-filtering glass as part of a broader preservation plan.
The Vatican has appointed Italian economist Alessandra Smerilli as head of the office for migrants, environment and development, succeeding Cardinal Michael Czerny. Cardinal Fabio Baggio is named pro-prefect alongside her. The move follows Pope Francis’ push to elevate women in the Holy See’s leadership, while traditionalists push back on further reforms.
The Vatican has declared the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in schism and extended excommunications to four newly consecrated bishops and dozens of priests after a five‑hour ceremony in Econe, Switzerland. The move follows Pope Leo XIV’s appeal for dialogue and signals a sharp escalation in Rome’s response to the traditionalist group’s actions.