The pontiff's push for reform has seen more women assigned roles in the Vatican administration; from economists to secretaries, historians and archivists, 649 women worked for the Roman Curia in 2019 - 24% of employees - compared to 385 in 2010

New webpage "Work with Us", job applications for laypeople who wish to apply for vacancies at the Holy See, has been launched by the Secretariat for the Economy; appropriate competence, motivation, and an ethical sense are required for all positions

A new led illumination of the 140 Saint Statues on the Colonnade of St Peter's Square, 14 Water Houses for free drinking water and an app to locate the city's water sources are some of the initiatives to be launched for the upcoming Jubilee of Hope

Pope Francis issued an appeal to state leaders and to the international community to ensure a ceasefire 'on all war fronts' may be reached before Christmas

Failure of education is a cultural genocide that robs children of their future, Pope Francis told the Dicastery for Culture and Education at first Plenary Assembly, and dicasters “are morally obliged” to help 250 million children who do not attend school