Sarah Rainsford

London

Foreign Correspondent at BBC

BBC correspondent covering eastern & southern Europe. My book about Russia's slide back to authoritarianism is out in paperback soon👇 📷 srainsford_bbc

Articles

Italy's Meloni ready to help if Vatican agrees to Trump's war mediation plan

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sarah Rainsford

Italy's Meloni ready to help if Vatican agrees to Trump's war mediation planSarah RainsfordUkrainian presidency handoutUkraine's Volodymyr Zelensky met Pope Leo at the Vatican earlier this weekItaly has backed President Donald Trump's suggestion the Vatican might mediate talks on negotiating a ceasefire in Ukraine, while he appears keen to step back from the process himself.
Italy's Meloni ready to help if Vatican agrees to Trump's war mediation plan

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Sarah Rainsford

2 hours agoVance looks to cultivate a relationship with the pope as a new diplomatic partner for the U.S.In an interview with NBC News, Vice President JD Vance talked about his hope for Pope Leo XIV, his admiration for Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and his trust in Marco Rubio.
Huge challenges await new president of divided Romania

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sarah Rainsford

Huge challenges await new president of divided RomaniaSarah RainsfordEastern Europe correspondentEPAImagine having a president called Nicky. That's what Romanians just voted for: a softly-spoken, slightly geeky mathematician who everyone refers to by his first name, Nicusor – or Nicky. On Monday, hours after claiming victory in the elections, the new president picked up his daughter from school as usual. He's promised his children nothing will change.
Liberal mayor Dan beats nationalist in tense race for Romanian presidency

2 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Sarah Rainsford |Paul Kirby |Olimpia Zagnat

The liberal, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, has fought off a strong challenge from a Romanian right-wing nationalist to win the presidency after months of political turbulence. George Simion, the leader of the far-right AUR party, won a dramatic first-round victory earlier this month, riding a wave of anger from Romanians who had seen the presidential race annulled late last year because of claims of Russian interference.
Romanian liberal mayor Nicusor Dan wins tense race for presidency

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Sarah Rainsford |Paul Kirby |Olimpia Zagnat

Image source, Andrei Pungovschi/Getty ImagesImage caption, Nicusor Dan had to wait until late into the night before he could be certain of victorySarah Rainsford, Paul Kirby & Olimpia ZagnatThe liberal, pro-EU mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, has fought off a strong challenge from a Romanian right-wing nationalist to win the presidency after months of political turbulence.
Will Romania vote take country away from European mainstream?

2 weeks ago | bbc.com | Sarah Rainsford

Will Romania vote take country away from European mainstream? Sarah RainsfordEastern Europe correspondentReporting fromTeleorman County, RomaniaEPA-EFE/ShutterstockA woman walks past a billboard displaying posters of presidential candidates Nicusor Dan (left) and George Simion (right) in BucharestWhen Romania's presidential election was annulled late last year after claims of Russian interference, a far-right conspiracy theorist was blocked from the top job.
Will Romania vote take country away from European mainstream?

2 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Sarah Rainsford

A couple of hours' drive south-west from Bucharest, entry to the region is announced in blue letters on a rusty metal arch over the main road. The streets are lined with wild poppies, not campaign posters for the candidates. There's no obvious sign of the elections. But social media feeds on people's phones are full of political content. The latest clip to go viral features a folk fantasy world of embroidered tops, prayers and bears and has the slogan "I choose Romania".
Pope Leo to hold first Sunday address

3 weeks ago | bbc.co.uk | Anna Lamche |Sarah Rainsford

The Pope was chosen as the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, following a two-day conclave in Vatican City. It has been a busy week for the pontiff, who held his first Mass as Pope in the Sistine chapel on Friday before speaking to cardinals on Saturday. During this meeting, he described himself as an unworthy choice for Pope, and vowed to continue the "precious legacy" of his predecessor.
Conclave: Inside the world's most secret ballot

1 month ago | bbc.com | Sarah Rainsford

Conclave: Inside the world's most secret ballotSarah RainsfordGetty ImagesJust over 130 cardinals will gather later this week to vote for a new popeThis must be the most secretive election in the world. When 133 Catholic cardinals are shut into the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday to choose a successor to Pope Francis, each one will have sworn an oath on the gospels to keep the details under wraps for life.
Pope Francis's body moved to St Peter's Basilica for lying in state

1 month ago | bbc.co.uk | Sarah Rainsford |Laura Gozzi |Mallory Moench

Image source, ReutersImage caption, The pontiff's body, laid out in an open coffin, was moved to the church in a formal processionSarah Rainsford and Laura GozziThe body of Pope Francis has been moved from his Vatican residence to St Peter's Basilica to allow the faithful to pay their respects before his funeral on Saturday. The Pope's open coffin was carried on Wednesday morning in a solemn procession through St Peter's Square where thousands of worshippers had gathered.