Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

The Latest

Pope Francis started his Canada trip by visiting the cemetery and chapel of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Maskwacis, Alberta, on July 25, 2022.

Vatican: ‘Doctrine of discovery’ is not Catholic teaching

Mar 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The legal concept of the “doctrine of discovery” is “not part of the teaching of the Catholic Church,” the Vatican... Read more

Cardinal Michael Czerny, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, takes possession of his titular church of San Michele Arcangelo in Rome, Jan. 19, 2020.

‘Everything is connected’: Cardinal Czerny explains future of Vatican office for integral human development

Sep 29, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s office for integral human development is rethinking its work in light of the implementation of Pope Francis’ curial... Read more

Cardinal Michael Czerny has been appointed as the new prefect of the Vatican Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development.

Pope Francis names Cardinal Czerny head of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development

Apr 23, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The pope also named a new secretary and undersecretary for the social development dicastery. Read more

Pope Francis visits a reception center for asylum seekers in Castelnuovo di Porto, north of Rome, on March 24, 2016.

Pope Francis: New Vatican guide on migrant ministry promotes encounter with others

Mar 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘All of us are called to commit ourselves to universal fraternity,’ the pope wrote in a preface to the new... Read more

Heavy ash fall is seen over Tonga, Jan. 17, 2022, several days after a volcanic eruption.

Cardinal Czerny leads prayer service after Tonga volcano

Jan 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Cardinal Michael Czerny on Monday led a prayer service for Tonga, after an underwater volcanic eruption caused a devastating tsunami... Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Jan. 5, 2021.

Pope Francis sends aid to migrants at Belarus border and victims of typhoon in Philippines

Jan 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

Super Typhoon Rai has affected more than 7 million people. Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in London, England, on March 14, 2011. Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk.

Pope Francis accepts Cardinal Turkson’s resignation as head of Vatican’s social development office

Dec 23, 2021

By CNA Staff

The dicastery will be led for now by Canadian Cardinal Michael Czerny. Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, at a Vatican press conference July 7, 2020.

Cardinal Turkson: Pope Francis will decide if I continue to lead Vatican dicastery

Dec 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Ghanaian cardinal confirmed that his five-year term is expiring. Read more

Pope Francis meets participants in an international conference on eradicating child labor at the Vatican's Consistory Hall, Nov. 19, 2021.

Pope Francis: Persistence of child labor is ‘shocking and disturbing’

Nov 19, 2021

By CNA Staff

Around 150 million children are forced to work worldwide. Read more

Pope Francis with Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in the Vatican, Nov. 10, 2017.

Pope Francis: Justice and peace commissions offer an ‘indispensable service’

Nov 17, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope said that justice and peace could be built only through ‘two paths.’ Read more

Nancy Pelosi in the Vatican with Cardinal Turkson

Nancy Pelosi discusses environment, migration, and human rights at Vatican

Oct 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

The House Speaker met with leaders of the Vatican’s social development office. Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, at a Vatican press conference, July 7, 2020.

Cardinal Turkson talks Biden, Holy Communion on HBO

Oct 4, 2021

By CNA Staff

Cardinal Peter Turkson appeared to reject claims that President Joe Biden should be denied Holy Communion over his staunch pro-abortion... Read more

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli speaks at a press conference at the Vatican on July 7, 2020.

Pope Francis names religious sister to No. 2 position in Vatican’s social development office

Aug 26, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, 46, was appointed ‘ad interim.’ Read more

Mafia. Public Domain via Pixabay.

Vatican creates group to study separating mafia from the Catholic Church

May 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The group is being established in honor of Rosario Livatino, a Catholic judge killed by the mafia. Read more

Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in London, England, on March 14, 2011. Credit: Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk.

Cardinal Turkson marks World Health Day with call to rethink healthcare

Apr 7, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Peter Turkson has called for a rethink of healthcare in his message for this year’s World Health Day. Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, speaks at a press conference in Rome, Sept. 28, 2017.

Vatican hosts webinar on disarmament and interreligious dialogue

Mar 23, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican has hosted a webinar on “advancing integral disarmament” amid the coronavirus pandemic. Read more

Pope Francis, pictured on October 4, 2014.

Pope Francis offers support to beleaguered Christians of Syria and Iraq

Dec 11, 2020

Pope Francis urged Catholic charities Thursday to continue supporting embattled Christian minorities in Syria and Iraq.  Read more

The livestock carrier Gulf Livestock 1, pictured in 2016.

Pope Francis gives financial aid to families of shipwreck victims

Oct 21, 2020

The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis will be sending financial aid to families whose loved ones went missing when... Read more

Pope Francis with Cardinal Peter Turkson, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, in the Vatican, Nov. 10, 2017.

Vatican-funded projects in Latin America to focus on coronavirus

Aug 4, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Vatican foundation for Latin America will fund 168 projects in 23 countries, with most projects focusing on the effects... Read more