Heaven

The Latest

Pope Francis appearing on Che Tempo Che Fa on Jan. 14/

Pope Francis: ‘I like to think of hell as empty’

Jan 15, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis appeared on Italy’s most popular prime-time talk show on Sunday night where the pontiff shared how he hopes... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the recitation of the Regina Caeli on May 7, 2023.

Pope Francis: Jesus calls us to set our sights on heaven

May 7, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

Pope Francis on Sunday warned against the danger of living life without a sense of purpose or a destination to... Read more

The baroque fresco of St. Nicholas of Tolentino by Morazzone, 16th century, in the side nave of Chiesa di San Agostino (Basilica of St. Augustine) in Rome.

Why this saint is the patron of souls in purgatory

Sep 10, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

For St. Nicholas of Tolentino, the Catholic imperative to pray for the dead was made very real to him. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Angelus address on Nov. 14, 2021.

Pope Francis: ‘This world will pass away and only love will remain’

Nov 14, 2021

By Courtney Mares

When one is faced with an important difficult decision, Pope Francis’ advice is to imagine standing before Christ at the... Read more

The Ascension of Jesus Christ. Giotto di Bondone, 1305. public domain.

'Is Jesus’ body in space?' And other Ascension questions you didn’t know you had

May 14, 2020

By Mary Farrow

Like many mysteries of the Catholic faith, the Ascension seems to raise more questions than it answers. CNA spoke with... Read more

Pope Francis blesses an icon of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.

Pope Francis: Mary helps Christians enter heaven through the 'narrow gate'

Aug 25, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The way to heaven is difficult and the gate to enter small, but Jesus’ mother, Mary, who herself entered through... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his Oct. 25, 2017, general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Pope: Heaven isn't a 'fairy tale' – it's an embrace with God

Oct 25, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday spoke about the hope Christians have at the end of life, which is found in God’s... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during his General Audience on Nov. 13 2013

Those who truly seek goodness will be led to God, Pope affirms

Apr 7, 2014

By Elise Harris

In his March 31 interview with Belgian communications students, Pope Francis gave a message to both believers and non-believers, stating... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during his General Audience on Dec. 4 2013

Pope: 'seed of eternity' has been planted in our hearts

Dec 4, 2013

By Elise Harris

During his general audience, Pope Francis reflected on the resurrection of the body, explaining that we are “imprinted” with eternal... Read more