Holy See

The Latest

Pope Francis presides greets pilgrims at a penitential service at St. Pius V Parish in Rome on March 8, 2024.

Blinken, Putin congratulate Pope Francis on 11th anniversary of election

Mar 14, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis — born Jorge Mario Bergoglio — was elected as the 265th successor to St. Peter on March 13,... Read more

Speaking in his Angelus address on March 3, 2024, about the Israel-Hamas war, Pope Francis made an emotional plea for negotiations to reach a deal that both frees the hostages immediately and grants civilians access to humanitarian aid.

Ukrainian officials criticize Pope Francis’ ‘white flag’ remarks on Russia-Ukraine war

Mar 12, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“Our flag is a yellow and blue one. This is the flag by which we live, die, and prevail. We... Read more

Cardinal Protase Rugambwa at Santa Maria in Montesanto, Feb. 18

PHOTOS: Cardinal Rugambwa takes possession of Rome’s ‘Church of the Artists’

Feb 19, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The cardinal was joined by priests from the Diocese of Rome as well as by senior prelates. Read more

The interior of St. Bernard Church in Madison, Wisconsin, the diocese’s future cathedral.

Vatican approves new cathedral for Diocese of Madison

Jan 18, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

After nearly 20 years without a cathedral, the Diocese of Madison, Wisconsin, announced on Wednesday that the Holy See approved... Read more

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of Dicastery for the Clergy, and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrate Mass on Dec. 11, 2023, to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea.

Holy See celebrates 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea

Dec 12, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis sent a telegram on Monday to Suwon Archbishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic... Read more

Pope Francis uses a cane to walk at his general audience on Nov. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis greets French abuse victims at Vatican

Nov 29, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met a group of abuse victims from France at his residence on Tuesday afternoon. Read more

Christmas Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 24, 2022.

Here are Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas 2023 at the Vatican

Nov 28, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

As the season of Advent draws near, the Vatican has published the schedule of Pope Francis’ liturgies for Christmas through... Read more

Iran’s minister of foreign affairs, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher.

Vatican, Iranian foreign ministers discuss Israel-Hamas war amid risk of wider conflict

Oct 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Vatican foreign minister Archbishop Paul Gallagher spoke by phone with his counterpart in Iran on Monday morning regarding the Israel-Hamas... Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates meet in round table discussion groups Oct. 21, 2023.

The Synod on Synodality’s listening ‘method’ comes from the Jesuits

Oct 24, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Synod on Synodality delegates in Rome this month are participating in a “conversation in the Spirit,” a method of communal... Read more

Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on July 27, 2023.

Vatican, Vietnam announce agreement on permanent papal representative

Jul 28, 2023

By Kevin J. Jones

The announcement came Thursday during the visit of Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong to the Vatican. Read more

A Vatican flag, with the incorrect design likely drawn from Wikipedia, and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Wikipedia had the wrong Vatican City flag for years. Now incorrect flags are everywhere

Apr 8, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Imagine many people’s surprise to discover that the image of the “Flag of Vatican City” displayed on Wikipedia has been... Read more

The apostolic nuncio in Spain, Archbishop Bernardito Auza, together with the Grand Chancellor of the Abat Oliba CEU University, Alfonso Bullón de Mendoza.

Nuncio in Spain explains the Holy See’s position on the UN’s Agenda 2030

Jan 30, 2023

By CNA Staff

Archbishop Bernardito Cleopas Auza detailed how the Holy See participated “very intensely” in the preliminary discussions held for the preparation... Read more

Early morning in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Vatican urges countries to accept refugees from Afghanistan

Aug 25, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican diplomat challenged nations to “move from declaration to action.” Read more

The Uavtek Nano Drone bug used by the British Army.

Vatican: Swarms of ‘kamikaze’ mini-drones pose threat to civilians

Aug 6, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Holy See said ‘it is an imperative duty to act urgently.’ Read more

The Hungarian Parliament Building in Budapest.

Could Hungary find an unexpected ally in the Holy See?

Jul 10, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The country is under fire for a new law touching on homosexuality. Read more

The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the meeting room of the UN Human Rights Council.

Holy See to UN: Children should not be ‘collateral victims’ of violence against women

Jul 8, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican reaffirmed the right to life of “children conceived as a result of sexual violence.” Read more

The Palace of Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, which houses the meeting room of the UN Human Rights Council.

UN experts’ letter to Vatican has ‘no real teeth,’ says Church official

Jun 21, 2021

By CNA Staff

The letter accused the Holy See of engaging in “obstructive practices” related to abuse. Read more

Stock image vis Shutterstock

Vatican criticizes lack of prosecutions for human trafficking

Jul 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The dignity and rights of trafficking victims requires the international community to do more to prosecute and bring down traffickers,... Read more

People pass in front of St. Peter's Basilica at the end of May.

Vatican: No active coronavirus cases among employees

Jun 6, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican said Saturday the city state no longer has any active positive cases among employees, after a 12th person... Read more