Andrea Gagliarducci

Archbishop Paglia, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family, which sponsored seminars where scholars suggested admitting the divorced-and-remarried to Communion. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Seminar speakers advocate change on Communion for the divorced-and-remarried

Aug 28, 2015 / 15:20 pm

Earlier this year the Pontifical Council for the Family organized three seminars which gathered scholars to discuss marriage and family life in the run-up to the Synod on the Family being held in October.

Anne Frohlich via Flickr (CC BY-ND 2.0).

Vatican: Pope did not endorse 'gay penguin' book

Aug 28, 2015 / 10:52 am

The Vatican has rejected claims in the media that Pope Francis is supporting a book on gay adoption, saying a letter responding to the author should not be interpreted as an endorsement.

Benedict XVI at the Vatican in June 2005. L'Osservatore Romano.

The modern world's biggest challenge, according to Benedict XVI

Aug 27, 2015 / 05:01 am

Benedict XVI considers the quest for God to be contemporary society's foremost challenge, according to one of the emeritus Pope's former students, who has organized the annual meeting of Ratzinger's students to discuss that very topic.

Pope Francis is recieved at the presidential palace in Seoul, Aug. 14, 2014. Alan Holdren/CNA.

Will the Catholic Church have a growing role in Korean reconciliation?

Aug 24, 2015 / 23:08 pm

With an increasing number of faithful, the Catholic Church in South Korea may foster a climate of reconciliation and peace, as the nation has reportedly made a deal with North Korea to avoid military escalation after days of fire exchanged between the nations.

Participants begin to enter the Vatican's Synod Hall before the Friday session of the Synod on the Family, Oct. 10, 2014. Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Eleven cardinals join forces to tackle marriage prep, family issues in pre-synod book

Aug 20, 2015 / 15:29 pm

With the Synod of Bishops rapidly approaching, 11 cardinals have contributed to a small but important book offering a pastoral perspective of the issues at stake, while reaffirming the truth of the Gospel on family and marriage issues.

Andrea Gagliarducci. Courtesy of the Vatican exhibition 'A Blessing to One Another.'

A childhood friendship that shaped JPII's love for the Jewish community

Aug 2, 2015 / 03:02 am

Saint John Paul II's historic embrace of former chief rabbi of Rome Elio Toaff welcomes visitors to a new Vatican exhibition on the late Pope's compelling relationship with the Jewish people.

A new step in thawing relations between China and the Holy See?

Jul 31, 2015 / 01:02 am

In a tiny victory for Vatican-Chinese rapprochement, China's government now recognizes seminary studies and allows seminarians to continue their education in a state university should they leave.

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vatican's Apostolic Palace, Feb. 14, 2015. Lauren Cater/CNA.

Will Vatican officials face term limits?

Jul 30, 2015 / 00:02 am

A fixed term mandate for Vatican officials serving in the Roman Curia was among recent proposals for the Vatican's ongoing reform process, and will likely be discussed at the Sept. 14-16 meeting of the Council of Cardinals.

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 3, 2015. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Pope Francis to handpick new doctor ahead of Cuba, US trip

Jul 29, 2015 / 05:03 am

As the five-year term for Pope Francis' personal doctor comes to an end, the Pope is expected to choose a new one soon who will accompany him during his upcoming visit to Cuba and the United States.

Rome's Pontifical Gregorian University, where the May 25 secretive gathering was held. Luigi Santoro via Wikimedia Commons. Filter added.

'Shadow council' speaker pushes Church acceptance of contraception, gay sex

Jul 29, 2015 / 02:01 am

Yes to contraception, homosexual acts, and Communion for the divorced and remarried – all considering the circumstances. No to understanding any acts as intrinsically evil.

Pope Francis before the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica during the convocation of the Jubilee of Mercy, April 11, 2015. L'Osservatore Romano.

Here's Pope Francis' schedule for the Jubilee of Mercy

Jul 21, 2015 / 23:04 pm

Twelve prominent events, each with the participation of Pope Francis, have been scheduled in Rome for the upcoming Jubilee of Mercy, and CNA was able to glance at details of their programs.

The slow demise of Catholic magazines in Italy

Jul 18, 2015 / 15:15 pm

A Catholic-inspired magazine that was once a leader in publishing opinions in Church discussions will quit publication by the end of the year, evidence of a crisis that have been plaguing Catholic magazines during the last decade.

St. Peter's Basilica and the flag of Vatican City. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

Budget-keeping at the Vatican: in transition toward a new era

Jul 18, 2015 / 11:09 am

The Holy See and Vatican City State administration released their 2014 financial statements Thursday amid an ongoing process to reform Vatican finances and accounting standards.

Pope Francis delivers a General Audience address in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Jan. 28, 2015. Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

To fight human trafficking – one of Pope Francis' core commitments

Jul 16, 2015 / 05:06 am

An upcoming conference being held at the Vatican examining the link between climate change and human trafficking is a reflection of the importance that ending modern slavery holds for Pope Francis, according to one of its organizers.

Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, emeritus Archbishop of Bologna, who died July 11, 2015. Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Bologna.

Catholics in Bologna mourn Cardinal Biffi, a humorous, plain-spoken preacher

Jul 15, 2015 / 05:01 am

Humour, realism and culture characterized the life of Cardinal Giacomo Biffi, who died July 11 at the age of 87. The former Archbishop of Bologna had retired in 2003 and was living in small house near Bologna, but had been hospitalized for the past year in a clinic, where he died after a long sickness.