Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis to scouts: True joy comes from God's love, not things

Worldly possessions do not make people happy; only knowing Jesus’ love and having love for others can do that, Pope Francis told a group of European Catholic scouts on Saturday.

Pope Francis surprises ill religious sister with visit

Pope Francis took advantage of his lighter summer schedule to make a surprise visit to a convalescing Daughter of Charity earlier this week.

Polish priest attacked in sacristy during apparent robbery

A Catholic priest was severely beaten in an attack by three men in the sacristy of St. John the Baptist church in Szczecin on Sunday, in what was reportedly an attempted robbery.

Vatican: Remains of missing teen not found among bones

The Vatican reported Sunday that bones discovered in previously hidden ossuaries pre-date the 20th century – and therefore cannot be the remains of a Vatican teen who went missing in the 1980s.

Pope Francis petitions Assad to protect weak and defenseless in Syria

Pope Francis, with concern for the humanitarian crisis in bombarded Idlib, has called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to safeguard the weak and defenseless civil population in his country.

Moon landing should inspire 'even greater goals,' Pope Francis urges

Pope Francis Sunday recalled the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, encouraging Catholics to look to that great event for inspiration to overcome injustices and mistreatment of the weak.

The hunt for the remains of the first Filipino-born bishop

Pope Francis names new director of Holy See press office

Pope Francis Thursday appointed Matteo Bruni director of the Holy See Press Office, effective July 22. No vice director was named.

Vatican draws attention to sacrifice of seafarers, requests prayers

The prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development urged prayers Sunday for seafarers, fishermen, and maritime workers, by whose work some 90% of the world's goods are transported.

Pope Francis: Judge your own heart first – not that of those in need

Helping a person in need requires compassion toward their situation, Pope Francis said Sunday, encouraging Catholics to think first about their own hardness of heart, not the sins of others.

Italian Cardinal Paolo Sardi dies at age 84

Cardinal Paolo Sardi, who served under five popes, died Saturday at Gemelli Hospital in Rome after a short illness.

Vatican will open two ossuaries next week in continued cemetery investigation

The Vatican has found two ossuaries which may belong to the German noblewomen whose tombs were found empty earlier this week.

Vatican tomb investigation uncovers empty graves

The opening of two tombs on Vatican property revealed both graves to be completely empty, providing no answers in the unsolved disappearance of an Italian girl 36 years ago, the Vatican reported Thursday.

Vatican to open tombs in connection with decades-old cold case

Authorities will open two tombs in a cemetery on Vatican property Thursday in order to perform testing in connection with the unsolved disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi in June 1983.

Sistine Chapel Choir director ceases duties

Fr. Massimo Palombella has ceased his position as director of the Sistine Chapel Choir, according to the Vatican. The music teacher had been under investigation for financial fraud.

Pope Francis names women members of consecrated life congregation

Pope Francis Monday appointed 23 new members of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, among them six women religious superior generals and one head of a women’s secular institute.

Pope Francis: Migrants are people, not just a social issue

Pope Francis called Monday for an end to the rhetoric which views migrants as something ‘other,’ saying they are human beings and among those Christ has commanded his disciples to love and assist.

Pope Francis: Whatever happens, 'hope does not disappoint!'

Hope, which is more than mere optimism, gives one a deep-rooted confidence in the love and care of God, no matter what has happened, Pope Francis said Sunday.

Vatican’s doctrinal office expected to release document on gender theory

The Vatican’s doctrinal office is preparing a document which will address Church teaching and the anthropology of the human person in the context of so-called gender theory, according to a Vatican official.

Chilean auxiliary bishop-elect steps down after controversial statements

Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Fr. Carlos Eugenio Irarrázaval Errazuriz as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Santiago de Chile. Irarrázaval was criticized last month for some polemical statements about the Jewish people.