Vatican News

Pope Leo XIV baptizes a child in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on the Feast of the Baptism of the Lord, January 11, 2026.

Pope Leo XIV baptizes 20 infants in Sistine Chapel, tells parents faith is ‘more than necessary’

Jan 11, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV baptized 20 infants, the children of Vatican employees, during Mass in the Sistine Chapel on Sunday for... Read more

Pope Leo XIV greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican for the recitation of the Angelus on Jan. 11, 2026.

Pope Leo XIV condemns violence in Iran, Syria, and Ukraine

Jan 11, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV on Sunday lamented escalating violence in Iran and Syria and renewed his appeal for peace in Ukraine,... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun speaks at the Asianews Conference at the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome, Nov. 18, 2014.  -  Bohumil Petrik/CNA.

At consistory, Cardinal Zen slams synodality as ‘ironclad manipulation’ and ‘insult’ to bishops

Jan 10, 2026

By Edward Pentin

Cardinal Joseph Zen Ze-kiun delivered a forceful critique of synodality at the extraordinary consistory of cardinals this week. Read more

Pope Leo XIV addresses ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives to the Holy See in the Apostolic Palace on Jan. 9, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo condemns ‘zeal for war,’ weak multilateralism in speech to diplomats

Jan 9, 2026

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope addressed ambassadors and other diplomatic representatives to the Holy See at the Vatican on Jan. 9. Currently, 184... Read more

Cardinals meet with Pope Leo XIV in the third session of the consistory on Jan. 8, 2025, at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV to hold next consistory in June, hopes for annual meetings with cardinals

Jan 8, 2026

By Edward Pentin

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said Pope Leo XIV would like to hold annual meetings lasting three to four days, allowing... Read more

Official image of the “Pray with the Pope” campaign for January 2026. | Credit: World Prayer Network

‘Pray with the Pope’: Leo XIV proposes monthly prayer for the challenges of the world

The Vatican has launched a prayer campaign inviting the faithful to join the Holy Father in prayer for a specific... Read more

Pope Leo XIV arrives at St. Peter’s Basilica for a Mass with cardinals on Jan. 8, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV to cardinals: ‘We gather not to promote personal or group agendas’

Jan 8, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

In his homily to the cardinals, Pope Leo XIV emphasized working together to help the the pope govern the Church. Read more

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass for the Jubilee of Prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 14, 2025. | Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of January

Jan 8, 2026

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of January is for prayer with the word of God. Read more

Pope Leo XIV addresses cardinals during the extraordinary consistory on Jan. 7, 2026, in Vatican City. | Credit: Vatican Media

Liturgy sidestepped at Pope Leo XIV’s first consistory

Jan 8, 2026

By Edward Pentin

Cardinals agreed to discuss two topics: evangelization and the Church’s missionary activity, and “the Synod and synodality.” Read more

The extraordinary consistory of cardinals is taking place from Jan 7-8, 2026. Credit: Vatican Media

As consistory opens, Pope Leo XIV tells cardinals ‘I am here to listen’

Jan 7, 2026

By David Ramos

The Holy Father outlined the four themes that will be discussed during the extraordinary consistory. Read more

The concluding high Mass for the Summorum Pontificum Pilgrimage, an annual three-day pilgrimage for devotees of the Traditional Latin Mass, on Oct. 29, 2023, celebrated by Bishop Guido Pozzo at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity of the Pilgrims in Rome. | Credit: Andrea Zuffellato

Ahead of consistory, priest urges new canonical structure to resolve Latin Mass standoff

Jan 7, 2026

By Solène Tadié

A French priest has proposed to the College of Cardinals the creation of an ecclesiastical jurisdiction to oversee celebration of... Read more

Pope Leo XIV gives the first general audience of 2026 in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall on Jan. 7, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV emphasizes relevance of Second Vatican Council before meeting with cardinals

Jan 7, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

After focusing his 2025 general audiences on the mysteries of the life of Jesus, Pope Leo XIV has begun a... Read more

Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Rochester, New York. | Credit: DanielPenfield via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Pope Leo names New York auxiliary bishop to lead Diocese of Rochester

Jan 7, 2026

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Leo has named New York auxiliary Bishop John S. Bonnici to lead the Diocese of Rochester, New York. Read more

Pope Leo XIV celebrates Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 6, 2026. | Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

Pope Leo XIV says God is found in humble places, not in prestige

Jan 6, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Celebrating the solemnity of the Epiphany in St. Peter’s Basilica on Tuesday, Pope Leo XIV said God’s saving presence is... Read more

Pope Leo XIV closes the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, concluding the Jubilee of Hope, on Jan. 6, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV closes St. Peter’s Holy Door, concluding Jubilee of Hope

Jan 6, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV on Tuesday closed the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, bringing the ordinary holy year to an... Read more

The news app for Vatican City State, developed with support from the family of St. Carlo Acutis. | Credit: Vatican City State/Screenshot

St. Carlo Acutis’ parents helped develop new Vatican City State app

Jan 5, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

The parents of St. Carlo Acutis contributed to the development of a new official news application connected to the institutional... Read more

Seminarians approach the Holy Door at St. Peter’s Basilica, Tuesday, June 24, 2025 - Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

Vatican says more than 33 million pilgrims took part in jubilee

Jan 5, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

More than 33.4 million pilgrims traveled to Rome to participate in the Jubilee of Hope, surpassing initial projections, the Vatican... Read more

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for the recitation of the Angelus on Jan. 4, 2026. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope says Christian hope doesn’t depend on human calculations

Jan 4, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV said Christian hope “is not based on optimistic forecasts or human calculations” but on God’s decision to... Read more

Pope Leo XIV addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the recitation of the Angelus on Jan. 4, 2026. In his message after the prayer, the pope called for respecting Venezuela’s sovereignty and constitution following the capture by U.S. forces of the country’s President Nicolás Maduro. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Leo XIV calls for respect for Venezuelan sovereignty after U.S. capture of Maduro

Jan 4, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV expressed deep concern over the situation in Venezuela and called for the country’s national sovereignty to be... Read more

Pope Leo XIV waves from the popemobile in St. Peter’s Square in October 2025. Credit: Vatican Media

Key dates on the agenda of the pope and Vatican for 2026

Jan 1, 2026

By Victoria Cardiel

Pope Leo XIV is preparing for a busy 2026. Read more