Vatican News

Pope Francis smiles during his general audience in St. Peter's Square Sept. 27, 2023.

Pope Francis issues new call for dramatic climate change measures

Oct 4, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The pope wrote that the effects of climate change “are here and increasingly evident.” Read more

The opening Mass of the Synod on Synodality in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 4, 2023.

Pope Francis: Synod on Synodality’s primary task ‘to refocus our gaze on God’

Oct 4, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis underlined that “the primary task of the synod” is to “refocus our gaze on God, to be a... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at the Saturday morning, Sept. 30, 2023, consistory in St. Peter’s Square.

Here’s what the Church’s newest cardinals think about the Synod on Synodality

Oct 3, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Six cardinals who are participating in this month’s Synod on Synodality — and five who are not — told CNA... Read more

Post Francis' post-synodal apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia in Vatican City on April 8, 2016.

Here’s the full text of the Vatican’s response to dubia on divorced and remarried Catholics

Oct 3, 2023

By CNA Staff

Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka had submitted to the Vatican a request for pastoral guidance. Read more

Bishop Robert Barron speaks to tens of thousands of young people at a World Youth Day gathering in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 2, 2023.

Bishop Barron: As I leave for the Synod on Synodality

Oct 3, 2023

By Bishop Robert Barron

Bishop Robert Barron wrote a message to his flock before leaving for Rome for the Synod on Synodality, which will... Read more

Czech Cardinal Dominik Duka speaks at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary, Sept. 10, 2021.

Vatican responds to Cardinal Duka’s dubia on divorced and remarried Catholics

Oct 2, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Originally submitted by the archbishop emeritus of Prague on July 13, the DDF’s response had been issued to the Czech... Read more

Father James Martin, SJ.

Jesuit Father James Martin says there are many chaste gay priests in the Church

Oct 2, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

In an Oct. 1 interview with the Spanish newspaper El Periódico, Martin stressed that “it is crucial to point out... Read more

Left to right: German Cardinal Walter Brandmüller, Guinean Cardinal Robert Sarah, Mexican Cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, American Cardinal Raymond Burke, and Chinese Cardinal Zen Ze-Kiun.

The 5 cardinals behind the latest dubia issued to Pope Francis

Oct 2, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The prelates, who also issued a “Notification to Christ’s Faithful,” hail from the diverse ecclesiastical landscapes of Europe, Asia, Africa,... Read more

Cardinal-elect Víctor Manuel Fernández was appointed by Pope Francis on July 1, 2023, to become the next prefect for the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Vatican releases Pope Francis’ responses to pre-synod dubia, criticizes cardinals

Oct 2, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope’s responses, originally issued July 11, responded to requests for doctrinal clarification on the development of doctrine, same-sex unions,... Read more

Father Timothy Radcliffe addresses the bishops of the Catholic Church in England and Wales.

Synod on Synodality retreat looks to ‘transcend all our disagreements’

Oct 2, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Hundreds of synod delegates are meeting in a retreat center in Sacrofano, 20 miles north of Rome, for the three-day... Read more

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Read Pope Francis’ response to the dubia presented to him by 5 cardinals

Oct 2, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Five cardinals have sent a set of questions known as “dubia” to Pope Francis to express their concerns and seek... Read more

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Answering the doubts: What are dubia?  

Oct 2, 2023

By Matthew Bunson

The word “dubia” — plural for a “dubium” — literally means, from the Latin, “doubts.” But another way of translating... Read more

Statue of St. Peter in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

Cardinals send ‘dubia’ to Pope Francis ahead of Synod on Synodality

Oct 2, 2023

By Edward Pentin

The cardinals said they submitted five questions, called a “dubia,” on Aug. 21 requesting clarity on several topics. Read more

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.

‘Not much new’ will come out of this year’s synod, Vatican’s doctrine chief predicts

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández predicts that “those who expect big changes” to come out of this month’s Synod of Bishops... Read more

Five children representing five continents speak with Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on Oct. 1, 2023. The pope will hold a meeting with children at the Vatican on Nov. 6, 2023.

Pope Francis to hold meeting with children at the Vatican on Nov. 6

Oct 1, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

The theme of the event in the Paul VI Audience Hall will be “Let us learn from boys and girls.”  Read more

The Sept. 30, 2023, prayer service, called “Together,” which was organized by the ecumenical community Taizé, included eight minutes of silence for personal prayer.

Pope Francis calls silence ‘essential’ at prayer vigil for Synod on Synodality

Sep 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Before thousands of young people and Christian leaders from around the world, Francis emphasized the importance of silent prayer. Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals for the Catholic Church on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. The men, whose ages range from 49 to 96, come from 15 different countries and five continents.

We asked the new cardinals: How should the Church evangelize the world today?

Sep 30, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

From digital communication to hope to listening to the Gospel, here is what 12 of the cardinals told CNA they... Read more

Pope Francis created 21 new cardinals from across the world at a Saturday morning consistory in St. Peter’s Square, Sept. 30, 2023.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, expanding body’s geographic diversity

Sep 30, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The pope shared a guiding image for the College of Cardinals: that of “a symphony orchestra, representing the harmony and... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a press conference aboard the papal plane from Marseille, France, to Rome on Sept. 23, 2023, at the conclusion of a two-day visit to the southern French port city to take part in the Mediterranean Encounter, a meeting of young people and bishops.

Pope Francis denounces ‘body-shaming,’ admits to bullying overweight friend as a child

Sep 29, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Pope Francis said his father made him go to the bullied child’s home to apologize. Read more

CNA

Pope calls for an end to global food waste

Sep 29, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Food waste, the pope said, “shows an arrogant disregard for everything that, in social and human terms, lies behind food... Read more