Vatican News

Pope Francis speaks during his Angelus address on Sept. 17, 2023.

Pope Francis: Forgiveness is the cure that heals ‘the poisons of resentment’

Sep 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In his Angelus, the pope said forgiving is “not a good deed that we can choose to do or not... Read more

Pope Francis greets a delegation of Korean Catholics at the Vatican on Sept. 16, 2023.

Pope Francis: Catholics in Korea called ‘to a burning faith’

Sep 16, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“With the prophecy of martyrdom, the Korean Church reminds us that we cannot follow Jesus without embracing his cross,” Pope... Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech, who serves as secretary general of the global Synod on Synodality, speaks to EWTN Rome Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser for an exclusive interview that aired on EWTN on May 22, 2023.

Cardinal Grech shares blessing for Synod on Synodality to be given after Sunday Mass

Sep 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The general secretary of the synod has asked for prayers from all Catholics around the world for the upcoming session... Read more

Pope Francis met Maria Campatelli, director of the Aletti Center, at the Vatican on Sept. 15, 2023. The Aletti Center was founded in Rome by the former Jesuit priest Father Marko Rupnik.

Pope Francis meets close collaborator of Rupnik

Sep 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

In June, Maria Campatelli published a letter defending Rupnik against “a media campaign based on defamatory and unproven accusations.” Read more

Cardinal Anders Arborelius of Stockholm at a consistory in St. Peter’s Basilica on June 28, 2017.

Ordination of women should not be focal point of synod, Scandinavian cardinal says

Sep 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Cardinal Anders Arborelius said the issue of ordaining women “cannot lead further, as priestly ministry is reserved to men in... Read more

Wiktoria Ulma with six of her children.

The Vatican says a newborn martyr had a ‘baptism of blood.’ What does that mean?

Sep 14, 2023

By Joe Bukuras, Andrea Gagliarducci

All nine members of the Ulma family, who were murdered by the Nazi regime for sheltering two Jewish families, were... Read more

Queen Mathilde of Belgium is one of only a few women in the world who can wear white, rather than the customary black, when meeting the pope for an official private audience at the Vatican. She arrived at the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace with her husband, King Philippe of the Belgians, on Sept. 14, 2023, wearing a white mantilla veil and a white dress.

Why the Queen of Belgium can wear white when meeting the pope

Sep 14, 2023

By Courtney Mares

She has the “privilège du blanc,” a papal privilege currently granted only to Catholic royalty from Spain, Luxembourg, Belgium, Monaco,... Read more

Former President Bill Clinton and Pope Francis.

Pope Francis, former President Clinton to have ‘special conversation’ at foundation meeting

Sep 14, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Clinton Global Initiative 2023 meeting will open Sept. 18 with “a special conversation” between Clinton and the pope via... Read more

Father Antonio Spadaro, SJ, former editor in chief of La Civilta Cattolica, was appointed undersecretary for the Dicastery for Culture and Education on Sept. 14, 2023.

Pope Francis appoints Father Spadaro to culture and education post

Sep 14, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Father Antonio Spadaro, known popularly as “the pope’s mouthpiece,” announced Thursday that he was leaving the Jesuit-run La Civiltà. Read more

The Vatican announced in September 2023 the Palazzo della Cancelleria in Rome will be open to the public.

Vatican allows a peek at historic palazzo in heart of Rome

Sep 14, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The palace was originally home to Cardinal Raffaele Riario, known for having invited Michaelangelo to Rome after being impressed by... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican at his general audience on Sept. 13, 2023.

Controversial Iraqi Christian didn’t meet with Pope Francis privately, Vatican confirms

Sep 13, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

On social media Sept. 7, Al-Kildani shared photos and videos that seemed, at least to some observers, to imply that... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich (right), relator general of Synod on Synodality, speaks to the media on June 20, 2023, at the temporary headquarters of the Holy See Press Office in Vatican City. Beside him is Cardinal Mario Grech, the Secretary General for the Synod of Bishops.

What you need to know about the Synod on Synodality

Sep 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Church’s synodal process will culminate in two global assemblies at the Vatican. The first will take place Oct. 4–28... Read more

Pope Francis gives his general audience address in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Sept. 13, 2023.

Pope Francis highlights life of service of Venezuelan blessed at general audience

Sep 13, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis on Wednesday presented the life of Blessed José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros as an example of the Gospel in... Read more

Pope Francis and Cardinal Matteo Zuppi at the Vatican on Aug. 24, 2023.

Cardinal Zuppi heading to Beijing to discuss peace efforts in Ukraine

Sep 12, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed on Tuesday that the cardinal will be in the Chinese capital as the pope’s peace... 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.

New doctrine chief welcomes debate but warns bishops about ‘schism’ risks

Sep 11, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

The Argentine prelate said theological debate deepens the Church’s understanding of the Gospel. Read more

The Vatican will dedicate a new statue of the patron saint of Korea, St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn, at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023.

Statue of Korea’s patron saint to be permanently installed at St. Peter’s Basilica

Sep 11, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn was the first native-Korean priest and one of the country’s earliest martyrs. Read more

A man looks at the rubble of homes in the village of Talat N’Yaaqoub south of Marrakech in Morocco on Sept. 11, 2023. The quake that struck the country on Sept. 8 killed at least 2,122 people, injured more than 2,400 others, and flattened entire villages.

Pope Francis urges faithful to ‘be close to the people of Morocco’ in wake of earthquake

Sep 11, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The country was hit by a 6.8-magnitude quake overnight on Friday, with the death toll rapidly climbing to upward of... Read more

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the leader of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, presides over a Divine Liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica on Sept. 10, 2023.

Ukrainian Catholic leader offers Divine Liturgy in St. Peter’s Basilica

Sep 11, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk said Sept. 10 that he wanted to express gratitude to the pope and Catholics everywhere for... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus reflection on Sept. 10, 2023.

Pope Francis: Addressing others’ wrongs ‘without rancor’ requires kindness, courage

Sep 10, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Fraternal correction is “one of the highest expressions of love, and also the most demanding,” the pope said. Read more

The American actor and director Sylvester Stallone met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Sept. 8, 2023.

Pope Francis meets ‘Rocky’ actor Sylvester Stallone at Vatican

Sep 8, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The “Rocky” actor met the pope in the Apostolic Palace together with his brother, his wife, and their three daughters. Read more