Vatican News

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius offers Mass on the feast of St. Luke for the Synod on Synodality delegates in St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 18, 2023.

Synodality must be at the service of evangelization, archbishop says

Oct 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas also noted how St. Luke’s Gospel “highlights the important role of women in the life of the... Read more

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan, one of 54 women delegates to the Synod on Synodality, said at a press briefing Oct. 17, 2023.

Theologian at Synod on Synodality: There’s ‘too much emphasis’ on women priests

Oct 17, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“As a woman, I’m not focused at all on the fact that I’m not a priest,” Renée Köhler-Ryan said at... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 6, 2023.

A papal visit to the South Pole? Pope Francis looks to new peripheries

Oct 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In a new interview, the pope said someone had recommended he make a visit to Antarctica the next time he’s... Read more

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

Pope Francis in new interview: ‘Church has to change’ in favor of human dignity

Oct 17, 2023

By Shannon Mullen

Pope Francis, speaking in a new interview published by a media outlet in his native Argentina, said the Church must... Read more

Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez.

Synod on Synodality ‘cannot remove pages from the Bible,’ synod archbishop says

Oct 16, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Archbishop José Miguel Gómez Rodríguez, the archbishop of Manizales in Colombia, shares his experience at the Synod of Synodality. Read more

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis reflects on the glorious mysteries of the rosary during the Holy Land Peace Vigil on Oct. 15, 2023, in Rome.

Cardinal De Donatis leads faithful in Rome for prayer vigil for peace in the Holy Land

Oct 16, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The candlelight vigil opened with a prayer for the Holy Land and was followed by a recitation of the rosary. Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishops leaving Synod on Synodality early

Oct 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The two prelates are returning to China because of “pastoral needs,” a Vatican spokesman said Monday. Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates in small groups listen to Pope Francis’ guidance for the upcoming weeks on Oct. 4, 2023.

This week at the Synod on Synodality: Participation focus comes amid exit of Chinese bishops

Oct 16, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican confirmed that the bishops from the People’s Republic of China are leaving ahead of the event’s conclusion. Read more

Bishop William Shomali, an auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem bishop discusses hopes for cease-fire, ‘two-state solution’ to Israel-Hamas war

Oct 16, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Bishop William Hanna Shomali’s interview with EWTN New’s “Vaticano” program aired Oct. 15. Read more

Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, OFM, patriarch of Jerusalem.

Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem offers to be exchanged for hostages held by Hamas

Oct 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Israel Defense Forces announced Monday that 199 Israeli hostages, including children, are being held by Hamas. Read more

Eli Cohen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, addresses the Globsec regional security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia on May 30, 2023. (

Israel’s foreign minister criticizes Vatican response to Hamas attack

Oct 16, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke Oct. 15 with the Holy See’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, about the situation... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Angelus address on Oct. 15, 2023.

At Angelus, Pope Francis reminds the faithful: The Lord ‘does not impose’ and ‘does not give up’

Oct 15, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

God continuously “extends the invitation” until the faithful respond to it, the pope said. Read more

St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Pope Francis highlights ‘little greatness’ of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in apostolic letter

Oct 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also called “The Little Flower,” was a French Carmelite nun who died in 1897 from tuberculosis... Read more

Sister María de los Dolores Palencia Gómez, Superior General of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Lyon, speaks to journalists during a press briefing for the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican on Oct. 14, 2023.

Synod ‘setting the stages for future changes’ on role of women; first woman presides over assembly

Oct 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Sister Maria de los Dolores Palencia Gomez, a Sister of St. Joseph of Lyon, spoke at a press briefing about... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023.

Synod on Synodality reports not ‘secret,’ but still won’t be shared, spokesman says

Oct 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The decision was communicated Saturday by Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission, at a press briefing.  Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates seated at discussion tables inside Paul VI Hall at the Vatican in October 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Work begins on the final text as second week wraps up

Oct 14, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The past week risked being overshadowed by a letter about the German Synodal Way shared with synod participants by Bishop... Read more

Synod of Synodality delegates tour the catacombs of St. Sebastian. Rome, Italy, Oct. 13, 2023.

Synod on Synodality delegates make a pilgrimage to Rome’s catacombs

Oct 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Hundreds of delegates took a break from their discussions of synodality to visit the catacombs of St. Sebastian and St.... Read more

Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, the relator general of the 16th Annual General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops.

Cardinal Hollerich: Beginning today the Synod is addressing ‘some of the key points’

Oct 13, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Speaking at the Synod on Synodality, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich shared an introductory reflection on the “co-responsibility of the mission.” Read more

Mother Maria Grazia Angelini gave an exegesis of the New Testament for synod delegates during the general congregation on Oct. 13, 2023, in which she claimed that St. Paul “inserted himself into a ‘non-ritual’ female liturgy” when he arrived in the city of Philippi in Macedonia.

Synod on Synodality: Italian nun claims St. Paul attended ‘non-ritual female liturgy’

Oct 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Mother Maria Grazia Angelini claimed that St. Paul “inserted himself into a ‘non-ritual’ female liturgy” when he arrived in the... Read more

Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, OFM Cap., was the main celebrant of a Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for synod participants on Oct. 13.

The devil ‘wants to see us divided,’ cardinal says at Synod on Synodality Mass

Oct 13, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“If we have the courage to look at our current reality as a Church, it won’t be hard to see... Read more