Vatican News

Pope Francis embraces a pilgrim during the General Audience at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall, Jan. 13, 2016.

Pope Francis sends vestments, financial aid to Iraqi Christians

Mar 31, 2016

By Elise Harris

As a sign of affection and closeness, Pope Francis has decided to send vestments used in the liturgy and a... Read more

Opening session of the Synod of Bishops, Oct. 6, 2014.

Pope Francis' post-synod doc to be released April 8

Mar 31, 2016

By Elise Harris

The Vatican announced Thursday that Pope Francis’ highly anticipated post-synodal apostolic exhortation on the gifts and challenges of family life... Read more

Pope Francis offers a special blessing for the repose of Mother Angelica's soul during his general audience March 30, 2016.

'She's in heaven' – Pope Francis on Mother Angelica

Mar 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Wednesday offered a special blessing for Mother Angelica following her death on Easter Sunday, expressing his confidence... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi.

Vatican spokesman recalls joy of meeting Mother Angelica

Mar 29, 2016

By Elise Harris

After hearing of the death of Mother Angelica on Easter Sunday, Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s spokesman, recalled the joy... Read more

Benedict XVI holds the paschal candle during the Easter Vigil, at St. Peter's Basilica, April 7, 2012.

Benedict XVI responds to Mother Angelica's death

Mar 28, 2016

Benedict XVI had a special response to Mother Angelica’s death falling on Easter Sunday: “it’s a gift.”  Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope condemns 'cowardly' attack on Pakistani Christians

Mar 28, 2016

Pope Francis on Monday mourned the loss of life in Pakistan, where more than 70 people – mostly women and... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 28, 2014.

Pope prays for victims of terror strike at Iraq football stadium

Mar 27, 2016

Pope Francis has sent a his condolences following the suicide attack against a football stadium in Iskanderiyah, Iraq which killed... Read more

Pope Francis delivers Urbi et Orbi blessing at St Peters Basilica on March 27, 2016.

Pope: Easter message brings hope to victims of terrorism, persecution

Mar 27, 2016

By Ann Schneible

In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil at St Peters basilica.

Let yourselves be moved by hope, Pope says at Easter Vigil

Mar 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

During the Easter Vigil, Pope Francis told attendees not to be overcome by sadness in the face of life’s difficulties,... Read more

Pope Francis prostrates himself before the altar of St. Peter's Basilica at the opening of the Good Friday liturgy, March 25, 2016.

Mercy will save the world: papal preacher's Good Friday meditation

Mar 25, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Remembering this week's deadly terror attack in Brussels, the papal preacher centered his Good Friday reflection on mercy's role in... Read more

Opening Mass for the synod of bishops on the family, Oct. 8, 2015.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda 'honored' to head Minn. diocese

Mar 24, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has named Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda as the new head of the Minneapolis-St. Paul archdiocese – a surprise... Read more

Priests concelebrate with Pope Francis during the Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica March 24, 2016.

Your task is to incarnate mercy, Pope Francis tells priests

Mar 24, 2016

By Elise Harris

During Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Pope Francis focused on the topic of mercy, telling priests that one of their primary... Read more

The episcopal ring of Archbishop Peter Wells, who was appointed apostolic nuncio to South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, and Namibia in February, 2016.

What does it mean to be a bishop – and a Vatican diplomat?

Mar 24, 2016

By Elise Harris

For Archbishop Peter Wells, the Pope’s new ambassador to South Africa, being in the diplomatic service of the Holy See... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience, April 27, 2013.

Pope Francis will speak on the synod soon. But the spin has already begun.

Mar 23, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The war of interpretations has begun over Pope Francis’ yet-to-be-published post-synodal exhortation. And this war is taking place in the... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope Francis observes moment of silence for Belgium attack victims

Mar 23, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his general audience the day after terrorist attacks in Belgium claimed the lives of at least 30 people and... Read more

Pope Francis performing the rite of the washing of feet at a Holy Thursday Mass said at Rebibbia prison, Rome, April 2, 2015.

Pope Francis to wash the feet of migrants on Holy Thursday

Mar 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending previous years washing the feet of inmates and disabled persons on Holy Thursday, this year Pope Francis will... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight August 2014.

Pope Francis grieves Belgium attacks, condemns 'blind violence'

Mar 22, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday Pope Francis offered prayers for the victims of attacks at an airport and metro in Belgium, condemning the... Read more

Pope Francis prays at General Audience Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope prays for victims of Russian plane crash, Istanbul bombing

Mar 21, 2016

Pope Francis offered prayers over the weekend for victims of both a plane crash in Russia and a suicide bombing... Read more

Pope Francis leads procession of palms in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday March 20, 2016.

Humility is the epitome of redemption, Pope Francis says on Palm Sunday

Mar 20, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Palm Sunday Pope Francis said the path toward salvation can be summed up by humility and service, and encouraged... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience, May 21, 2014:

Pope's Instagram launches with appeal for prayer

Mar 19, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The official Instagram account of Pope Francis launched on Saturday with a simple request for his followers: “Pray for me.”  Read more