Vatican News

Riad al-Malki, Palestine's foreign minister, signs the Comprehensive Agreement between the State of Palestine and the Holy See, June 26, 2015.

A hope for peace: Vatican, Palestine sign treaty protecting religious liberty

Jun 26, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The comprehensive agreement signed on Friday by the Holy See and the State of Palestine may serve the twofold goal... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, March 25, 2015.

Pope exhorts future Vatican diplomats to bring Christ's face to the world

Jun 25, 2015

Pope Francis told the graduating class of Holy See ambassadors on Thursday that their main mission is to be Christ’s... Read more

Pope Francis embraces Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, June 24, 2015.

For Archbishop Chaput, Vatican synod, Philly family meeting providentially linked

Jun 25, 2015

By Alan Holdren

Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia sees a providential link between September’s World Meeting of Families and October’s Synod on the... Read more

A Muslim chaplain of the US Navy prays during Ramadan at Camp Leatherneck, Helmand, Afghanistan, Aug. 17, 2011.

Cardinal sends Ramadan wishes to suffering Muslims, rebukes religious violence

Jun 25, 2015

In an oblique rebuke to the Islamic State and other militants, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran has wished Muslims a peaceful and... Read more

Participants in the 2014 synod depart the the Vatican's Synod Hall, October 13, 2014.

Synod on the Family's working document sets the stage for spirited discussion

Jun 24, 2015

That the discussion at October's Synod on the Family is going to be a lively one is indicated by the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience June 24, 2015.

Pope to families: If you hide your problems, they'll only get worse

Jun 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

Family wounds that aren’t dealt with in a healthy and timely manner can have devastating effects on both spouses and... Read more

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

Synod guiding document: families need the Church's message of mercy

Jun 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

The document set to guide this year’s synod discussions on the family touches on hot-button issues such as homosexuality and... Read more

Pope Francis near St. Peter's Basilica before his Wednesday general audience. June 3, 2015.

Pope Francis speaks up for Italy's unemployed youth

Jun 20, 2015

Youth unemployment is “a true social plague” that leaves young people feeling useless, Pope Francis told an Italian labor group... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with Ignatius Aphrem II, Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, at the Vatican, June 19, 2015.

In Middle East martyrdoms, Pope Francis sees seeds of Christian unity

Jun 20, 2015

Meeting with Syriac Orthodox leaders on Friday, Pope Francis decried the continuing martyrdom of Middle East Christians, and gave special... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Italian special Olympians on June 19, 2015 in Vatican City.

Love life, have fun – a Pope Francis pep talk to Special Olympians

Jun 19, 2015

Pope Francis met with Italy's top Special Olympics athletes on Friday, encouraging them and all athletes to make sports a... Read more

Pope Francis prays on Easter Sunday morning in St. Peter's Square on April 5, 2015.

Will Pope Francis change the date of Easter?

Jun 19, 2015

Speaking to a global gathering of priests, Pope Francis signaled an openness to changing the date of Easter in the... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the crowds gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus, June 14, 2015.

The first encyclical wholly from Francis overturns expectations

Jun 18, 2015

'Laudato si' is not only an example of the Magisterium's social teaching: it also represents the birth of a new... Read more

St. Francis of Assisi.

Saint Francis and his star role in the Pope's new encyclical

Jun 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' new encyclical is filled with references to his namesake, whom the Pope says is a model of how... Read more

Press conference on Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si on June 18, 2015 in Paul VI Hall.

Vatican: Encyclical aims to promote common good, not take sides

Jun 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

The Vatican's presentation of Pope Francis' new encyclical said the intent behind the document goes beyond political debates, aiming for... Read more

The facade of St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican.

Magisterium – not secret authors – had final say on encyclical

Jun 18, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Despite many claiming they helped to draft Pope Francis' new encyclical, the final text cannot be attributed to any 'hidden'... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience in St Peter's Square on May 20, 2015.

The Pope's take on transgender issues? Accept the body God gave you

Jun 18, 2015

Pope Francis' new encyclical on the environment calls for men and women to acknowledge their bodies as a “gift” from... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope Francis blasts abortion, population control in new encyclical

Jun 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his new encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis slams attacks against human life such as abortion, embryonic experimentation and... Read more

via Unsplash.

Environment encyclical takes bold stance on controversial issues

Jun 18, 2015

In his newly released encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis did not hesitate to wade into controversial topics, making statements... Read more

Benedict XVI meets with seminarians of the Faenza-Modigliana diocese, June 16, 2015.

A meeting to remember: seminarians chat with Benedict XVI

Jun 17, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Several enthusiastic seminarians met with Benedict XVI at the Vatican Gardens on Tuesday – even though it is their exam... Read more