Vatican News

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

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

Don't blame God when someone dies – trust in the resurrection, Pope says

Jun 17, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Instead of blaming God when a parent loses a child – or vice versa – families should remember that because... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope Francis: Receive new encyclical with 'open heart'

Jun 17, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Speaking one day before its official release to the public, Pope Francis is asking for people to have an “open... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI.

Benedict XVI's summer plans – rare public events and a visit to Castel Gandolfo

Jun 16, 2015

By Alan Holdren

Benedict XVI’s summer is set to be the most active since he stepped down from the pontificate in 2013, with... Read more

What happens when an entire country becomes infested with demons?

Jun 16, 2015

Can a country with deep Christian roots like Mexico find itself at the mercy of demons? Some in the Church... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Jan. 25, 2015.

In Vatican trial, former archbishop faces sex abuse charges

Jun 15, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Former papal nuncio Josef Wesolowski will be tried by the Vatican’s criminal court for sexual abuse of minors and for... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 19, 2014.

Is climate change natural or man-induced? For Pope Francis, it’s both

Jun 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

One of the most challenging scientific questions Pope Francis faces in his new encyclical on creation is that of climate... Read more

Pope Francis with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

Pope Francis to parents: Do you believe in the beauty of love?

Jun 14, 2015

By Elise Harris

In an address on Sunday, Pope Francis asked parents if they believed in the beauty of the love God gives... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after the Wednesday general audience, May 7, 2014.

Caring for creation is a duty for all, Pope says ahead of encyclical launch

Jun 14, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Sunday that his coming encyclical on the care of creation is not just for some, but is... Read more

Pope Francis addresses priests, bishops, theologians, and nuns in the Sarajevo Cathedral in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 6, 2015.

Pope Francis: Judges should protect human dignity, not violate it

Jun 13, 2015

By Ann Schneible

On Saturday, Pope Francis spoke to members of an Italian judiciary council about their responsibility to protect man's dignity, and... Read more

(CC0 1.0).

Stewardship for God's creation: the Christian landscape behind Pope Francis' new encyclical

Jun 12, 2015

Pope Francis’ upcoming encyclical on ecology will draw from decades of Catholic social thought on God’s creation in light of... Read more

Pope confirms plans to visit Central African Republic, Uganda in November

Jun 12, 2015

Pope Francis said today that he is planning to travel to Africa in November, specifically to the Central African Republic,... Read more

Airport evangelization: Pope talks mercy, migrants, ministry in the air

Jun 12, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis told a group of airport chaplains that their call is to be a sign of unity and mercy... Read more

The Eucharist is distributed during Mass with Pope Francis in Rome's Campo Verano cemetery for All Saints Day on Nov. 1, 2013.

Cardinal: Divorced, remarried Catholics need support for conversion, not changes on Communion

Jun 11, 2015

Catholics who have divorced and remarried need help for the “difficult climb” of conversion and spiritual growth, not a change... Read more

Venezuela flag.

Venezuelan hunger strikers arrive at the Vatican with a plea

Jun 11, 2015

By Elise Harris

Two Venezuelans on a hunger strike came to Rome ahead of Pope Francis' scheduled meeting with their president, asking the... Read more

Days before encyclical's release, Pope condemns culture of waste

Jun 11, 2015

By Elise Harris

After revealing that the topic of consumerism will be a key theme in his upcoming encyclical, Pope Francis today delivered... Read more

US joins forces with Holy See in fighting tax fraud

Jun 10, 2015

On Wednesday, the Holy See and the United States signed a joint agreement to promote the prevention of tax evasion... Read more

Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, prefect of the papal household, greets Russian president Vladimir Putin upon his arrival at the Vatican, June 10, 2015.

Ukraine crisis the focal point in Pope's discussion with Putin

Jun 10, 2015

By Elise Harris

In the second meeting between Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin, held on Wednesday at the Vatican, the discussion... Read more

Pope Francis embraces a man in a wheelchair at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 10, 2015.

When you care for a sick family member, you are a 'hidden hero,' Pope says

Jun 10, 2015

By Ann Schneible

During his weekly general audience, Pope Francis lauded families for the “hidden heroism” of caring for a sick loved one.  Read more

St. Peter holding the keys.

Pope Francis approves greater bishop accountability in abuse cases

Jun 10, 2015

Bishop accountability in the mishandling of abuse cases and abuse allegations were key themes in the Vatican’s latest round of... Read more