Vatican News

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Dec. 3, 2014 general audience.

Pope Francis brings down hammer, says 'Don’t mess with children'

Apr 8, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Wednesday that children are never a mistake, and called adults out for building faulty systems that leave... Read more

Msgr. Segundo Tejado Munoz, undersecretary of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, with refugee children in Iraq, March 28, 2015.

How the Holy See is using diplomacy to aid Christians in the Middle East

Apr 8, 2015

In the face of increased persecution of Christians in the Middle East, the Holy See's diplomatic arm is developing a... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Urbi et Orbi blessing April 5, 2015.

Pope's Easter message: In this violent world, what we need is Christ's resurrection

Apr 5, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis reminded Christians this Easter of the strength which comes from Christ’s death and resurrection, calling them to be... Read more

Pope Francis holds the Easter candle during the Easter Vigil April 4, 2015.

If you're looking for the truth, you'll find the Resurrection Pope says

Apr 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his homily for the Easter Vigil Pope Francis said that the Resurrection of Jesus is a mystery we can... Read more

Fr. Cantalamessa speaks during Good Friday's liturgy at St. Peter's Basilica on April 3, 2015.

True martyrs die in prayer – not with clenched fists, papal preacher says

Apr 3, 2015

By Ann Schneible

In his homily for the celebration of the Passion of Our Lord on Good Friday, papal preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa... Read more

Pope Francis kisses an inmate's foot at Rome's Rebibbia New Complex Prison April 2.

Pope Francis to inmates: 'I too need to be washed by the Lord'

Apr 2, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Holy Thursday told inmates of a Rome prison that God’s love is personal and endless, emphasizing that... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Holy Thrusday's Chrism Mass in St. Peter's Basilica April 2, 2015.

Don't flirt with spiritual worldliness, Pope cautions priests

Apr 2, 2015

By Elise Harris

During Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Pope Francis warned priests not to fall into a tiredness that leads to worldliness, and... Read more

Pope Francis.

Blood of the martyrs sustains the Church, Pope reflects

Apr 1, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis, in his General Audience address for Holy Week, said that the Christian martyrs of today, by the shedding... Read more

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

Vatican Appointments: Cardinal Versaldi to Congregation for Catholic Education

Mar 31, 2015

Tuesday's appointment of Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi as prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, together with Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki's... Read more

Piece of Colomba cake.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love... Read more

Pope Francis leads procession of palms in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday March 29, 2015.

Holy Week is about humility – there is no other way, Pope says

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday said that imitating the humility of Jesus is what makes Holy Week “holy,” and encouraged... Read more

Carmelite sisters in Birmingham.

500 years after birth, witness of St. Teresa of Avila remains strong, says Pope

Mar 28, 2015

By Ann Schneible

On the 500th anniversary of St. Teresa of Avila's birth, Pope Francis praised the Spanish mystic and reformer for her... Read more

Pope Francis addresses interreligious faith leaders in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13, 2015.

Pope praises deceased Assyrian patriarch as wise pastor, ecumenical leader

Mar 28, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolences following the death of Catholicos Dinkha IV, patriarch of the Assyrian Church... Read more

Florence, as seen from the Piazzale Michelangelo.

Pope expected to visit Italian cities of Florence, Prato in November

Mar 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

An informal announcement was made on Friday at the close of the Italian bishops conference's spring meeting in Rome revealing... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 29, 2014.

'This is your house' – Pope Francis meets homeless in Sistine Chapel

Mar 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis stopped by to visit with 150 of Rome’s homeless in the Sistine Chapel after they were invited for... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Mike Haines and Barbara Henning, relatives of aid workers killed by the Islamic State.

Pope Francis meets relatives of aid workers murdered by Islamic State

Mar 26, 2015

The brother and widow of two British aid workers killed by Islamic State militants last autumn were among the participants... Read more

Cardinal Gerhard Mueller in St. Peter's Basilica at the installation Mass of Bishop Maurizio Malvestiti on Oct. 12, 2014.

Bishops conferences are not the Magisterium, Vatican doctrine chief reminds Cardinal Marx

Mar 26, 2015

By Carl Bunderson

Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has told a French paper that doctrinal,... Read more

Pope Francis greets faithful before mass outside of Istanbul's Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis to meet, celebrate Mass with relatives during Turin visit

Mar 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

A son of Italian immigrants, Argentinian native Pope Francis will have the opportunity to meet with distant relatives during his... Read more

Shroud of Turin negative.

A look at Pope Francis' summer trip to the Shroud of Turin

Mar 25, 2015

By Ann Schneible

The Vatican has released the schedule for Pope Francis' upcoming pilgrimage to Turin – home to what is believed to... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his March 25, 2015 general audience.

Pope Francis on the family synod: 'We need prayers, not gossip'

Mar 25, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke about the gift and call of the Christian family, and urged attendees... Read more