Vatican News

Pope Francis stops for a brief prayer in front of the Bethlehem Nativity in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall during its presentation and a meeting with some of the people involved in its creation on Dec. 7, 2024.

Bethlehem artist defends presence of Palestinian keffiyeh in Nativity scene after backlash

Dec 13, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The keffiyeh was visible during the presentation of the Bethlehem Nativity to Pope Francis in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall... Read more

The sun rises over the island of Corsica, France.

5 things to know about popular piety and Pope Francis’ trip to Corsica

Dec 13, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Part of the pope’s itinerary for the short trip is to speak at the closing of a conference on popular... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe at St. Peter’s Basilica on Dec. 12, 2024.

Pope Francis: Throughout your life, listen to Our Lady of Guadalupe

Dec 12, 2024

By Diego López Colín, David Ramos

Pope Francis emphasized the words of the Blessed Virgin Mary to St. Juan Diego during the Mass celebrated Dec. 12... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis releases World Day of Peace message, renews call to end death penalty

Dec 12, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis on Thursday released his message for the 58th World Day of Peace, commemorated annually on Jan. 1, with... Read more

Pope Francis received Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas at the Vatican on Dec. 12, 2024, for discussions focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and prospects for peace in the Holy Land.

Pope Francis meets Palestinian leader Abbas amid Gaza crisis

Dec 12, 2024

By AC Wimmer

During the “cordial talks,” both parties “reiterated the condemnation of all forms of terrorism” while emphasizing the importance of protecting... Read more

The Church of the Gesù, where a Mass and prayer vigil for LGBT Christians are scheduled in September 2025 in Rome during the 2025 Jubilee Year of Hope.

Organizers and supporters reluctant to discuss planned LGBT jubilee day in Rome

Dec 11, 2024

By Edward Pentin

The Vatican’s jubilee organizers say they are neither supporting nor opposing the event while the figures behind it are declining... Read more

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican for his general audience on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024.

Pope Francis: Gentleness, respect are more effective than ‘the strength of arguments’

Dec 11, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The Holy Father said “the first and most effective form of evangelization” is the love we show others.  Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024.

CNA explains: What do Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith consultants do?

Dec 11, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican body responsible for questions of doctrinal orthodoxy in the Church,... Read more

The Papal Foundation, a U.S.-based organization that provides funding for Catholic projects around the world, recently announced that it has awarded $800,000 to recipients of its scholarship fund.

Papal Foundation announces $800,000 of scholarship awards to 110 religious and laypeople

Dec 10, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

The awards were distributed across 42 countries and helped enable priests, brothers, sisters, and laypeople to pursue their studies at... Read more

Cardinal Mykola Bychok is a Ukrainian Greek Catholic prelate.

World’s youngest cardinal is just 44 years old

Dec 10, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Among the new crop of cardinals created by Pope Francis on Dec. 7, Cardinal Mykola Bychok stands out. At 44,... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals at St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Dec. 7, 2024.

Why cardinals get Roman churches: Understanding Pope Francis’ use of titular parishes

Dec 10, 2024

By Matthew Bunson

With his 10th consistory to create cardinals, Pope Francis has also established nine new titular churches for the members of... Read more

Pope Francis greets participants in the International Congress on the future of Theology promoted by the Dicastery for Culture and Education, Dec. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis: Theology can be a ‘guide on the journey’ through a midlife crisis

Dec 9, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis met with academic staff participating in the International Congress on the Future of Theology “Heritage and Imagination” conference... Read more

Cardinals follow the ceremony during the ordinary public consistory for the creation of new cardinals at St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Dec. 7, 2024.

Analysis: What Pope Francis’ new cardinals reveal about future conclave

Dec 8, 2024

By Andrea Gagliarducci

While he has appointed 78% of electors, factors including limited gatherings and logistical challenges suggest the next conclave’s outcome remains... Read more

Pope Francis gazes up at the bronze statue of Mary atop the 39.4-foot column at Rome’s Spanish Steps, Dec. 8, 2024.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis marks Immaculate Conception in Rome with prayer, surprise art visit

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis marked the Immaculate Conception by visiting to two of Rome’s most important Marian sites, followed by an unexpected... Read more

Pope Francis prays the Angelus on the feast of the Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2024.

World leaders must broker Christmas peace, Pope Francis urges during Angelus

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The pope also encouraged everyone to “open our hearts and minds to the Lord Jesus, born of Mary Immaculate” as... Read more

Pope Francis delivers the homily during Mass on the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 8, 2024.

Pope Francis links Mary’s humility to modern church at Mass with new cardinals

Dec 8, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis celebrated the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception with the news cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, calling Christians to... Read more

Pope Francis arrives for a consistory at St. Peter's Basilica with visible bruising on his face, Vatican City, Dec. 7, 2024. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni explained that the pope suffered a contusion after hitting his chin on a bedside table the previous morning.

Pope Francis: Notre Dame reopening shows ‘sadness and mourning give way to joy’

Dec 7, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“Today, sadness and mourning give way to joy, celebration, and praise,” the Holy Father wrote in his message to Archbishop... Read more

Pope Francis places the red biretta on Cardinal Domenico Battaglia, archbishop of Naples, during the consistory for the creation of 21 new cardinals in St. Peter's Basilica, Dec. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis creates 21 new cardinals, including archbishops of Tehran and Toronto

Dec 7, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The pope highlighted that the term “cardinal” symbolizes a “hinge,” emphasizing their vital role as in holding the Church together. Read more

Pope Francis meets with the College of Cardinals on July 1, 2024.

What does it mean that almost half of the new cardinals will be from religious orders?

Dec 6, 2024

By Marco Mancini, Matthew Bunson

Out of the 21 cardinals who will be created on Dec. 7 in the 10th consistory of Pope Francis, 10... Read more

Left to right: Dominican Father Timothy Radcliffe, Archbishop Fernando Chomali, Archbishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo, Archbishop Rolandas Makrickas, and Bishop Mykola Bychok, CSsR, will be made cardinals in a consistory on Dec. 7, 2024.

New cardinals emphasize Church unity, evangelization ahead of consistory

“I am with my heart, and I would say with my whole body, for a synodal vision,” Archbishop Ignace Bessi... Read more