Vatican News
Newly announced Mexican martyrs faced death to defend Christian faith, says Pope
Thirteen Mexican martyrs were beatified Sunday in Guadalajara, Mexico--the latest in a recent string of Saints-to-be, pronounced by the Holy... Read more
New pastoral norms for famous Assisi Basilicas
Pope Benedict has established new juridical norms for the famous Basilica of St. Francis, as well as the Basilica of... Read more
Like John Paul II, reach out to science, culture with message of salvation, Pope challenges Church academia
Earlier today, Pope Benedict visited the Vatican offices of the Pontifical Academies of Sciences and Social Sciences, where he told... Read more
Bond between John Paul II and his people will never be broken, says Pope
Last evening, Pope Benedict was treated to a special screening of the new film, “Pope John Paul II" which, he... Read more
Pope to Czech bishops: be leaven in society that is ‘secularized but interested’ in Gospel
This morning, Pope Benedict met with a group of bishops from the Czech Republic--in Rome for their semi-annual “ad limina”... Read more
In ‘profoundly changing times’, Pope calls for greater pastoral care, education for seminarians
As vocational problems and priestly scandals continue to arise in some regions of the Catholic Church, Pope Benedict today, called... Read more
Caring for sick is ‘emblem of Christian charity’, says Pope
In a message, sent today to the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), currently meeting in Assisi, Italy, Pope Benedict stressed the... Read more
As historic Church document comes to new light, Pope Benedict invites Greek patriarch to Vatican, encourages further unity
In an historic event yesterday in Athens, Greece, Vatican archivist and librarian, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, officially announced the new publication... Read more
Pope Benedict meets with Israeli president, renews call for peaceful coexistence with Palestinians
In a meeting with Israeli President Moshe Katsay earlier today, Pope Benedict stressed his continued desire for the peaceful co-existence... Read more
Through periods of trial and liberation, God is always with His people, says Pope
The continued presence of God with His people throughout history was the major theme of Pope Benedict XVI’s weekly Wednesday... Read more
Vatican official says Church established accords with states, not governments
Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, said this week the Church’s concordats and accords are made... Read more
Italian government honors John Paul II, Pope Benedict commends ‘serene relations’ between Church and State
Yesterday morning, the Italian parliament commemorated a visit made by the late John Paul II three years ago to the... Read more
Science accompanied by the wisdom of faith: Vatican conference to explore the human genome
This morning, Vatican officials held a press conference to discuss the upcoming International Conference on the Human Genome, presented, in... Read more
Cardinal to take possession of historic Titular church
Earlier today, the Vatican announced that this coming Sunday, Cardinal Carlo Furno, grand master of the Equestrian Order of the... Read more
Iraqi president visits Pope Benedict, tomb of John Paul II
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani met in a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI last week and, the next day, capped... Read more
Three proclaimed Blessed: all servants of the poor and adorers of Christ, says Pope
On Sunday, the Church presented three more men and women as major models of Christian holiness as Charles de Foucauld,... Read more
Pope says lay mission of Church depends on personal holiness, communal influence on society
Following Sunday Mass at St. Peter‘s Basilica, Pope Benedict XVI joined thousands of pilgrims gathered below his study window in... Read more
Pope calls for reconciliation, peace in Iraq, encourages mission of Chaldean church
On Saturday, as a group of Chaldean bishops were meeting in Rome for a special synod, Pope Benedict XVI met... Read more
Pope meets with new U.S. ambassador, says world violence, injustice can only be countered by respect for laws of Creator
Saturday, businessman, Francis Rooney presented his official Letters of Credence to Pope Benedict as the U.S.‘s new ambassador to the... Read more
Pope to Bulgarian Bishops: Though a minority, Church is a vibrant example to former communist country
On Saturday morning, Pope Benedict met with bishops from the formerly communist country of Bulgaria, who he encouraged to be... Read more
