Latest Catholic News

Archbishop emeritus Vincent M. Concessao of Delhi gives a catechesis session at Our Lady of Mercy School July 24, 2013. Estefania Aguirre/CNA.

Archbishop tells pilgrims meeting Jesus changes your life

Jul 25, 2013

The archbishop emeritus of Delhi, India told English-speaking pilgrims during their first catechesis session of World Youth Day that an... Read more

Fr. Federico Lombardi at the July 22 press conference at the WYD 2013 media center in Rio. Michelle Bauman/CNA.

Vatican spokesman: Pope's energy strikes us all

Jul 25, 2013

Despite jetlag, rainy weather and an intense schedule, Pope Francis is showing no sign of slowing down as he meets... Read more

Rodrigo the umbrella seller waits for customers in the rain on July 24, 2013. Walter Sanchez Silva/CNA.

Unusual weather not dampening enthusiasm in Rio

Jul 25, 2013

Rio de Janeiro experienced another day of rain on Wednesday along with lower than normal temperatures, forcing World Youth Day... Read more

A rescue worker sifts through the crash scene outside of Santiago de Compostela, Spain on July 25, 2013. Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images News.

Pope 'deeply moved' by train crash in Spain

Jul 25, 2013

Pope Francis is praying for the victims and families of the 77 people who have died in a train derailment... Read more

Pres Barack Obama with HHS Sec Kathleen Sebelius announce the contraception mandate at the White House, Jan. 12, 2012. Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.

Christian lawyers sue to overturn contraception mandate

Jul 24, 2013

Michael and Shaun Willis and their Michigan-based law firm filed a lawsuit seeking to have the HHS mandate declared a... Read more

Canadian pilgrims at a July 24 World Youth Day catechesis session

Canadians find greater unity at Rio’s World Youth Day

Jul 24, 2013

A group of Canadian pilgrims said this World Youth Day is more fun and the youth feel “more united” than... Read more

Pilgrims attended the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day at Copacabana Beach July 23, 2013.

Pilgrims in Rio see fellowship as World Youth Day highlight

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Wind and rain on Copacabana beach did not stop more than half a million young people from experiencing the global... Read more

Cuban Flag.

Despite repression, Cuban youth celebrate WYD in Brazil

Jul 24, 2013

A group of young pilgrims from Cuba have arrived in Brazil to celebrate the 28th World Youth Day despite initial... Read more

Pope Francis during his July 24 visit to St. Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Pope embraces, voices love for drug addicts at Rio hospital

Jul 24, 2013

At a hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Pope Francis said his namesake St. Francis of Assisi put his conversion into... Read more

Newlyweds Angelo Mathew and Heshani Silva (

Cricket star's Catholic wedding spreads joy in Sri Lanka

Jul 24, 2013

The marriage of Catholic Sri Lankan cricket star Angelo Mathew and national badminton player Heshani Silva caused joy among the... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop John Sherrington of Westminster gives the morning catechesis for WYD pilgrims July 24, 2013.

Love of Christ helps us find identity, bishop teaches

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

By experiencing the love of God and sharing it with those around us, we will find the answers to our... Read more

Priests, a Buddhist monk and police inspect a desecrated tabernacle. (

Sri Lankan cardinal forgives church desecrators

Jul 24, 2013

Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith of Colombo has forgiven the desecrators of a Catholic church in Sri Lanka, refusing to press criminal... Read more

Scene from The Logic of God performed during the 28th World Youth Day.

Blessed Frassati a 'perfect' fit for World Youth Day play

Jul 24, 2013

After being contacted by World Youth Day officials to perform a play going along with this year’s theme, a theater... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida during the 28th World Youth Day.

'God acts and he surprises us,' Pope teaches at Marian shrine

Jul 24, 2013

Openness to being surprised by God is an attitude which marks the life of a Christian, Pope Francis said in... Read more

Imprisoned pastor Saeed Abedini.

After beatings, imprisoned pastor finally receives medical care

Jul 24, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Iranian-American pastor Saeed Abedini, who has been imprisoned in Iran for over 300 days, has at last received long-awaited medical... Read more

(L-R) Aux. Bishop Stephen Robson, Msgr. Leo Cushley, Archbishop-elect of St. Andrews & Edinburgh, and Archbishop Philip Tartaglia. Courtesy of the Archdiocese of St. Andrews & Edinburgh.

Vatican diplomat named new Edinburgh archbishop

Jul 24, 2013

Pope Francis has appointed Monsignor Leo Cushley as the new Archbishop of St. Andrews & Edinburgh, replacing Cardinal Keith O’Brien... Read more

Pope Francis' car is swarmed by pilgrims as he makes his way to Guanabara Palace on July 22, 2013. ANSA/FERMO IMMAGINE SKY.

Pope's unpredictability challenges security planners

Jul 24, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The rules for the Pope’s security during international trips have had to change since Pope Francis was elected, bringing into... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio.

Pope rearranges Rio schedule to meet with Argentine youth

Jul 24, 2013

By Michelle La Rosa

Pope Francis has modified his World Youth Day schedule to plan a meeting this Thursday with several thousand young people... Read more

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile at the 28th World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 23, 2013.

Bishop says young people in Rio are pilgrims, not tourists

Jul 23, 2013

Auxiliary Bishop Cristian Contreras Villarroel of Santiago, Chile, says the hundreds of thousands of young people in Rio de Janeiro... Read more

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro leads the opening Mass of the 28th World Youth Day.

'Infect everyone' with joy of Christ, says Rio archbishop

Jul 23, 2013

Archbishop Orani Tempesta of Rio de Janeiro greeted pilgrims at World Youth Day's opening Mass, urging them to spread the... Read more