Catholic Church

The Latest

Pope Francis meets with Bhaddanta Kumarabhivamsa, head of the Supreme Sangha Council, in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 29, 2017.

Vatican to Buddhists: May the pandemic ‘unite us in service’

May 26, 2021

By CNA Staff

The Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue sent greetings for the Buddhist feast of Vesakh. Read more

Cardinal Vincent Nichols presents a relic of Bl. Carlo Acutis to Fr. Pat Ryall at Archbishop’s House, Westminster, May 21, 2021.

‘We are delighted to have him back’: Carlo Acutis relics arrive in London

May 26, 2021

By CNA Staff

A relic was given to the church where the future blessed was baptized in 1991. Read more

A detail from a portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots by François Clouet, 1560.

Theft of Mary Queen of Scots’ rosary a ‘tragic loss’ for Catholic history

May 26, 2021

By CNA Staff

Thieves stole the rosary and other items worth more than $1.4 million from Arundel Castle in southern England. Read more

Pope Francis blesses Auschwitz survivor Lidia Maksymowicz in the San Damaso Courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, May 26, 2021.

Pope Francis offers advice for when prayers seem to go unanswered

May 26, 2021

By Courtney Mares

“To answer this question, we need to meditate calmly on the Gospels,” the pope said at his general audience. Read more

Cardinal Fernando Filoni, Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Cardinal: Renewal of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre goes deeper than swords

May 26, 2021

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The order’s swearing-in rite will no longer feature a sword. Cardinal Fernando Filoni explains why. Read more

The flag of Burma (Myanmar).

Four killed as Myanmar army artillery shell hits Catholic church

May 25, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

Vatican News reported that all those killed and injured were Catholics. Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross.

Pope Francis moves pre-seminary at center of abuse trial out of Vatican City

May 25, 2021

The pre-seminary is a residence for about a dozen boys who serve at papal Masses. Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 5, 2021.

Pope Francis prays for 5-year-old survivor and 14 people killed in cable car accident

May 25, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

A cable car ascending the Mottarone mountain fell about 65 feet to the ground. Read more

Pope Francis greets people at the Paul VI Audience Hall after a screening of the documentary “Francesco”, May 24, 2021.

Pope Francis meets homeless people and refugees after film screening

May 25, 2021

The pope met with a group of around 100 people after a screening of the 2020 film “Francesco.” Read more

A 16th-century painting of St. Ignatius in armor.

A cannonball that changed the world: Pope Francis marks 500 years since St. Ignatius’ conversion

May 23, 2021

The first Jesuit pope sent a video message marking the start of an Ignatian Year. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Regina Coeli address at the Vatican, May 23, 2021.

Pope Francis: Pray for China’s Christians

May 23, 2021

The pope made the appeal after his Regina Coeli address. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, May 23, 2021

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily on Pentecost Sunday 2021

May 23, 2021

By Pope Francis

The pope celebrated Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica, May 23, 2021.

Pope Francis: ‘Open your heart to the Holy Spirit’

May 23, 2021

The pope celebrated Pentecost Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

Pope Francis receives European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in a private audience, May 22, 2021.

Pope Francis meets European Commission president at the Vatican

May 22, 2021

Ursula von der Leyen discussed migration, climate change, and the Middle East during her Vatican visit. Read more

Cardinal Josip Bozanić blesses the new Laudato TV studio in Zagreb, Croatia.

Cardinal blesses new studio of EWTN affiliate in Croatia

May 22, 2021

Cardinal Josip Bozanić praised Laudato TV for reaching a new milestone. Read more

A canonization ceremony in St. Peter’s Square, Oct. 15, 2017.

Pope Francis advances causes of China missionary, sister killed by Maoist guerrillas

May 22, 2021

The pope advanced the causes of seven people. Read more

Bishop Georg Bätzing, chairman of the German bishops’ conference.

German Catholic bishops’ leader: ‘Synodal Way’ and Rome synod have ‘common goal’

May 21, 2021

Bishop Georg Bätzing welcomed the new global “process” for the synod on synodality. Read more

Fr. Joe Keke, left, remains missing. Fr. Alphonsus Bello, right, was killed at age 33.

Catholic priest killed, another kidnapped in attack on Nigerian parish

May 21, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Fr. Alphonsus Bello was found dead on May 21. Read more

Pope Francis to homeless advocates: Be witnesses of God’s mercy and goodness

May 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The pope congratulated the Lazarus Association on 10 years of serving the homeless. Read more

Pope Francis addresses new ambassadors accredited to the Holy See in the Vatican’s Clementine Hall, May 21, 2021.

Pope Francis calls for global prayer for peace in the Holy Land

May 21, 2021

By Christine Rousselle

The pope was addressing ambassadors newly accredited to the Holy See. Read more