Catholic Church

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks during a general audience in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: ‘The Church is the work of the Holy Spirit’

Nov 25, 2020

Catholics risk going astray if they neglect the four essential characteristics of Church life, Pope Francis said at the general... Read more

First Communion at at St. George Chaldean Catholic Church in Telskuf, Iraq. Courtesy of Fr. Karam Shamasha.

Iraqi Christians ‘living with hope’ as stability slowly returns to Nineveh Plains

Nov 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Iraqi Christians are trying to face challenges with strength and hope as they continue to rebuild their lives after the... Read more

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa visits Stella Maris Monastery on Mount Carmel in Haifa, Israel. Photos: Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Patriarch Pizzaballa entrusts new mission to prayer of contemplative orders

Nov 24, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa has entrusted his new mission as Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem to the prayer of contemplative religious orders... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope Francis advances sainthood causes of priests with early and late vocations

Nov 24, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis advanced Tuesday the sainthood causes of several men and women, including two Italian priests of the 20th century... Read more

The episcopal ordination of Thomas Chen Tianhao in Qingdao Cathedral, China, on Nov. 23, 2020.

Chinese Patriotic Association announces ordination of new bishop

Nov 24, 2020

The Chinese Patriotic Association announced Monday the ordination of a new bishop of Qingdao.  Read more

Paolo Gabriele sits in front of Pope Benedict XVI in the popemobile in St. Peter's Square Oct. 24, 2011.

Benedict XVI’s former 'Vatileaks' butler Paolo Gabriele dies at age 54

Nov 24, 2020

The papal butler who was pardoned by Benedict XVI for his role in the “Vatileaks” affair has died at the... Read more

Pope Francis records a video message marking Argentina’s Nursing Day and Doctors’ Day. Screenshot from the Argentine bishops’ conference YouTube account.

Pope Francis hails Argentina’s doctors and nurses as ‘unsung heroes’ of pandemic

Nov 24, 2020

Pope Francis hailed Argentina’s healthcare workers as the “unsung heroes” of the coronavirus pandemic in a video message released Friday.   Read more

The then Archbishop Angelo Becciu blesses the Pilgrimage Information Center for the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy on Dec. 1, 2015.

Cardinal Becciu launches second defamation lawsuit since resignation

Nov 23, 2020

Cardinal Angelo Becciu is launching a second defamation lawsuit in relation to “offensive” media reports surrounding the events that led... Read more

Pope Francis meets a delegation from the National Basketball Players Association at the Vatican Nov. 23, 2020. Photo

Pope Francis and NBA players discuss social justice in Vatican meeting

Nov 23, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met with five NBA players at the Vatican Monday to discuss their efforts to combat social and economic... Read more

The Sistine Chapel Choir sings at Westminster Cathedral in London, England, May 6, 2012.

Pope Francis appoints new Sistine Chapel Choir director

Nov 23, 2020

Pope Francis appointed a new director of the Sistine Chapel Choir Sunday.   Read more

Archbishop Stefan Heße of Hamburg.

German Catholic archbishop asks Vatican to review his handling of abuse allegations

Nov 23, 2020

A German archbishop asked the Vatican Friday to review his handling of abuse allegations.   Read more

Cardinal Vincent Nichols at Westminster Cathedral in London, England, Feb. 2, 2019.

Cardinal Nichols says he has ‘no wish to walk away’ as bishops launch safeguarding overhaul

Nov 20, 2020

Cardinal Vincent Nichols said Friday that he was committed to overseeing a major overhaul of safeguarding procedures in England and... Read more

Christ the King Church, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Swedish parish holds day of penance and fasting after church vandalism

Nov 20, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Christ the King parish in Gothenburg, Sweden, is holding a day of penance and fasting Friday in reparation for the... Read more

Pope Francis attends the Prayer Meeting for Peace in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio Oct. 20, 2020.

Pope Francis tells Latin American leaders to resist corruption during the pandemic

Nov 20, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has called on leaders in Latin America to not politicize the coronavirus pandemic, urging them to seek the... Read more

Cardinal Reinhard Marx, pictured in Rome Feb. 24, 2019.

Cardinal Marx dissolves embattled Catholic community in Munich archdiocese

Nov 20, 2020

Cardinal Reinhard Marx has dissolved an embattled Catholic community in his archdiocese of Munich and Freising.  Read more

The symbol of the Passionists at the order’s motherhouse in Rome.

Pope Francis urges Passionists to help ‘the crucified of our age’

Nov 20, 2020

Pope Francis urged members of the Passionist order Thursday to deepen their commitment to “the crucified of our age” as... Read more

Papal preacher Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa at the liturgy for the Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica on Good Friday, March 30, 2018.

‘A simple priest of the Church’: Papal preacher prepares to be made a cardinal

Nov 19, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

For more than 60 years, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa has preached the Word of God as a priest -- and he... Read more

Pope John Paul II in 1996.

New book highlights St. John Paul II’s influence amid Cold War

Nov 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

A new book on St. John Paul II examines the relationship of the Polish pope with Central and Eastern European... Read more

The Catholic Cathedral of St. Paul in Liège, Belgium.

Catholic Church in Belgium sees year-on-year rise in Mass attendance

Nov 18, 2020

The Catholic Church in Belgium reported Wednesday a rise in Mass attendance in 2019 compared to the previous year.   Read more

Pope Francis at his general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace Nov. 18, 2020.

Pope Francis: Mary teaches us to pray with a heart open to God’s will

Nov 18, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis pointed to the Blessed Virgin Mary as a model of prayer that transforms restlessness into openness to God’s... Read more