Vatican

The Latest

Pope Francis celebrates the Easter Vigil April 11, 2020.

Be messengers of life amid death, says Pope Francis at Easter Vigil

Apr 11, 2020

Pope Francis urged Christians to be “messengers of life in a time of death” as he celebrated the Easter Vigil... Read more

Crowds pray the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum with Pope Francis on Good Friday 2019.

Beauty, drama and pinpoint silence: Easter Triduum memories from Rome

Apr 11, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Christians reflect on the reality of the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ during these three momentous days,... Read more

Pope Francis presides at the Stations of the Cross outside St. Peter's Basilica.

At Via Crucis, Pope Francis prays for those serving the suffering

Apr 10, 2020

Pope Francis prayed for those who are serving the suffering as he presided at the Stations of the Cross in... Read more

Pope Francis prays by the crucifix in St. Peter's Basilica April 10, 2020.

The cross has changed the meaning of suffering, says papal preacher on Good Friday

Apr 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Through his death on the cross, Jesus has redeemed all human pain, including the suffering caused by the coronavirus pandemic,... Read more

Pope celebrates Mass in St. Peter's on Holy Thursday.

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis recalls priests dying amid pandemic

Apr 9, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis recalled the priests who have lost their lives during the coronavirus crisis as he offered the Mass of... Read more

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background.

Vatican flags at half-staff in solidarity with coronavirus victims

Mar 31, 2020

By Courtney Mares

More than 11,500 people have died of COVID-19 in Italy after a total of 101,739 people have been documented by... Read more

Vatican offices on an empty Papa Pio XII Square.

Vatican offices to remain open amid coronavirus lockdown

Mar 12, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Vatican City State offices and dicasteries of the Holy See will remain open and working, with... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica and square closed to public March 10, 2020.

Italian police close St. Peter's Square to public

Mar 10, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus, Courtney Mares

The Italian police closed St. Peter’s Square Tuesday following the Italian government decree extending quarantine measures to all of Italy... Read more

Fr. Fabián Pedacchio Leaniz.  CNA file photo.

Pope's personal secretary will return to Vatican Congregation for Bishops

Nov 25, 2019

The personal secretary to Pope Francis will leave his position in December, after nearly seven years of service to the... Read more

Tehran skyline with flag.

Vatican delegation in Iran discuss human rights with Muslim leaders

Nov 15, 2019

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican delegation traveled to Tehran this week to discuss opportunities for Catholics and Muslims to serve humanity together.  Read more

Pope Francis and Domenico Giani walk together on Oct. 13 at the Vatican.

Vatican City security head resigns after confidential memo was leaked

Oct 14, 2019

The head of the Vatican City State’s national police force has resigned, after a confidential internal memo was leaked to... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican City prosecutor asks that Italian priest be charged with sexual abuse during seminary

Sep 17, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican announced Tuesday that the Vatican City State’s Promoter of Justice has requested the indictment two Italian priests --... Read more

Bishop Marcello Semeraro at a Vatican press conference, June 27, 2019.

Pope could see final draft of new curial constitution by September

Jun 27, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis could receive a final draft of a new constitution for the Roman curia as soon as September, according... Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis issues norms for reports of abuse of minors, seminarians, and religious

May 9, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

New Vatican norms for the Church’s handling of sex abuse, issued Thursday, place seminarians and religious coerced into sexual activity... Read more

Analysis: Curial reform aims for unity in service, not a team of rivals

Apr 26, 2019

By Ed Condon

Pope Francis is widely expected to approve a new structure for the Roman curia in the near future. While the... Read more

Founder, editorial board resign from Vatican women’s magazine

Mar 26, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

The founder and entire editorial board of a women’s magazine published by the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano have quit over... Read more

Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican-China deal must be implemented, Parolin says

Mar 1, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Speaking at a conference on Vatican diplomacy, the Holy See’s Secretary of State stressed that it is now important “to... Read more

Theodore McCarrick.

McCarrick abuse trial: A CNA timeline

Feb 16, 2019

Theodore McCarrick has been laicized, nearly 10 months after sex abuse allegations against him were first made public. Here is... Read more

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Vatican's Office of General Auditor gets new statutes

Feb 12, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican's general auditor has new statutes, conferred recently by Pope Francis, that will bring financial audits of Vatican offices... Read more

The Sistine Chapel Choir performs at Westminster Cathedral, May 6, 2012.

What is happening with the Sistine Chapel Choir?

Jan 21, 2019

By Andrea Gagliarducci

With a motu proprio released Jan. 19, Pope Francis put the Sistine Chapel Choir under the administration of the Office... Read more