Prisoners

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Pope Francis washes the feet of 12 young men and women, inmates at Casal del Marmo juvenile detention center on Rome’s outskirts, during a Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

Vatican’s Venice Biennale pavilion leads visitors in Catholic tradition of visiting prisoners

Mar 11, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Visitors will enter an active women’s prison on Venice’s Giudecca island, where inmates will play an active role in the... Read more

Members of the Military Police of Public Order (PMOP) take control of the Women's Social Adaptation Center (CEFAS) prison in Tamara, 25 km north of Tegucigalpa, on June 26, 2023. The government announced last week that military police would assume control of Honduras's 21 prisons for a period of one year starting July 1, as well as train 2,000 new prison guards after a vicious battle between rival gangs left at least 46 women dead in a prison near the capital Tegucigalpa.

UPDATE: Details emerge on Honduras prison fight that left more than 40 women inmates dead

Jun 28, 2023

By CNA Staff

The massacre was carried out by women belonging to the “Barrio 18” gang against members of “Mara Salvatrucha” (MS-13). Read more

Relatives of inmates of the Women's Center for Social Adaptation (CEFAS) prison cry outside the detention center after a fire following a brawl between inmates in Tamara, some 25 kilometers from Tegucigalpa, Honduras, on June 20, 2023.

Church demands answers after at least 48 die in gang fight in Honduran women’s prison

Jun 26, 2023

By Ana Paula Morales

According to local authorities, on June 20 there was a confrontation between rival gangs inside the prison that unleashed a... Read more

Pope Francis at his Angelus address at the Vatican, Dec. 11, 2022.

Pope Francis to ask heads of state to pardon prisoners as Christmas gesture

Dec 12, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will send a letter to the world’s heads of state asking them to pardon prisoners, the Vatican announced... Read more

Pope Francis washes the feet of prisoners in Civitavecchia, Italy, April 14, 2022.

Pope Francis washes prisoners’ feet at Mass on Holy Thursday 2022

Apr 14, 2022

By CNA Staff

The pope offered the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a prison in Civitavecchia. Read more

Pope Francis kisses prisoners’ feet at Rome’s Regina Coeli Prison. March 29, 2018.

Pope Francis will wash feet of 12 prisoners on Holy Thursday 2022

Apr 13, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope will visit the prison of Civitavecchia, outside Rome. Read more

An ice-cream stand near St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome.

Pope Francis sends 15,000 ice creams to Rome prisoners

Sep 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

The gelati were delivered by papal almoner Cardinal Konrad Krajewski. Read more

Inmates of a Rome prison met with Pope Francis at the Vatican, before making a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Prisoners meet Pope Francis before visiting Vatican Museums

Jun 21, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Inmates were accompanied by the prison director, chaplain, and officials. Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus broadcast from the Apostolic Palace March 29, 2020.

'COVID-19 knows no borders': Pope Francis calls for global ceasefire

Mar 29, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The pope urged nations in conflict to respond to an appeal made by the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres... Read more

Pope Francis offers Mass in Casa Santa Marta on March 11, 2020.

Pope Francis offers Mass for prisoners after Italian prison riots

Mar 11, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Following prison riots in Italy, Pope Francis offered Mass for prisoners and persecuted Christians on Wednesday during his livestreamed daily... Read more

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos.

Churches often have 'best way forward' for helping inmates, Betsy DeVos says

Sep 30, 2019

The Secretary of Education said on Monday that churches are among the institutions with the best solutions for using education... Read more

Pope Francis kisses the foot of a prisoner during Holy Thursday Mass April 18, 2019.

Pope Francis urges inmates to be at service to one another

Apr 18, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis celebrated the Mass of the Lord’s Supper at a prison in the suburbs of Rome Thursday, urging the... Read more

Pope Francis washes inmates' feet at Rome's Regina Coeli Prison during the celebration of the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, March 29, 2018.

Prisoners in Rome thank Francis for 'making sure we're not forgotten'

Mar 31, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' Holy Thursday Mass at a prison in Rome was more than just another event for the inmates who... Read more

Pope Francis kisses prisoners' feet at Rome's Regina Coeli Prison. March 29, 2018.

Pope Francis to prisoners: Jesus will take a chance on you

Mar 29, 2018

Pope Francis had a message for prison inmates at the Mass for the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday: Jesus does... Read more

Nelly Dominguez. Screenshot.

How inmates at a Chilean women's prison are preparing for the Pope

Jan 13, 2018

As Pope Francis prepares to visit Chile next week, the inmates at San Joaquin Women's Penitentiary Center in Santiago are... Read more

Families of Iran's prisoners beg Congress to advocate for their release

Jul 26, 2017

By Matt Hadro

Family members of American citizens imprisoned in Iran pleaded with members of Congress on Tuesday to advocate for their safe... Read more

Bishop offers prayers after Brazil prison riot leaves 56 dead

Jan 4, 2017

A local bishop called for prayer and prison reform efforts after a 17-hour prison uprising in the Amazon city of... Read more

Pope Francis receives a cross made by an inmate at the CeReSo n. 3 prison in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, Feb. 17, 2016.

Pope asks authorities to grant clemency for prisoners during Jubilee

Nov 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

After celebrating Mass for prisoners in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis in his Angelus address appealed for better prison conditions... Read more

Prisoners serve at Mass with Pope Francis Nov. 6, 2016, for the Jubilee of Prisoners.

During jubilee for prisoners, Pope tells inmates not to lose hope

Nov 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday, Pope Francis held a special Mass held for prisoners inside St. Peter’s Basilica, telling them that while paying... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Rebibbia prison in Rome, April 2, 2015.

Prisoners to be Pope Francis' special guests at Mass in St. Peter's

Nov 3, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Nov. 6, a special Jubilee for Prisoners will be celebrated at the Vatican, drawing detainees and their families from... Read more