Priests

The Latest

Cardinal Robert Sarah celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica Sept. 28, 2019.

Cardinal Sarah calls Catholic priests to spiritual renewal in new book

Nov 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

‘If priests, if society look to God, then I think things will change,’ he said. Read more

Pope Francis ordains 10 men to the priesthood in St. Peter’s Basilica on May 7, 2017.

Number of foreign-born Catholic priests in Italy continues to rise

Nov 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The total number of priests has falled by 11% in the last decade. Read more

Pope Francis visits the elderly priest-residents of Casa San Gaetano in Rome, June 17, 2016.

Pope Francis tells elderly priests: ‘Aging is a privilege’

Sep 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

He said: ‘Please, pray for me who is a little old and a little, but not too much, sick!’ Read more

Archbishop Thomas Wenski speaks at a press conference.

Priests are still essential, says Archbishop Wenski

Mar 31, 2021

Archbishop Thomas Wenski of Miami stressed this week that despite public health distinctions created over the past year, priests are... Read more

A red cross ambulance passes in front of the Vatican as Italy prepares for the coronavirus, March 9, 2020.

43 Catholic priests have died in Italy’s 2nd wave of coronavirus

Nov 30, 2020

By Hannah Brockhaus

Forty-three Italian priests died in November after contracting the coronavirus, as Italy experiences a second wave of the epidemic.  Read more

St. Peter’s Basilica seen through a bubble on Dec. 3, 2019.

World Mission Sunday: number of Catholics continues to rise worldwide

Oct 16, 2020

The number of Catholics worldwide increased by almost 16 million in a year to 1.33 billion, according to statistics highlighted... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 16, 2016.

Pope Francis thanks sick and elderly priests for proclaiming Gospel of life

Sep 17, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis thanked sick and elderly priests for their quiet witness to the Gospel Thursday in a message that conveyed... Read more

Floating tiki bar.

A drowning man prayed for help. God sent a floating tiki bar filled with priests.

Sep 8, 2020

When Jimmy Macdonald found himself floundering in the waters of Lake George in New York next to his tipped kayak,... Read more

Catholics arrange aid for St. Pius X parish in Ragley, Louisiana.

After Hurricane Laura, priests' support group responds to a 'brother' in need

Sep 2, 2020

Support groups for priests provide ongoing camaraderie and spiritual nourishment, and now that list of benefits can be expanded to... Read more

A priest prays at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Hendon, London, on June 14, 2020, as the church prepares to reopen following lockdown.

Coronavirus lockdown leaves Catholic priests struggling for funds

Aug 27, 2020

Catholic priests in England are struggling to make ends meet following a drop in income caused by the coronavirus crisis.  Read more

Photo courtesy of the Polish bishops' conference.

Polish bishops recall service of priests, nuns during Warsaw Uprising

Aug 7, 2020

Commemorating the 76th anniversary of the Warsaw Uprising against the Nazis, the Catholic bishops of Poland released a reflection on... Read more

Seminarians for the Diocese of Providence. Photo courtesy of Our Lady of Providence Seminary.

Prayers answered: Diocese of Providence sees decades-high number of new seminarians  

Aug 6, 2020

By Perry West

The Diocese of Providence, Rhode Island, is welcoming eight new seminarians this year - the highest number of incoming seminarians... Read more

Pope Francis. Courtesy: Worldpriest

Pope Francis blesses global rosary relay for priests

Jun 2, 2020

Pope Francis has given his apostolic blessing to a worldwide rosary relay for priests.   Read more

Undertakers wearing a face mask carry coffin in a cemetary in Bergamo, Italy on March 16, 2020.

At least 28 priests in northern Italy have died from COVID-19

Mar 19, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Italian dioceses surrounding Milan have reported the deaths of 30 priests during the coronavirus outbreak.  Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square Dec. 4, 2019.

Pray that bishops, priests will manifest Christ's love, Pope Francis urges

Dec 4, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Bishops and priests have a duty to guard and protect the Catholics entrusted to their care; and they need the... Read more

In robota Christi? Why robots can never be Catholic priests 

Sep 18, 2019

By Mary Farrow

Once a man is ordained a priest for the Catholic Church, he acts, according to the Catechism of the Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis greets crowds in Antananarivo, Madagascar, on Sept. 8, 2019.

Pope to Madagascar religious: To avoid discouragement, focus on praising God

Sep 8, 2019

In an address to priests, religious, and seminarians of Madagascar, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of maintaining a focus on... Read more

Pope Francis with priests.

Francis urges priests to be faithful in time of 'ecclesial purification'

Aug 4, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis published a letter Sunday to encourage all priests to remain steadfast and prayerful during this time of purification... Read more

Father Jude McKenna holds his Order of the Rising Sun award alongside Japan's Ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, Mari Miyoshi.

Japan awards priest for promoting friendship in Africa through judo

Jul 8, 2019

A Capuchin Franciscan priest from Northern Ireland who spent 50 years on mission in Zambia has been awarded one of... Read more

Father Ireneusz Bakalarczyk, who is recovering from being stabbed the morning of June 10, 2019. Photo courtesy of the Archdiocese of Wrocław.

Polish priest in stable condition after being stabbed before Mass

Jun 10, 2019

A Catholic priest in Wrocław is in stable condition after reportedly being stabbed before morning Mass on Monday, Polish sources... Read more