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Pope Francis presides over his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Update: Pope Francis to attend COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December

Nov 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said in a TV interview he will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the second time from... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims on All Saints' Day in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 1, 2023.

Pope Francis calls for ‘paradigm shift’ in theology for world of today

Nov 1, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

Citing the need to deal with “profound cultural transformations,” the pope presented his dramatic vision for the future of Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Angelus on the solemnity of All Saints on Nov. 1, 2023.

On All Saints’ Day, Pope Francis says holiness is ‘a gift and a journey’

Nov 1, 2023

By Daniel Payne

“Holiness is a gift of God, which we’ve received at baptism. And if we let it grow, it can completely... Read more

Stained-glass window at the Cathedral Basilica in St. Louis.

Vatican agrees to review closures of two St. Louis parishes amid archdiocesan restructuring

Oct 31, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

Both parishes had been subsumed into others in recent months, creating new parish groupings. Read more

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza.

How to bring peace to the world? Start with sacramental confession, cardinal says

Oct 31, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

We can take hope in the reconciliation, mercy, and peace of Christ in confession, Cardinal Mauro Piacenza said in a... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: A look at the key discussions and decisions

Oct 30, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Now that the Synod on Synodality has drawn to a close, all eyes are on the synthesis report emanating from... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 29, 2023.

The first Synod on Synodality assembly is over. What comes next?

Oct 30, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Much remains unclear about what concretely will take place in the year leading up to the second and final Synod... Read more

Pope Francis addresses nearly 20,000 faithful at his Sunday Angelus address on Oct. 29, 2023.

Pope at Angelus: By loving others, ‘we reflect the Father’s love like mirrors’

Oct 29, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

During his Sunday Angelus message, Pope Francis expressed that the love of God and the love of neighbor are inextricably... Read more

Bishops process into St. Peter's Basilica for the closing Mass of the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 29, 2023.

Pope Francis at Synod closing Mass: To reform the Church, adore God and love others

Oct 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

At the Synod on Synodality’s closing Mass, Pope Francis said that God’s love cannot be confined “to our own agenda.” Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech and Pope Francis at the conclusion of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 28, 2023.

Vatican releases Synod on Synodality report proposing larger role for laity in Church

Oct 28, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The document proposes a “synodal Church” that implements synodality throughout Church governance, theology, mission, and discernment of doctrine. Read more

Pope Francis among the delegates of the Synod on Synodality, held in October of 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Final week wraps up in expectation of summary report

Oct 27, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

As the final week of this year’s gathering unfolds amid contentious discussions, anticipation is rising for the publication of the... Read more

Delegates at the Synod on Synodality will vote on the assembly's synthesis report on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023.

Synod on Synodality: Anticipation and tensions brew ahead of synthesis report release 

Oct 27, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The summary text will serve as a bridge between this month’s assembly and a second synodal gathering scheduled for October... Read more

Father Marko Rupnik, SJ.

Vatican: Pope Francis has lifted the statute of limitations on Rupnik case

Oct 27, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has decided to lift the statute of limitations in the case of Father... Read more

Synod members, led by Cardinal Gabetti, process into Saint Peter’s Basilica to pray the Rosary for Peace.

PHOTOS: Members of the Synod on Synodality pray the rosary for peace at St. Peter’s

Oct 27, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

Their prayer intentions focused on those killed, wounded, and displaced by war, and included reflections on the past month’s work... Read more

Catherine Clifford, a professor at St. Paul University in Ottawa, and Archbishop Stanisław Gadecki of Poland at the Synod on Synodality's Oct. 26, 2023, press briefing.

Polish bishop at Synod: Practice can vary but doctrine has to be the ‘same for everyone’

Oct 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Archbishop Stanislaw Gadecki said Thursday one difficulty of synodality lies in distinguishing pastoral practice — which can be adapted —... Read more

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost has served as prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops since April 12, 2023.

Cardinal at Synod on Synodality: ‘Clericalizing women’ will not solve problems

Oct 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost noted that the Catholic Church is not a mirror image of society and “needs to be... Read more

Cardinal Matteo Zuppi talks with other Synod on Synodality delegates at the general congregation assembly Oct. 9, 2023.

Cardinal Zuppi calls Hamas ‘the worst enemy of the Palestinian people’

Oct 26, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We need a solution that guarantees the rights of the two sides; we really need an authoritative Palestinian leadership,” the... Read more

Pope Francis leads the Synod on Synodality delegates in prayer on Oct. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis speaks at Synod on Synodality: ‘Clericalism’ defiles the Church

Oct 26, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis denounced clericalism and called it a “scandal” to see young priests buying lace vestments at tailor shops in... Read more

Delegates to the Synod on Synodality meet in the final days of the synod, Oct. 25, 2023.

Synod on Synodality addresses the Church in letter to the people of God

Oct 25, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“This is not about ideology but about an experience rooted in the apostolic tradition,” says the letter inviting the faithful... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience at St. Peter's Square on Oct. 25, 2023.

Pope Francis: To evangelize, ‘faith must be inculturated’

Oct 25, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

At his weekly general audience, Pope Francis recounted the story of Sts. Cyril and Methodius as one of encounter with... Read more