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Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis calls for end to ‘bloody clashes’ in Burma

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis appealed on Wednesday for an end to “bloody clashes” and the release of political leaders in Burma.  Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 22, 2016. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis: World could face a new ‘great flood’

Mar 2, 2021

Pope Francis said in a new book released on Tuesday that the world could face a catastrophe like the Great... Read more

Pope Francis greets Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on Nov. 28, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Benedict XVI addresses resignation conspiracy theories, Iraq, and Biden in new interview

Mar 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI addressed conspiracy theories about his resignation as pope, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq, and Joe Biden in an... Read more

View of St. Peter`s Basilica from the roof of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on April 1, 2015.

Vatican abuse trial: Witnesses say allegations about youth seminary were ignored

Feb 25, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Witnesses at the fifth hearing in a trial for alleged abuse and cover-up at a Vatican youth seminary testified Wednesday... Read more

Pope Francis in the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Jan. 17, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis’ new doctor is a specialist in aging

Feb 24, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday named a specialist in aging to be his personal doctor, after his previous physician died earlier... Read more

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican foreign minister: religious freedom ‘being eroded’ by COVID-19 response

Feb 24, 2021

A robust understanding of the right to religious freedom is being eroded in the global response to the coronavirus pandemic,... Read more

Pope Francis and a cross during the Stations of the Cross at the Coliseum in Rome, Italy on April 3, 2015.

Pope Francis praises ‘exemplary witness’ of Italian ambassador killed in Congo

Feb 24, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis expressed his condolences on Tuesday after three people were killed in an attack on the United Nations convoy... Read more

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary. Credit: PersiGianluigi (public domain).).

Vatican cardinal reflects on the value of penance in a time of pandemic

Feb 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The penance called for in the Christian life, and accentuated during Lent, can help us make sense of the sacrifices... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican cardinal congratulates new Serbian Orthodox patriarch on election

Feb 19, 2021

A Vatican cardinal on Friday congratulated the new leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church on his election and said he... Read more

Pope Francis meets a delegation from the Italian soccer club Sampdoria Feb. 19, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis to soccer players: ‘The most beautiful victories are those you win as a team’

Feb 19, 2021

Pope Francis said on Friday that participation in sports can help people to grow in holiness, stressing the importance of... Read more

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background on May 29, 2015.

Vatican expects deficit of $60 million in 2021

Feb 19, 2021

The Vatican said on Friday that it expects to record a deficit of around $60 million in 2021 amid the... Read more

The cover of “Abbi a cuore il Signore,” by the “Master of San Bartolo.” Screenshot.

Pope Francis gives Roman Curia 17th-century text as Lenten reading

Feb 19, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has given each member of the Roman Curia a book to include in their spiritual reading for their... Read more

Vaccine.

Cardinal says Vatican employees could lose jobs for refusing COVID-19 vaccine

Feb 18, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a decree issued earlier this month, the cardinal who heads the Vatican City State said that employees who refuse to... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican flag.

Council for the Economy discusses 2021 Vatican budget

Feb 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican’s Council for the Economy met on Tuesday to discuss the details of the annual budget for 2021.  Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Liturgy of the Passion of Our Lord in St. Peter's Basilica April 14, 2017. Credit: L'Osservatore Romano.

Holy Week 2021: Vatican issues guidelines for Catholics amid ongoing COVID-19 restrictions

Feb 17, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued guidelines on Wednesday for the celebration of... Read more

 Pope Francis greets Mario Draghi at the Vatican on Oct. 19, 2013. Credit: Vatican Media.

The Vatican ties of Italy’s new Prime Minister Mario Draghi

Feb 17, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Italy’s new prime minister -- an economist nicknamed “Super Mario” -- has Vatican ties that date back many years.  Read more

Pope Francis, pictured in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 22, 2016. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis: ‘Be vigorous and resilient like legumes’

Feb 12, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has encouraged people to have resilience in the fight against world hunger, drawing inspiration from the hardiness of... Read more

A crucifix inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, one of the sites of the Hearts Aflame pilgrimage for priests and religious.

We have a lot to learn this Lent from persecuted Christians, advocate says at Vatican

Feb 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In approaching the penitential practices of Lent, Catholics can learn a lot from persecuted Christian communities, an advocate for Aid... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the chapel of the Casa Santa Marta April 4, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis: ‘Experience Lent with love’ by caring for those affected by pandemic

Feb 12, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis has encouraged Catholics to practice charity in Lent this year by caring for those affected by the coronavirus... Read more

Pope Francis is presented with an Aramaic prayer manuscript at the Vatican Feb. 10, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media/Ufficio Stampa FOCSIV.

Pope Francis presented with historic prayer manuscript saved from Islamic State

Feb 10, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis was presented on Wednesday with a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript rescued from the Islamic State’s destructive occupation of... Read more