Vatican news

The Latest

Father Ivan Montelongo, age 30 (seated at left), of El Paso, Texas, is one of 11 U.S. delegates to the Synod on Synodality.

A day in the life of a U.S. delegate to the Synod on Synodality

Oct 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“It’s intense but it’s good work,” Father Ivan Montelongo told CNA this week about his participation as one of 11... Read more

When the Nazis occupied Rome for nine months following the fall of Mussolini, Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty created what came to be known as the "Rome Escape Line."

Irish president honors WWII hero Monsignor Hugh O’Flaherty at the Vatican

Oct 20, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Ireland’s President Michael Higgins in a Vatican ceremony on Oct. 19 paid tribute to O’Flaherty, an Irish priest who hid... Read more

Pope Francis prayed for migrants and refugees with the delegates of the Synod on Synodality at St. Peter's Square on Thursday evening, Oct. 19, 2023.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis leads prayer for migrants during Synod on Synodality

Oct 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The simple, 25-minute prayer service took place in a quiet St. Peter’s Square in front of Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz’s... Read more

Synod on Synodality spokesman Paolo Ruffini speaks to the media during a press briefing at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Synod on Synodality: LGBT issues, female diaconate discussed in emotional third week

Oct 20, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The process has been driven by what the Synod on Synodality calls “active listening and speaking from the heart.” Read more

Pope Francis meets with World Jewish Congress President Ronald S. Lauder at the Vatican on Oct. 19, 2023.

World Jewish Congress leader asks pope to use ‘moral authority’ to help Israeli hostages

Oct 19, 2023

By Daniel Payne

In his meeting with the pope, Ronald Lauder urged the pontiff “to use your power, to use your strength, to... Read more

null

Nicaragua claims that it freed 12 priests after an agreement with the Vatican

Oct 19, 2023

By Walter Sánchez Silva

The Ortega regime announced Oct. 18 that the release of the priests took place “after fruitful conversations with the Holy... Read more

Father Dario Vitali speaks at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican, Oct. 18, 2023.

Synod on Synodality asked to ‘rethink the whole Church’ according to synodality

Oct 18, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

The next stage of the Synod on Synodality opened Wednesday with a call to focus on authority, decentralization, and the... Read more

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

Pope Francis announces prayer vigil, day of fasting for peace in Israel-Hamas war

Oct 18, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

An interfaith vigil will take place at 6 p.m. Oct. 27 in St. Peter’s Square, where the faithful will join... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience at St. Peter's Square on Oct. 18, 2023.

Pope Francis stresses need to put Jesus at the center of our lives

Oct 18, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

At the end of his weekly general audience in St. Peter’s Square Oct. 18, the pope announced that Oct. 27... Read more

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas of Vilnius offers Mass on the feast of St. Luke for the Synod on Synodality delegates in St. Peter's Basilica on Oct. 18, 2023.

Synodality must be at the service of evangelization, archbishop says

Oct 18, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Archbishop Gintaras Grušas also noted how St. Luke’s Gospel “highlights the important role of women in the life of the... Read more

Cardinal Angelo De Donatis reflects on the glorious mysteries of the rosary during the Holy Land Peace Vigil on Oct. 15, 2023, in Rome.

Cardinal De Donatis leads faithful in Rome for prayer vigil for peace in the Holy Land

Oct 16, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The candlelight vigil opened with a prayer for the Holy Land and was followed by a recitation of the rosary. Read more

Bishop Yao Shun of Jining  and Bishop Yang Yongqiang of Zhouchun (right) of the People's Republic of China at the Synod on Synodality at the Vatican in October 2023.

Chinese bishops leaving Synod on Synodality early

Oct 16, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The two prelates are returning to China because of “pastoral needs,” a Vatican spokesman said Monday. Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates in small groups listen to Pope Francis’ guidance for the upcoming weeks on Oct. 4, 2023.

This week at the Synod on Synodality: Participation focus comes amid exit of Chinese bishops

Oct 16, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The Vatican confirmed that the bishops from the People’s Republic of China are leaving ahead of the event’s conclusion. Read more

Bishop William Shomali, an auxiliary bishop of the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

Jerusalem bishop discusses hopes for cease-fire, ‘two-state solution’ to Israel-Hamas war

Oct 16, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Bishop William Hanna Shomali’s interview with EWTN New’s “Vaticano” program aired Oct. 15. Read more

Eli Cohen, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Israel, addresses the Globsec regional security forum in Bratislava, Slovakia on May 30, 2023. (

Israel’s foreign minister criticizes Vatican response to Hamas attack

Oct 16, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen spoke Oct. 15 with the Holy See’s foreign minister, Archbishop Paul Gallagher, about the situation... Read more

St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Pope Francis highlights ‘little greatness’ of St. Thérèse of Lisieux in apostolic letter

Oct 15, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, also called “The Little Flower,” was a French Carmelite nun who died in 1897 from tuberculosis... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 10, 2023.

Synod on Synodality reports not ‘secret,’ but still won’t be shared, spokesman says

Oct 14, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The decision was communicated Saturday by Paolo Ruffini, president of the synod’s communication commission, at a press briefing.  Read more

Synod on Synodality delegates seated at discussion tables inside Paul VI Hall at the Vatican in October 2023.

Synod on Synodality 2023: Work begins on the final text as second week wraps up

Oct 14, 2023

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The past week risked being overshadowed by a letter about the German Synodal Way shared with synod participants by Bishop... Read more

Actress Whoopi Goldberg attends the "Sister Act" screening at Westfield World Trade Center at The Oculus at Westfield World Trade Center on Aug. 3, 2017, in New York City.

Whoopi Goldberg reveals ‘remarkable’ meeting with Pope Francis 

Oct 13, 2023

By Matthew Santucci

The Oscar-winning actress provided an account of the visit in a series of Instagram posts. Read more

A delegate participates in round-table discussions at the Synod on Synodality, Oct. 10, 2023.

Report: Confidential Synod on Synodality records aren’t secure

Oct 13, 2023

By Jonathan Liedl

The Pillar report Friday raises questions about who has been spying on the Synod on Synodality’s supposedly private deliberations all... Read more