Pope Francis Latest News

These are the latest news about Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church, provided by the Vatican staff of Catholic News Agency, a service of EWTN News.

The Latest

Pope Francis aboard the papal plane returning from Romania June 2, 2019.

Pope Francis says he draws strength from relationship with Benedict XVI

Jun 2, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that his relationship with Benedict XVI gives him strength and reminds him of the living tradition... Read more

May 9, 2019: Pope Francis meets a Roma family on May 9, 2019, ahead of his trip to Romania.

‘We must choose between civilizations of love and hate’ Pope Francis tells Romani

Jun 2, 2019

The history of humanity still echoes the relationship of Cain and Abel, Pope Francis told the Romani community on Sunday.  Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at Romania's Șumuleu-Ciuc Shrine June 1, 2019.

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Transylvania’s Marian pilgrimage shrine

Jun 1, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis celebrated Mass Saturday at a 16th century Marian pilgrimage site in Transylvania, calling upon the Romanians and Hungarians... Read more

Pope Francis greets the pilgrims during his weekly general audience in St Peter's square on September 10, 2014.

Pope Francis responds to heresy accusation, China concerns

May 29, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said he reacted “with a sense of humor” to the accusation of heresy made against him earlier this... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Bishop Gustavo Zanchetta.

Pope Francis says Argentine bishop will go to trial for sexual misconduct

May 28, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has said a preliminary investigation against Bishop Gustavo Oscar Zanchetta has concluded and will now proceed to trial.  Read more

Theodore McCarrick, the former Archbishop of Washington who was dismissed from the clerical state in February.

Pope Francis: 'I knew nothing about McCarrick'

May 28, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has said that he did not know anything about accusations of sexual abuse by Theodore McCarrick, the former... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his May 31, 2017, general audience.

Pope Francis: The Lord invites us to open our hearts to the Holy Spirit

May 26, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Sunday that the Church cannot remain static because the Holy Spirit guides her along the paths of... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica.

Pope Francis appoints new head of Vatican’s interreligious dialogue

May 25, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis appointed Spanish Bishop Miguel Ayuso Guixot Saturday as president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience April 20, 2016.

Pope Francis: 'Abortion is never the answer'

May 25, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Saturday that abortion is never the answer to difficult prenatal diagnoses, calling selective abortion of the disabled... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Nov. 8, 2017.

The Holy Spirit came as fire, not a schedule, Pope Francis tells Catholic charity

May 23, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis Thursday condemned an exaggerated focus on plans and agendas which do not leave room for the spontaneous work... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in Gyumri Armenia June 25, 2016.

Pope Francis prays for China invoking Mary Help of Christians

May 22, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Wednesday asked Our Lady Help of Christians to intercede for Chinese Catholics, whom he said continue to believe... Read more

Italian bishops with Pope Francis at CEI assembly May 20, 2019.

Pope Francis: Bishops who do not know their priests weaken the Church

May 21, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis said Monday that each bishop has a duty to have a strong, close relationship with his priests with... Read more

Pope Francis greets South Sudanese president Salva Kiir at the Vatican, April 11, 2019.

South Sudan president: I was ‘almost trembling’ as Pope Francis begged me to make peace

May 20, 2019

By Jonah McKeown

In an unprecedented gesture last month, Pope Francis kissed the feet of several South Sudanese leaders, who were visiting the... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 14, 2018.

Pope offers words of encouragement to African missionaries

May 17, 2019

Pope Francis spoke to African-based missionaries gathered at the Vatican on Friday, applauding their efforts to show compassion to the... Read more

Pope Francis on the popemobile kiss child in St. Peter's Square.

Pope Francis tells medical professionals to defend life

May 17, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis Friday encouraged medical professionals to defend and promote life, highlighting the practice of conscientious objection in today’s healthcare... Read more

Secretary of State of the Holy See Cardinal Pietro Parolin during a meeting with President of Ukraine, June, 2016.

Beijing and Rome can work together, Parolin tells Chinese media

May 13, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pietro Parolin welcomed the opportunity for China and the Holy See to work together to “build a more secure and prosperous world.”  Read more

Medjugorje.

Pope permits pilgrimages to Medjugorje as apparitions continue to be studied

May 12, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has given the green light for Catholics to organize pilgrimages to Medjugorje, a site of alleged Marian apparitions,... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to new priests May 12, 2019.

Confused about life? Listen to the Good Shepherd, Pope Francis advises

May 12, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Sunday, Pope Francis advised listening to and speaking with Christ the Good Shepherd in prayer, so that one can... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience Feb. 6, 2019.

Pope Francis invites young economists, entrepreneurs to Italy in 2020

May 11, 2019

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has personally invited young economists and entrepreneurs to join him in Assisi, Italy, in 2020, to discuss how... Read more

Pope Francis during a visit in the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz - Birkenau, July 2016.

What do Jews and Christians have in common? Love of neighbor, Pope Francis says

May 9, 2019

The love of neighbor is a common commitment among Christians and Jews, Pope Francis said Tuesday, to teachers and students... Read more