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 with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

No one can take our dignity – not even the devil, Pope Francis says

May 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the father’s embrace in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a reminder that we... Read more

 March for Life in Rome, May 9, 2016.

Rome celebrates the beauty of life in thousands-strong march

May 9, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The greatest challenge in the fight to value and protect human life worldwide is indifference, says one pro-life leader. However,... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the chapel of Santa Marta house in the Vatican, April 11, 2016.

Don't lock up the Holy Spirit in your heart, Pope Francis says

May 9, 2016

The Holy Spirit seems to be a “luxury prisoner” in many Christians’ hearts: someone who is welcomed to stay, but... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience, May 21, 2014.

Pope Francis: Be witnesses of the Gospel every day

May 8, 2016

Pope Francis commemorated the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus by reminding the faithful of their duty to be witnesses... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Nov. 25, 2014.

Receiving Charlemagne Prize, Pope says 'I have a dream' for Europe

May 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

As he received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize Friday, Pope Francis laid out his vision for a renewed European continent in... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the 'Dry the Eyes' prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, May 5, 2016.

No one is alone in their suffering, Pope Francis affirms at prayer vigil

May 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

During a prayer vigil on Thursday for all those in need of consolation, Pope Francis stressed that though we cry... Read more

Pope Francis hands rosaries to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his general audience May 4, 2016.

Jesus' closeness to sinners isn’t a scandal – it's an example, Pope says

May 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Shepherd is a key example of God’s mercy, because it... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, April 13, 2016.

Pope Francis' May prayer intention: honor the dignity of women

May 3, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his May prayer video Pope Francis issued a global petition that women in all countries would be respected and... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight, August, 2014.

Pope laments recent violence in Syria, renews call for dialogue

May 1, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis on Sunday decried the resurgence of violence in Syria in recent days, especially in Aleppo, and renewed the... Read more

Pope Francis greets members of the military, armed forces and firefighters during his Jubilee general audience April 30, 2016.

Let yourselves be reconciled with God, Pope Francis says

Apr 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

Reconciliation is an essential aspect of God’s mercy, Pope Francis said Saturday, explaining that when we distance ourselves from the... Read more

Pope Francis meets with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and other participants in the Cellular Horizons conference at the Vatican April 29, 2016.

Pope advocates for 'globalization of empathy' in curing rare diseases

Apr 29, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Friday Pope Francis told participants in a Vatican stem cell summit that a renewed sense of empathy ought to... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the chapel of Santa Marta house in the Vatican, April 11, 2016.

Be open to the surprises of the Holy Spirit, Pope Francis advises

Apr 28, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his homily Thursday Pope Francis stressed the need to be open to the novelty of the Holy Spirit, by... Read more

Spaghetti and sword featured in the Vatican Cookbook.

How Swiss Guards are bringing the Vatican to your kitchen

Apr 28, 2016

A native of Zurich, Switzerland, David Geisser was a chef prodigy.  Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his April 27, 2016 general audience in St. Peter's Square.

Knowledge is empty unless it leads to love, Pope Francis says

Apr 27, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said that just because someone is an expert in God’s law and a strict adherent to... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 3, 2014.

Pope blasts clericalism in Latin American Church

Apr 26, 2016

Pope Francis issued strong words to the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, calling clericalism “one of the greatest distortions” facing... Read more

St. Peter's Square.

Vatican: suspended audit not intended to block curial reform

Apr 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

The Vatican clarified Tuesday that the recent suspension of an external audit of Vatican finances by Pricewaterhouse Cooper is due... Read more

Opening Mass for the synod of bishops on the family Oct. 8, 2015.

Bishop Edward Rice 'humbled' to be new head of Missouri diocese

Apr 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday the Vatican announced that Bishop Edward M. Rice of St. Louis has been tapped by Pope Francis to... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience Jan. 13, 2016.

Pope to teens: There isn't a phone app for love and happiness

Apr 24, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Freedom does not come from things we possess or from doing whatever we want, Pope Francis said Sunday in his... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a child in St. Peter's Square during the General Audience on April 20, 2016. Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope urges teens to practice works of mercy

Apr 23, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has challenged young people to commit to practicing the corporal works of mercy in order to recognize the... Read more

Pope Francis hears confessions of teenagers in St. Peter's Square.

Pope hears confessions at Jubilee event for teens

Apr 23, 2016

Pope Francis on Saturday heard the confessions of young people in St. Peter's Square as part of this weekend's Jubilee... Read more