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 greets pilgrims during his March 16, 2016 general audience.

Pope Francis to world leaders: Open your doors to migrants

Mar 16, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis renewed his appeal on behalf of the tens of thousands struggling to enter other countries as... Read more

Mother Teresa around the year 1994.

It's official – Mother Teresa will be canonized September 4

Mar 15, 2016

By Elise Harris

After months of anticipation, the date of Mother Teresa’s canonization has finally been announced. It falls on Sept. 4, which... Read more

Pope Francis bowed in prayer in St. Peter's Basilica on September 2, 2015.

Pope mourns 'tragic loss of life' after attack in Turkey

Mar 14, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis sent his condolences to the president of Turkey where a terrorist attack Sunday left dozens dead.  Read more

St. Mary's Basilica on Krakow's Main Square.

Vatican releases papal schedule for World Youth Day in Poland

Mar 12, 2016

On Saturday the Vatican released a provisional schedule of Pope Francis' visit to Poland for World Youth Day. He will... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his jubilee general audience March 12, 2016.

Love is the hidden service we do for others, Pope Francis says

Mar 12, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis said that love is more than just saying nice words and doing things – it means... Read more

Pope Francis greets the judges of the Roman Rota at the Vatican's Clementine Hall, Jan. 22, 2016.

Pope: new annulment process has an 'eminently pastoral' goal

Mar 12, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Saturday Pope Francis told participants in course on the streamlined annulment process that the main goal of the new... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his general audience on Nov. 29, 2014.

Pope Francis returns to Rome after a week of spiritual exercises

Mar 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

After spending a week outside Rome reflecting on key questions in the Gospel during their annual Lenten retreat, Pope Francis... Read more

Priests celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Denver, Jan. 17, 2105.

So, what are these 'Missionaries of Mercy' actually doing?

Mar 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Ash Wednesday Pope Francis commissioned more than 1,000 priests who were sent out around the world as ambassadors of... Read more

Pope Francis bowed in prayer in St. Peter's Basilica on September 2, 2015.

Pope's retreat reflects on the Gospel's 'raw' questions

Mar 7, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis and members of the Curia embarked Sunday on their annual Lenten retreat, which this year centers on the... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope: murdered Missionaries of Charity are martyrs of indifference

Mar 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis lamented the world’s indifference to the recent killing of four Missionaries of Charity, calling them the... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Dec. 16, 2015.

How Pope Francis changed the life of a California teen inmate

Mar 5, 2016

When a juvenile inmate in a California prison wrote to Pope Francis, he did not expect a response.   Read more

Pope Francis kisses a baby at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Nov. 11, 2015.

How do you defend life? Show its beauty, Pope Francis says

Mar 4, 2016

Cultural trends and hardened hearts can obscure the value of human life. But true virtues, compassion and beauty are the... Read more

UPDATED: Four sisters dead in attack on Missionaries of Charity home in Yemen

Mar 4, 2016

At least 16 people are dead after two gunmen attacked a Missionaries of Charity convent and nursing home for elderly... Read more

Penitential celebration with Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica on March 4, 2016.

God did not create us to remain crushed by sin, Pope says

Mar 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

Leading his annual penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis told attendees to stand tall and be open to forgiveness, and... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on June 19, 2014.

What the Church has done about sex abuse

Mar 4, 2016

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The movie Spotlight’s Best Picture win at the Academy Awards has brought renewed attention to the Catholic sex abuse scandals... Read more

Pope Francis goes to confession as part of a penitential Mass at St Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on March 28, 2014.

Pope Francis will hear confessions on Friday at St. Peter's

Mar 2, 2016

The office of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations has announced that Pope Francis will hear confessions from the faithful at St. Peter’s... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, March 2, 2016.

Pope Francis: The Church doesn't need 'dirty money'

Mar 2, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday, Pope Francis issued a harsh condemnation of those who exploit others and then donate to the Church, telling... Read more

Pope Francis greets Abune Mathias, Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, at the Vatican, Feb. 29, 2016.

Pope to Oriental Orthodox leader: Ecumenism of martyrs calls us to unity

Feb 29, 2016

By Ann Schneible

Today's martyrs have become “the seed of Christian unity,” Pope Francis said Monday during an audience with the leader of... Read more

Pope Francis makes a visit to the Parish of St. Michael the Archangel in Rome on Feb. 8, 2015.

Pope Francis meets with CEO of Instagram

Feb 26, 2016

The CEO and co-founder of Instagram, Kevin Systrom, was received in a private audience with Pope Francis at the Vatican's Apostolic... Read more

Pope Francis prays with staff and patients at  the Fr. Mario Picchi Italian Center for Solidarity in Marino, Feb. 26, 2016.

Pope Francis spends his Friday with people in drug, alcohol recovery

Feb 26, 2016

By Elise Harris

Continuing his knack for surprises, Pope Francis made an unscheduled stop at a rehabilitation center for those addicted to drugs... Read more