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 visits Saint Michael the Archangel parish on the outskirts of Rome on Feb. 8, 2015.

Parish dedicated to Rome's poor gets a visit from Pope Francis

Pope Francis traveled in the eastern outskirts of Rome on Sunday afternoon to hear confessions and say Mass at a... Read more

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

Pope Francis' tough words against horrors of human trafficking

Feb 8, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis marked the Day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking by calling on governments to remove this “shameful... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 1 2014.

Society's dire need for the 'female soul' – Pope Francis speaks to women

Feb 7, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has advocated for the widespread participation of women in all levels of the Church and society, saying that... Read more

 A couple newly married by Pope Francis receives communion in St. Peter's Basilica on Sept. 14, 2014.

Pope Francis backs traditional marriage as Slovakia vote looms

Feb 6, 2015

By Elise Harris

With Slovaks set to hit the polls on tomorrow's referendum on marriage, Pope Francis used this week's general audience as... Read more

Eucharistic Adoration.

Pray – don't speculate – about the Vatican family synod, say novena organizers

Feb 6, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Amid concern over whether or not October's Synod on the Family will protect the Church's teaching on marriage, one lay... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with children through Google Hangouts, Feb. 5, 2015.

Tech-savvy Pope shares laughter, advice with special needs kids

Feb 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis virtually joined seven young people with disabilities and special needs in his second Google Hangout as pontiff, sharing... Read more

Pilgrims wait in the rain in St. Peter's Square March 13, 2013 to see what color smoke will come out of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel.

Pope gives 300 umbrellas to Rome's homeless amid downpour

Feb 5, 2015

After several days of rain and dreary weather that has not yet cleared, the Vatican’s papal almoner has distributed 300... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on May 28, 2014.

Pope to Church leaders: 'scourge' of minor sex abuse must stop

Feb 5, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has sent a letter to religious superiors and presidents of episcopal conferences, asking for their full cooperation in... Read more

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

Pope Francis urges end to scandal of 'fratricidal' violence in Ukraine

Feb 4, 2015

By Elise Harris

As the number of deaths in Ukraine continue to rise amid escalating violence, Pope Francis has called the war “a... Read more

Archbishop Oscaro Romero.

Oscar Romero to be beatified: Pope Francis recognizes martyrdom

Feb 3, 2015

Pope Francis on Tuesday authorized the promulgation of decrees recognizing the martyrdom of Salvadoran archbishop Oscar Romero, paving the way... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates New Years Day Mass for the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God on Jan. 1, 2015.

The Gospel is more important than soap operas or gossip, Pope says

Feb 3, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his homily Tuesday Pope Francis noted the importance of contemplating scripture, and urged faithful to read the Gospel for... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 2, 2015.

Consecrated life without sacrifice is a 'caricature,' Pope Francis says

Feb 2, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis warned consecrated men and women against reducing their religious live to a “caricature,” calling them to instead embrace... Read more

 Hill of crosses, Lithuania.

Heroes amid a haunted past: Pope meets, praises Lithuania's bishops

Feb 2, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis praised Lithuania's bishops for their courage in a nation marked by both a history of persecution against the... Read more

Pope Francis meets with students in Paul VI audience hall on May 31, 2014.

Pope: the Gospel doesn’t oppress, but frees those enslaved to evil

Feb 1, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis pointed to the authority with which Jesus preached, saying that his words in... Read more

Pope Francis speaks with journalists on his flight from Sri Lanka to the Philippines on Jan. 15, 2015.

Pope Francis announces June visit to Bosnia-Herzegovina

Feb 1, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis announced he will visit the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo in June, where WWI... Read more

Pope Francis gives his Wednesday general audience inside the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Jan. 28, 2015.

Lukewarm Christians who don’t love are 'in grave danger,' Pope warns

Jan 30, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his homily Friday Pope Francis encouraged Christians to remember the first time they felt the love of God, and... Read more

Construction begins on new showers inside the public restrooms just off the Vatican's St. Peter's Square, Nov. 17, 2014.

Coming soon to the Vatican: haircuts for Rome's homeless

Jan 30, 2015

The Vatican’s continued efforts to help the homeless of Rome have expanded beyond showers and bathrooms at St. Peter’s Square,... Read more

Archbishops wear the pallium they received from Pope Francis in St. Peter's Basilica, June 29, 2014.

Pope says palliums will be given to new archbishops at home – not Rome

Jan 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

As a sign of “synodality” with local Churches, Pope Francis has decided that new metropolitan archbishops will officially be imposed... Read more

Pope Francis at Mass July 7, 2013.

Does Francis like being Pope? A behind-the-scenes chat in the Philippines

Jan 29, 2015

During his pastoral visit to the Philippines Jan. 15-19, Pope Francis held an unscheduled meeting at the Apostolic Nunciature in... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims present in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall for his Jan. 28, 2015 general audience.

A society without fathers is a society of orphans, Pope Francis says

Jan 28, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his general audience catechesis, Pope Francis turned to the role of fathers, saying that they play an irreplaceable role... Read more