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 waves to pilgrims in Turkey, Istanbul, Nov. 29 2014.

A visit to Naples, Pompeii on Pope Francis' slate for March

Jan 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' liturgical schedule from now until Easter has been released – and it includes the creation of new cardinals... Read more

Women in prayer.

Women are irreplaceable in passing on the faith, Pope says

Jan 26, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Women in the family have a crucial role in transmitting the faith from one generation to the next, said Pope... Read more

Pope Francis addresses interreligious faith leaders in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13, 2015.

Pope: Dialogue between religions key in countering violence

Jan 25, 2015

Pope Francis on Jan. 24 stressed the need for dialogue between different faiths, saying that it is essential in preventing... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to religious communities at the Training Center 'School of Love' in Kkottongnaeon, South Korea, Aug. 16, 2014.

Christian unity demands encounter – not theory, says Pope

Jan 25, 2015

By Ann Schneible

More than “theoretical discussions,” what unites Christians is encounter, and a willingness to “challenge one another,” said Pope Francis as... Read more

Pope Francis bows his head in prayer during a Wednesday general audience Oct. 2, 2013.

As Ukraine violence continues, Pope renews call for dialogue

Jan 25, 2015

By Ann Schneible

During his weekly Angelus address, Pope Francis decried the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine, and later called on Christians... Read more

Pope Francis.

Want Christian unity? Deepen your own conversion, Pope says

Jan 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis told a group of religious men and women that they are the forerunners in working towards Christian unity,... Read more

Cardinals pray together at the most recent consistory, held Feb. 22, 2014.

Worldliness 'stuns more than grappa on a fast,' Pope tells new cardinals

Jan 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

In a letter to the 20 bishops who will be elevated to the cardinalate next month, Pope Francis said that... Read more

Young people hold prolife signs during the 2015 March for Life in Washington D.C. on Jan. 22, 2015.

Who inspires the young pro-lifers of today? Pope Francis

Jan 23, 2015

By Matt Hadro

Young pro-life advocates emphasized Pope Francis’ influence on their witness for the defenseless unborn child at the 2015 March for... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Confession isn't the 'dry-cleaners' – it's an embrace from God

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said that confessing our sins isn't a “mechanical” procedure like getting a stained removed but rather a joyful... Read more

Venerable Msgr. Aloysius Schwartz. Photo courtesy of Holy Name Catholic Church, Washington D.C.

American priest among saints causes advanced by Pope Francis

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

Servant of God Aloysius Schwartz is one of the 11 causes for canonization that Pope Francis advanced yesterday, and will... Read more

This image of St. Therese of Lisieux was a gift presented to Pope Francis by French journalist Caroline Pigozzi. Photo courtesy of Caroline Pigozzi.

Flea market find becomes heavenly gift for Pope Francis

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

The journalist who won a big smile from Pope Francis after giving him an image of St. Therese of Lisieux... Read more

Pope Francis greets the ill and disabled during his General Audience Nov. 13, 2014.

Fostering close ties: what family life teaches us about communication

Jan 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis chose the family as his theme for this year’s World Communications Day, saying that as the first place... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Pope Francis shoutout to March for Life: 'Every Life is a Gift'

Jan 22, 2015

As massive crowds of pro-life advocates gathered for the March for Life in Washington, D.C., Pope Francis on Thursday tweeted... Read more

A copy of Charlie Hebdo magazine from a French bookstore in London, Jan. 16, 2015.

Pope Francis decries Charlie Hebdo motivated attacks in Niger

Jan 21, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis condemned deadly protests in Niger during which dozens of churches were torched over the weekend, stressing that religious... Read more

A lamb is wreathed in flowers during a special Mass for the Feast of St. Agnes at the Basilica of St. Agnes Outside the Wall on Jan. 21, 2014.

Pope Francis blesses two lambs on the Feast of St. Agnes

Jan 21, 2015

Pope Francis observed the feast of St. Agnes with the time-honored custom of the blessing of lambs, whose wool will... Read more

Italian families and educators in St. Peter's Square for a meeting with Pope Francis, May 10, 2014.

Big families bring hope – not poverty, says Pope

Jan 21, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has rejected the “simplistic” belief that large families are among the causes of poverty, stressing that economic systems... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the airport in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Africa, South America trips in Pope's sights for next two years

Jan 19, 2015

By Alan Holdren

Pope Francis has revealed that he hopes to make extensive voyages to Africa and Latin America in the next two... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 5, 2014.

Philly archdiocese says Pope's US schedule yet to be finalized

Jan 19, 2015

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia's communications director clarified that Pope Francis' official schedule during his trip to the U.S. in September... Read more

Pope Francis and Philippines President Benigno Aquino during the papal departure ceremony Jan. 19.

The Philippines' farewell to visiting pontiff: "Pope Francis, we love you!"

Jan 18, 2015

The Pope departed the Philippines Monday morning from Villamor Air Base at a farewell ceremony where over 400 abandoned children... Read more

Miao Jing of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist association arrives at Santo Tomas University in Manila, Jan. 18, 2015.

One Buddhist nun's thoughts on Pope Francis

Jan 18, 2015

A Buddhist nun who experienced Pope Francis’ visit to the Philippines voiced her gratitude to the pontiff for his efforts... Read more