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 at his general audience on Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope urges UN leadership to resist 'culture of death'

May 9, 2014

Pope Francis met with the secretary general and other leaders of the United Nations today, urging them to challenge both... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after the Wednesday general audience, May 7, 2014.

We are 'sinners in a Holy Church,' preaches Pope

May 9, 2014

In his homily on Friday morning, Pope Francis reminded the congregation of the holiness of the Church that at the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during the Wednesday General Audience on April 23, 2014.

Evangelize to heal wounds, Pope encourages Burundi bishops

May 7, 2014

Pope Francis encouraged the bishops of Burundi to engage with civil society and proclaim the Gospel in order to promote... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 13, 2013

New prayer released for Pope's Holy Land pilgrimage

May 7, 2014

The priest who is organizing Pope Francis’ upcoming pilgrimage to the Holy Land has written a special prayer for the... Read more

Swearing in of the Swiss Guard at the Vatican on May 6, 2014.

New Swiss Guards swear oath to protect Pope Francis

May 6, 2014

By Elise Harris

Thirty young men joined the ranks of the Swiss Guards today, taking an oath of allegiance to Pope Francis and... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during the Wednesday General Audience on April 23, 2014

The Church is more than 'a university of religion,' Pope insists

May 6, 2014

By Elise Harris

In his daily Mass Pope Francis recounted the death of St. Stephen, the Church’s first martyr, explaining that being a... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope calls on Church in Sri Lanka to be leaven for reconciliation

May 5, 2014

During his ad limina address Saturday, Pope Francis urged the bishops of Sri Lanka to continue their role in reconciliation... Read more

Pope Francis attended a Mass of Thanksgiving for the canonization St. Jose de Anchieta at St. Ignatius of Loyola Church in Rome, April 24, 2014.

Pope receives sculpture of newly canonized 'Apostle of Brazil'

May 5, 2014

The Diocese of La Laguna on the Spanish island of Tenerife has sent Pope Francis a bronze sculpture of St.... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a General Audience address in St. Peter's Square, Jan. 8, 2014.

Francis will not be prisoner to public opinion, analyst says

May 4, 2014

Vatican observer Sandro Magister has said that Pope Francis’ “formidable praise” for Paul VI’s “Humanae Vitae” is key to understanding... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful at St. Stanislaus parish in Rome on May 4, 2014.

Pope: Jesus journeys with us in the Eucharist

May 4, 2014

In his Sunday homily delivered at a Polish parish in Rome, Pope Francis meditated on the presence of Jesus Christ... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the sacrament of confirmation with young people Dec. 1, 2013.

Open parish doors to evangelize, urges Pope

May 3, 2014

In a meeting with nearly 7,000 members of the Italian lay movement Catholic Action, Pope Francis spoke of the need... Read more

Pope Francis in Paul VI Hall during an audience on March 16, 2013.

Pope offers encouragement to new Council for the Economy

May 2, 2014

Pope Francis gave words of encouragement to the Vatican’s new Council for the Economy, stressing concern for the poor and... Read more

Pope Francis prays at General Audience Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope: I cried over reports of crucified Christians

May 2, 2014

In his daily homily on May 2, Pope Francis said that he wept over recent news of Christians allegedly being... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on October 2, 2013.

Holy Spirit's gift of understanding enlightens minds, Pope says

Apr 30, 2014

Pope Francis explained that the Holy Spirit’s gift of understanding allows Christians to obtain “intimacy with God” and helps them... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on September 25, 2013

Pope urges Christian communities to be ones of peace

Apr 29, 2014

By Elise Harris

Returning to his usual daily Mass schedule, Pope Francis reflected today that our contemporary faith communities ought to reflect that... Read more

The images of Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II hanging from the facade of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican April 25, 2014

Popes John Paul II, John XXIII officially declared saints

Apr 27, 2014

By Elise Harris

In a packed St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis officially declared former pontiffs John... Read more

Pope Francis leads the Bishops of Italy in a solemn Profession of Faith in St. Peter's Basilica for their 65th General Assembly May 23, 2013.

Pope emphasizes 'indissolubility of Christian matrimony'

Apr 25, 2014

Pope Francis on April 25 stressed the need for bishops and priests to give a “consistent witness” to Christian moral... Read more

Archibishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia speaks at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City on Nov. 16, 2013.

Archbishop Chaput: Pope Francis brings fresh exhilaration to the Church

Apr 25, 2014

Archbishop Charles J. Chaput of Philadelphia reflected that Pope Francis in the first year of his papacy has shown “a... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during his general audience on April 16, 2014.

Pope thanks Poland, Bergamo for gift of two great saints

Apr 25, 2014

By Elise Harris

In messages to both residents of Poland and Bergamo, Pope Francis conveyed his gratitude for Bl. John Paul II and... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the sacrament of confirmation with young people Dec. 1, 2013.

Do not be 'afraid of joy,' Pope encourages

Apr 24, 2014

Pope Francis rebuked Christians who are “afraid of joy” and “mournful,” encouraging them to remember that Jesus Christ accompanies them.  Read more