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 dies at 88: The Holy See has confirmed the passing of the first Latin American pontiff.

BREAKING: Pope Francis dies at 88, ending historic pontificate marked by mercy and reform

Apr 21, 2025

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis, who led the Catholic Church for just over 12 years as its first Latin American pontiff, has died... Read more

U.S. Vice President JD Vance meets Pope Francis on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis meets Vice President Vance, exchanges Easter gifts

Apr 20, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis met briefly with U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Easter Sunday morning at the Casa Santa Marta, the... Read more

Pope Francis wishes the crowd a “happy Easter” from the central loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica on Easter Sunday, April 20, 2025.

Pope calls for peace, warns against ‘logic of fear’ in Easter message ‘urbi et orbi’

Apr 20, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The pope’s traditional blessing, “urbi et orbi,” was read by Archbishop Diego Ravelli, but Pope Francis later toured St. Peter’s... Read more

Pope Francis speaks the Easter blessing "urbi et orbi" from the central loggia of St. Peter's Basilica, April 20, 2025.

Full text of Pope Francis’ blessing ‘urbi et orbi’ for Easter 2025

Apr 20, 2025

By Pope Francis

“Urbi et orbi” means “To the city [of Rome] and to the world.” It is a special apostolic blessing given... Read more

Rows of daffodils decorate St. Peter's Square during Easter Sunday celebrations at the Vatican on April 20, 2025.

‘Run’ to seek Christ in everyday life, Pope Francis says in Easter Sunday homily

Apr 20, 2025

By AC Wimmer

“We must look for him without ceasing,” the pope’s prepared text emphasized. “Because if he has risen from the dead,... Read more

Catholics gather for Easter Vigil Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica on Saturday, April 19, 2025.

Pope Francis in Easter Vigil homily: Christ is the ‘turning point’ in human history

Apr 19, 2025

By Courtney Mares

“It falls to us to proclaim this Easter hope, this ‘turning point’ where darkness becomes light,” the pope wrote in... Read more

Thousands of faithful bearing candles surround the illuminated Colosseum in Rome during the traditional Via Crucis ceremony on Good Friday, April 18, 2025, where Cardinal Reina presided over the solemn procession.

Rome’s ancient Colosseum hosts Way of the Cross with pope’s theme of renewal

Apr 18, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Unable to attend the Good Friday ceremony in person for the third consecutive year, the pope offered deep meditations for... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the Passion of the Lord on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, March 29, 2024.

What are the Good Friday Reproaches?

Apr 18, 2025

By Matthew Santucci

The Good Friday Reproaches are a series of antiphons, known also as “Popule Meus” (“My People”), coming from the opening... Read more

Pope Francis meets with inmates in a surprise visit to the Regina Coeli Prison on Holy Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Rome.

Pope Francis makes surprise visit to Regina Coeli prison on Holy Thursday

Apr 17, 2025

By Courtney Mares

According to the Vatican, the pope met with approximately 70 inmates who regularly participate in activities and catechesis organized by... Read more

More than 1,800 priests gathered with cardinals and bishops at St. Peter’s Basilica for the Holy Thursday chrism Mass, April 17, 2025.

More than 1,800 priests celebrate Holy Thursday chrism Mass at Vatican

Apr 17, 2025

By Courtney Mares

On Holy Thursday, more than 1,880 priests, bishops, and cardinals renewed the promises made at their ordinations during the chrism... Read more

Pope Francis meets with doctors and staff from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, thanking them for their work during his recent stay, on April 16, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis welcomes Gemelli medical teams to the Vatican, thanks them for their care

Apr 16, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The 88-year-old Holy Father greeted approximately 70 men and women representing leadership and staff from the hospital. Read more

Using Rembrandt’s oil painting “Return of the Prodigal Son” as a source of inspiration for his April 16, 2025, catechesis, the Holy Father said God’s love is like that of a father who goes out in search of his lost children.

Pope Francis: God’s merciful love goes out in search of all those who are lost

Apr 16, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Using Rembrandt’s painting “Return of the Prodigal Son” as inspiration, the Holy Father said God’s love is like that of... Read more

Pope Francis kisses the foot of one of the 12 women whose feet he washed at the Rebibbia Women’s Prison in Rome on Holy Thursday, March 28, 2024.

Vatican says cardinals to celebrate Holy Week liturgies as Pope Francis’ health improves

Apr 15, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

It has not yet been decided who will celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and the Easter Sunday... Read more

Cardinal Lazzaro You Heung-sik, prefect of the Dicastery for the Clergy, celebrated Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for Korean Catholics before the statue of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gŏn was blessed by Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, on Sept. 16, 2023.

Vatican updates rules for Mass intentions, permits collective offerings under strict conditions

Apr 13, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis approved the document — published so far only in Italian — on Palm Sunday, April 13. It will... Read more

A smiling Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square on April 13, 2025, in a surprise visit at the end of the outdoor Palm Sunday Mass.

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at Palm Sunday Mass

Apr 13, 2025

By Kristina Millare

Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered... Read more

Pope Francis kneels in prayer before the revered Marian icon “Salus Populi Romani” at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome on April 12, 2025.

Pope Francis makes prayerful visit to Marian basilica before Holy Week

Apr 12, 2025

By AC Wimmer

The pontiff’s participation in upcoming Easter ceremonies remains uncertain as he gradually returns to public activities. Read more

Pope Francis greets visitors at his general audience at the Vatican, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.

Pope Francis calls on university students to proclaim Christ’s Gospel

Apr 12, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis encouraged university students in a message to participants of the International UNIV Congress 2025 in Rome during Holy... Read more

Pope Francis appears at St. Peter’s Basilica absent his usual papal attire on Thursday, April 10, 2025.

Vatican offers health update after Pope Francis’ surprise visit to basilica without papal attire

Apr 11, 2025

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican spokesman told journalists the pope had wanted to get some air and then decided to extend his time... Read more

Pope Francis at the Jubilee of the Sick in St. Peter's Square on Sunday, April 6, 2025, wearing nasal cannulas for supplemental oxygen as he continues recovering from bilateral pneumonia.

Pope Francis appears in public for second time during his convalescence

Apr 10, 2025

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Pope Francis made a surprise second appearance Thursday at St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

An aerial view shows rescue teams working at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on April 9, 2025, a day after the collapse of its roof.

Pope Francis prays for victims of Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse

Apr 10, 2025

By Kristina Millare

At least 200 people have been killed and more than 200 others injured after the ceiling of the Jet Set... Read more