Vatican News

“EWTN News Nightly” host Tracy Sabol speaks with Dr. Erin Lothes, a Catholic environmental theologian and senior manager of the Laudato Si’ Animators Program with the Laudato Si’ Movement, on on May 9, 2024.

As ocean temps hit record, Vatican hosts discussions on climate change, offers resources

May 14, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The Laudato Si’ Action Platform provides resources for the Church to achieve real and lasting solutions to environmental problems.  Read more

The Medjugorje Youth Festival, in its 34th edition, held July 26–30, 2023, at the site of alleged Marian apparitions in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

What has the Vatican already said about discerning Marian apparitions?

May 14, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Officials from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith discussed problems that could come up in examining apparitions in... Read more

Pope Francis presides over a Mass in St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on July 23, 2023, for the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly.

Pope Francis: Do not abandon grandparents and elderly; remain close to them

May 14, 2024

By Daniel Payne

The Vatican released the message ahead of the fourth World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, which takes place on... Read more

Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman, winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace in 2011, attends the Trento Economy Festival 2023 at Palazzo Geremia on May 25, 2023, in Trento, Italy.

Israeli embassy blasts Yemeni laureate for ‘genocide’ comments at Vatican event

May 14, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“The world is silent in front of the genocide and the ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people in Gaza,” Tawakkol... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Syro-Malabar Church on May 13, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: The devil is threatening the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church with division

May 13, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

Pope Francis urged the faithful present at the Vatican’s Consistory Hall on Monday to “press forward” in obedience to the... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Doors at St. Peter's Basilica to begin the Year of Mercy, Dec. 8, 2015.

How to obtain a plenary indulgence during the 2025 Jubilee

May 13, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The decree provides Catholics with the opportunity to gain indulgences by making pilgrimages, prayerfully visiting churches, or practicing works of... Read more

"We reflect with gratitude on all mothers, and let us also pray for mothers who have gone to heaven. We entrust mothers to the protection of Mary, our heavenly mother," said Pope Francis on May 12, 2024.

Pope Francis on Mother’s Day: Let us pray also for mothers in heaven

May 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On Mother’s Day, Pope Francis entrusted all mothers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking everyone to remember to also pray... Read more

Govenor Gavin Newsom of California.

International summit on climate change to bring California, New York governors to the Vatican

May 11, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The joint summit “From Climate Crisis To Climate Resilience,” will be held at the Vatican from May 15–17 at the... Read more

Vatican Dicastery for Communications prefect Paolo Ruffini and Vatican Secretary-General Sister Raffaella Petrini inaugurate the photographic exhibition titled “Changes” on May 7, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Vatican opens photographic exhibition on effects of climate change

May 10, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

A photographic exhibition titled “Changes” opened this week in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican, showcasing the effects of climate... Read more

Pope Francis meets with participants of the “Care Is Work, Work Is Care” event sponsored by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development on May 8, 2024, at the Vatican.

Migration helps offset serious problem of low birth rate in rich countries, Pope Francis says

Addressing participants at an event titled “Care Is Work, Work Is Care,” the Holy Father reflected on decent work and... Read more

Pope Francis at vespers following the proclamation of the papal bull “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope does not disappoint,” at the Vatican, Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Full Text of ‘Spes Non Confundit,’ papal bull for the 2025 Jubilee Year

May 9, 2024

By Pope Francis

The pope presided over a formal reading of the Jubilee’s Papal Bull of Indiction in the atrium of St. Peter’s... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the crowd at the proclamation of the papal bull “Spes Non Confudit,” meaning “Hope Does Not Disappoint,” at the Vatican on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

Pope Francis proclaims 2025 Jubilee papal bull: ‘Hope does not disappoint’

May 9, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The papal bull declares that the Jubilee will officially begin with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s... Read more

St. Stanislaus of Szczepanów is depicted as the patron saint of Poland in a miniature painted by Stanisław Samostrzelnik of Mogiła.

Why did Pope Francis invoke St. Stanislaus for peace in Ukraine and Israel?

May 8, 2024

By Peter Pinedo

The pope prayed that the intercession of St. Stanislaus “obtain ... the gift of peace in Europe and throughout the... Read more

The French 19th-century three-masted barque Belem is seen from the Palais du Pharo in the southern port city of Marseille on May 8, 2024, before the Olympic Flame arrival ceremony, ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Belem is set to reach Marseille on May 8 and ten thousand torchbearers will then carry the flame across 64 French territories.

Vatican prepares for summer Olympics with conference on faith and sports

May 8, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The three-day international conference on sport and spirituality is titled “Putting Our Lives on the Line.” Read more

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square during his Wednesday general audience on May 8, 2024.

Pope Francis: Hope ‘is a gift that comes directly from God’

May 8, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“Christians have hope not through their own merit. If they believe in the future, it is because Christ died and... Read more

New Swiss Guards prepare to be sworn in on May 6, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis welcomes Vatican’s new Swiss Guard recruits

Pope Francis received the Vatican’s Swiss Guard Corps on the occasion of the swearing-in of the new guards on May... Read more

Singer-songwriter Garth Brooks (left), former NFL quarterback Tom Brady (right), and other celebrity guests will meet Pope Francis in an audience at Apostolic Palace on May 11, 2024, as participants in the Vatican’s World Meeting on Human Fraternity.

Why Tom Brady and Garth Brooks will be at the Vatican this weekend

May 7, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Tom Brady, Garth Brooks, and other celebrity guests will meet Pope Francis in an audience on May 11 as participants... Read more

Argentinian prelate Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández.

Vatican to publish new document on Marian apparitions next week

May 7, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández will unveil new norms for discernment regarding “apparitions and other supernatural phenomena.” Read more

Pilgrims gather in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for Pope Francis’ Regina Caeli prayer and address on Sunday, May 5, 2024.

Armed priest arrested as he tried to enter the Vatican for Pope Francis’ Regina Caeli

May 6, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

According to the Italian news agency ANSA, the priest tried to pass through the metal detector carrying an air pistol,... Read more

Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), pictured in 1938-1939.

Could Edith Stein be declared the next doctor of the Church?

May 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis received an official request from the superior general of the Discalced Carmelites, Father Miguel Márquez Calle, on April... Read more