Vatican News

On the Vatican website, the Holy See’s communications department used a picture of a Rupnik mosaic of the dormition of Mary at the top of an article for the solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on Aug. 15, 2024.

Rupnik art appears on Vatican website again — and in Pope Francis’ apartment

Aug 16, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Also, last week, a video was published by an Argentine public TV channel that shows a Rupnik image hanging in... Read more

Vatican peace envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi spoke Aug. 14, 2024, with Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, about the Russia-Ukraine war. The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the region.

Vatican talks to China in continued Russia-Ukraine peace efforts

Aug 16, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the... Read more

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​​Bioethicists scrutinize Pontifical Academy for Life’s new guidance on withdrawing food, water

Aug 16, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

The Pontifical Academy for Life’s new document last month on “artificial nutrition and hydration” has some observers concerned. Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his Angelus address on the solemnity of the Assumption on Aug. 15, 2024.

Pope Francis: Mary goes before us on the journey of life

Aug 15, 2024

By Kristina Millare

During his Angelus on the solemnity of the Assumption, the pope reminded Catholics that the Blessed Virgin Mary always “goes... Read more

A Ukrainian military vehicle drives from the direction of the border with Russia carrying blindfolded men in Russian military uniforms in the Sumy region on Aug. 13, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Vatican secretary of state says Ukraine’s military advances into Russia are ‘worrying’

Aug 14, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

Cardinal Pietro Parolin is expressing concerns about Ukraine’s recent military advances inside Russian territory, warning the actions could further escalate... Read more

Apostolic Nuncio to the European Union Archbishop Noël Treanor at the EU council headquarters on May 27, 2024, in Brussels, Belgium.

Irish archbishop and apostolic nuncio to EU Noël Treanor dies at 73

Aug 12, 2024

By Daniel Payne

Before being appointed nuncio in late 2022, Treanor served as bishop of the Diocese of Down and Connor. Read more

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin (left) and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian.

Vatican urges Iran to avoid ‘in any way’ escalating conflict in Middle East

Aug 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, spoke on the phone on Monday morning with Iran’s new president, Masoud... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Sunday Angelus at the Vatican, August 11, 2024

Pope Francis: True faith opens the mind and the heart

Aug 11, 2024

By Courtney Mares

“Brothers and sisters, when faith and prayer are true, they open the mind and the heart; they do not close... Read more

Chinese pilgrims attend the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Oct. 12, 2016.

Pope Francis conveys ‘message of hope’ to Chinese Catholics, desire to visit China

Aug 9, 2024

By Tyler Arnold

“It seems tautological to send a message of hope to people who are masters of waiting,” Francis said. “The Chinese... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 7, 2024.

Vatican announces theme for World Day of Peace 2025

Aug 8, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

“Forgive Us Our Trespasses, Grant Us Your Peace” is the theme chosen by Pope Francis for the next World Day... Read more

The Vatican has approved devotion at the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Health in Vailankanni, India, the site of reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary in the 16th century.  

Vatican approves India’s Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Health ahead of shrine’s feast day 

Aug 8, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Devotion to Our Lady of Good Health began in the late 16th century following three different oral accounts of the... Read more

Together with the Sunday Angelus and the principal celebrations of the liturgical year, the pope’s general audiences constitute the spiritual heart of his regular Petrine teaching office.

What does a general audience with Pope Francis consist of?

On Aug. 7, Pope Francis resumed general audiences at the Vatican. Here’s an explanation of the nature and purpose of... Read more

An activist from PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) holds a sign that reads “la corrida e peccato” (“bullfighting is a sin”), temporarily interrupted Pope Francis’ catechesis during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 7, 2024.

Animal rights activists plead with Pope Francis to end bullfighting

Aug 7, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Two activists connected to PETA temporarily interrupted Pope Francis’ Wednesday audience in Vatican City, calling on him to take action... Read more

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis: ‘All things are possible’ when we invite God into our lives

Aug 7, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Francis’ reflections marked his fifth catechesis on the theme “The Spirit and the Bride: The Holy Spirit Guides the People... Read more

Giuseppe Pignatone.

Vatican Court president under investigation for alleged complicity with Sicilian Mafia

On July 31, Giuseppe Pignatone was summoned to testify in court in Sicily for alleged complicity and cover-up of the... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates second vespers on the feast of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Aug. 5, 2024.

Pope Francis: ‘Miracle of the Snow’ reminds us of Mary and the wonder of grace

Aug 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

During the second vespers on the solemnity of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of St. Mary Major... Read more

Holy Mountain Shrine in San Lorenzo, Puerto Rico.

Vatican confirms 19th-century Puerto Rican catechist was ‘not the Virgin Mary’

In an Aug. 1 letter addressed to the bishop of Caguas, Puerto Rico, Cardinal Víctor Fernández, confirmed that Elenita de... Read more

A reenactment of the miracle of snow is celebrated with white flower petals falling from the ceiling at the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome on Aug. 5, 2024.

Pope Francis celebrates ‘Miracle of the Snow’ at Basilica of St. Mary Major 

Aug 5, 2024

By Kristina Millare

A shower of white rose petals fell from the basilica’s ceiling symbolizing the miracle promised by Our Lady. Read more

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Pope Francis: Reading literature can enrich the Christian life, aid in priestly formation

Aug 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Reading, the pope insists, should not be approached with an arduous or rigid “sense of duty” but rather with a... Read more

Opposition supporters attend the “Ganó Venezuela” opposition protest on Aug. 3, 2024, in Caracas, Venezuela. President of Venezuela Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of the 2024 presidential election over his rival, Edmundo Gonzalez. The result has been questioned by the opposition and internationally.

Pope Francis urges prayers for victims of crises in Venezuela, Myanmar, and Middle East

Aug 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

Pope Francis on Sunday urged prayers for those suffering in the world due to political conflict, violence, and natural disasters. Read more