Vatican News

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

Swiss Guard cadets prepare their armor in the guards' barracks at the Vatican on April 30, 2024.

An afternoon with the new Swiss Guards: Preparing for a mission of faith and service 

May 5, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

When the newest Swiss Guards are sworn in May 6, they will pledge to “faithfully, loyally, and honorably” serve the... Read more

Pope Francis greets the crowd gathered at St. Peter's Square on May 5, 2024.

Pope Francis: Let us thank the Lord for our friends

May 5, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The pope reflected on the gift of friendship during his Regina Caeli address on May 5. Read more

Pope Francis meets with 300 priests taking part in the World Meeting of Parish Priests on May 2, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis tells world’s parish priests: The Church could not go on without you

May 2, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis published a letter on Thursday addressed to all parish priests in the world with his advice for building... Read more

Pope Francis shared a stage with Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on May 12, 2023, to speak at a two-day conference on “The General State of the Birth Rate,” held at Conciliazione Auditorium close to the Vatican.

Pope Francis to speak at event on Italy’s record-low birth rate

May 2, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis will address “The General State of the Birth Rate” conference on May 10 at the Conciliazione Auditorium close... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a message during his general audience on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: We need to ‘welcome God into our daily lives’ and pray for ‘real peace’

May 1, 2024

By Kristina Millare

On Wednesday, Pope Francis addressed an international audience in the Paul VI Hall and reiterated the importance of faith in... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square gathered for his weekly general audience on April 3, 2024.

This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of May

May 1, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of May is for the formation of men and women religious and for... Read more

In 2021, the Knights of Columbus announced the selection of this icon of St. Joseph holding the Child Jesus as the centerpiece of the current K of C pilgrim icon prayer program. The original icon was created (or "written") by Élizabeth Bergeron, an iconographer in Montréal, based on a drawing by Alexandre Sobolev.

The story behind the feast of St. Joseph the Worker

May 1, 2024

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“There could not be a better protector to help you penetrate the spirit of the Gospel into your life,” Pope... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on April 24, 2024.

Pope Francis to Regnum Christi: May the Spirit help you to make ‘mystery of Christ’ present

Apr 30, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

On the occasion of its first general convention taking place in Rome this week, Pope Francis has addressed a message... Read more

Palma il Giovane (1550-1628), “Portrait of Pope Pius V.”

St. Pius V, safeguard of the faith

Apr 30, 2024

By Jim Graves

Preferring the peace of the cloister to public life, St. Pius V is remembered for ridding the Church of the... Read more

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, who died at the age of 24 in 1925, is beloved by many Catholic young people today for his enthusiastic witness to holiness that reaches “to the heights.”

Pier Giorgio Frassati could be canonized during 2025 Jubilee, cardinal says

Apr 27, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the prefect of the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints, announced on April 26 that Frassati’s canonization... Read more