Children

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks at the Children’s Rights Summit on Feb. 3, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis to write papal document on theme of children

Feb 3, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The summit includes panels on the child’s right to resources, to education, to food and health care, to family, to... Read more

Queen Rania Al Abdullah speaks along with other world leaders at the Children’s Rights Summit on Feb. 3, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis, international leaders discuss children’s rights at Vatican

Feb 3, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis and leaders from around the world are meeting at the Vatican this week to discuss the rights of... Read more

Pope Francis blesses a baby during the Saturday jubilee audience in the Vatican’s audience hall on Jan. 11, 2025.

Pope Francis to give monthly bonus to Vatican City employees with 3 or more children

Jan 16, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

At Pope Francis’ personal initiative, Vatican City employees with three or more children will receive a monthly 300-euro bonus and... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims gathered in the Paul VI Audience Hall for his Wednesday general audience on Jan. 15, 2025, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis calls for global commitment to eradicate child labor and exploitation

Jan 15, 2025

By Kristina Millare

The Holy Father told groups of pilgrims attending his Jan. 15 general audience that they should be aware that millions... Read more

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How do you handle the presence of a restless child at Mass?

Oct 19, 2024

By Diego López Colín

It’s essential to get Catholic children used to fulfilling the obligation to attend Mass weekly as well as on holy... Read more

Pope Francis blesses children at the Irmas Alma School in Timor-Leste on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024

Pope Francis in East Timor says children show us how to ‘be cared for by God’

Sep 10, 2024

By Kristina Millare

“This is what one finds here: love. Without love this cannot be understood. And so we understand the love of... Read more

The kids and Pope Francis released biodegradable balloons into the sky together on July 18, 2024. The Vatican said the message, “You, dear boy, dear girl, are precious in God’s eyes,” was stamped on the balloons “with the hope that the message will reach as many people as possible.”

PHOTOS: Pope Francis hangs out with Vatican summer camp kids

Jul 18, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

The day camp for children of Vatican employees is in its fourth year. It is taking place June 17-July 26... Read more

Pope Francis greets thousands of children and their families as he makes his way through St. Peter's Square during the first World Children's Day, Sunday, May 26, 2024.

World Children’s Day: Pope Francis instills key lesson on Holy Spirit at Mass with children

May 26, 2024

By Rachel Thomas

The pope gathered with tens of thousands of children in St. Peter’s Square for Mass and provided a lively lesson... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Italian actor Roberto Benigni on Dec. 7, 2022.

Italian actor Roberto Benigni to join Pope Francis for World Children’s Day

May 16, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On the second day of the event, Benigni, best known for his Oscar-winning film “Life Is Beautiful,” will give a... Read more

Pope Francis poses with a woman and three children during a lunch in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall for over 1,000 poor and economically disadvantaged people on Nov. 19, 2023.

Pope Francis to the world’s children: ‘If we really want to be happy, we need to pray’

Mar 2, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The pope asked children to pray the Lord’s Prayer “every morning and every evening, in your families too, together with... Read more

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Raising Catholic kids: New study suggests what successful parents have in common

Feb 7, 2024

By Jonah McKeown

A new study aims to demonstrate the practices of parents who successfully raise children to be practicing Catholic adults. Read more

Pope Francis baptizes babies in the Sistine Chapel on Jan. 7, 2024.

PHOTOS: Pope Francis baptizes 16 babies in the Sistine Chapel

Jan 7, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On the feast of the Baptism of the Lord, the pope baptized 16 babies and presided over Mass beneath Michelangelo’s... Read more

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Christmas 2023: A Catholic gift guide for the little ones on your shopping list

Dec 9, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

These seven small Catholic shops offer great Christmas gifts for the children in your life. Read more

Pope Francis waves from the window of the Apostolic Palace as he gives his Angelus address for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023.

Pope Francis announces Catholic Church’s first World Day of Children

Dec 8, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The event was inspired by a 9-year-old boy named Alessandro, who proposed the idea to the pope to have an... Read more

Pope Francis meets on April 29, 2023, with children and adults who are visually impaired and have other disabilities at a Catholic institute in Budapest, Hungary, dedicated to Blessed László Batthyány-Strattmann.

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

Dec 1, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December is for people with disabilities. Read more

Children participate in the “One Million Children Praying the Rosary” campaign in the Archdiocese of Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, on Oct. 18, 2023.

‘One Million Children Praying the Rosary’ surpasses 1 million participants for first time

Nov 2, 2023

By Andrés Henríquez

The children's rosary initiative began in Caracas, Venezuela, in 2005. Read more

Five children representing five continents speak with Pope Francis in the Apostolic Palace at the Vatican on Oct. 1, 2023. The pope will hold a meeting with children at the Vatican on Nov. 6, 2023.

Pope Francis to hold meeting with children at the Vatican on Nov. 6

Oct 1, 2023

By Rachel Thomas

The theme of the event in the Paul VI Audience Hall will be “Let us learn from boys and girls.”  Read more

Mary Stegmueller and country singer Luke Bryan backstage before his concert at Ball Arena in Denver on July 29, 2023.

7-year-old girl with cancer supported by her Catholic community meets her musical idol

Aug 8, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

Mary Stegmueller has already outlived her prognosis and recently made one of her biggest dreams come true thanks to ongoing... Read more

Young boy reads from Renewed book series by Ascension Press

This Catholic group supports church leaders, parents to catechize children with disabilities

May 20, 2023

By Zoe Romanowsky

As autism rates continue to increase, the National Catholic Partnership on Disability seeks to support Catholic leaders, catechists, publishers, and... Read more

"Transformers: Earthspark" Red Carpet Premiere & Reception at Paramount Studios, Sherry Lansing Theatre on Nov. 5, 2022 in Los Angeles.

Nonbinary characters in kids’ Transformers show raise concern, backlash

May 17, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

“Transformers: EarthSpark” launched in November as part of a growing trend that adds transgender or nonbinary characters to children’s television... Read more