Vatican news

The Latest

Pope Francis speaks during the Angelus prayer.

Pope Francis urges Catholics to pray and fast for Afghanistan

Aug 29, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

“In historical moments like this we cannot remain indifferent, the history of the Church teaches us this,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Bishop-elect Guido Marini walks beside Pope Francis on Ash Wednesday 2021 in St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis appoints Vatican Master of Ceremonies Msgr. Guido Marini to Italian diocese

Aug 29, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Msgr. Guido Marini has been in charge of papal liturgies since his appointment to the role by Benedict XVI in... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica

Pope Francis makes changes to the Vatican’s Chapter of St. Peter

Aug 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Chapter of St. Peter is group of retired priests who pray and assist in the basilica’s liturgical activities. Read more

Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome, Australia.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Australian bishop investigated for sexual abuse

Aug 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 71-year-old Bishop Christopher Saunders had taken temporary leave from the administration of his diocese in March 2020. Read more

Cardinal Mario Grech, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops

Cardinal asks monastic communities to pray for the 2023 synod on synodality

Aug 28, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Oct. 9-10, the Catholic Church will begin the first phase of a synodal process culminating in the 2023 meeting... Read more

Pope Francis greets a child at a general audience at the Vatican, April 20, 2016.

Pope Francis on adoption: ‘Every child that arrives is God’s gift’

Aug 27, 2021

By Courtney Mares

‘Every baby, in every case, and in whatever situation is to be welcomed,’ the pope says in a new video. Read more

Pope Francis greets participants in a meeting promoted by the International Catholic Legislators Network in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, Aug. 27, 2021.

Pope Francis urges Catholic lawmakers to protect human dignity online

Aug 27, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The pope called for renewed efforts to combat child pornography, data breaches, and cyber attacks. Read more

The dome of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican suppresses Italy-based Regina Pacis Community after apostolic visit

Aug 27, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis declared the community’s co-founder “venerable” in 2017. Read more

Nobel Peace Prize winner Nadia Murad meets with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Dec. 20, 2018.

Pope Francis meets Nadia Murad as Nobel Prize winner advocates for Afghan women

Aug 26, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The survivor of ISIS enslavement has expressed concern for the future of Afghan women. Read more

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli speaks at a press conference at the Vatican on July 7, 2020.

Pope Francis names religious sister to No. 2 position in Vatican’s social development office

Aug 26, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, 46, was appointed ‘ad interim.’ Read more

Pope Francis’ general audience in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Aug. 25, 2021.

Pope Francis: ‘Hypocrisy in the Church is particularly detestable’

Aug 25, 2021

By CNA Staff

The pope said that hypocritical behavior undermined Church unity. Read more

Pope Francis gives his Wednesday general audience in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Aug. 4, 2021.

Pope Francis sends $230,000 for Haiti earthquake victims

Aug 24, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis is sending assistance to the victims of the Haiti earthquake as the death toll from the natural disaster... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during the Angelus on July 25, 2021.

Pope Francis: Do not water down the truth of the Eucharist

Aug 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis encouraged Catholics to not water down the teaching that the Eucharist is Jesus’ Body and Blood. Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square after the Wednesday general audience, May 7, 2014.

Pope Francis praises martyred Korean priest at Vatican Mass

Aug 21, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said St. Andrew Kim Taegon spread the faith “in difficult times, marked by persecution and suffering” for the... Read more

Archbishop emeritus Marian Gołębiewski of Wrocław, Poland

Vatican sanctions retired Polish archbishop after ‘Vos estis’ cover-up inquiry

Aug 21, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican has imposed penalties on another Catholic bishop in Poland for mishandling abuse cases. Read more

Father Andrew Liaugminas, a priest of the Archdiocese of Chicago and a recent appointee to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, teaches a class at Mundelein Seminary. Credit: Mundelein Seminary.

Chicago priest with a 'pastoral heart' named to Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Aug 20, 2021

By Kevin J. Jones

Father Andrew Liaugminas of the Archdiocese of Chicago has been appointed to serve at the doctrine section of the Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis spoke on the phone at the end of his general audience Aug. 11, 2021.

Pope Francis speaks on phone at end of general audience

Aug 11, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis made an unknown phone call at the end of his weekly general audience on Wednesday. Read more

Pope Francis makes the sign of the cross during his general audience on Aug. 11, 2021.

Pope Francis saddened by murder of French priest Fr. Olivier Maire

Aug 11, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said he learned of the murder of the priest in western France “with great sorrow.” Read more

Cardinal Eduardo Martinez Somalo died Aug. 10 in Rome at the age of 94.

Cardinal Eduardo Martínez Somalo, retired camerlengo, dies at 94

Aug 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Spanish cardinal managed the administration of the Holy See as camerlengo between the death of St. Pope John Paul... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus address at the Vatican, Aug. 8, 2021.

Report: Envelope with three bullets addressed to Pope Francis intercepted

Aug 9, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The letter was addressed to ‘The Pope, Vatican City, St. Peter’s Square in Rome.’ Read more