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The then Archbishop Luis Ladaria at the Vatican Press Office Sept. 8, 2015.

Full text: Vatican’s doctrinal office response and note on the blessing of same-sex unions

Mar 15, 2021

By CNA Staff

Here is the full text of the Vatican Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith’s response to a question on... Read more

Vatican’s doctrinal office: Catholic Church cannot give blessings to same-sex unions

Mar 15, 2021

The Vatican’s doctrinal office on Monday clarified that the Catholic Church does not have the power to give liturgical blessings... Read more

The official logo of the Year “Amoris Laetitia Family”

Online event, papal message to mark opening of ‘Amoris laetitia’ year

Mar 10, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican will mark the fifth anniversary of the publication of Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis’ 2016 exhortation on the family,... Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis: Keep praying for ‘our sorely tried brothers and sisters’ in Iraq

Mar 10, 2021

At this morning’s general audience, Pope Francis urged Catholics worldwide to keep praying for “our sorely tried brothers and sisters”... Read more

Vatican COVID-19 commission: Church can help combat rising violence against women

Mar 8, 2021

The Vatican COVID-19 Commission called on Monday for the Catholic Church and governments to increase support for women suffering from... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Pope Francis confirms plans to go to Hungary for International Eucharistic Congress

Mar 8, 2021

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis on Monday confirmed that he planned to visit Hungary for the closing Mass of the International Eucharistic Congress,... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

‘This is the pure Gospel’: Pope Francis moved by Iraqi Christians’ witness

Mar 8, 2021

Pope Francis said Monday that the sight of the destroyed churches and ruins in Mosul and the Nineveh Plains in... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during an in-flight press conference en route from Rome to Iraq March 8, 2021. Caption: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Pope Francis: Meeting with Iraq’s top Shiite cleric offered ‘universal message’ of fraternity

Mar 8, 2021

On his flight to Rome from Baghdad on Monday, Pope Francis said that Iraq’s top Shiite cleric is a “humble and... Read more

Pope Francis returns a historic prayer manuscript to Immaculate Conception Church in Bakhdida, Iraq, March 7, 2021.  Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis returns historic prayer book saved from Islamic State to the Nineveh Plains

Mar 8, 2021

By Courtney Mares

During his trip to Iraq, Pope Francis returned a historic Aramaic prayer manuscript which was restored after the Islamic State... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ homily at Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 7, 2021, in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil,... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the Franso Hariri Stadium in Erbil, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Erbil: ‘Today I can see at first hand that the Church in Iraq is alive’

Mar 7, 2021

Pope Francis on Sunday expressed joy at the vitality of the Church in Iraq despite years of fierce persecution.  Read more

Pope Francis in the Syriac Catholic Church of the Immaculate Conception in Bakhdida, Iraq on March 7, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Full text: Pope Francis’ Angelus address in the Nineveh Plains

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ Angelus address, delivered March 7, 2021, in Bakhdida (Qaraqosh), Iraq.  Read more

Pope Francis prays for the victims of war in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of war in Mosul

Mar 7, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ prayer of suffrage for the victims of the war, delivered March 7, 2021,... Read more

Pope Francis releases a dove after praying for the victims of war in Mosul, Iraq, March 7, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis prays for victims of war in ruins of Mosul

Mar 7, 2021

Pope Francis prayed on Sunday for the victims of war in the rubble-strewn city of Mosul, where the Islamic State... Read more

Pope Francis with Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Al-Kadhimi at Baghdad International Airport, March 5, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Iraqi PM declares national day of tolerance in honor of papal meeting with top Shiite cleric

Mar 6, 2021

Iraq’s prime minister on Saturday declared March 6 a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence in honor of Pope Francis’ landmark... Read more

Pope Francis greets children in Iraq March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis' homily at Mass in Baghdad's St. Joseph Cathedral

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ homily, delivered March 6, 2021, at a Mass in the Chaldean... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Colm Flynn/CNA.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur

Mar 6, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address at an interreligious meeting, delivered March 6, 2021, in the... Read more

Pope Francis attends an interreligious meeting in the Plain of Ur, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis appeals for interreligious harmony at birthplace of Abraham

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday appealed for harmony among the followers of the world’s major monotheistic religions at an interreligious meeting... Read more

Pope Francis meets Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf, Iraq, March 6, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis makes landmark visit to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani

Mar 6, 2021

Pope Francis on Saturday made a landmark visit to the home of Iraq’s top Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.  Read more

Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation in Baghdad, Iraq, March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address at Baghdad’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Salvation

Mar 5, 2021

Here is the full text of Pope Francis’ address to bishops, priests, religious, consecrated persons, seminarians, and catechists, delivered March... Read more