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

Pope Francis meets Iraqi Catholics in church where 48 died in 2010 terrorist attack

Mar 5, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis met with Iraqi Catholic leaders in Baghdad on Friday, in a cathedral where 48 people were martyred during... Read more

Pope Francis gives his address at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad March 5, 2021. Photo credits: Vatican Media.

Full text: Pope Francis’ address to the Iraqi authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps

Mar 5, 2021

Here is the full prepared text of Pope Francis’ address to the Iraqi authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps,... Read more

Pope Francis addresses local authorities at the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis in Iraq: ‘The name of God cannot be used to justify acts of murder’

Mar 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

In his first speech in Iraq, Pope Francis called for an end to violence and extremism so that ordinary Iraqis... Read more

Cardinal Joseph Tobin of Newark.

Cardinal Tobin appointed member of Vatican’s Congregation for Bishops

Mar 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Thursday appointed the archbishop of Newark, Cardinal Joseph Tobin, a member of the Congregation for Bishops.  Read more

The restored Marian statue damaged by Islamic State during its occupation of Karamles, Iraq. Photo credits: Rocchi/SIR.

Pope Francis will bless this Virgin Mary statue desecrated by Islamic State

Mar 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Iraqi Catholics have asked Pope Francis to bless a statue of the Virgin Mary that was desecrated by the Islamic... Read more

Pope Francis at a Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015. Credit: Bohumil Petrik.

Pope Francis says he is coming to Iraq as ‘a pilgrim of peace’

Mar 4, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A day before he departs for Baghdad, Pope Francis sent a video message to the Iraqi people, saying that he... Read more

Pope Francis signs the encyclical Fratelli tutti at the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi Oct. 3, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

‘Fratelli tutti’: Pope Francis ‘delighted’ as Muslim group oversees encyclical’s Russian translation

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis said on Wednesday that he was “delighted” to learn that a Muslim group had overseen the translation of... Read more

Pope Francis and Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle before a mosaic of catechist St. Pedro Calungsod in St. Peter’s Basilica on Nov. 21, 2013. Credit: Kerri Lenartowick/CNA.

Pope Francis to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in the Philippines with Mass

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis will offer Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica on March 14 to mark 500 years of Catholic faith in... Read more

Pope Francis goes to Confession during a penitential celebration at St. Peter's Basilica, March 28, 2014.

Pope Francis prays for a renewal of the Sacrament of Reconciliation

Mar 3, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is for a renewed experience of the Sacrament of Reconciliation.  Read more

Pope Francis delivers a general audience address in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Credits: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis calls for end to ‘bloody clashes’ in Burma

Mar 3, 2021

Pope Francis appealed on Wednesday for an end to “bloody clashes” and the release of political leaders in Burma.  Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Square on Oct. 22, 2016. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis: World could face a new ‘great flood’

Mar 2, 2021

Pope Francis said in a new book released on Tuesday that the world could face a catastrophe like the Great... Read more

Pope Francis greets Pope emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican’s Mater Ecclesiae Monastery on Nov. 28, 2020. Credit: Vatican Media.

Benedict XVI addresses resignation conspiracy theories, Iraq, and Biden in new interview

Mar 1, 2021

By CNA Staff

Benedict XVI addressed conspiracy theories about his resignation as pope, Pope Francis’ trip to Iraq, and Joe Biden in an... Read more

View of St. Peter`s Basilica from the roof of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross on April 1, 2015.

Vatican abuse trial: Witnesses say allegations about youth seminary were ignored

Feb 25, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Witnesses at the fifth hearing in a trial for alleged abuse and cover-up at a Vatican youth seminary testified Wednesday... Read more

Pope Francis in the library of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace on Jan. 17, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis’ new doctor is a specialist in aging

Feb 24, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis on Wednesday named a specialist in aging to be his personal doctor, after his previous physician died earlier... Read more

Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, at the Vatican Oct. 27, 2017. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican foreign minister: religious freedom ‘being eroded’ by COVID-19 response

Feb 24, 2021

A robust understanding of the right to religious freedom is being eroded in the global response to the coronavirus pandemic,... Read more

Pope Francis and a cross during the Stations of the Cross at the Coliseum in Rome, Italy on April 3, 2015.

Pope Francis praises ‘exemplary witness’ of Italian ambassador killed in Congo

Feb 24, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis expressed his condolences on Tuesday after three people were killed in an attack on the United Nations convoy... Read more

Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, Major Penitentiary of the Apostolic Penitentiary. Credit: PersiGianluigi (public domain).).

Vatican cardinal reflects on the value of penance in a time of pandemic

Feb 22, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The penance called for in the Christian life, and accentuated during Lent, can help us make sense of the sacrifices... Read more

Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, in Rome on Oct. 23, 2019. Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Vatican cardinal congratulates new Serbian Orthodox patriarch on election

Feb 19, 2021

A Vatican cardinal on Friday congratulated the new leader of the Serbian Orthodox Church on his election and said he... Read more

Pope Francis meets a delegation from the Italian soccer club Sampdoria Feb. 19, 2021. Credit: Vatican Media.

Pope Francis to soccer players: ‘The most beautiful victories are those you win as a team’

Feb 19, 2021

Pope Francis said on Friday that participation in sports can help people to grow in holiness, stressing the importance of... Read more

The flag of Vatican City with St. Peter's Basilica in the background on May 29, 2015.

Vatican expects deficit of $60 million in 2021

Feb 19, 2021

The Vatican said on Friday that it expects to record a deficit of around $60 million in 2021 amid the... Read more