Pope Francis Latest News

These are the latest news about Pope Francis, the Vatican, and the Catholic Church, provided by the Vatican staff of Catholic News Agency, a service of EWTN News.

The Latest

"We reflect with gratitude on all mothers, and let us also pray for mothers who have gone to heaven. We entrust mothers to the protection of Mary, our heavenly mother," said Pope Francis on May 12, 2024.

Pope Francis on Mother’s Day: Let us pray also for mothers in heaven

May 12, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On Mother’s Day, Pope Francis entrusted all mothers to the Blessed Virgin Mary, asking everyone to remember to also pray... Read more

Govenor Gavin Newsom of California.

International summit on climate change to bring California, New York governors to the Vatican

May 11, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The joint summit “From Climate Crisis To Climate Resilience,” will be held at the Vatican from May 15–17 at the... Read more

Pope Francis greets a young girl at a conference on Friday, May 10, 2024, on the state of birth rates in Italy and the wider West at the Auditorium della Conciliazione in Rome.

Pope Francis on record-low fertility rate: ‘Human life is not a problem, it is a gift’

May 10, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

“The problem of our world is not the children that are born — it is selfishness, consumerism, and individualism, which... Read more

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

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

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

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

Landscape view of Sacrofano, Italy, north of Rome.

Cardinal Grech opens world meeting of priests: ‘Our stories are human stories’

Apr 29, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The four-day meeting, which is taking place from April 29 to May 2 at the Fraterna Domus retreat house in... Read more

The Verona Arena is illuminated at night on Aug. 3, 2018, in Verona, Italy. The Holy See Press Office on Monday, April 29, 2024, released the pope’s schedule for a one-day trip to the city scheduled for May 18, 2024, on the vigil of Pentecost. 

Pope Francis to visit Verona for a trip centered on peace and justice

Apr 29, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

The Holy See Press Office on Monday released the pope’s schedule for the one-day trip scheduled for May 18 on... Read more

Pope Francis prays in front of the tomb of St. Mark the Evangelist inside St. Mark's Basilica in Venice on April 28, 2024.

Pope Francis’ visit to Venice showcases art as means of encounter, fraternity 

Apr 28, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis had a full slate of events Sunday during his day trip to Venice, Italy, a trip that tied... Read more

Pope Francis waves while traveling by boat in Venice, Italy, for a meeting with young people at the Basilica della Madonna della Salute on April 28, 2024. Earlier in the day he met with inmates at a women's prison.

Pope Francis arrives in Venice, meets with women inmates and artists

Apr 28, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

Pope Francis opened his one-day visit to Venice Sunday with a meeting with female inmates where he reaffirmed the importance... Read more