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

The ordination of bishops in St. Peter's Basilica on the feast of St. Joseph, March 19, 2018.

If a bishop doesn't pray, he's not doing his job, Pope Francis says

Mar 19, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis marked Monday's Solemnity of St. Joseph by ordaining three new bishops, telling them prayer is a primary ecclesial... Read more

Pope Francis at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, Jan. 31, 2018.

Pope encourages young people to ask tough questions at pre-synod launch

Mar 19, 2018

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis opened this week's pre-synod meeting telling youth to hold nothing back and to have the courage to ask... Read more

Pope Francis venerates the cross on Good Friday 2015.

Pope Francis: The crucifix is for prayer, not decoration

Mar 18, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Sunday Pope Francis said that the crucifix is not just something decorative to hang on the wall or wear,... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 14, 2018.

What US Catholics see as Pope Francis' most notable action

Mar 17, 2018

What has been Pope Francis’ most notable action so far in his papacy?  Read more

Msgr Dario Vigano, prefect of the Secretariat for Communications, speaks with CNA March 15, 2018.

Benedict’s praise for Francis booklets came with previously unmentioned caveats, letter shows

Mar 17, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Amid accusations of concealment, the Vatican's communications department has released the entirety of a letter written by Benedict XVI, revealing... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass outside the Sanctuary of St. Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo March 17, 2018.

Prayer is about being with God, not stress relief, Francis says

Mar 17, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Saturday Pope Francis asked Catholics if they try to pray as Jesus did – out of love for God... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, March 14, 2018.

The theological formation of Pope Francis

Mar 17, 2018

By Elise Harris

A recent letter from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has become the subject of controversy, after a Vatican office admitted to... Read more

Pope Francis speaks in Pietrelcina, Italy March 17, 2018.

Pope Francis in Pietrelcina: Padre Pio loved Mother Church

Mar 17, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Speaking Saturday in Pietrelcina, the town where St. Padre Pio was born, Pope Francis encouraged devotion to Holy Mother Church,... Read more

Pope Francis praying.

New book captures Pope Francis’ reflections on the Our Father

Mar 15, 2018

In commemoration of the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ election to the papacy, Penguin Random House has published a collection... Read more

Padre Pio.

Pope Francis to visit towns where Padre Pio lived and died

Mar 14, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Saturday, Pope Francis will make a short trip to the Italian towns of Pietrelcina and San Giovanni Rotondo, the... Read more

Monsignor Dario Viganò, Prefect, Vatican Secretariat for Communications.

Vatican office altered photo of Benedict's comments on Francis

Mar 14, 2018

A Vatican office has acknowledged blurring portions of a letter written by Benedict XVI regarding Pope Francis' philosophical and theological... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the end of the General Audience March 14, 2018.

Pope: In praying the Our Father, do you know to whom you’re talking?

Mar 14, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the general audience Wednesday, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of the recitation of the Our Father at Mass,... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2016.

Commentary: Praying for Francis

Mar 12, 2018

By JD Flynn

Five years ago, I stood in the refectory of St. John Vianney Seminary of Denver, with colleagues, friends, and a... Read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Updated: Benedict XVI says there is 'inner continuity' between himself, Pope Francis

Mar 12, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a personal letter reportedly sent to the head of the Secretariat for Communications, Benedict XVI said that he sees... Read more

Cardinal Karl Lehmann.

Pope Francis sends condolences for death of controversial German cardinal

Mar 12, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Monday Pope Francis sent condolences for the death of Cardinal Karl Lehmann, the retired archbishop of Mainz, Germany, who... Read more

Pope Francis with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

Pope Francis: Our fearful world needs audacious love

Mar 11, 2018

In a world that has grown afraid, Pope Francis reflected on the importance of mercy and love, praising the work... Read more

Cardinal Karl Lehmann.

Cardinal Karl Lehmann, influential German prelate, dies at 81

Mar 11, 2018

By Elise Harris

Cardinal Karl Lehmann, Archbishop Emeritus of Mainz and one of the most prominent leaders in the German Church known for... Read more

Pope Francis leads pilgrims in praying the Angelus Jan. 6, 2018.

Pope Francis: Christianity isn't a 'shortcut' – it takes faith, morals

Mar 11, 2018

By Elise Harris

On Sunday Pope Francis said that to be a Christian isn't easy, but means having faith and striving to live... Read more

Pope Francis leads a Penitential Celebration in St. Peter's Basilica on March 9, 2018.

Pope Francis: We abandon God through sin, but he never abandons us

Mar 9, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

At his annual Lenten penitential service on Friday, Pope Francis said that it is not God who abandons us when... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 17, 2015.

Vatican confirms papal visit to Baltic nations in September

Mar 9, 2018

By Elise Harris

Rumors of a papal visit to the Baltic states this year have been going around for months, however, the Vatican... Read more