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

Pope Francis touches the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe during Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on Dec. 12, 2014.

Pope entrusts South America trip to Mary

Jul 19, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis entrusted his recent tri-nation voyage to South America to Our Lady of Guadalupe – praising the deeply-rooted Christianity... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Corruption, threats, torture – we need justice in the mining industry, Pope says

Jul 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

Continuing his theme on protecting both the environment and human rights, Pope Francis pointed to various injustices in the mining... Read more

A helicopter carries Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI as he officially retires in Vatican City on February 28, 2013.

The Vatican's helipad: Transporting popes, saving kid's lives

Jul 18, 2015

One of Europe's best pediatric hospitals, Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital in Rome, can now use the Vatican’s helipad to transport... Read more

Ocean Sea Coast Nature (CC0 1.0).

Slavery and climate – there's more in common than you think, Vatican says

Jul 15, 2015

By Ann Schneible

The link between climate change and human slavery is the topic of an international conference to be hosted by the... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the Quito airport in Ecuador during his South America trip on July 5, 2015.

Full text of Pope Francis' in-flight interview from Paraguay to Rome

Jul 13, 2015

In the course of his 64 minute in-flight press conference while en route to Rome, Pope Francis answered questions ranging... Read more

Bolivian president Evo Morales presents Pope Francis with a 'communist crucifix' at the presidential palace in La Paz, July 8, 2015.

Pope calls 'communist crucifix' protest art, but says he wasn't offended

Jul 13, 2015

Responding to waves of controversy after receiving a “communist crucifix” – a carving of Christ crucified on a hammer and... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea, August 14, 2014.

No controversy here – Pope sets record straight on family synod remarks

Jul 13, 2015

By Ann Schneible

During a press briefing on the return flight from South America, Pope Francis clarified that his call for prayer ahead... Read more

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

Pope Francis off-the-cuff to young people: Don't waste your lives

Jul 12, 2015

Pope Francis tossed aside his prepared remarks in a talk to thousands of Paraguay's young people – urging the crowd... Read more

The papal altar at Asuncion’s Ñu Guazú park in Paraguay, July 12, 2015.

Spectacular Paraguay altar destined to be broken down, recycled

Jul 12, 2015

The more than 60,000 corncobs, 20,000 squashes and 150,000 coconuts that adorn the altarpiece in Asuncion’s Ñu Guazú park where... Read more

Screenshot: Pope Francis delivers his homily at Ñu Guazú field in Paraguay

Want to preach the Gospel effectively? Be welcoming, Pope says

Jul 12, 2015

In the final homily of his trip to South America Pope Francis said that a key aspect of Christian spirituality... Read more

Pope Francis waves to the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square for the Wednesday General Audience on May 27, 2015.

Pope to Paraguay’s poor: faith without solidarity is dead

Jul 12, 2015

On his final day in South America Pope Francis visited the poorest neighborhood in Paraguay’s capitol, encouraging residents to practice... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square on May 20, 2015.

Francis lauds strength of Paraguay women amid nation's bloody history

Jul 10, 2015

Arriving in Paraguay on Friday, Pope Francis recognized the particular contribution of women in the nation’s warn-torn past.      Read more

Pope in Latin America apologizes for sins against native peoples

Jul 9, 2015

Following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II, Pope Francis on Thursday asked forgiveness for crimes against the indigenous... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday General Audience in St. Peter's Square on June 24, 2015.

Pope Francis goes to Washington (and will reach an even bigger crowd than planned)

Jul 8, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The setting for Pope Francis’ address to Congress in September just grew by giant proportions as the public will be... Read more

Pope Francis blesses the crowds gathered at the Quito Cathedral in Ecuador on July 6, 2015.

'Remember your roots': Pope goes off-the-cuff to priests, religious

Jul 8, 2015

In his last encounter during his visit to Ecuador, Pope Francis on Wednesday warned priests and religious against career ambitions... Read more

Flags of Pope Francis wave at the Papal Mass at Bicentennial Park in Quito, Ecuador on July 7, 2015.

Ecuador is 'a Church on the move'

Jul 8, 2015

Everyone at the Vatican is praying for the fruits of the Pope’s apostolic visit to Latin America, but there is... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Guayaquil in Ecuador on July 6, 2015.

The man who put Laudato Si into practice in Ecuador – 40 years ago

Jul 7, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Among the members of civil society Pope Francis met with in Quito was an Italian who helped build a banking... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 3, 2014.

Pope Francis visits an old friend in Ecuador

Jul 6, 2015

“Why in the world is the Vicar of Christ coming to me?” said Father Paquito, when asked how he would... Read more

Pope Francis gives the homily at Mass for the Solemnity of All Saints in Rome's Verano cemetery, Nov. 1, 2014.

What did he just say? Pope Francis off-the-cuff in Latin America

Jul 5, 2015

By Alan Holdren

The world is about to see a new side to Pope Francis and, interestingly, it could be the most intimate... Read more

Pope Francis.

Pope lands in Ecuador, calls nation to continue in Catholic identity

Jul 5, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Landing in Ecuador on Sunday afternoon, Pope Francis began his tri-nation visit to Latin America by stressing the Gospel’s role... Read more