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

Sister Irene Stefani, Nyeri, Kenya. Courtesy of Kenya Yote.

'Mother of Mercy' beatification in Kenya draws tens of thousands

May 27, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Massive crowds attended Saturday's beatification of early twentieth-century Italian missionary, Sister Irene Stefani, who was known as “mother of mercy”... Read more

A newly married couple snaps a selfie with Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in Paul VI Hall, Feb. 4, 2015.

Love requires work – not just attraction or feelings, Pope tells couples

May 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis said the process of engagement is essential for any couple on their way... Read more

Franciscan Friars with filter.

'Little' friars credit vocation boom to Pope's name

May 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

Gathered in Rome for their general chapter meeting, members of the Order of Friars Minor – better known as Franciscans... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass with new cardinals Feb. 15, 2015.

Think you're important because you have money? Think again, Pope says

May 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his homily Tuesday Pope Francis cautioned against the “counter-witness” of those who seek to follow both Jesus and worldly... Read more

Pope Francis laughing outside of St. Peter's Basilica during the general audience on April 1, 2015.

What does Pope Francis miss most? Walking in the streets, eating pizza at restaurants

In a recent interview with an Argentine newspaper, Pope Francis said he misses the “tranquillity of walking in the streets”... Read more

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

Thousands of people are trapped in the ocean right now – here is Pope Francis' response

May 25, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has strongly called on the international community to help the scores of migrants who are currently trapped after... Read more

Pope Francis at Saint Peter's Basilica on the feast of Pentecost, May 24, 2015.

Respect creation – this is a must for every single Christian, Pope Francis says

May 24, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis used Sunday's feast of Pentecost – the descent of the Holy Spirit – as an occasion to remind... Read more

Archbishop Oscaro Romero with young people in El Salvador in this undated file photo. Photo courtesy of Arzobispado de San Salvador/Oficina de la Causa de Canonizacion.

Pope: Oscar Romero was a martyr who fought violence with love

May 23, 2015

By Elise Harris

On the day of Oscar Romero’s beatification in San Salvador, Pope Francis sent a letter to the current archbishop, praising... Read more

Pope Francis leaves the building where he visited four Vatican departments May 22, 2015.

Pope's visit to Vatican departments a 'beautiful experience,' official says

May 22, 2015

By Elise Harris

On Friday Pope Francis began making stops at different departments of the Roman Curia – the first in series of... Read more

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

Pope Francis to parents: Come out of 'exile' and educate your children

May 20, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his general audience Pope Francis spoke of the essential role parents play in educating their children – a role... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on April 22 2015.

Pope Francis: Are you ready for your final goodbye?

May 19, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his homily Tuesday Pope Francis focused on many different “goodbyes” that happen during life, and asked whether attendees were... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the Pontifical North American College in Rome on May 2, 2015.

Beware of 'white-gloved' terrorism, Pope tells Middle East nuns

May 18, 2015

By Ann Schneible

One day after canonizing the first two Palestinian saints since the early days of Christianity, Pope Francis met with a... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 5, 2014.

Pope appeals for peace in Burundi

May 17, 2015

On Sunday morning, Pope Francis called for prayers for the people of Burundi, where violent clashes have broken out following... Read more

Tapestries in St. Peter's Square show four saints canonized May 17: Marie Alphonsine Danil Ghattas, Jeanne Emilie de Villeneuve, Maria Cristina Brando, and Mariam Baouardy.

Pope Francis shares the secret of the saints: life in Christ's love

May 17, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis canonized the Church’s four newest saints on Sunday, praising their loving witness to Jesus Christ’s Resurrection.  Read more

Archbishop Dieudonné Nzapalainga of Bangui, the Central African capital, blesses an ex-Seleka figher at Camp Beal.

Justice and truth are the keys to peace in Central African Republic, Pope says

May 15, 2015

Pope Francis' address to the bishops of the Central African Republic on Friday focused on the Church's role in fostering... Read more

Pope Francis at the papal ordination of priests in St. Peter's Basilica on April 26, 2015.

Pope Francis: Fear and joylessness are signs of bad spiritual health

May 15, 2015

By Ann Schneible

In his daily homily on Friday Pope Francis said that Christian communities become “sick” when they live in fear and... Read more

Christian marriage – it's 'demanding but magnificent,' Pope says

May 13, 2015

In his audience closing out the Togolese bishops’ ad Limina visit to Rome, Pope Francis on Monday encouraged solid faith... Read more

Grazia, a girl with Down syndrome, hugs Pope Francis at General Audience on May 13 2015.

When was the last time you said 'thank you' and 'I'm sorry?' Pope asks

May 13, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his general audience Pope Francis focused on the concrete challenges families face in daily life, and said that simply... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for Caritas Internationalis in St. Peter's Basilica on May 12, 2015.

You are not just aid workers – you are witnesses to Christ, Pope tells Caritas

May 12, 2015

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday Pope Francis told global representatives of Caritas International that true service is about welcoming God and others, and... Read more

General audience with Pope Francis on March 18, 2015.

Pope Francis: Spare no effort in defending life, family

May 12, 2015

In his meeting on Saturday with the bishops from Mozambique, a southeast African nation, Pope Francis urged support for public... Read more