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 greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2013.

Pope Francis lauds Mandela's creation of a 'new South Africa'

Dec 6, 2013

By Elise Harris

After the death of former South African president Nelson Mandela, Pope Francis issued a letter offering condolences to his family... Read more

Mary Undoer of Knots card.

Over 10,000 youth to send birthday card to Pope Francis

Dec 6, 2013

More than 10,000 young people have signed a giant birthday card for Pope Francis, offering their prayers and well-wishes for... Read more

Pope Francis holds an audience with students from Jesuit-run schools in Italy and Albania in Paul VI Hall June 7, 2013.

Christian words without Christ bring 'madness,' says Pope

Dec 5, 2013

In his daily homily on Dec. 5, Pope Francis reflected that the words and actions of a Christian must be... Read more

Pope Francis greets a young pilgrim in St. Peter's Square before the Oct. 2, 2013 general audience.

If Pope could perform one miracle, it would be 'to heal children'

Dec 4, 2013

During a recent visit to a parish on the outskirts of Rome, Pope Francis revealed that if he had the... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.

Francis and Benedict linked in call for joyful priests

Dec 3, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

At a presentation of a work by Benedict XVI on the priesthood, the head of the Vatican's doctrine office said... Read more

Pope Francis rides through St. Peter's Square after Mass on April 28, 2013

A Church without joy is unimaginable, Pope Francis says

Dec 3, 2013

By Elise Harris

The Pope focused his daily homily this morning on the themes of joy and peace, emphasizing that our God “is... Read more

Bishop James D. Conley in Rome, Italy, May 4, 2012.

Bishop counters dismissals of Pope's economic warnings

Dec 3, 2013

Critics of Pope Francis' warnings about capitalism are reducing him to a “cartoonish socialist” to diminish the seriousness of his... Read more

Women religious.

Pope to dedicate 2015 to consecrated life

Dec 2, 2013

At a meeting with the Union of Superiors General held Nov. 29, Pope Francis mentioned that he would be dedicating... Read more

Pope Francis led a prayer vigil for peace in Syria in St. Peter's Square on Sept. 7, 2013.

Argentine congress recommends Pope Francis for Nobel Peace Prize

Dec 2, 2013

Argentina’s House of Representatives has passed a resolution to nominate Pope Francis for the Nobel Peace Prize for his call... Read more

A view of the Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square, Dec. 13, 2012.

Christmas is more than a 'temporal celebration,' Pope reflects

Dec 2, 2013

By Elise Harris

In his daily homily on the first Monday of Advent, Pope Francis reflected on the season of Christmas, explaining that... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on Nov. 27, 2013.

Pope Francis' December prayers, nativity scene plans revealed

Dec 2, 2013

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis is bringing this year to a close by offering special prayers during the month of December for children... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates the sacrament of confirmation with young people Dec. 1, 2013.

Christian life is path of encountering Jesus, says Pope

Dec 1, 2013

Pope Francis traveled to an outlying parish in his Diocese of Rome today, celebrating Mass for the first Sunday of... Read more

Pope Francis begins his popemobile tour of the May 15, 2013 general audience in St. Peter's Square

Pope Francis: Advent is a journey towards horizon of hope

Dec 1, 2013

The Pope’s Sunday Angelus message for the start of Advent focused on the importance of hope during the liturgical season... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the Bishops of Italy in a solemn Profession of Faith in St Peters Basilica for their 65th General Assembly May 23, 2013.

Pope expresses hope for reunion with Orthodox Patriarch

Nov 30, 2013

Pope Francis sent special greetings to the Archbishop of Constantinople today, expressing his desire for continued dialogue between the Catholic... Read more

Pope Francis stands before a statue of Mary in St. Peter's Basilica on Nov. 30, 2013.

Be counter-cultural, Pope encourages university students

Nov 30, 2013

During evening prayer with local college students on Nov. 30, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of remaining faithful to the... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Wednesday audience on Oct. 2, 2013.

Pope Francis: Use intelligence to understand signs of the times

Nov 29, 2013

By Elise Harris

During his daily Mass, Pope Francis spoke of the importance of man's intellect in understanding the Lord, and cautioned those... Read more

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on October 2, 2013.

End times will bring greater persecution to Christians, Pope says

Nov 28, 2013

By Elise Harris

In his daily homily Pope Francis reflected on the end times, saying that faith will be increasingly pushed out of... Read more

Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ speaks with CNA on Nov. 22, 2013 at the Vatican Observatory in Rome

Vatican astronomer: science opens the door to dialogue

Nov 28, 2013

By Elise Harris

A leading astronomer in the Vatican Observatory stated that the study of science provides a unique forum to discuss man’s... Read more

Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on June 5, 2013.

Pope's exhortation praised as a guide to Christian outreach

Nov 27, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

Pope Francis' new document on the “joy” of evangelization is an opportunity for Catholics to re-examine how to share the... Read more

Pope Francis and Vladimir Putin inside the Vatican on November 25, 2013.

Pope Francis' meeting with Putin zeros in on Middle East

Nov 27, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis and Russian president Vladimir Putin's first-ever meeting this week mostly focused on the Middle East, particularly on the... Read more