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

CNA

Winning pro-life contest photos will be shown to Pope

Aug 5, 2013

The winning photos of the contest “Life…in HD,” which is being organized by the Pontifical Council for the Family, will... Read more

CNA

Ken Hackett approved as America's next Vatican ambassador

Aug 5, 2013

After a vacancy of nearly one year, the U.S. Senate approved the former head of Catholic Relief Services, Ken Hackett,... Read more

Pope Benedict XVI in St. Peter's Square, April 18, 2012.

Respond to the Lord's call, encourages Pope Francis

Aug 4, 2013

During his Angelus address today, Pope Francis asked the crowds to pray with him that the World Youth Day pilgrims... Read more

Pope Francis walks with Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff at Rio’s Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim Airport on July 22, 2013.

Brazilian president signs law permitting abortion after papal visit

Aug 2, 2013

Four days after Pope Francis left Brazil, President Dilma Rousseff signed into a law a measure that opens the door... Read more

Pope Francis greets the faithful as he arrives on the popemobile at the San Joaquin Episcopal Palace in Rio de Janeiro on July 26, 2013. ANSA/Luca Zennaro/Pool.

Despite reports, Vatican organizer says Rio went as planned

Aug 2, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Although the media focused on some of the moments when the Pope’s security team appeared overwhelmed during the World Youth... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square for his installation on March 19, 2013. Jeffrey Bruno/CNA.

Pope writes to Muslims about mutual respect

Aug 2, 2013

With the end of the month of Ramadan approaching, Pope Francis decided to personally write to all Muslims as a... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Peter's Basilica on July 7, 2013.

Pope Francis calls faithful to deeper encounters with others

Aug 1, 2013

In an interview with the O Globo TV network before leaving Brazil, Pope Francis emphasized the “culture of encounter” that... Read more

Archbishops Anton Stres (left in white) and Marjan Turnsek (right in white) appear July 31, 2013 to announce their resignations.

Slovenia's two archbishops resign amid financial crisis

Aug 1, 2013

The only two archbishops in Slovenia have resigned at the invitation of Pope Francis, after two financial companies associated with... Read more

Pope Pius XII. CNA file photo.

Pope Francis thinking about declaring Pius XII a saint

Jul 31, 2013

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Pope Francis is considering whether he will make Pope Pius XII a saint, in the same way that he approved... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims July 14, 2013 at the papal villa in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. Lauren Cater/CNA

Pope links fraternity and peace in 2014 theme

Jul 31, 2013

Pope Francis’ message for the Jan. 1, 2014 World Day of Peace is that living a life of fraternity can... Read more

Pope Francis outside of the Chiesa del Gesu before celebrating Mass for the July 31, 2013 Feast of St. Ignatius. ANSA/CLAUDIO PERI

Pope focuses on centrality of Christ and Church for Jesuits

Jul 31, 2013

Pope Francis celebrated the Feast of Saint Ignatius in Rome by reminding his fellow Jesuits of the dual centrality of... Read more

Ashley McGuire of The Catholic Association.

Pope's women in the Church remarks urge a deeper theology

Jul 31, 2013

By Adelaide Mena

Recent comments by Pope Francis on the role of women in the Church not only assert that their status does... Read more

Pope Francis embraces, cries with Nathan during WYD.

Pope cries with Brazilian child who wants to be a priest

Jul 30, 2013

Nathan de Brito brought Pope Francis to tears during one of his motorcades through the streets of Rio de Janeiro... Read more

Bishop Gennaro Pascarella blesses the coffins of the 38 bus crash victims on July 30, 2013. ANSA/Ettore Ferrari.

Pope joins in prayers for Italian bus crash victims

Jul 30, 2013

Pope Francis has sent his “deepest condolences” and is offering “fervent prayers” as family and friends gathered today to mourn... Read more

Pope Francis disembarks July 29, 2013 at Ciampino Airport after his flight from Rio de Janeiro. ANSA/TELENEWS

Pope gives surprising in-flight press conference

Jul 29, 2013

Pope Francis finished off his trip to Brazil with one last unscripted moment by holding a 1 hour and 20... Read more

Pope Francis addresses young people during the July 27 prayer vigil at Copacabana Beach in Rio.

The field of faith is your own heart, Pope tells WYD pilgrims

Jul 27, 2013

Pope Francis told the crowd of pilgrims at World Youth Day's Saturday night prayer vigil that the “field of faith”... Read more

Pope Francis in Rio for World Youth Day July 24, 2013.

The Church a unity of diversities, Pope tells Brazil's bishops

Jul 27, 2013

Pope Francis told an assembly of the Brazilian bishops that the Church must be founded on unity in the abundance... Read more

Youth who lunched wih Pope Francis address a July 26 press conference.

Youths feel 'greater responsibility' after lunch with Pope Francis

Jul 27, 2013

The twelve youths chosen to lunch with Pope Francis during World Youth Day said they were still in disbelief, adding... Read more

Thomson Philip shows the rosary Pope Francis gave him (

Indian youth recounts 'great' World Youth Day lunch with Pope

Jul 26, 2013

Thomson Philip, a young India-born man who lives in New Zealand, can hardly believe he sat next to Pope Francis... Read more

The Said di Lavor Family made the trip from Brasilia to Rio de Janeiro for the 2013 World Youth Day. Estefania Aguirre/CNA.

Brazilian family uses WYD as pro-life opportunity

Jul 26, 2013

The Said di Lavor family did not leave their commitment to protecting unborn children at home when they made the... Read more