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 responds to a question from a young girl on June 7, 2013 in Paul VI Hall.

'I didn't want to be Pope,' Francis tells children

Jun 7, 2013

Pope Francis told thousands of children who gathered at the Vatican on Friday that he did not want to be... Read more

Pope Francis preaches during the May 27, 2013 Mass in Saint Martha's House.

'Stop hiding idols in your saddles,' Pope advises

Jun 6, 2013

Pope Francis said everyone has “hidden idols” buried in their personalities and recommended discovering and discarding them in order to... Read more

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

Pope to future diplomats: 'don't be ridiculous'

Jun 6, 2013

Pope Francis warned priests studying to serve in the papal diplomatic corps and the Vatican’s Secretariat of State not to... Read more

The papal residence in Castel Gandolfo.

Pope Francis will brave Rome's summer heat

Jun 6, 2013

Breaking with the practice of his predecessors, Pope Francis will not take a long summer vacation and will stay in... Read more

CNA

Expert says Church's abuse prevention should differ for each culture

Jun 6, 2013

An expert on dealing with sexual abuse cases within the Church says prevention guidelines being developed with Vatican oversight should... Read more

Pope Francis preaches at the June 5, 2013 morning Mass in St. Martha's House chapel.

Pope says lamenting suffering is form of prayer

Jun 5, 2013

Pope Francis said lamenting suffering is a form of prayer and is not a sin, during his daily morning Mass.... Read more

The crowd of around 70000 pilgrims at the June 5, 2013 general audience.

Pope stresses threats to human person on Environment Day

Jun 5, 2013

Pope Francis said that it is urgent to focus on people and not just on nature on World Environment Day.  Read more

Austin Tice. Courtesy of The Tice Family.

Parents of kidnapped journalist grateful for Pope's words

Jun 5, 2013

By Kevin J. Jones

The parents of kidnapped American journalist Austin Tice have appealed again for his release, voicing gratitude for Pope Francis' words... Read more

Noujad (far right) lost her husband to the violence in Syria, and her son is still missing.

Pope to Syrian Christians: you have 'great task' of remaining

Jun 5, 2013

Pope Francis vigorously appealed for peace in Syria and told the Christians there that they have “the great task” of... Read more

Pope Francis preaches during the May 27, 2013 Mass in Saint Martha's House.

Pope: Christian speech is genuine, not self-serving

Jun 4, 2013

Instead of sugar-coated words and flattery, when Christians speak they should offer the truth with love, without seeking to serve... Read more

Pope Francis prays in front of Blessed John XXIII's tomb on June 3, 2013 in St. Peter's Basilica.

Obey God to build peace, Pope tells John XXIII devotees

Jun 4, 2013

Imitate Blessed John XXIII by growing in obedience to God and self-mastery to achieve peace, Pope Francis urged as he... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience, May 22, 2013.

Pope prays that Christians avoid 'road of corruption'

Jun 3, 2013

Pope Francis on Monday warned about corrupt Christians who think they are “strong” and “independent of God,” emphasizing that Catholics... Read more

Pope Francis lays flowers at the foot of the statue of Our Lady of Lujan on May 8, 2013.

Pope closes Mary's month reflecting on her spiritual attitude

May 31, 2013

After a Rosary in St. Peter’s Square to mark the end of May, Pope Francis asked people to “listen, decide,... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square on May 22, 2013 for his weekly general audience.

Praising God frees us from sorrow, Pope proclaims

May 31, 2013

Christians often act like they are “going to a funeral procession rather than to praise God,” Pope Francis declared, urging... Read more

CNA

Pope made apartment choice to avoid isolation

May 30, 2013

Pope Francis told his friend he lives a normal life as pontiff and that he decided not to move into... Read more

CNA

Man prayed over by Pope says he suffered from demons

May 30, 2013

A 43-year-old Mexican man whom Pope Francis prayed over in St. Peter’s Square on Pentecost Sunday said that he had... Read more

Pope Francis incenses the Blessed Sacrament on May 30, 2013 outside of St. John Lateran Basilica.

Spiritual generosity is form of solidarity, Pope states

May 30, 2013

Pope Francis says that even though solidarity is an idea “frowned down upon by the world,” people need to practice... Read more

Pope Francis preaches April 17, 2013 in the chapel of St. Martha's residence.

Vatican explains availability of Pope's daily homilies

May 30, 2013

The Vatican is not publishing the full text of the Pope’s daily homilies because it wants to avoid giving them... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in St. Martha's chapel on May 29, 2013.

Dark moment reminded Pope to seek God's will above success

May 29, 2013

At his daily Mass in St. Martha’s residence this morning, Pope Francis warned about the dangers of a Church that... Read more

Pope Francis moves through the crowd at the April 3, 2013 general audience.

Pope: Jesus' plan for humanity requires Catholic Church

May 29, 2013

Pope Francis began a new series of reflections by saying that although some people want Jesus but not the Church,... Read more