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

Kazakh artist Dosbol Kasymov works on the icon “Mother of the Great Steppe” in advance of Pope Francis’ Sept. 13-15 trip to Kazakhstan.

Artist paints Kazakh Mary and Child for only Marian shrine in Kazakhstan

Sep 6, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Kazakh artist is creating possibly the first-ever painting of Mary and the Child Jesus as native Kazakhs; it will... Read more

Pope Francis and Xi Jinping

Could Pope Francis meet Xi Jinping in Kazakhstan next week?

Sep 6, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected to visit Kazakhstan on the same day Pope Francis will be in the Central... Read more

The flag of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

How did Pope Francis change the Order of Malta?

Sep 6, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

The reform of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta is a reform in a more spiritual sense, at least in... Read more

Pope Francis in April 2022

Pope Francis jokes that either he or John XXIV will attend World Youth Day next year

Sep 5, 2022

By Courtney Mares

With the next World Youth Day less than a year away, Pope Francis has promised that a pope will be... Read more

Pope Francis beatified Pope John Paul I in St. Peter’s Square on Sept. 4, 2022.

Pope Francis beatifies John Paul I, pope for 33 days

Sep 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

In one of the shortest pontificates in papal history, John Paul I gained a reputation for his humility and his... Read more

CNA

Exiled priest explains why pope did not use strong words about persecution in Nicaragua

Sep 1, 2022

By CNA Staff

A Nicaraguan priest living in the United States said that if Pope Francis in his Aug. 21 Sunday Angelus had... Read more

Almost 200 cardinals answered the call to the extraordinary consistory in August 2022.

Behind the scenes and between the lines: Cardinals debate laity, power, synodality

Aug 31, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

There were no press conferences, reports, or sensational announcements at the end of the extraordinary consistory convened by Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis greeting pilgrims and visitors to the weekly general audience on Aug. 31, 2022

Discernment is ‘indispensable for living’: Pope Francis launches new catechesis series

Aug 31, 2022

By Courtney Mares

“God invites us to evaluate and choose: He created us free and wants us to exercise our freedom. For this... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience in Paul VI Hall on Aug. 10, 2022.

Vatican: Pope Francis’ Ukraine War comments not a ‘political stance’

Aug 30, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Holy See said Pope Francis’ recent comments on a car bombing that killed the daughter of an ally of... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door in L'Aquila, Italy on Aug. 28, 2022.

Pope Francis becomes first pope in more than 700 years to open the Holy Door in L’Aquila

Aug 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

During a trip to the Italian city of L’Aquila, Pope Francis participated in a centuries-old tradition established by Pope Celestine... Read more

Pope Francis at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022

One new cardinal did not attend the consistory due to heart problems — Here is what Pope Francis said:

Aug 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

Francis asked for prayers for the African prelate, explaining Baawobr had been taken ill. Read more

Pope Francis visits Benedict XVI on Aug. 27th, 2022

New cardinals and Pope Francis pay visit to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI

Aug 27, 2022

By CNA Staff

Pope Francis joined 19 of the Church’s 20 newly installed cardinals Saturday in a visit with Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI... Read more

Cardinal Oscar Cantoni, bishop of Como, receives the red biretta from Pope Francis at the consistory in St. Peter's Basilica, Aug. 27, 2022.

Jesus asks us, ‘can I count on you?’ — Pope Francis creates 20 cardinals for the Catholic Church

Aug 27, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis created 20 new cardinals for the Catholic Church during a liturgy in St. Peter's Basilica Saturday. Read more

Pope Francis holds an Ordinary Public Consistory in the Consistory Hall of the Apostolic Palace, May 3, 2021.

Who will vote for a new pope after Francis? A look at the cardinals by the numbers

Aug 25, 2022

By Jonah McKeown

On Aug. 27, Pope Francis will create 20 new cardinals, bringing the total number in the college to 229.  Read more

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill makes the sign of the cross during the Easter Mass at the Christ The Saviour Cathedral on April 24, 2022 in Moscow, Russia.

Report: Patriarch Kirill will not meet Pope Francis in Kazakhstan

Aug 25, 2022

By CNA Staff

It was hoped the two religious leaders would meet to discuss a peaceful resolution to the six-month-long war in Ukraine. Read more

Pope Francis in April 2022

A question of ‘delicate balance’: How might Pope Francis reform the rules of the conclave?

Aug 25, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Who will manage the Vatican when a pope resigns, is unable to govern, or passes away? And according to which... Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica Nov. 28, 2020.

Who are the new cardinals created by Pope Francis in 2022?

Aug 24, 2022

By Marco Mancini

There will be 16 cardinals under the age of 80 elevated at the next consistory, to be held Aug. 27.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in the Vatican, Aug. 24, 2022

Pope Francis warns about ‘arbitrary and ideological adaptations’ to Church ministries

Aug 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a message Wednesday, Pope Francis warned against letting ideology influence the Church’s ordained and lay ministries, and said he... Read more

A consistory for the creation of new cardinals in St. Peter’s Basilica on Oct. 5, 2019.

Pope Francis calls first extraordinary consistory since 2015 — so what will the cardinals talk about?

Aug 24, 2022

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Since 2015, Pope Francis has not called an extraordinary consistory like the one to be held on August 29-30.  Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in the Vatican, Aug. 24, 2022

Six months into Ukraine War, Pope Francis asks Mary to bring peace

Aug 24, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis made a special appeal for peace between Ukraine and Russia at Wednesday's end of his general audience. Read more