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 shares a joyful moment with members of the Union of St. Catherine of Siena Missionary Teachers during an audience in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, Jan. 4, 2025.

Pope Francis to teaching sisters: Leave ‘vinegar faces’ behind, embrace joy

Jan 4, 2025

By AC Wimmer

“Many times in my life I have encountered nuns with a vinegar face, and this is not friendly, this is... Read more

Pope Francis meets with members of the Italian Union of Blind and Partially Sighted People on Jan. 3, 2025, in Clementine Hall at the Vatican.

Pope Francis encourages blind young people to be pilgrims of hope

Jan 3, 2025

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Pope Francis encouraged those present to be “people on the journey” who always have the desire to continue, “always with... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

This is Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of January

Jan 2, 2025

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

“All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status,” the pope said. Read more

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis ‘deeply saddened’ by New Orleans attack, offers prayers

Jan 2, 2025

By Courtney Mares

The pope sent a condolence message to New Orleans Archbishop Gregory Aymond on Jan. 2 offering prayers for the souls... Read more

Cardinal Angelo Amato.

Vatican sets funeral for Cardinal Amato as Pope Francis praises ‘faithful servant’

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis praised the late cardinal’s “priestly spirit” and theological preparation, highlighting his decades of service. Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the crowd gathered on St. Peter’s Square, Jan. 1, 2025.

In New Year’s Angelus, pope ties debt forgiveness to peace

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

In his first Angelus address of 2025, Pope Francis called for debt relief for the world’s poorest nations and renewed... Read more

Pope Francis delivers his homily during the Jan. 1, 2025, Mass at St. Peter's Basilica, marking both the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God and the 58th World Day of Peace.

Pope Francis preaches peace, protection of life in New Year’s homily

Jan 1, 2025

By AC Wimmer

“Protecting life, caring for wounded life, restoring dignity to the life of every ‘born of woman’ is the fundamental basis... Read more

Pope Francis prays at his general audience Dec. 20, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican.

Here are Pope Francis’ prayer intentions for 2025

Dec 31, 2024

By ACI Prensa

The pope’s Worldwide Prayer Network has released the Holy Father’s list of prayer intentions for the year 2025. Read more

“What we have to aspire to is to be saints,” the relatives of the late Belgian King Baudouin recall him urging.

Relatives of Belgian King Baudouin: ‘His whole life was a witness to the living Christ’

Dec 30, 2024

By Almudena Martínez-Bordiú

Relatives say if King Baudouin were to be recognized as a saint, they would want for him to be an... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis remembers Jimmy Carter’s ‘firm commitment’ to peace, reconciliation

Dec 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The former president died on Dec. 29 at age 100 after entering hospice care in February 2023. Read more

A wooden crucifix.

13 Catholic missionaries and pastoral workers reportedly killed worldwide in 2024

Dec 30, 2024

By AC Wimmer

The Vatican’s missionary agency documented that five pastoral workers were killed in Africa, five in America, and two priests died... Read more

Pope Francis waves at pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: Family dialogue defeats digital distraction

Dec 29, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“Never, never this,” Francis said about mobile phones at the family table. “Talk, listen to each other, this is the... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his general audience on Wednesday, May 29,  2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican.

Pope Francis prays for South Korea air crash victims and families

Dec 29, 2024

By AC Wimmer

“My thoughts go to the many families in South Korea who are mourning today following the dramatic air accident,” the... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in East Timor on Sept. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis’ 2024 travels: historic visits to Southeast Asia, Oceania, Belgium, and Corsica

Dec 28, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Despite health challenges, Pope Francis embarked on ambitious travels in 2024, visiting Southeast Asia and Oceania, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Corsica. Read more

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer and gives an address from the chapel of Casa Santa Marta on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis: How to be ‘pilgrims of hope’ during 2025 Jubilee Year

Dec 28, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Pope Francis called on Catholics to become “pilgrims of hope” in a BBC podcast, emphasizing that “hope and kindness touch... Read more

Pope Francis and Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk.

Will Pope Francis visit Ukraine in 2025?

Dec 27, 2024

By AC Wimmer

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, the head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, said “Pope Francis sometimes likes to make surprises.” Read more

The Holy Door of the Jubilee “represents Jesus, the door of salvation open to all,” Pope Francis noted.

PHOTOS: Pilgrims from all over the world pass through Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica

Dec 26, 2024

By Walter Sánchez Silva

Pilgrims from around the world are passing through the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica, which Pope Francis opened to... Read more

Pope Francis opens the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica before Mass on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 2024, officially launching the Jubilee Year 2025.

Jubilee USA partners with Caritas International in debt relief campaign for poor countries

Dec 26, 2024

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Representatives from Caritas Internationalis and Jubilee USA Network announced the five-year campaign, “Turn Debt into Hope,” on Dec. 23. Read more

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer and delivers an address from a window in the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 26, 2024, at the Vatican.

Pope Francis prays for persecuted Christians on feast of St. Stephen

Dec 26, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his Angelus address on Dec. 26, Pope Francis reflected on Stephen’s last words as he was being stoned to... Read more

Pope Francis walks through the Holy Door at Rome’s Rebibbia Prison Complex on the feast of St. Stephen, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024.

Special report: Inside the prison as Pope Francis opens the Jubilee Holy Door

Dec 26, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The intimate Mass led by Pope Francis marked a historic moment — the first opening of a jubilee Holy Door... Read more