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

Ken Hackett, U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See in Rome on Jan. 23, 2014.

Vatican ambassador predicts Trump will drop campaign rhetoric

Jan 11, 2017

By Elise Harris

Ken Hackett is preparing to wrap up his term as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See as Donald Trump's presidential... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square April 13, 2016.

Pope Francis: having an abortion to keep your figure is a big problem

Jan 11, 2017

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis issued strong words against worshipping idols, cautioning against the false hope that beauty, wealth and power... Read more

Jubilee audience in St. Peter's Square with Pope Francis on Nov. 12, 2016.

Pope Francis: Humility, service are at the heart of Christ's power

Jan 10, 2017

Pope Francis warned against the destruction of clericalism in his Jan. 10 homily, stressing that humility was power behind Christ’s... Read more

Bishop Oscar Azarcon Solis.

First Filipino to lead a US diocese will take reins in Salt Lake City

Jan 10, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Tuesday the Vatican announced the appointment of Filipino-born Bishop Oscar A. Solis, currently an auxiliary bishop for the Archdiocese... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Sept. 7, 2016.

Is unity the most important thing to Pope Francis?

Jan 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has decided to begin 2017 in much the same way as he did last year: praying for Christian... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to the Diplomatic Corps Ac

Pope to diplomats: when it comes to politics, peace must be more than a theory

Jan 9, 2017

By Elise Harris

Following a year marred by war and terrorism, Pope Francis told diplomats Monday that for 2017, peace has to be... Read more

Pope Francis kisses a young child during a special meeting with sick children in New York City, Sept. 25, 2015.

Although trips can be tiring, Pope says people make the effort 'worth it'

Jan 8, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

In a new interview published Sunday, Pope Francis said that though his many papal trips are often very tiring, both... Read more

Homeless Jesus statue.

The homeless need urgent prayers in cold winter months, Pope says

Jan 8, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Sunday Pope Francis announced that his “urgent” prayer for the month of January is for all those who live... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for Epiphany in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 6, 2017.

Pope Francis: the Magi represent everyone who seeks God

Jan 6, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On Friday, the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis said that the Magi are not just men who sought out... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in St. Peter's Square for the general audience, Dec. 9, 2015.

We need hope – not 'optimism,' Pope Francis tells quake victims

Jan 5, 2017

By Elise Harris

During an audience with people from the areas devastated by earthquakes in Central Italy, Pope Francis emphasized the need to... Read more

Pope Francis hands rosaries to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his general audience May 4, 2016.

A new 'vocational culture' is needed in the Church, Pope Francis says

Jan 5, 2017

By Elise Harris

A fresh and courageous perspective is needed when it comes to helping youth discern and discover their vocation, Pope Francis... Read more

Pope Francis overlooking the crowd in St. Peter's Square on Easter Sunday morning on April 5, 2015.

There are no words for the loss of a child, but there is still hope, Pope says

Jan 4, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

While no words or gestures will ever be enough to comfort the pain experienced by those who have lost a... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his April 20, 2016, general audience.

Pope shakes up monthly prayers, adds new 'urgent' intention

Jan 4, 2017

By Elise Harris

After launching the first video series on his monthly prayer intentions last year, Pope Francis has decided to make some... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square at the general audience on Oct. 19, 2016.

No, Pope Francis didn't say Christianity and Islam should merge

Jan 3, 2017

Widely shared quotes attributed to Pope Francis, in which he advocates for a merging of the religions of Christianity and... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square April 13, 2016.

Pope kicks off new year renewing 'zero tolerance' policy on abuse

Jan 2, 2017

By Elise Harris

In a letter sent to bishops around the world for the feast of the Holy Innocents, Pope Francis lamented the... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican, April 3, 2014.

After Istanbul attack, Pope prays for those who fight 'bloody stain' of terrorism

Jan 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

On the first day of the new year and the 50th World Day of Peace, Pope Francis condemned a terrorist... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Solemnity of Mary Mother of God in St. Peter's Basilica Jan. 1, 2016.

Pope on New Year’s Day: Mary’s motherhood teaches us humility, tenderness

Jan 1, 2017

By Hannah Brockhaus

At the start of the new year, Pope Francis said that celebrating Mary, the Mother of God, highlights a beautiful aspect... Read more

Pope Francis presides over Vespers and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament in St. Peter's Basilica Dec. 31, 2015.

At close of 2016, Pope says selfishness should be a thing of the past

Dec 31, 2016

By Elise Harris

During a prayer service for the close of 2016, Pope Francis said the arrival of a new year should serve... Read more

The letter that Pope Francis wrote to a young mother in prison.

Pope Francis wrote a letter to this young mother in prison

Dec 30, 2016

A prison inmate in Chile was surprised when she received a letter this summer from Pope Francis, whom she had... Read more

Fr. Tom Uzhunnalil.

Kidnapped priest appeals for Pope’s help

Dec 26, 2016

A Salesian priest kidnapped in Yemen on March 4 personally appealed for Pope Francis’ help in an unconfirmed video posted... Read more