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 laughing outside of St. Peter's Basilica during the general audience on April 1, 2015.

Pope Francis: Never forget to smile, even when life is hard

Dec 7, 2016

By Elise Harris

For Pope Francis, one of most needed virtues of modern time is hope, which is something he said must never... Read more

How the Catholic Church could help the crisis in the DRC

Dec 6, 2016

In late September, Pope Francis met with the controversial president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Joseph Kabila.  Read more

A view of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica from the Vaticans Apostolic Palace.

Guantanamo bishop moving to a new archdiocese

Dec 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday, the Vatican announced that Bishop Wilfredo Pino Estévez, who has led the Cuban diocese of Guantánamo-Baracoa for the... Read more

The new website for the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors.

Vatican's anti-abuse commission launches new website

Dec 6, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors launched a new website Tuesday, which is designed to help inform the... Read more

Pope Francis lauds Middle East effort to save local art, culture

Dec 5, 2016

Pope Francis endorsed a recent conference dedicated to the conservation and restoration of art and heritage within the Middle East,... Read more

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

Pope Francis: Don't whitewash your sins – let God heal you

Dec 5, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

As Christmas approaches, don't downplay your sins, Pope Francis said. Instead, name them honestly in the Sacrament of Confession, open... Read more

Opening Mass for the synod of bishops on the family Oct. 8, 2015.

Two parish priests chosen as next auxiliary bishops of Baltimore

Dec 5, 2016

By Hannah Brockhaus

Upon accepting the resignation of Bishop Denis Madden, Pope Francis has appointed two priests to be the next auxiliary bishops... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims gathered in St. Peter's Square for a Jubilee audience on November 12, 2016.

Prepare for Christmas by conversion, Pope tells Advent Angelus crowd

Dec 4, 2016

The proclamation of John the Baptist to “Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand” is a joyful one... Read more

Pope Francis during the Stations of the Cross at the Coliseum in Rome, Italy on April 3, 2015.

Pope Francis' letter to dying girl read aloud at her funeral

Dec 3, 2016

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis has again captured the hearts of the world, with a tear-jerking letter to a young Italian girl dying... Read more

Pope Francis meets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Vatican Dec. 2, 2016.

Pope Francis meets U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry at the Vatican

Dec 2, 2016

By Elise Harris

While he was in town for a global meeting on the crisis in the Mediterranean region, U.S. Secretary of State... Read more

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Pope dedicates December to praying for end to child soldiers

Dec 2, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his latest prayer video, which highlights his prayer intention for the month of December, Pope Francis focused on putting... Read more

A priest walks through St. Peter's Square.

Society needs priests 'enamored' with the Gospel, Pope Francis says

Dec 1, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his message for the 2017 World Day of Prayer for Vocations, Pope Francis focused on the need to be... Read more

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew I in Greece, April 16, 2016.

Francis appeals to the martyrs in ecumenical message to Patriarch

Nov 30, 2016

The Bishop of Rome sent a message to the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople on Wednesday, continuing a recent tradition of... Read more

Pope Francis meets director Martin Scorsese in the Vatican Nov. 30, 2016.

Pope Francis meets Martin Scorsese, director of 'Silence,' at Vatican

Nov 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday, Pope Francis added world famous director Martin Scorsese to the list of Hollywood stars he has welcomed for... Read more

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his Nov. 30, 2016, general audience in the Paul VI Hall.

We have to pray for both the living and the dead, Pope Francis says

Nov 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his last set of catechesis on mercy, Pope Francis focused on the works of praying for the living and... Read more

Pope Francis prays with journalists on the papal flight en route to South Korea on Aug. 14, 2014.

Pope Francis offers prayer, condolences after Colombia plane crash

Nov 30, 2016

By Elise Harris

After a plane crash in Colombia claimed the lives of 71 people, including the majority of Brazil’s up and coming... Read more

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

Pope Francis: Humility is childlike, not theatrical

Nov 29, 2016

Christians must pursue true humility as they remember the “smallness” of Christmas, Pope Francis said in his Tuesday homily.    Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Epiphany Mass at St. Peter's Basilica on Jan. 6, 2016.

Here's what Pope Francis is doing for Christmas

Nov 29, 2016

By Elise Harris

While signs of bustling pilgrims who came for the Jubilee of Mercy are mostly gone, new signs of Christmas are... Read more

Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, who died Nov. 26, 2016.

Pope mourns death of Fr Kolvenbach, former head of Jesuits

Nov 28, 2016

By Elise Harris

After the death of Jesuit Fr. Peter Hans Kolvenbach, former head of the order, over the weekend, Pope Francis has... Read more

Bishop Gregory Parkes.

Pope taps Tallahassee bishop to lead St. Petersburg diocese

Nov 28, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Monday the Vatican announced that Pope Francis has named Bishop Gregory Parkes of Pensacola-Tallahassee as the new head of... Read more