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

Magnum the St. Bernard at the Vatican during Pope Francis’ May 18, 2016 general audience.

This Saint Bernard just met Pope Francis

May 18, 2016

By Elise Harris

While Pope Francis might have chastised animal-lovers who treat their pets better than people in last week’s general audience, that... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience May 21, 2014.

'To ignore the poor is to despise God,' Pope Francis says

May 18, 2016

By Elise Harris

If we don’t show mercy to others we shouldn’t expect to get it from God, Pope Francis said, stressing that... Read more

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

You have the right to practice your faith, Pope Francis says in new interview

May 17, 2016

By Elise Harris

In a new interview focused heavily on migration and dialogue with Islam, Pope Francis touched on growing concerns surrounding the... Read more

Pope Francis at the general audience in St. Peter's Square, Dec. 16, 2015.

For US bishops, Pope Francis brings clarity to transgender issues

May 16, 2016

As an alternative to the “deeply disturbing” new federal guidance on transgender regulations for schools, the U.S. bishops pointed to... Read more

Pope Francis meets with street children during his Philippines visit on Jan. 16, 2015.

For Pope Francis, missionary work is 'love without limits'

May 15, 2016

On Pentecost, Pope Francis praised missionary work as a massive work of mercy based on the desire for everyone to... Read more

Pope Francis laughs outside St. Peter's Basilica during the April 1, 2015 general audience.

Pope Francis: the Holy Spirit makes Jesus' teaching come to life

May 15, 2016

By Elise Harris

On the solemnity of Pentecost Pope Francis said the Holy Spirit, rather than giving a new message, brings Jesus’ timeless... Read more

Pope Francis blesses pilgrims in Saint Peter's Basilica on the solemnity of Pentecost May 24, 2015.

We were made to be God's children, Pope says on Pentecost

May 15, 2016

By Elise Harris

Although sin separates us from God, Pope Francis stressed on the feast of Pentecost that we haven’t been left as... Read more

Pope Francis at Jubilee of Mercy audience in St. Peter's Square. May 14, 2016.

Pope Francis: You can't love your pet more than your neighbor

May 14, 2016

People in need deserve more love from us than the animals do, Pope Francis has said.  Read more

Pope Francis greets the head of the Centesimus Annus pro Pontifice Foundation in the Vatican's Clementine Hall, May 13, 2016.

Generate new models of economic progress, Pope urges business leaders

May 14, 2016

Economic worldviews based only on material well-being cannot contribute to dignified labor and new models of economic progress are needed,... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican on April 3, 2014.

Why Pope Francis' visit matters to Armenians

May 13, 2016

By Elise Harris, Mary Farrow

Pope Francis’ visit to Armenia this summer comes at a poignant time in the country’s history.  Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his Oct. 1, 2014 general audience.

What did Pope Francis actually say about the female diaconate?

May 13, 2016

By Elise Harris

Yesterday Pope Francis raised eyebrows around the world after declaring his openness to establishing a commission to study the female... Read more

Pope Francis addreses members of Caritas from Italian dioceses in the Vatican' Paul VI Hall, April 21, 2016.

Pope Francis says he's open to studying the female diaconate

May 12, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Thursday Pope Francis said he would be open to the idea of forming a commission to study the historical... Read more

Pope Francis with a group of disabled children, led by Unitalsi Lazio in Santa Martha on May 29, 2015.

No one can take our dignity – not even the devil, Pope Francis says

May 11, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the father’s embrace in the Parable of the Prodigal Son is a reminder that we... Read more

 March for Life in Rome, May 9, 2016.

Rome celebrates the beauty of life in thousands-strong march

May 9, 2016

By Ann Schneible

The greatest challenge in the fight to value and protect human life worldwide is indifference, says one pro-life leader. However,... Read more

Pope Francis says Mass at the chapel of Santa Marta house in the Vatican, April 11, 2016.

Don't lock up the Holy Spirit in your heart, Pope Francis says

May 9, 2016

The Holy Spirit seems to be a “luxury prisoner” in many Christians’ hearts: someone who is welcomed to stay, but... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday General Audience, May 21, 2014.

Pope Francis: Be witnesses of the Gospel every day

May 8, 2016

Pope Francis commemorated the Feast of the Ascension of Jesus by reminding the faithful of their duty to be witnesses... Read more

Pope Francis addresses the European Parliament in Strasbourg on Nov. 25, 2014.

Receiving Charlemagne Prize, Pope says 'I have a dream' for Europe

May 6, 2016

By Elise Harris

As he received the prestigious Charlemagne Prize Friday, Pope Francis laid out his vision for a renewed European continent in... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the 'Dry the Eyes' prayer vigil in St. Peter's Basilica, May 5, 2016.

No one is alone in their suffering, Pope Francis affirms at prayer vigil

May 5, 2016

By Elise Harris

During a prayer vigil on Thursday for all those in need of consolation, Pope Francis stressed that though we cry... Read more

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

Jesus' closeness to sinners isn’t a scandal – it's an example, Pope says

May 4, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Wednesday Pope Francis said the parable of the Good Shepherd is a key example of God’s mercy, because it... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the General Audience in St. Peter's Square, April 13, 2016.

Pope Francis' May prayer intention: honor the dignity of women

May 3, 2016

By Elise Harris

In his May prayer video Pope Francis issued a global petition that women in all countries would be respected and... Read more