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 celebrates Palm Sunday Mass on March 24, 2013 in St. Peter's Square.

Got plans for Holy Week? Pope Francis does

Mar 22, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' full slate of events for Holy Week includes plans for a traditional Stations of the Cross, Easter Masses... Read more

Pope Francis and Cardinal Sepe hold relic of St. Januarius' blood in Naples cathedral March 21, 2015.

Saint's relic with miraculous tendencies does it again for Pope Francis

Mar 21, 2015

While Pope Francis was giving some advice to the religious, priests and seminarians of Naples on Saturday, a miracle occurred:... Read more

Pope Francis meets with religious from Naples March 21. Screenshot: CTV.

Nuns watching soap operas and the 'terrorism' of gossip: Pope Francis and Naples' religious

Mar 21, 2015

By Elise Harris

In a wide-ranging, off-the-cuff speech to priests and religious in Naples, Pope Francis addressed various challenges of consecrated life, emphasizing... Read more

Pope Francis.

Prison bars aren't stronger than God's love, Pope says to inmates

Mar 21, 2015

During his one-day trip to Naples, Pope Francis made a stop at the local prison where he reminded inmates that... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during his March 21 trip to Naples. Screenshot: CTV.

A feisty Pope Francis slams corruption, unemployment in Naples

Mar 21, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

Addressing the crowds in Naples' notorious outskirts of Scampia, Pope Francis gave a verbal slap to corrupt leaders who exploit... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Piazza Plebiscito in Naples on March 20, 2015. CTV screenshot.

'It's time to surrender,' Pope tells crime-ridden Naples

Mar 21, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis told the people of Naples – a city ravaged by crime and mafia violence – that change is... Read more

Rev. Mario Dorsonville, bishop-designate of Washington, D.C.

Pope Francis reaches to Catholic Charities to tap new DC bishop

Mar 20, 2015

By Matt Hadro

With a background in Hispanic ministry and service at Catholic Charities, the newly announced auxiliary bishop of Washington, D.C. hopes... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the Feast of the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple in St. Peter's Basilica, Feb. 2, 2015.

Pope Francis: No matter what the crime, 'the death penalty is inadmissible'

Mar 20, 2015

Regardless of the crime that has been committed, capital punishment is unacceptable in the modern world, Pope Francis stressed in... Read more

Cardinal Keith O'Brien.

Pope accepts disgraced Scottish prelate's resignation from cardinal status

Mar 20, 2015

In a rare move, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of disgraced Scottish Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien from the rights and... Read more

Noelle Zemborain and Family.

An 11,000-mile pilgrimage to see Pope Francis in Philadelphia

Mar 20, 2015

How far would you travel to see the Pope? For one family in Argentina, seven months and 11,000 miles is... Read more

Pope Francis prays at the General Audience Sept. 25, 2013.

Pope condemns Tunisia attack as act against 'the sacredness of life'

Mar 19, 2015

By Elise Harris

On behalf of Pope Francis, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State has sent a letter to the archbishop of Tunisia, assuring... Read more

General audience with Pope Francis on March 18, 2015.

Pope Francis has called for a Holy Year of Mercy – so what does that mean?

Mar 18, 2015

The Pope's surprise announcement of a holy year for mercy has Catholics weighing in on the significance of the move,... Read more

Pope Francis meets with students in Paul VI audience hall on May 31, 2014.

A society that doesn't want children is 'sad and gray,' Pope says

Mar 18, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis said Wednesday that children are a joy-filled gift for the Church and the world, and cautioned against an... Read more

John L. Allen Jr. with Pope Francis. Photo Courtesy of John Allen Jr.

Vatican analyst explores 'The Francis Miracle' in new book

Mar 17, 2015

Pope Francis is the subject of a new book by noted Vatican analyst and author John Allen, Jr. From the... Read more

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City on June 19, 2014.

Vatican: no papal endorsement for LGBT Catholic video

Mar 16, 2015

A Vatican official says there will be no papal endorsement for an LGBT activist video whose backers want it to... Read more

Pompeii with Mt Vesuvius in the background.

Here's what the Church in Pompei is doing about the mafia

Mar 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

Archbishop Tommaso Caputo of Pompei said that his diocese has welcomed the Pope’s recent condemnation of organized crime and has... Read more

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

Pope grieves Pakistan bombings, says world hides Christian persecution

Mar 15, 2015

By Elise Harris

In his Sunday Angelus address Pope Francis lamented today’s terrorist attacks against two Christian churches – one of them Catholic... Read more

A view of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Jan. 25, 2015.

Holy See's hospital works to help inmates re-enter society

Mar 14, 2015

By Andrea Gagliarducci

On Holy Thursday, Pope Francis will celebrate Mass for inmates at the Rebibbia New Complex Prison in the suburbs of... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during the Wednesday general audience on August 27, 2014.

Two years into papacy, Francis continues path set in first moments

Mar 13, 2015

By Matt Hadro

The infant moments of Francis’ papacy deeply signified what his future mission would be like, reflected Catholics who were present... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before his general audience on April 16, 2014.

Pope Francis declares Holy Year for Mercy

Mar 13, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his homily for a Lenten penitential service, Pope Francis announced an extraordinary Jubilee to start at the end of... Read more