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

Piece of Colomba cake.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love... Read more

Pope Francis leads procession of palms in St. Peter's Square on Palm Sunday March 29, 2015.

Holy Week is about humility – there is no other way, Pope says

Mar 29, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis on Palm Sunday said that imitating the humility of Jesus is what makes Holy Week “holy,” and encouraged... Read more

Carmelite sisters in Birmingham.

500 years after birth, witness of St. Teresa of Avila remains strong, says Pope

Mar 28, 2015

By Ann Schneible

On the 500th anniversary of St. Teresa of Avila's birth, Pope Francis praised the Spanish mystic and reformer for her... Read more

Pope Francis addresses interreligious faith leaders in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Jan. 13, 2015.

Pope praises deceased Assyrian patriarch as wise pastor, ecumenical leader

Mar 28, 2015

By Ann Schneible

Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolences following the death of Catholicos Dinkha IV, patriarch of the Assyrian Church... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square before the Wednesday general audience on Oct. 29, 2014.

'This is your house' – Pope Francis meets homeless in Sistine Chapel

Mar 27, 2015

By Elise Harris

Pope Francis stopped by to visit with 150 of Rome’s homeless in the Sistine Chapel after they were invited for... Read more

Pope Francis greets faithful before mass outside of Istanbul's Cathedral of the Holy Spirit.

Pope Francis to meet, celebrate Mass with relatives during Turin visit

Mar 26, 2015

By Elise Harris

A son of Italian immigrants, Argentinian native Pope Francis will have the opportunity to meet with distant relatives during his... Read more

Shroud of Turin negative.

A look at Pope Francis' summer trip to the Shroud of Turin

Mar 25, 2015

By Ann Schneible

The Vatican has released the schedule for Pope Francis' upcoming pilgrimage to Turin – home to what is believed to... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims during his March 25, 2015 general audience.

Pope Francis on the family synod: 'We need prayers, not gossip'

Mar 25, 2015

By Elise Harris

During his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke about the gift and call of the Christian family, and urged attendees... Read more

Ceiling of the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on Oct. 29, 2014.

Vatican invites 150 homeless for dinner, private tour of Sistine Chapel

Mar 24, 2015

By Elise Harris

In addition to food, umbrellas, sleeping bags, showers and haircuts, the Vatican is now offering Rome’s homeless the gift of... Read more

Japan's history of 'hidden' Christians and what the Pope said about it

Mar 23, 2015

In a recent meeting with Japan's bishops, Pope Francis discussed how the country's brutal history of Christian persecution has given... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims in St. Peter's Square during his Wednesday general audience on June 18, 2014.

Rome's poor receive 1,000 pounds of food from Pope Francis

Mar 23, 2015

Pope Francis is sending half a ton of food to families suffering hardships in Rome’s Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood.  Read more

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