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Get-well cards from schoolchildren to Pope Francis are seen at the Vatican, Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025

PHOTOS: Pope Francis receives get-well cards, drawings from schoolchildren in Rome

Feb 23, 2025

By Daniel Payne

The pontiff's condition “remains critical,” the Holy See Press Office says in a statement issued Sunday evening. Read more

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., President Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, testifies during his Senate Finance Committee confirmation hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

Catholics hopeful on abortion, health policy after Kennedy’s confirmation as HHS secretary

Feb 16, 2025

By Madalaine Elhabbal

Kennedy, himself a professed Catholic, has faced intense scrutiny from both sides of the aisle for his controversial views on... Read more

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience on Feb. 5, 2025, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican.

UPDATE: Pope Francis hospitalized at Gemelli for bronchitis

Feb 14, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The 88-year-old pope was hospitalized in the late morning on Feb. 14 following meetings with a number of people, including... Read more

Pope Francis meets with Eastern Orthodox priests and monks on Feb. 6, 2025, at his Santa Marta home in the Vatican instead of in the Apostolic Palace as planned.

Pope Francis to take meetings at home while sick with bronchitis, Vatican says

Feb 6, 2025

By Hannah Brockhaus

The pope has faced several health challenges in recent years, including knee problems requiring a wheelchair, respiratory infections, and a... Read more

Pope Francis takes part in the Roman Curia’s Lenten retreat in Ariccia, Italy, on March 6-10, 2016.

Pope Francis to hold private Lenten retreat for fifth consecutive year

Jan 16, 2024

By Matthew Santucci

For the fifth consecutive year the joint retreat between the Holy Father and the Roman Curia has been canceled. Read more

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‘Social emergency’ of low fertility may be driven partly by pesticides, study shows

Dec 7, 2023

By Daniel Payne

Plunging fertility rates, due to multiple factors, present profound challenges for couples today, and the future does not look bright.  Read more

Monica Bertagnolli testifies during her Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee confirmation hearing to be the next Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Oct. 18, 2023, in Washington, D.C.

Biden NIH nominee grilled on funding for gender transition research, fetal tissue

Oct 20, 2023

By Matt McDonald

Monica Bertagnolli answered questions for about two hours on Capitol Hill on Wednesday before the Senate Health Committee. Read more

Pope Francis attends a general audience at the Vatican.

After surgery, Pope Francis says a nurse ‘saved my life’

Aug 31, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The nurse reportedly advised the pope to undergo tests in February. Read more

Pope Francis blesses a child in the Department of Pediatric Oncology at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, July 13, 2021.

Pope Francis visits children on oncology ward of Rome hospital

Jul 13, 2021

By CNA Staff

The ward is located on the same floor as the pope’s suite. Read more

Pope Francis greets staff at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, July 11, 2021

Vatican: Pope Francis ‘continuing planned treatment’ on 10th day in hospital

Jul 13, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican spokesman said ongoing treatment would allow him to “return to the Vatican as soon as possible.” Read more

Pope Francis greets staff at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome, July 11, 2021.

Pope Francis will stay longer in hospital, says Vatican

Jul 12, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

A Vatican spokesman said the pope would remain “a few more days.” Read more

A get well card for Pope Francis from Giulia, a girl treated in Bambino Gesu Hospital.

Pope Francis and children in hospital exchange greetings

Jul 10, 2021

By Courtney Mares

During his hospitalization, Pope Francis has exchanged affectionate messages with the young patients in the nearby pediatric oncology and children’s... Read more

Pope Francis gives an Angelus address from the Apostolic Palace. Credit: Vatican Media/CNA.

Pope Francis to lead Sunday Angelus from hospital after intestinal surgery

Jul 9, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican said the pope “spent a quiet day with normal clinical progress.” Read more

Pope Francis pictured at the general audience at the Vatican April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis has further health scans in hospital after running a fever

Jul 8, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican said the pope was able to eat and move “unassisted.” Read more

Pope Francis, pictured April 17, 2013. Credit: Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.

Pope Francis grateful for prayers as he recovers from intestinal surgery

Jul 7, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The Vatican said the pope’s recovery process was “regular and satisfactory.” Read more

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI greet each other at the 65th priestly ordination of Pope Emeritus XVI at the Clementine Hall.

Benedict XVI praying ‘fervently’ for Pope Francis’ recovery from surgery

Jul 6, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis is recuperating at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Read more

Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, pictured on July 5, 2021, as Pope Francis convalesces after a surgery.

Pope Francis recovering in same hospital room where St. John Paul II was treated

Jul 6, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican said that the pope had “rested well overnight.” Read more

Pope Francis with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of Constantinople outside the Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli Oct. 20, 2020.

Imam, rabbi, and Orthodox patriarch wish Pope Francis a swift recovery

Jul 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis underwent a three-hour operation on the evening of July 4. Read more

Pope Francis attends a Prayer Meeting for Peace in Rome's Piazza del Campidoglio Oct. 20, 2020.

Pope Francis to spend week recovering in hospital after intestinal surgery

Jul 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

A Vatican spokesman said: “His Holiness Pope Francis is in good general condition.” Read more

Pope Francis stands outside a car during the general audience June 30, 2021.

Pope Francis ‘well’ after surgery on colon for diverticulitis

Jul 4, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has "reacted well" to a scheduled colon surgery he underwent at a Rome hospital on Sunday. Read more