Pope Francis to lead world shrines in rosary prayer for pandemic

VATICAN CITY -- Pope Francis will lead the major shrines around the world in praying the rosary to implore Mary's intercession and protection amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Pope marks anniversary of 'Laudato Si'' with call to prayer, action

VATICAN CITY -- Commemorating the fifth anniversary of his encyclical on the environment, Pope Francis called on Christians to join in prayer and acts of care for the Earth and for the poor.

God's Word on Sunday: The Spirit sets us on a challenging course

Pentecost Sunday, May 31 (Year A) Acts 2:1-11; Psalm 104; 1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13; John 20:19-23

The term “Holy Spirit” is often used in ambiguous ways.

Year-long program created for encyclical

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican announced that it will commemorate the fifth anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment with a year-long series of initiatives dedicated to the safeguarding and care for the Earth.

Vatican distributes notes on cleaning, protecting church objects

VATICAN CITY -- To help prevent damaging artistic and historically significant objects, the Pontifical Council for Culture released suggestions for cleaning and disinfecting church buildings, furnishings and sacred objects.

God's Word on Sunday: God’s work for us is on Earth

Ascension of the Lord, May 24 (Year A) Acts 1:1-11; Psalm 47; Ephesians 1:17-23; Matthew 28:16-20

What did Jesus tell the disciples during the 40 days He was with them after the Resurrection? We can only imagine and speculate, and some in the early Church did just that.

Investigators: No evidence St. John Paul covered up abuse

ROME -- The postulator and the commission involved in investigating the life of Pope John Paul II for sainthood cause found no evidence that the pope knowingly neglected or covered up abuse scandals, the postulator said.

Pope Benedict: St. John Paul's life marked by mercy, not moral rigidity

VATICAN CITY -- The continuity between St. John Paul II and Pope Francis is rooted in the message of God's divine mercy for all men and women, retired Pope Benedict XVI said in a letter commemorating his predecessor's birth.

Pontifical universities planning to reopen in the fall

VATICAN CITY -- The Vatican Congregation for Catholic Education has asked pontifical universities and faculties to plan to reopen in the fall and teach with students present.

Pope Francis to nurses, midwives: 'Thank you for your service to humanity'

VATICAN CITY -- The coronavirus pandemic has drawn well-deserved attention to nurses and midwives, who are among "the saints next door," dedicated to helping people in some of the most joyful or painful moments of their lives, Pope Francis said.

Papal academy fosters ethics, multidisciplinary alliances in AI debate

VATICAN CITY -- Given the huge impact technology and artificial intelligence will have on humanity and the environment, the Pontifical Academy for Life is seeking to foster more ethical and moral reflection.