Cindy Wooden

Pope Francis, suffering a cold, focuses on mothers and children before Christmas

December 24, 2024

Leading the recitation of the Angelus prayer from inside the chapel of his residence because of a cold, Pope Francis nevertheless blessed the baby Jesus figurines children and adults will put in their Nativity scenes -- and he brought one of his own as well.

Nativity scenes are reminder of Lord's love and tenderness, Pope Francis says

December 16, 2024

Making his customary visit to the Rome Basilica of St. Mary Major to pray before his trip to the French island of Corsica, Pope Francis also met and prayed with dozens of actors staging a living Nativity scene.

Pope Francis, Palestinian president meet at Vatican

December 12, 2024

As the fighting in Gaza drags on, Pope Francis welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the Vatican.

Hope is an 'active virtue' that makes good things happen, Pope Francis says

December 11, 2024

The "most beautiful gift" the Catholic Church and its members can give the world is a reason to live with hope, Pope Francis said.

Preparations begin for opening Holy Doors at Vatican, Rome basilicas

December 3, 2024

Hours after the last visitors and pilgrims left St. Peter's Basilica for the day, a chisel clanged and dust flew as a group of prelates chanted their prayers before a simple wall marked with a cross.

Pope Francis meets Ukrainian first lady, decries war as 'shameful tragedy'

November 20, 2024

With Ukraine's first lady seated in the front row, Pope Francis told people at his general audience that it is "a shameful tragedy for all humanity" that Russia's war on Ukraine has lasted more than 1,000 days.

Top Vatican official hopes Trump will promote peace, national unity

November 7, 2024

The Vatican secretary of state said his prayer for Donald J. Trump is that God would grant him wisdom "because that is the main virtue of those who govern according to the Bible."

Pope Francis offers Mass for cardinals and bishops who died in past year

November 4, 2024

Remembering the cardinals and bishops who died in the past year, Pope Francis prayed that after their loving service to the Catholic Church "they may exult in eternal communion with the saints."

On All Souls, pope prays at graves of children, miscarried infants

November 4, 2024

Pope Francis prayed at the graves of children and of miscarried babies on the feast of All Souls before concelebrating Mass with several hundred mourners.

Publishing synod document, Pope Francis says he will not write exhortation

October 28, 2024

After members of the Synod of Bishops approved their final document, Pope Francis announced that he would not write the customary post-synodal apostolic exhortation but would offer the final document to the entire church to implement.