Pope Francis

Pope Francis prays for victims of New Orleans attack

Justin McLellan · January 2, 2025

Pope Francis was "deeply saddened" to learn of deaths and injuries caused by the attack in New Orleans on New Year's Day, which killed 15 people.

Pope Francis accepts invitation to Ukraine, major archbishop says, but nothing is 'guaranteed'

OSV News · December 27, 2024

Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk of Kyiv-Halych set Ukrainian hopes high for the Jubilee Year by saying that Pope Francis accepted an invitation to visit Ukraine in 2025.

God wants all people to be saved; he forgives all who repent, Pope Francis says

Cindy Wooden · December 26, 2024

God wants to save each and every person, and Christians are called to give witness to that fact by praying even for people who have harmed them, Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis at Christmas: Jesus' birth brings hope for world of justice, peace

Cindy Wooden · December 25, 2024

Celebrating Christmas Mass after opening the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis said the birth of Jesus fills Christians with hope and the courage to work for peace and justice.

Pope Francis opens Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, launching 'Jubilee of Hope'

Cindy Wooden · December 25, 2024

In the quiet of Christmas Eve, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica, launching what he called a "Jubilee of Hope."

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

Cindy Wooden · 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.

Israeli minister asks Pope Francis to clarify remarks about genocide claims in Gaza

Carol Glatz · December 20, 2024

Israel's minister of diaspora affairs and combating antisemitism asked Pope Francis to clarify his remarks about the need to investigate whether the current war in Gaza constitutes a genocide.

Papal charity point man driving to Ukraine for Christmas

Paulina Guzik · December 19, 2024

For Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, driving home for Christmas means taking a different route each year. In 2024, he marks his second Christmas in war-torn Ukraine.

Iraqi police intercepted terrorists planning to assassinate him, Pope Francis says

Book excerpt says suicide bombers tried to kill Pope during 2021 visit

Carol Glatz · December 17, 2024

On Pope Francis' 88th birthday, two major newspapers on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean published two different excerpts from his new book on hope.

Pope Francis praises popular piety during first-ever papal Mass in Corsica

Justin McLellan · December 16, 2024

As Pope Francis became the first pope to celebrate Mass on the French island of Corsica Dec. 15, the usual excitement of an open-air Mass with the pope was combined with the flair and pageantry of a Renaissance fair.