Vatican News

Vatican unveils 'lost' Renaissance painting of the deposition of Christ

Justin McLellan · March 18, 2025

A painting of Christ being laid in the tomb, long hidden under layers of overpainting and forgotten by history, will once again be visible to the public in an upcoming exhibit at the Vatican.

King Charles, Queen Camilla hope to meet pope at Vatican in April

Cindy Wooden · March 18, 2025

Britain's King Charles III and Queen Camilla confirmed their plans to meet at the Vatican with Pope Francis in early April in an announcement March 18.

Pope Francis approves next phase of synod, setting path to 2028 assembly

Justin McLellan · March 17, 2025

Pope Francis has approved the next phase of the Synod of Bishops on synodality, launching a three-year implementation process that will culminate in an ecclesial assembly at the Vatican in October 2028.

Improved condition means Pope Francis can briefly go without supplemental oxygen

Carol Glatz · March 17, 2025

Pope Francis has been able to spend brief moments of the day without any supplemental oxygen, which is yet another sign of the gradual improvement in his condition, the Vatican press office said.

Vatican releases first photo of Pope Francis since his hospitalization

Cindy Wooden · March 17, 2025

For the first time since Pope Francis was hospitalized in mid-February, the Vatican press office released a photograph of him March 16; the image shows him concelebrating Mass that morning in the chapel of his suite of rooms at Rome's Gemelli hospital.

Pope Francis stable, has reduced need for oxygen overnight

Justin McLellan · March 17, 2025

After more than a month in the hospital, Pope Francis' condition continues to be stable, the Vatican said March 15, and he gradually is "reducing the need for noninvasive mechanical ventilation at night."

Pope Francis' chest x-ray confirms his improvement, doctors say

Cindy Wooden · March 12, 2025

Pope Francis' condition continues to be stable and a chest x-ray "confirmed the improvements recorded in the previous days," his doctors said, but without saying his double pneumonia had cleared up completely.

Papal anniversary: For 12 years he's said, 'Don't forget to pray for me'

Cindy Wooden · March 11, 2025

As Pope Francis prepared to spend the 12th anniversary of his election at Rome's Gemelli hospital, people at the Vatican and around the world were responding to his most frequent personal request.

Pope Francis out of danger but to remain in hospital

Justin McLellan · March 11, 2025

Pope Francis is no longer considered in imminent danger from his lung infection, but he will remain in Rome's Gemelli hospital for several more days to continue receiving medical treatment, the Vatican said.

Pope Francis follows Lenten retreat from hospital; his condition remains stable

Carol Glatz · March 10, 2025

As Pope Francis' condition remains stable, which is a sign of continued improvement, he followed the start of the Lenten retreat for the Roman Curia by video linkup and met again with two top Vatican officials to stay abreast of current events, the Vatican press office said.