Vatican News

With document on evangelization, Pope makes real authorial debut

November 22, 2013

VATICAN CITY - With his apostolic exhortation "Evangelii Gaudium" (The Joy of the Gospel), which the Vatican has scheduled for publication Nov. 26, Pope Francis finally makes his real debut as papal author.

Pope prays for peace, full religious freedom for all in Middle East

November 21, 2013

VATICAN CITY - After a two-hour private meeting with the patriarchs and major archbishops of the Eastern Catholic churches, Pope Francis prayed for peace and full religious freedom throughout the Middle East.

Year of Faith coming to an end

November 21, 2013

NAZARETH - Archbishop Fouad Tawl, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, urged “faith and only faith” during a Mass celebrated Nov. 17 in the city of Jesus’ childhood to mark the final week of the Year of Faith.

Pope's embrace was heavenly, says man with disfiguring disease

November 19, 2013

VATICAN CITY - For someone who has frequently been shunned and humiliated because of a disease that has severely disfigured his entire body, receiving the pope's loving embrace was like being in paradise.

Pope Francis' first apostolic exhortation to be published Nov. 26

November 18, 2013

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican will publish Pope Francis' first apostolic exhortation Nov. 26, two days after he formally delivers it to the church at a Mass concluding the 2012-13 Year of Faith.

Women religious ask pope for world day of prayer against trafficking

November 4, 2013

VATICAN CITY - After Pope Francis entrusted two Vatican academies to study the problem of human trafficking, a group of women religious asked the pope to raise greater awareness in the church about the issue by establishing a worldwide day of prayer and fasting.

Getting to meet, understand the other: the path to peace

November 2, 2013

Interfaith dialogue doesn’t start with an exchange of creeds or comparison of theologies. It begins with friendship.

Saints aren't superheroes, they just never strayed from God, pope says

November 1, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Saints aren't superheroes, they are regular people who just never left God's side after encountering Him and His love, Pope Francis said on the feast of All Saints.

Bishops asked to assess marriage, family life to prepare for synod

November 1, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Bishops around the world are being asked to take a realistic look at the situation of families under their care and at how effective pastoral and educational programs have been at promoting Church teaching on sexuality, marriage and family life.

Pope Francis set to create first batch of cardinals in February

October 31, 2013

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis will create his first cardinals during a consistory Feb. 22, the feast of the Chair of St. Peter.