Vatican News

Pope Francis creates new path to beatification under ‘offering of life’

July 11, 2017

VATICAN CITY – On Tuesday Pope Francis declared a new category of Christian life suitable for consideration of beatification called “offering of life” – in which a person has died prematurely through an offering of their life for love of God and neighbour.

Pope Francis to beatify Colombian martyrs during September visit

July 10, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis will beatify a priest and a bishop martyred in Colombia when he visits the country in September, a Vatican spokesman said.

Vatican calls on bishops to prevent Eucharistic abuse in their dioceses

July 10, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In a new letter to bishops, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments denounced abuses against the Eucharist and "lack of respect in the sacred sphere," and reiterated existing norms regarding the Eucharist at Mass.

Twentieth century Polish nurse among causes advancing toward sainthood

July 10, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis on Friday approved a miracle attributed to the intercession of the Venerable Hanna Chrzanowska, a Polish nurse and nursing instructor who died from cancer in 1973, paving the way for her beatification.

Joaquin Navarro-Valls, former Vatican spokesman, dies of cancer

July 6, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Joaquin Navarro-Valls, who spent 22 years as director of the Vatican press office, died at home in Rome July 5 at age 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Pope dedicates July to praying for those distant from the faith

July 6, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In his prayer video for the month of July, Pope Francis has asked Christians to join him in praying for those who have strayed from the faith, providing hope to them through the witness of our joy and actions.

Cardinal Joachim Meisner, one of four 'dubia’ cardinals, dies at age 83

July 5, 2017

BAD FUSSING, Germany – Cardinal Joachim Meisner, archbishop emeritus of Cologne, Germany and one of four cardinals who sent the "dubia" to Pope Francis last year, passed away Wednesday morning at the age of 83.

Vatican-owned paediatric hospital is fixing past problems, says overseer

July 5, 2017

VATICAN CITY – While there had been problems and complaints in the past, the Vatican-owned Bambino Gesu Children's Hospital was working resolve them, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican secretary of state, who oversees the hospital.

Cardinal Muller: There's no problem between me, Pope Francis

July 4, 2017

VATICAN – In a brief interview given just hours after hearing that he would no longer be heading the Vatican's doctrine office, Cardinal Gerhard Muller said the decision was normal, and was not the result of conflict between him and Pope Francis.

Cardinal Muller is out after one term at doctrine office

July 4, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Promoting the secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith to the office of prefect, Pope Francis chose not to ask German Cardinal Gerhard Muller to serve a second five-year term in the post.