Vatican News

Dialogue with Muslims, defend human dignity, Pope tells missionaries

June 5, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Missionaries are entrusted with bringing hope to poor Christian communities while building bridges with Muslims and protecting human rights, Pope Francis told a group of men and women missionaries.

Pentecost is celebration of unity in diversity, Pope says

June 5, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Holy Spirit continues to give Christians different gifts and to call them to share those gifts with each other in a community marked by forgiveness and "unity in diversity," Pope Francis said on Pentecost.

Pope dedicates June to praying for end to arms trade

June 5, 2017

VATICAN CITY – In his latest prayer video, Pope Francis again issued a harsh condemnation of the arms trade, calling on global leaders to set personal interests aside and help to eradicate what for him is one of the greatest causes of human suffering today.

As school year ends, Pope tells students: Don't fear goodbyes, unknown

June 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Life is a long series of hellos and goodbyes, so don't be afraid to let go of the past; remember old friends, but keep moving and be open to the new, Pope Francis told students as the school year was coming to an end.

Safeguarding creation is religious obligation, Vatican officials say

June 2, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Christians and Muslims, believers in one God, have an obligation to safeguard the world God created, said the Vatican's annual message to Muslims for the end of Ramadan.

Martin Luther used medieval traditions to form his stance on justification

June 1, 2017

WASHINGTON – Martin Luther used two medieval traditions to form his position on justification – a stance that nearly 500 years later ultimately found acceptance among Catholics, according to a German Lutheran theologian and pastor.

Upcoming Rome conference to tackle safeguarding children online

May 31, 2017

ROME, Italy – An international congress in Rome this autumn will bring together experts to focus on the problem of online sexual abuse of minors and how to better safeguard children on the internet.

Vatican: Pope won't be visiting South Sudan in 2017

May 30, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Vatican spokesman Greg Burke confirmed that while Pope Francis had voiced his desire to travel to South Sudan for an ecumenical visit alongside Anglican Archbishop Justin Welby, it won’t be happening this year.

Geography and geometry: New cardinals fit Pope's formula for faith

May 28, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis, who described himself as coming from "the ends of the earth," continues to go to the far reaches of the globe to seek those who will advise him and possibly elect the next Pope.

Vatican stargazers look for divine inspiration

May 28, 2017

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy – In a forgotten corner of the pope's sprawling summer estate at Castel Gandolfo in the hills outside Rome, an unusual group of astronomers and cosmologists looks to the heavens for divine inspiration.