Vatican News

Pope names Rome auxiliary bishop to be his vicar for the city

May 26, 2017

VATICAN CITY – As his vicar for the Diocese of Rome, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Angelo De Donatis, an auxiliary bishop and well-known spiritual director, who led Pope Francis' first Lenten retreat as pope.

Vatican's U.N. official: Migration should be a choice, not 'something forced'

May 25, 2017

UNITED NATIONS – Migration should be "a choice rather than something forced or involuntary," said Philippine Archbishop Bernardito Auza, the Vatican's permanent observer to the United Nations.

Trump promises to heed words of Pope Francis

May 24, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis and U.S. President Donald Trump spent 30 minutes speaking privately in the library of the Apostolic Palace May 24, and as the president left, he told the Pope, "I won't forget what you said."

Pope announces new cardinals from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos, Salvador

May 23, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis announced he will create five new cardinals June 28; the new cardinals-designate come from Mali, Spain, Sweden, Laos and El Salvador.

Prudence, pastoral concern guides Medjugorje commission, member says

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – If the Catholic Church recognizes as "worthy of belief" only the initial alleged apparitions of Mary at Medjugorje, it would be the first time the church distinguished between phases of a single event, but it also would acknowledge that human beings and a host of complicating factors are involved, said a theological expert in Mariology.

Vatican, Jewish museums explore menorah in art and dark legend

May 21, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican Museums and the Jewish Museum of Rome are exploring together the significance of the menorah, although they also give a nod to the centuries-old legend that the Vatican is hiding the golden menorah from the Temple of Jerusalem.

Pope goes door-to-door, blessing the homes of the poor

May 19, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Like parish priests throughout Italy do during the Easter season, Pope Francis spent an afternoon May 19 going door-to-door and blessing homes.

Illness a reminder of life's value, Pope tells Huntington's patients

May 18, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The frailty associated with illnesses like Huntington's disease is not a reason to shun the sick but a reminder of the value of life, Pope Francis said.

Vatican finance watchdog intensifies outreach to foreign authorities

May 16, 2017

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican's financial watchdog agency has beefed up its investigations with increased outreach to foreign authorities in a continued effort to prevent suspected money laundering and the financing of terrorism.

Pope wants synod dedicated to people in Amazon, archbishop says

May 16, 2017

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis is considering dedicating a meeting of the Synod of Bishops to the concerns of the indigenous people of the Amazon region, a Peruvian archbishop said.