Vatican News

New Vatican manual warns that sex is not just for pleasure

August 26, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Sex should be focused on love, not egotism or pleasure, according to the Vatican.

Retired Pope Benedict says it was his 'duty' to resign from papacy

August 25, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Retired Pope Benedict XVI said in an interview that he felt a "duty" to resign from the papacy because of his declining health and the rigorous demands of papal travel.

Farrell headed to Vatican, says importance of marriage, family vocation at core for society's future

August 18, 2016

DALLAS – The importance of the vocation of marriage and the family is at the core for the future of not only the Catholic Church, but of society, Bishop Kevin J. Farrell of Dallas said at a news conference Aug. 17.

Pope: Mercy, pastoral care should guide research on life, family

August 18, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Appointing Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia as the new chancellor for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family and new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Pope Francis said he wanted to make sure the two bodies help the church offer better care to people who are hurting.

Unlocking forgiveness: Vatican tribunal promotes pardon

August 14, 2016

VATICAN CITY – The Apostolic Penitentiary has nothing to do with a jail cell and everything to do with ensuring repentant sinners experience God's mercy.

Pope names six women, six men to panel to study women deacons

August 2, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis has appointed six men and six women to a commission to study the issue of women deacons, particularly their ministry in the early church.

Pope makes surprise visit to Latin American commission office

July 14, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Members of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America were holding their daily staff meeting when an unexpected visitor came to their door: Pope Francis.

Vatican court recognizes press freedom, acquits journalists

July 7, 2016

VATICAN CITY – A Vatican court, citing freedom of the press, acquitted two journalists who published confidential documents while their source, a Spanish monsignor, was sentenced to 18 months behind bars.

Prosecutors request jail time for defendants at Vatican trial

July 6, 2016

VATICAN CITY – As the Vatican trial of five people accused of complicity in leaking private documents moved toward a conclusion, Vatican prosecutors requested that four of the five defendants be convicted and that three of them serve jail time.

Pope says critics won't stop him from pursuing vision for church

July 5, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis said he will continue pressing for a church that is open and understanding despite opposition from some clerics who "say no to everything."