Vatican News

Pope establishes new dicastery for laity, family, life

October 23, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis announced he is establishing a new office for laity, family and life, which combines the responsibilities of two pontifical councils.

Women fear their voices will be sidelined in Catholic synod’s final report

October 22, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The rows of seats in the Synod hall, where Catholic bishops are meeting to discuss family issues, are filled with bishops and cardinals — all male. To find any women, look to the back of the room.

Final report to be a general guide, not hard answers, says cardinal

October 22, 2015

VATICAN CITY - After nearly three weeks of intense discussion and debate, the Synod of Bishop's final document on the family was not expected to have any hard-hitting answers, a member of the drafting commission said.

Apologies and processes: Synod groups end with varied offerings

October 22, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Two of the 13 final small-group reports of the Synod of Bishops for the family contained apologies: one for ways in which a lack of pastoral care may have contributed to the breakdown of marriages and one for "harsh and merciless" attitudes toward unwed mothers and their children, the divorced and homosexuals.

Vatican urges UN to seek equitable sharing of space technology

October 21, 2015

UNITED NATIONS - The information and services that space technology provides must be shared as much as possible by the countries of the world to reduce the risk that economic and social inequalities will widen, a Vatican official told the United Nations.

A look inside the Synod hall

October 21, 2015

Inside the Synod hall, things look very different from media reports about conservatives debating liberals over communion for divorced and remarried Catholics, said theologian and Synod auditor Moira McQueen.

Claims Pope has tumour 'entirely unfounded'

October 21, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said an Italian newspaper's claims about the Pope's health were "entirely unfounded."

Discourage mixed marriages, women accepting abuse, some say at Synod

October 20, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Observers told the Synod of Bishops on the Family to discourage Christian women from marrying Muslim men, urge priests not to tell women to return to abusive husbands, share the truth of Church teaching about marriage and embrace single mothers who are alienated from the Church.

Clash of the archbishops: Synod dispute between senior U.S. churchmen goes public

October 20, 2015

ROME - The eight American bishops taking part in the Synod on family life stay at a huge seminary built high on a hill overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica and the rest of the Eternal City. It’s a lovely place with spacious apartments for each bishop and any amenity they might need.

Pope calls for 'synodal' church where all listen, learn, share mission

October 19, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Marking the 50th anniversary of the Synod of Bishops, Pope Francis outlined his vision for a church that is "synodal" at every level, with everyone listening to one another, learning from one another and taking responsibility for proclaiming the Gospel.