Vatican News

Pope sends greetings, prayers to newly elected Assyrian patriarch

September 21, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis expressed his joy and "prayerful solidarity" to the new head of the Assyrian Church of the East, 73-year-old Catholicos Gewargis III.

Pope visits Fidel Castro before formal meeting with Cuba's president

September 20, 2015

HAVANA - Although it was not part of his formal program, Pope Francis took time after Sunday Mass to visit Cuba's ailing former leader, Fidel Castro.

Holguin Catholics delighted their time has come for papal visit

September 20, 2015

HOLGUIN, Cuba - Popes have come and gone from Cuba, and this city of 300,000 or so always has prepared but never has been picked for a visit by a pope -- until now.

Cuban dissidents say they hope pope highlights human rights

September 20, 2015

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Cuba - A week before Pope Francis arrived here, the communist government agreed to pardon 3,522 prisoners, including elderly people and people under 20 with no prior offenses.

Cardinals with role in U.S.-Cuba deal present at Havana Mass

September 20, 2015

HAVANA - Pope Francis, celebrating his first Mass in Cuba, was flanked by three cardinals who, with him, have been credited with helping seal the deal between the United States and Cuba to move toward normalizing relations.

Serve people, not ideology, pope tells Cubans at Havana Mass

September 20, 2015

HAVANA - As Cubans finally face the prospects of calmer relationships and greater ease of communication and commerce with the United States, Pope Francis told the Cuban people that love and service, not anyone's ideology, are the keys to their happiness.

With Pope's arrival, 'God has his hand in Cuba'

September 20, 2015

HOLGUIN, Cuba - A pope's visit is always a blessing, but there is something special about this one, say some residents in the city of Holguin, Cuba's fourth largest city, as they prepare not just for Pope Francis' arrival to the island but also to their city.

Pope Francis arrives in Cuba calling for freedom, better U.S.-Cuba relations

September 19, 2015

HAVANA - Pope Francis began his visit to Cuba praying for greater freedom for the island's people and calling on U.S. and Cuban politicians to continue moving toward fully normal and neighborly relations.

Little engine that could: Pope coaxes Vatican to open railway to villa

September 19, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' desire for a Church whose doors are wide open isn't just a metaphor for encouraging a greater spirit of welcoming.

Pope Francis will test his diplomacy on U.S. tour

September 19, 2015

VATICAN - Pope Francis’ diplomatic style and strategy is about to be put to the test — the pontiff is set for a highly anticipated appearance at the UN as part of his U.S. tour.