Vatican News

Vatican welcomes its first family of refugees following Pope's appeal

September 18, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Embracing Pope Francis' request to sponsor a refugee family, the Vatican's St. Anne parish has welcomed a family of four from Damascus, Syria.

Proposal to loosen Anglican Communion ties draws mixed responses

September 17, 2015

A proposal to loosen the ties of the bitterly divided Anglican Communion drew mostly favourable reactions in Britain, while African prelates said they needed time to study the matter.

No one can pretend not to know Syrians, Iraqis are suffering, Pope says

September 17, 2015

Millions of Iraqis and Syrians are facing poverty and even death, neighbouring countries are bearing more than their fair share of the burden of helping refugees, arms dealers are getting richer and the international community seems helpless, Pope Francis said.

Pope has high hopes for his 'mission' to Cuba-U.S., asks for prayers

September 16, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis asked for prayers for his trip to Cuba and the United States, calling it "a mission" he had high hopes for.

Pope Francis appoints 18 couples to attend Synod of Bishops on family

September 15, 2015

VATICAN CITY - More than 360 participants, including 18 married couples from around the world, were expected to attend October's Synod of Bishops on the family.

Church beatifies South African teacher killed for resisting witchcraft

September 15, 2015

CAPE TOWN, South Africa - South African Benedict Daswa, who was bludgeoned to death 25 years ago for resisting witchcraft, now has the title of blessed.

50 prison inmates tour Vatican Gardens, Sistine Chapel

September 14, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Fifty inmates from a Rome jail were given a private tour of the Vatican Museums on Sunday (Sept. 13), setting the tone for Pope Francis’ visit to a U.S. prison later this month and emphasizing his concern for people on the margins.

With Pope Francis, Catholic Church takes a new angle on the supernatural

September 13, 2015

When Pope Francis visits the United States this month, most Americans will welcome him as a plainspoken champion of the voiceless, whose openness to change has brought new energy to the Catholic Church.

Vatican upholds Spanish bishop's refusal to allow transsexual to be godparent

September 10, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican's doctrinal congregation upheld a Spanish bishop's refusal to allow a transsexual person to be a godparent.

Marriage is forever: Pope's reform requires proof union was invalid

September 10, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' reformed rules for marriage annulment cases, making the process simpler, quicker and less expensive, respond to calls that bishops from around the world have been making since before the 1980 Synod of Bishops on the family convoked by St. John Paul II.