Vatican News

Religious say helping victims will entail stopping traffickers, demand

February 3, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Bringing the light of hope to ending human trafficking means confronting the brutal "darkness" of evil that is driving those who exploit others, said a number of women religious helping victims.

Vatican to offer haircuts, shaves as well as showers to Rome’s homeless

February 2, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican will offer homeless people in Rome not only showers but also haircuts and shaves when new facilities open next month, the head of Pope Francis’ charity office said.

Become islands of mercy in the sea of world's indifference, Pope says

January 27, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Christians are called to overcome apathy, discouragement and pretentions of self-sufficiency by letting God enter into their hearts, making them joyful, merciful and strong, Pope Francis said.

Sainthood cause of Focolare's founder officially opens in Italy

January 24, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The sainthood cause of the founder of the Focolare movement, Chiara Lubich, was to open officially Jan. 27 in the cathedral of the Italian Diocese of Frascati, which includes the town where the international lay movement is based.

Poverty stems from unjust economic system, not big families, Pope says

January 21, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Families who have lots of children do not cause poverty, Pope Francis said.

Vatican clarifies Pope's comments on Charlie Hebdo attack

January 15, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican Press Office has issued a "clarification" to state that Pope Francis was not justifying last week's terrorist attacks in Paris after he told journalists that people who "provoke" can "expect a punch."

Bishops appointed for Chaldean Church in Toronto, Sydney, Baghdad

January 15, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis named new bishops for Chaldean Catholics in Toronto and Sydney and confirmed the election of a Chaldean priest, who is currently ministering in Detroit, to be a new auxiliary bishop in Baghdad.

Vatican downplays report that it’s under threat from Islamic terrorists

January 12, 2015

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican rejected reports that it could be the next target of Islamist terrorists after last week’s deadly attacks in France.

Pope to diplomats: Rejecting God, people, nature leads to conflict

January 12, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Highlighting some of the most urgent conflicts facing the world, Pope Francis said such strife and injustices were rooted in a culture of rejection that refuses to recognize God, to protect nature and to respect other human beings.

Panel advising Vatican unanimous that Archbishop Romero is a martyr

January 9, 2015

VATICAN CITY - A panel of theologians advising the Vatican's Congregation for Saints' Causes voted unanimously to recognize the late Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero as a martyr, according to the newspaper of the Italian bishops' conference.