Vatican News

God created all people, desires to save them, Pope says on Epiphany

January 6, 2015

VATICAN CITY - In every age and in every culture, people seek God just as the Three Kings did and, in every age, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they find him in the surprising humility of a baby born in a manger, Pope Francis said.

Want to see Pope Francis’ vision for the church? Look at his new cardinals

January 5, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis reinforced his radical reshaping of the Catholic Church by naming 20 new cardinals from countries as far afield as Ethiopia, Tonga, Thailand and Panama.

Pope Francis names 15 new cardinal electors, most from global south

January 4, 2015

VATICAN CITY - Underscoring the geographical diversity of his selections, Pope Francis named 15 cardinal electors "from 14 nations of every continent, showing the inseparable link between the church of Rome and the particular churches present in the world."

New Year's Eve is time for examination of conscience, Pope says

December 31, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The end of one calendar year and the beginning of another is the perfect occasion to reflect on how well people have used the time and gifts God has given them -- especially how well people have helped the poor, Pope Francis said.

Vatican honors murdered missionaries, kidnapped priests, Ebola victims

December 30, 2014

VATICAN CITY - In addition to its annual report on church workers murdered during the year, the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples highlighted the sacrifice of pastoral workers who died of Ebola contracted while caring for others and reminded Catholics that the fates of five kidnapped priests remain unknown.

Pope Francis: Prolong Christmas joy by serving others, witnessing to Christ

December 26, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The day after Christmas, Pope Francis warned Catholics about two related temptations: giving Christmas a "false, sugary coating" and not putting the faith one professes into action.

On Christmas, Pope France urges people to hear the cry of suffering children

December 26, 2014

VATICAN CITY - The crying of Baby Jesus is not the only cry people should hear on Christmas; many children around the world are crying because of war, maltreatment and abuse, Pope Francis said.

Pope says all religious leaders must condemn Islamic State

December 23, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis deplored the "abuses and inhuman acts" of Islamic State militants, and called on all religious leaders to condemn them "unanimously and unambiguously." He also said he hoped to travel to the Middle East to comfort persecuted Christians there.

Pope warns Vatican officials of 'spiritual Alzheimer's,' other ills

December 22, 2014

VATICAN CITY - Pope Francis' Christmas greeting to the Vatican bureaucracy this year was an extended warning against a host of spiritual ills to which he said Vatican officials are prone, including "spiritual Alzheimer's," "existential schizophrenia," publicity-seeking, the "terrorism of gossip" and even a poor sense of humor.

Pope: Don't miss Christ this Christmas; take time, be ready, let him in

December 22, 2014

VATICAN CITY - God is knocking to come into people's lives, so be attentive, humble and courageous to let him in, Pope Francis said.