Vatican News

What can Vatican-China relations learn from Vietnam?

Vatican City, Nov 3, 2016 / 12:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Amid reports of a possible agreement concerning the appointment of Chinese bishops, it is useful to look at the Church’s relations with Vietnam as a possible model for the development of relations between China and the Holy See.

Full text: Pope Francis' in-flight presser from Sweden

Aboard the papal plane, Nov 1, 2016 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his flight from Sweden to Rome on Tuesday, Pope Francis gave a press conference to the journalists assembled aboard the papal plane. He reflected on refugees, the ordination of women, ecumenism, and the crisis in Venezuela.

He also addressed secularization, human trafficking, and his possible international trips in the coming year.

Pope Francis reiterates a strong 'no' to women priests

Aboard the papal plane, Nov 1, 2016 / 10:36 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During a press conference Tuesday aboard the papal plane from Sweden to Rome, Pope Francis said the issue of women priests has been clearly decided, while also clarifying the essential role of women in the Catholic Church.

“On the ordination of women in the Catholic Church, the final word is clear, it was said by St. John Paul II and this remains,” Pope Francis told journalists Nov. 1.

With God alone Christian unity is possible, Pope says in Sweden

Vatican City, Oct 31, 2016 / 11:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Hours after landing in Sweden Pope Francis said that without God we can do nothing, but with him Catholics and Lutherans can work toward greater unity – not in order to forget the past, but to heal it so all Christians can be better witnesses of God’s mercy.

“Jesus reminds us: ‘Apart from me, you can do nothing.’ He is the one who sustains us and spurs us on to find ways to make our unity ever more visible,” the Pope said Oct. 31.

Pope prays for central Italy after second major earthquake

Vatican City, Oct 30, 2016 / 06:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday Pope Francis expressed his nearness to everyone affected by an earthquake which hit central Italy Sunday morning, asking for the Blessed Virgin Mary to watch over them.

Pope Francis talks Sweden, Catholic-Lutheran dialogue in new interview

Vatican City, Oct 28, 2016 / 08:15 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Ahead of his upcoming trip to Sweden for the joint commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Pope Francis granted a lengthy, wide-ranging interview to a Jesuit magazine in which he talks about his expectations, and Catholic-Lutheran unity.

When asked about his hopes for his upcoming trip to Sweden, Pope Francis said “I can think of only one word to say: to come close.”

Theology and pastoral care 'go hand in hand', Pope tells JPII Institute

Vatican City, Oct 27, 2016 / 04:51 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Doctrine and theological reflection are to be formed by its evangelizing purpose and by pastoral concerns, Pope Francis told the faculty and students of the John Paul II Institute on Thursday.

Catholic-Lutheran hurdles still exist, but surprising progress has been made

Vatican City, Oct 27, 2016 / 12:11 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Ahead of Pope Francis’ coming trip to Sweden to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Catholic and Lutheran leaders have said that while there is still a long way to go toward unity, seemingly impossible steps have already been made.

Rome's poor to be guests of honor at Vatican concert

Vatican City, Oct 26, 2016 / 10:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican will host a concert for the poor and homeless of Rome next month, not only using the concert to raise money for Pope Francis’ charities, but also inviting the poor to attend as the guests of honor.

To welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Oct 26, 2016 / 05:09 am (Aid to the Church in Need).- When we perform the corporal works of mercy – specifically welcoming the stranger in the form migrants and refugees – we are welcoming Christ in them, and helping to restore their full dignity as humans, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

“These works, in fact, make evident that Christians are not tired and lazy in waiting for the final encounter with the Lord, but every day go out, recognizing his face in the many people asking for help.”

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