Vatican News

You can’t receive mercy without sharing it, Pope says

Vatican City, Apr 2, 2016 / 12:36 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Receiving God’s mercy ignites in us the drive to become “instruments of mercy,” especially to the weakest and the marginalized, Pope Francis said Saturday at a vigil for the feast of Divine Mercy.

“The more we receive, the more we are called to share it with others; it cannot be kept hidden or kept only for ourselves,” he said, addressing those gathered in St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican remembers the "unconventionally angelic" Mother Angelica

Vatican City, Apr 2, 2016 / 10:20 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After the death of Mother Angelica, founder of EWTN, on Easter Sunday, many in and around the Vatican praised the bold nun’s courageous witness at a time of crisis in the Church, and expressed their appreciation for the work EWTN continues to do.

Pope Francis sends vestments, financial aid to Iraqi Christians

Vatican City, Mar 31, 2016 / 01:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- As a sign of affection and closeness, Pope Francis has decided to send vestments used in the liturgy and a financial donation to Christian refugees in Erbil through the Catholic pastoral charity Aid to the Church in Need.

Pope Francis' post-synod doc to be released April 8

Vatican City, Mar 31, 2016 / 04:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican announced Thursday that Pope Francis’ highly anticipated post-synodal apostolic exhortation on the gifts and challenges of family life will be published April 8.

Titled “Amoris Laetitia,” on love in the family, the document will officially be presented to journalists next Friday, April 8, in Italian, French, English, German, Spanish and Portuguese.

'She's in heaven' – Pope Francis on Mother Angelica

Vatican City, Mar 30, 2016 / 06:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Wednesday offered a special blessing for Mother Angelica following her death on Easter Sunday, expressing his confidence that she is already in heaven.

“She’s in heaven.” The Pope pointed to the sky as he spoke these words to members of EWTN’s Rome bureau, who brought an image of the late Poor Clare nun to his March 30 general audience as a sign of affection and remembrance.

Vatican spokesman recalls joy of meeting Mother Angelica

Vatican City, Mar 29, 2016 / 11:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After hearing of the death of Mother Angelica on Easter Sunday, Fr. Federico Lombardi, the Vatican’s spokesman, recalled the joy of being able to meet the nun several years ago in Birmingham, Alabama.

Mother Angelica was “a great witness and a missionary apostle,” Fr. Lombardi told CNA March 28, expressing his hope “that she prays for us more than we for her.”

Benedict XVI responds to Mother Angelica's death

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2016 / 02:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Benedict XVI had a special response to Mother Angelica’s death falling on Easter Sunday: “it’s a gift.”

Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Benedict’s personal secretary, told CNA about the Pope emeritus’ comment March 28.

Pope condemns 'cowardly' attack on Pakistani Christians

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2016 / 04:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Monday mourned the loss of life in Pakistan, where more than 70 people – mostly women and children -- were killed Sunday after a suicide attack on Christians who were celebrating Easter at a public park.

Pope prays for victims of terror strike at Iraq football stadium

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2016 / 06:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has sent a his condolences following the suicide attack against a football stadium in Iskanderiyah, Iraq which killed more than 30 people last week, many of them young boys.

The Pope was “saddened by the news of the great loss of life” caused by the attack, said the message which was addressed to Archbishop, Alberto Ortega Martín Apostolic Nuncio to Iraq, and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Pope: Easter message brings hope to victims of terrorism, persecution

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2016 / 05:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his Urbi et Orbi message for Easter, Pope Francis encouraged victims of terrorism and Christian persecution to find hope in the Lord’s resurrection.

Retreat House Bandra