Vatican News

Ratzinger prize recipients include first-ever Orthodox winner

Vatican City, Oct 20, 2016 / 10:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Among the recipients of this year’s Ratzinger Prize is Greek-born Orthodox professor Ioannis Kourempeles, who is widely known for his extensive teaching career and work in dogmatic theology.

The two winners of the 2016 prize were announced Oct. 18, and, in addition to Kourempeles, include Italian priest Msgr. Inos Biffi, whose career has focused largely on the history of theology and medieval philosophy.

The reality of poverty is challenging, but don't avoid it, Pope says

Vatican City, Oct 19, 2016 / 04:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis said that while donating money to charity might make us feel good, seeing real poverty in the flesh is a challenge we have to face, rather than trying to avoid it.

“Poverty in the abstract doesn’t challenge us, it makes us think, lament, but when you see poverty in the flesh of a man, woman or child, yes, this challenges us,” he said Oct. 19.

A lesson from one of the Church's newest saints

Vatican City, Oct 18, 2016 / 02:46 pm (CNA).- When we find ourselves weary from the troubles of life, we can find inspiration in the heroism of one of the Church’s new saints, said Cardinal Alberto Suarez Inda of Morelia, Mexico.

Cardinals up in arms over new 'McVatican' proposal

Vatican City, Oct 18, 2016 / 09:27 am (CNA).- The decision to open a McDonald’s restaurant inside a Vatican property just around the corner from St. Peter’s Square has been met harsh criticism from cardinals who live in the building.

But the man in charge of rolling out the project says the plan is moving forward despite disagreement.

Pope's Iraq envoy says peace stifled by lack of 'political will'

Vatican City, Oct 17, 2016 / 01:40 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Alberto Ortega, the Pope's Apostolic Nuncio in Iraq and Jordan, has said that in the midst of a drawn-out humanitarian crisis and ongoing feelings of mistrust and betrayal, Christians can be a sign of reconciliation where political efforts continue to fall short.

Francis, Benedict praise Bartholomew I as a brother in faith

Vatican City, Oct 17, 2016 / 10:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In their forewords to a new book about the head of the Eastern Orthodox Church Patriarch Bartholomew I, Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI praised the faith and goodness of the ecumenical patriarch.

“Today, we brothers in the faith and hope that does not disappoint, we are deeply united in the desire that Christians of the East and the West can feel part of the one and only Church,” Pope Francis wrote.

Pope Francis to visit Italian diocese of Genoa May 27

Vatican City, Oct 17, 2016 / 02:37 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Shortly after their bishop was named the new president of the Council of Catholic Episcopal Conferences in Europe, the Archdiocese of Genoa announced that Pope Francis will be make a daytrip to the city this coming spring.

Pope at canonization Mass: Prayer isn’t always easy, pray anyway

Rome, Italy, Oct 16, 2016 / 06:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday, Pope Francis canonized seven new saints in the Catholic Church, saying that prayer isn’t always a smooth path, but that like the saints, Christ supports us even when it is difficult.

“The saints are men and women who enter fully into the mystery of prayer. Men and women who struggle with prayer, letting the Holy Spirit pray and struggle in them,” Pope Francis said Oct. 16.

Have grandkids? Pope Francis wants you to talk with them

Rome, Italy, Oct 15, 2016 / 11:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday, Pope Francis told grandparents that they are valuable and that their wisdom should be shared with the younger generation, to help them grow and to support them in their faith.

“And talk to your grandchildren, talk. Let them ask you questions,” he said. They may be different from you, they may do other things, “they like other music... but they need the elderly, this ongoing dialogue.”

Pope Francis’ delayed Milan trip to take place in March

Vatican City, Oct 15, 2016 / 05:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After having to postpone the trip earlier this year, because of an over-full schedule for the Jubilee of Mercy, Pope Francis will travel to Milan on March 25, 2017, the Vatican announced Saturday.

“This visit of the Holy Father is a sign of affection and esteem for the Ambrosian Church, the city of Milan and the whole of Lombardy,” Milan’s Archbishop, Cardinal Angelo Scola, said in a statement about the visit.

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