Vatican News

Devastating wildfires in Chile prompt message from Pope Francis

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2017 / 10:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis sent a letter to Chile voicing his nearness to everyone suffering from the devastating effects of more than 100 wildfires, which have ravaged areas of the country for over a week now.

The letter, sent on behalf of the Holy Father by Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to the president of the Chile bishops' conference, conveys Francis' condolences for the deceased and their families in “this beloved country.”

Cardinal Etchegaray's retirement means the end of an era

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2017 / 06:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As Cardinal Roger Etchegaray leaves Rome to retire to France, his homeland, an era has closed.

He was a bishop without emblem or motto, but he was committed to peace and to the human person. Cardinal Etchegaray epitomizes all the characteristics of the modern Church. If there is something we deem to be new, it is possible he had done it already.

Pope Francis appoints two new auxiliary bishops for Milwaukee

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2017 / 07:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday the Vatican announced the appointment of two priests from Milwaukee – Fr. Jeffrey R. Haines and Fr. James T. Schuerman – to serve as auxiliary bishops for the archdiocese.

The priests have been appointed titular bishops of Tagamuta and of Girba, according to a Jan. 25 Vatican communique.

Trusting in God means letting go of what we want, Pope says

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2017 / 06:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis said having total faith and trust in God means recognizing that he always knows and wants what is best for us, even if it’s hard to accept because it doesn’t align with our own plans.

Wednesday, Pope Francis talked about what it means to have total faith and trust in God, acknowledging that he knows what is best, and always wants what is best for us, even if it is often difficult to accept.

This Argentine nun's cause for beatification is advancing

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2017 / 03:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The theological commission of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints approved last week a miracle attributed to the intercession of Mother Catalina de María Rodríguez, foundress of the Slaves of the Heart of Jesus.

Following the Jan. 19 approval, the next step for her beatification is approval of the miracle by a commission of cardinals in the congregation.

Knights of Malta Grand Master to resign at request of Pope Francis

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2017 / 02:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Knights of Malta have confirmed that Matthew Festing, the Prince and Grand Master of the Order, has agreed to submit his resignation after being asked to do so in a meeting with Pope Francis Tuesday.

“The Grand Master met the Pope yesterday evening and (Francis) asked him to resign,” Eugenio Ajroldi di Robbiate, Communications Director for the Order of Malta, told CNA Jan. 25.

There's a new leader of Opus Dei. Here's what he wants to do.

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2017 / 04:13 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The new head of Opus Dei has been confirmed by Pope Francis, and his plan for the prelature is simple.
 
“I have the desire that the prelature of Opus Dei continues to do the good it has done and is increasingly doing in service of the world, which is really the only thing that interests us: the good of the person. The good of the person which, in the final moment, is the encounter with Jesus Christ,” Monsignor Fernando Ocariz Braña told reporters Tuesday.

Pope Francis: The Christian life is about showing up

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2017 / 11:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- To live a Christian life, we can’t run away or hide from God’s will, Pope Francis said Tuesday. Rather, we must continuously show up – speaking to God in prayer and striving to do his will.

“The Christian life is this: Here I am, here I am, I continue to do the will of the Lord,” the Pope said in his homily at Santa Marta Jan. 24.

Pages