Vatican News

Pope Francis in Iraq, Muslim dialogue, and persecuted Christians

Vatican City, Mar 14, 2021 / 03:46 am (CNA).- Among the historic moments from the pope’s recent visit to Iraq was the establishment of a National Day of Tolerance and Coexistence, to be celebrated in Iraq every year on March 6.

Marking the inaugural celebration of the day, Pope Francis met in Najaf with the Grand Ayatollah Alì al Sistani, one of the most prominent Shiite Islam authorities, who is highly respected in Iraq and the Shiite world. 

Private Masses no longer permitted in St. Peter's Basilica

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 06:01 pm (CNA).- A new letter from the Vatican Secretariat of State has banned the private celebration of Masses at side altars in St. Peter’s Basilica, effective March 22.



The regulation might seem tailored to meet COVID restrictions, as Italy prepares to tighten its pandemic measures once again. However, the new rule appears to be permanent. 


Vatican: Peter's Pence, donations, keeping projected deficit to $60 million in 2021

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 12:01 pm (CNA).- The Vatican said Friday it plans to lower operational expenses by 8% in 2021, while it relies on donations and funds from Peter’s Pence to contain a growing deficit amid the coronavirus crisis.

The Secretariat for the Economy released a 2021 budget for the Holy See March 12, showing a projected deficit of nearly $60 million.

Pope Francis: Going to confession is 'abandoning oneself to Love'

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 10:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis said Friday that going to confession is an act of “abandoning oneself to Love,” allowing the God of love to heal and transform one’s heart.

“Experiencing confession in this way means letting oneself be transformed by Love,” Pope Francis said on March 12.

“It is the Love that was fully manifested in Jesus Christ and in his death on the cross for us,” he said in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall.

Vatican cardinal supports common Easter date for Catholics, Orthodox

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2021 / 05:00 am (CNA).- The president of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, Cardinal Kurt Koch, has supported a suggestion that Catholics and Orthodox work to agree on a common date to celebrate Easter.

A representative of the Patriarchate of Constantinople to the World Council of Churches (WCC) said a common Easter date could be a sign of “encouragement” for the ecumenical movement.

From Pius XII to Pope Francis: A brief history of general audiences

Rome Newsroom, Mar 10, 2021 / 03:30 am (CNA).- Pope Francis said Monday that he was looking forward to resuming his general audiences with the presence of the public as soon as COVID-19 conditions allow.

Until 2020, Francis had met with the public almost every Wednesday morning, either outside in St. Peter’s Square or inside the Vatican’s Pope Paul VI Audience Hall.

E-Book: 'Francis in Iraq' - Download all of Pope Francis' messages from his trip to Iraq

Vatican City, Mar 9, 2021 / 03:00 pm (CNA).- Catholic News Agency offers its readers for free in digital book format (ebook) all the homilies, prayers and speeches of Pope Francis on his historic trip to Iraq.

The Holy Father was in Iraq from March 5 to 8, as a pilgrim who went to visit a martyred Church and a people who have suffered decades of war and violence.

Below, Catholic News Agency shares the free download links:

Pages