Vatican News

Swiss Guards look to expand ranks as new members are sworn in

Vatican City, May 5, 2018 / 12:55 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- As 33 new Swiss Guards prepare to take an oath Sunday, the entire army is preparing to expand its ranks by two dozen members to respond to increasing administrative demands while ensuring guards are not overworked.

Evangelization is a priority, Francis tells Neocatechumenal Way

Rome, Italy, May 5, 2018 / 05:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Catholics have a mission to evangelize, teaching people that God never tires of loving them, Pope Francis said to members of the Neocatechumenal Way Saturday at a gathering for the 50th anniversary of the movement.

I feel like speaking to you from the heart about “the mission, about evangelization, which is the priority of the Church today,” the pope said May 5.

Prayer necessary for consecrated life, Pope Francis notes

Vatican City, May 4, 2018 / 04:46 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Prayer, poverty, and patience are essential to living religious life, Pope Francis said Friday to a gathering of consecrated men and women.

The pope set aside his prepared remarks and spoke extemporaneously May 4 at the Vatican's Paul VI Hall to some 700 participants in a conference organized by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.

Former Vatican communications chief gives talk on fake news

Vatican City, May 4, 2018 / 12:51 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Six weeks after resigning as head of the Vatican communications office over a fake news controversy, Msgr. Dario Edoardo Vigano gave a talk on the subject of fake news at a high-profile conference in Rome.

Pope Francis extends mandate of special delegate to Knights of Malta

Vatican City, May 4, 2018 / 05:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fifteen months after appointing Archbishop Giovanni Angelo Becciu as his personal envoy to the Knights of Malta, Pope Francis extended the original mandate, requesting that the bishop stay in the post until the order has concluded its reform.

Analysis: Who misinformed Pope Francis about Bishop Barros?

Vatican City, May 3, 2018 / 04:01 pm (CNA).- On Wednesday, three Chilean survivors of clerical sexual abuse held a press conference to discuss recent conversations with Pope Francis about the circumstances of their abuse.

Vatican requests courses to fill ‘urgent need’ for training in canon law

Vatican City, May 3, 2018 / 01:38 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican issued guidelines and norms Thursday for calling for new courses in canon law, designed to respond to a worldwide, “urgent need” for more people with adequate training on the topic of marriage annulments in Church law.

In May prayer video, Pope asks laity to live creatively their mission

Vatican City, May 3, 2018 / 08:53 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his prayer video for the month of May, Pope Francis said laypeople are on the “front lines” of the Church's life and activities, and asked Catholics of all states and vocations to pray for the laity and their mission.

Meeting abuse survivors, Pope apologizes for being 'part of the problem'

Vatican City, May 2, 2018 / 11:13 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After meeting with Pope Francis over the weekend, Chilean survivors of clerical sexual abuse said the pontiff was open, sympathetic and deeply impacted by the situation, at one point voicing sorrow for having been “part of the problem.”

Knights of Malta elect Dalla Torre 80th Grand Master

Vatican City, May 2, 2018 / 09:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fra’ Giacomo Dalla Torre was elected Wednesday the 80th Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, a position usually held for life. Dalla Torre’s predecessor, Matthew Festing, resigned from the position in 2017.

The election took place May 2, and was conducted by the 54 members of the Council Complete of State, the electing body of the order. Pope Francis was informed of the election result by letter.

Retreat House Bandra