Vatican News

Pope Francis marries young deaf couple at Casa Santa Marta

Vatican City, Jul 20, 2016 / 06:21 am (CNA).- Pope Francis does not ordinarily celebrate the Sacrament of Matrimony. But on July 9, he made an exception for a young Italian deaf couple, who were married in the chapel at his residence, Casa Santa Marta.

Teodoro Pisciottani and Paulina Szczepanska received the rare blessing of being united in marriage by the Holy Father, an unforgettable story that they will one day be able to tell to their children.

Pope leads prayers for victims of Nice attack

Vatican City, Jul 17, 2016 / 06:47 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday, Pope Francis led the crowds in St. Peter's Square in prayers for the victims of Thursday's attack in Nice which left more than 80 people dead, including ten children.

“The pain of the massacre is alive in our hearts,” the Pope said during his post-Angelus address for July 17, during which he lamented the loss of “many innocent lives, even children,” who were “mowed down” during the attack.  

As reforms roll out, Pope Francis proves a man of his word

Vatican City, Jul 15, 2016 / 03:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Several recent appointments by Pope Francis to Vatican departments show that his reform of the Roman Curia is in tune with what he's said from the beginning about his vision for the Church.

When we look at what Francis has preached about since practically his first day in office, three biggies come to mind: a Church that's less clerical, has a stronger lay involvement and a greater presence of women.

Vatican condemns Nice attack as 'homicidal madness'

Vatican City, Jul 15, 2016 / 02:52 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Updated July 15, 2016, at 12:23 local time to include a letter from the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, to Archbishop André Marceau, head of the diocese of Nice.

After a truck plowed through crowds celebrating Bastille Day in the French city of Nice, killing 84, Pope Francis voiced his sorrow for the act of “blind violence,” and assured the French people of his prayers.

What the Holy See has to say about conflict in the Middle East

Vatican City, Jul 15, 2016 / 12:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- If peace is to be achieved in the Middle East, it will be a joint effort, requiring the cooperation of political authorizes, religious leaders and civilians, said the Holy See’s representative at the United Nations.

“The Holy See believes that peace processes do not depend solely on formal negotiations, no matter how indispensable these may be,” said Archbishop Bernardito Auza, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the U.N.

The tale of Fr. Brochero: Gaucho priest, devil's worst nightmare

Vatican City, Jul 14, 2016 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- If Jose Brochero doesn't sound like a Gaucho name, nothing does.

Earlier this year, Pope Francis announced Oct. 16 as the canonization date for Blessed Brochero, a fellow countryman from Argentina also known as the “Gaucho priest.”

He was beatified in Sept. 2013 by Pope Francis, who said Fr. Brochero was a priest who truly “smelled of his sheep.”

Vatican department for Latin America gets surprise visit from Pope Francis

Vatican City, Jul 13, 2016 / 10:35 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After a trip to the dentist Wednesday, Pope Francis made the spontaneous decision to stop by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America – a visit one official says demonstrates his close pastoral concern for those in his care.

“It was a very exciting moment for everyone,” Fr. Jose Tola, an official of the department, told CNA July 13 following the Pope’s visit.

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