Vatican News

Let yourselves be moved by hope, Pope says at Easter Vigil

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2016 / 03:38 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During the Easter Vigil, Pope Francis told attendees not to be overcome by sadness in the face of life’s difficulties, but to be open to hope, which is not the absence of problems, but is a gift from God when we allow him to enter our lives.

“We, like Peter and the women, cannot discover life by being sad, bereft of hope,” the Pope said March 26.

Mercy will save the world: papal preacher's Good Friday meditation

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2016 / 11:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Remembering this week's deadly terror attack in Brussels, the papal preacher centered his Good Friday reflection on mercy's role in saving the world.

“The opposite of mercy is not justice but vengeance,” said Father Raniero Cantalamessa, OFM Cap, in his sermon for the Celebration of Our Lord's Passion in St. Peter's Basilica March 25.

Archbishop Bernard Hebda 'honored' to head Minn. diocese

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2016 / 07:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has named Archbishop Bernard A. Hebda as the new head of the Minneapolis-St. Paul archdiocese – a surprise move for the archbishop, who was expected to take over the diocese of Newark in July.

In a March 24 press release, Archbishop Hebda said that he was “humbled by this expression of Pope Francis’s confidence.”

Your task is to incarnate mercy, Pope Francis tells priests

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2016 / 04:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Pope Francis focused on the topic of mercy, telling priests that one of their primary tasks is to make mercy visible in the same way as Jesus, who always gave it in excess.

“As priests, we are witnesses to and ministers of the ever-increasing abundance of the Father’s mercy; we have the rewarding and consoling task of incarnating mercy, as Jesus did,” the Pope said March 24.

What does it mean to be a bishop – and a Vatican diplomat?

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2016 / 03:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- For Archbishop Peter Wells, the Pope’s new ambassador to South Africa, being in the diplomatic service of the Holy See isn’t about politics or governing,  but is  above all a ministry centered on Jesus Christ.

“At the end of the day what is papal diplomacy? What does it mean to be a papal diplomat? It’s about one thing at the end of the day: Jesus Christ. That’s it,” Archbishop Wells told CNA March 23.

Pope Francis will speak on the synod soon. But the spin has already begun.

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2016 / 05:18 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The war of interpretations has begun over Pope Francis’ yet-to-be-published post-synodal exhortation. And this war is taking place in the press.

Three articles published in the past week in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano and in two prominent Italian newspapers presented differing views of the document. The papal document will summarize the Synod on the Family, held in October 2015 amid controversies and rumor.

Pope Francis observes moment of silence for Belgium attack victims

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2016 / 07:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his general audience the day after terrorist attacks in Belgium claimed the lives of at least 30 people and injured 230 more, Pope Francis led pilgrims in a moment of silent prayer for the victims and their families.

“With a sorrowful heart I have followed the sad news of the terrorist attacks which took place yesterday in Brussels, and which caused numerous victims and wounded,” the Pope said March 23.

Pope Francis to wash the feet of migrants on Holy Thursday

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2016 / 12:42 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- After spending previous years washing the feet of inmates and disabled persons on Holy Thursday, this year Pope Francis will celebrate the liturgy in a welcoming center for migrants and refugees.

The Pope will say a Chrism Mass at the Vatican before heading to the Reception Center for Asylum Seekers, or CARA, in Castelnuovo di Porto, just over 18 miles outside of Rome, on the afternoon of March 24.

Pope prays for victims of Russian plane crash, Istanbul bombing

Vatican City, Mar 21, 2016 / 10:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis offered prayers over the weekend for victims of both a plane crash in Russia and a suicide bombing in Istanbul.

“His Holiness Pope Francis was saddened to learn of the tragic air accident in Rostov-on-Don and he sends his sincere condolences to the relatives and friends of the victims,” said a telegram from Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

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