Vatican News

Pope mourns 'tragic loss of life' after attack in Turkey

Vatican City, Mar 14, 2016 / 10:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis sent his condolences to the president of Turkey where a terrorist attack Sunday left dozens dead.

“Deeply saddened to learn of the injury and tragic loss of life caused by the bombing in Ankara, His Holiness Pope Francis assures the Turkish people of his spiritual closeness and solidarity,” reads the telegram, addressed to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and signed by Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

Vatican releases papal schedule for World Youth Day in Poland

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2016 / 11:50 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday the Vatican released a provisional schedule of Pope Francis' visit to Poland for World Youth Day. He will be in the central European nation July 27-31.

The Pope will arrive at Krakow-Balice airport July 27. He will meet with president Andrzej Duda and the nation's bishops. Later in the day, he will meet with Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow and greet the crowds from a window used often by St. John Paul II.

Pope Francis' new prayer video focuses on needy families

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2016 / 10:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his newest prayer video Pope Francis focuses his monthly intention on families in difficulty, praying that they receive the help they need and that children can grow up in a healthy environment.

“The family is one of the most precious assets of humanity. But is it not perhaps one of the most vulnerable?” the Pope said in his newest video of prayer intentions, published March 10.

How a change in Vatican protocol reflects outreach to the divorced-and-remarried

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2016 / 08:08 am (CNA/EWTN News).- With an eye toward divorced-and-remarried Catholics, Pope Francis has recently changed protocol for heads of state who are visiting the Pope at the Vatican.

Catholic heads of state who are in an irregular marital situation may now take part in an official visit to the Pope as a couple, accompanied by their irregular spouse.

Love is the hidden service we do for others, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2016 / 06:00 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday Pope Francis said that love is more than just saying nice words and doing things – it means forgetting oneself and serving others, just as Jesus did when he washed the feet of the disciples.

“By washing the feet of the apostles, Jesus wanted to reveal how God acts toward us, and to give an example of this ‘new commandment’ of loving one another as he has loved us; that is, giving his life for us, the Pope said March 12.

Pope: new annulment process has an 'eminently pastoral' goal

Vatican City, Mar 12, 2016 / 04:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Saturday Pope Francis told participants in course on the streamlined annulment process that the main goal of the new norms is pastoral, and seeks to reach out to families suffering from a broken marriage.

“These measures have an eminently pastoral goal: to show the Church’s concern for those faithful who are waiting for a quick verification on their marital status,” the Pope said March 12.

Pope Francis returns to Rome after a week of spiritual exercises

Vatican City, Mar 11, 2016 / 03:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After spending a week outside Rome reflecting on key questions in the Gospel during their annual Lenten retreat, Pope Francis and members of the Roman Curia returned to the Vatican Friday.

According to Italian paper Il Caffe, the Pope boarded a bus with 20 seats and darkened windows around 10:40a.m. March 11 for his return trip from Ariccia to the Vatican.

So, what are these 'Missionaries of Mercy' actually doing?

Vatican City, Mar 11, 2016 / 03:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Ash Wednesday Pope Francis commissioned more than 1,000 priests who were sent out around the world as ambassadors of mercy.

But for many the question still remains: what are they actually doing?

For Fr. Roger Landry, a Missionary of Mercy hailing from the diocese of Fall River, Mass., their role involves two primary aspects: preaching about mercy, and making it concrete through the Sacrament of Confession.

Pope Francis approves new rules for financial oversight of saints' causes

Vatican City, Mar 10, 2016 / 03:47 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has issued new guidelines for ensuring financial transparency in advancing causes of beatification and canonization, requiring both an administrator to oversee the process and annual budget checks.

The new norms place a strong emphasis on regular budgeting and accounting to ensure transparency, as well as to see to it that donations from the faithful supporting causes are used as intended.

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