Vatican News

Pope to Rota: There is an 'urgent' need to form consciences on marriage

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2018 / 11:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a speech to the Roman Rota Monday, Pope Francis said there is a need to develop better means of forming the consciences of the faithful in the Church, especially those preparing for marriage and family life.

“How precious and urgent is the pastoral activity of the entire Church for the recovery, safeguarding and protection of Christian conscience, illuminated by Gospel values!” the Pope said Jan. 29.

Pope revamps ecclesiastical universities in new apostolic constitution

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2018 / 06:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Monday Pope Francis released a new apostolic constitution calling for a “radical” reform to the nature and curriculum of ecclesiastical universities and institutions.

“The primary need today is for the whole People of God to be ready to embark upon a new stage of Spirit-filled evangelization,” the Pope said in the document, “Vertatis Gaudium.”

Pope prays for victims of 'inhumane' Afghan terrorist attack

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2018 / 05:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Sunday, after leading the Angelus, Pope Francis prayed for victims of two recent attacks in Afghanistan, holding a moment of silent prayer for the more than 100 people who lost their lives, the more than 200 injured, and their families.

“Yesterday from Afghanistan arrived the painful news of the terrible terrorist massacre carried out in the capital Kabul, with almost a hundred dead and numerous wounded,” the Pope said Jan. 28.

Pope Francis: Where Mary is, ‘the devil does not enter’

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2018 / 04:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- At Mass in the Basilica of St. Mary Major Sunday, Pope Francis said that when we go through difficult times or have problems or worries, Mary is our shield, guarding our faith and protecting us from evil.

“Where the Madonna is at home the devil does not enter; where there is the Mother disturbance does not prevail, fear does not win,” the Pope said Jan. 28.

Vatican stamp honors priest martyred by Mafia 25 years ago

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2018 / 03:55 am (CNA).- “I’ve been expecting you.”

These were reportedly the foreboding last words of Blessed Giuseppe "Pino" Puglisi, an Italian priest who was shot and killed by the Italian mafia in 1993.

Declared a martyr by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012 and beatified in 2013, the priest is being honored once again by the Vatican, which has just released a commemorative stamp in his honor on the 25th anniversary of his martyrdom.

Two 20th-century martyrs move toward beatification

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2018 / 05:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Saturday Pope Francis moved two 20th-century martyrs a step closer to sainthood, including Veronica Antal, a young Romanian woman killed during an attempted rape in 1958, and Pierre Claverie, a bishop who promoted dialogue between Muslims and Christians in Algeria.

The Church must combat euthanasia mentality, Pope says

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2018 / 10:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis met with the members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Friday, affirming the dignity of every person and emphasizing the Church’s task of accompanying the ill and suffering, especially in the face of increasing support for euthanasia.

Vatican official hopes World Meeting of Families will promote family values

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2018 / 12:08 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Kevin Farrell is in charge of the World Meeting of Families being held in August, and he has said he hopes the event will revitalize family life, both in Ireland and around the world.

The World Meeting of Families 2018 will take place in Dublin Aug. 21-26.

Pope Francis to Christians: Our common Baptism unites us

Vatican City, Jan 25, 2018 / 10:51 am (CNA/EWTN News).- At an ecumenical Vespers service Thursday, Pope Francis told members of several Christian communities that the grace of Baptism creates a unity in the family of God.

Even when differences separate us, we can recognize that we have the same Baptism, and we belong “to the same family of brothers and sisters loved by the one Father,” the Pope said Jan. 25.

Pope decries religious persecution in meeting with Yazidis

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2018 / 10:12 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Speaking to members of the Yazidi community, a religious minority which has been persecuted by the Islamic State, Pope Francis said Wednesday that everyone has a fundamental right to freedom of religion, and no person or group has the power to deny it.

Retreat House Bandra