Vatican News

Pope Francis: St. John Paul II is remembered with 'affection and gratitude'

Vatican City, May 17, 2020 / 05:09 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Sunday recalled the 100th anniversary of the birth of St. Pope John Paul II, saying his predecessor is remembered “with much affection and gratitude.”

“From heaven he continues to intercede for the People of God and peace in the world,” Francis said, noting that he will offer Mass at the altar of the Polish pope’s tomb in St. Peter’s Basilica to mark the occasion May 18.

Vatican calls attention to growing food crisis from coronavirus

Vatican City, May 16, 2020 / 09:52 am (CNA).- The coronavirus emergency is also causing a food-related crisis, Vatican officials said Saturday, encouraging people to do their small part to help those who are going hungry.

“What happens now with the coronavirus crisis is it is increasing food-related problems,” Fr. Augusto Zampini-Davies said during a livestreamed press conference May 16.

Pope Francis: The antidote to worldliness is Christ

Vatican City, May 16, 2020 / 04:34 am (CNA).- The only cure for worldliness is faith in Jesus Christ and in his death and resurrection, Pope Francis said at his morning Mass Saturday.

“There is one thing that does not tolerate worldliness: the scandal of the cross. It does not tolerate it,” the pope said May 16. “And the only medicine against the spirit of worldliness is Christ who died and rose for us, scandal and foolishness.”

Full text: Benedict XVI's letter marking St. John Paul II's birth centenary

Vatican City, May 15, 2020 / 03:10 am (CNA).- Here is the full text of Pope emeritus Benedict XVI's letter marking the centenary of the birth of St. John Paul IIThe English translation of this letter, dated May 4, was released May 15 by the Polish bishops' conference:

100 years ago, on May 18th, Pope John Paul II was born in the small Polish town of Wadowice.

St. Peter’s Basilica considers temperature checks when public Masses resume

CNA Staff, May 14, 2020 / 03:30 pm (CNA).- Papal basilicas are considering checking visitors’ temperatures as a precaution against the spread of coronavirus when public Masses resume, the Holy See press office said Thursday.

Representatives of the four major Roman basilicas -- St. Peter’s, St. Mary Major, St. John Lateran and St. Paul Outside the Walls -- met May 14 under the auspices of the Vatican Secretariat of State, the press office said.

Pope Francis supports scholarships in Lebanon as country faces ‘severe crisis’

Vatican City, May 14, 2020 / 07:15 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has donated $200,000 to support 400 scholarships in Lebanon in an expression of his concern for the country’s young people, the Vatican announced Thursday.

The Holy See press office said May 14 that Lebanon was experiencing a “severe crisis” that risked robbing younger generations of hope. 

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