Vatican News

Pope Francis and his growing litany of modern-day martyrs

Vatican City, Apr 21, 2015 / 09:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Amid a torrent of recent news reports on persecuted Christians, Pope Francis reflected on those killed for their faith and said that these modern “Stephens” suffer as the Church's first martyr did.

“The Church today is a Church of martyrs: they suffer, they give their lives and we receive the blessing of God for their witness,” Francis told attendees of his April 21 Mass, held in the Vatican’s Saint Martha guesthouse.

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Bishop Robert W. Finn

Vatican City, Apr 21, 2015 / 04:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Nearly two and a half years after being the first U.S. bishop convicted of a misdemeanor in failing to report suspected child abuse by a priest in his diocese, Kansas City-St. Joseph’s bishop has resigned.

The Vatican confirmed Pope Francis’ acceptance of Bishop Finn’s resignation according to Canon 104 Article 2 in the Code of Canon Law in an April 21 statement.

Pope on ISIS killings: Blood of Ethiopian Christians 'cries out to be heard'

Vatican City, Apr 20, 2015 / 05:50 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis voiced his distress at the news of a reported mass execution of Ethiopian Christians in Libya at the hands of ISIS, pleading that their deaths may not go ignored.

“The blood of our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony which cries out to be heard by everyone who can still distinguish between good and evil. All the more this cry must be heard by those who have the destiny of peoples in their hands.”

Pope: Doomed migrants were looking for happiness

Vatican City, Apr 19, 2015 / 08:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis led a moment of prayerful silence on Sunday for the hundreds of migrants killed off the coast of Lampedusa, saying they were like us in their search for happiness.

“They are men and women like us, our brothers who seek a better life: hungry, persecuted, wounded, exploited, victims of war,” the Pope said in off-the-cuff remarks. “They were looking for happiness.”

Apostolic Blessing offered to those who mourn Cardinal George

Vatican City, Apr 18, 2015 / 11:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a telegram to Archbishop Blase Cupich of Chicago, the Holy Father offered his blessing to all those who mourn Cardinal Francis E. George.

“To all who mourn the late Cardinal in the sure hope of the Resurrection, I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Lord,” Pope Francis said in the April 18 telegram, according to Vatican Radio.

Will human trafficking make the list of sustainable development goals?

Rome, Italy, Apr 18, 2015 / 09:19 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A top ranking UK anti-slavery commissioner says that human trafficking is not just an issue to be talked about, but one the global community needs to forcefully commit to eradicating.

For the United Kingdom’s Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner Kevin Hyland, the sustainable development goals being drafted for the close of 2015 “need to be clearer about modern slavery and human trafficking.”

Is a 'springtime' of leadership blooming for women in the Vatican?

Vatican City, Apr 18, 2015 / 04:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- With more opportunities opening for women to take leadership roles in Vatican councils and congregations, women are filling the ranks of the Roman Curia on a historically unprecedented level.

“I think we are at a point of seeing (a different model)…a springtime for new forms of leadership…in the Church,” Cardinal Peter Turkson said April 14.

Pope Francis to Cuba? It's not official, but possible, Vatican says

Vatican City, Apr 17, 2015 / 03:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Holy See Press Office confirmed today that Pope Francis is considering a possible stop in Cuba as part as his trip to United States, which is scheduled to take place in September.
 
“The Holy Father has taken into consideration the idea to stop in Cuba as part of his coming voyage to the United States,” an April 17 press release from the Vatican revealed.

How much time does it take to reform the Vatican? A lot

Vatican City, Apr 17, 2015 / 12:02 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Already two years into the reform process of the Roman Curia, progress might seem slow. But cardinals on the Pope's advisory council say efforts – which may soon include new “super” congregations – are moving forward at a normal pace.

“Reform will take time,” stressed Honduran Cardinal Oscar Rodríguez Maradiaga April 15.

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