Vatican News

Pope Francis meets relatives of aid workers murdered by Islamic State

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2015 / 12:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The brother and widow of two British aid workers killed by Islamic State militants last autumn were among the participants in yesterday’s General Audience, during which they briefly met with Pope Francis and received his blessing.

Bishops conferences are not the Magisterium, Vatican doctrine chief reminds Cardinal Marx

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2015 / 04:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Gerhard Mueller, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, has told a French paper that doctrinal, or even disciplinary, decisions regarding marriage and family are not up for determination by national bishops’ conferences.

Pope Francis to meet, celebrate Mass with relatives during Turin visit

Rome, Italy, Mar 26, 2015 / 08:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A son of Italian immigrants, Argentinian native Pope Francis will have the opportunity to meet with distant relatives during his visit to Turin for the first time since coming to Italy after his election.

The family members Francis will meet during his trip “are cousins. Different cousins and various other family members. I don't know them, I only know that there are some from Turin,” Archbishop Cesare Nosiglia told journalists March 25.

A look at Pope Francis' summer trip to the Shroud of Turin

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2015 / 12:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican has released the schedule for Pope Francis' upcoming pilgrimage to Turin – home to what is believed to be the burial shroud of Jesus – with a program that largely centers on young people.

The pontiff's June 21-22 visit to the northern Italian city also marks the bicentenary of the birth of Saint John Bosco, founder of the Salesian order and patron saint of youth.

Pope Francis on the family synod: 'We need prayers, not gossip'

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2015 / 06:10 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his weekly general audience Pope Francis spoke about the gift and call of the Christian family, and urged attendees to pray for the intentions of the upcoming Synod of Bishops on the family.

“The Church needs a prayer full of love for the family and for life,” the Pope told pilgrims gathered in a drizzly St. Peter's Square for his March 25 general audience.

Vatican invites 150 homeless for dinner, private tour of Sistine Chapel

Vatican City, Mar 24, 2015 / 01:48 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In addition to food, umbrellas, sleeping bags, showers and haircuts, the Vatican is now offering Rome’s homeless the gift of beauty.

On Thursday afternoon, 150 homeless persons will receive a special ticket for the Vatican Museums given by the office for papal charities. They will then be divided into three separate groups with a guide, Vatican Insider reports.

20 years of Evangelium Vitae: Vatican announces prayer vigil, rosary for life

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2015 / 05:30 pm (CNA).- An international prayer vigil prepared by the Vatican will recognize the 20th anniversary of Evangelium Vitae, the encyclical of Saint John Paul II dedicated to the value and inviolable nature of human life.

Japan's history of 'hidden' Christians and what the Pope said about it

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2015 / 03:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a recent meeting with Japan's bishops, Pope Francis discussed how the country's brutal history of Christian persecution has given way to the survival of a small but fervent Catholic community today.

In 2015, less than one percent of Japan's population of 127 million people identify as Christian.

Rome's poor receive 1,000 pounds of food from Pope Francis

Vatican City, Mar 23, 2015 / 12:17 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis is sending half a ton of food to families suffering hardships in Rome’s Tor Bella Monaca neighborhood.

The food is being distributed through the Institute of Medicine Solidarity Onlus, which works to help the socially disadvantaged, reported AICA, a Catholic news publication in Argentina.

Got plans for Holy Week? Pope Francis does

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2015 / 04:48 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis' full slate of events for Holy Week includes plans for a traditional Stations of the Cross, Easter Masses and a universal blessing given on Easter Day.

The Vatican’s office for liturgical celebrations, headed by Archbishop Guido Marini, issued on March 20 the complete schedule of papal events for this year’s Holy Week.

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