Vatican News

Pope demonstrates that we receive the Gospel from society's poorest

Vatican City, Mar 22, 2015 / 10:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Sunday invited members of Rome's homeless community to join volunteers in handing out copies of the Gospel to pilgrims in Saint Peter's Square, a reminder of how God's Word is found among the poorest of society.

“Even in this we see a very beautiful gesture, which pleases Jesus,” the Pope said, moments after leading the crowds in the recitation of the Angelus on March 22: “those most in need are those who give us the word of God.”

Pope Francis: No matter what the crime, 'the death penalty is inadmissible'

Vatican City, Mar 20, 2015 / 03:10 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Regardless of the crime that has been committed, capital punishment is unacceptable in the modern world, Pope Francis stressed in a recent letter.

“Nowadays the death penalty is inadmissible, no matter how serious the crime committed,” the Pope said.

Vatican archives shed light on tragedy of Armenian genocide

Vatican City, Mar 20, 2015 / 11:14 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Ahead of Pope Francis’ Mass commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, newly released historic documents confirm the Holy See’s broad commitment to helping the Armenian people at a time when few others would.

Pope accepts disgraced Scottish prelate's resignation from cardinal status

Vatican City, Mar 20, 2015 / 05:54 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a rare move, Pope Francis accepted the resignation of disgraced Scottish Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien from the rights and duties of a cardinal, the Vatican announced on Friday.

Pope condemns Tunisia attack as act against 'the sacredness of life'

Vatican City, Mar 19, 2015 / 11:44 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On behalf of Pope Francis, the Vatican’s Secretariat of State has sent a letter to the archbishop of Tunisia, assuring them of the Pope’s prayers after yesterday’s deadly terrorist attack killed at least 23 people.

Three laypersons among saints' causes advanced by Pope Francis

Vatican City, Mar 18, 2015 / 11:07 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis recognized on Wednesday the heroic virtue of seven persons on the path of canonization, including a young Italian laywoman, as well as a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Louis and Zelie Martin, the parents of St. Therese of Lisieux.

Bl. Louis and Zelie will be canonized this autumn.

A society that doesn't want children is 'sad and gray,' Pope says

Rome, Italy, Mar 18, 2015 / 05:36 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said Wednesday that children are a joy-filled gift for the Church and the world, and cautioned against an overcast society that lacks life because it has rejected and run out of children.

Use of force is a last resort against Islamic State – Vatican diplomat

Vatican City, Mar 17, 2015 / 06:03 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- By presenting a joint statement to the United Nations’ Human Rights Council to support Christians and other communities in the Middle East, the Holy See has fostered a new diplomatic approach to protect communities and raise the international focus on a top issue.

Pope Francis encourages bishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina in reconciliation

Vatican City, Mar 17, 2015 / 12:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his address to the bishops from Bosnia and Herzegovina on Monday, Pope Francis urged them to foster reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in their country, which has been marked by ethno-religious tensions.

“The society in which you live has a multicultural and multi-ethnic dimension. And you have been entrusted the task of being fathers to all, in spite of material limits and the crisis within which you work,” he said March 16.

Vatican: no papal endorsement for LGBT Catholic video

Vatican City, Mar 16, 2015 / 05:35 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Vatican official says there will be no papal endorsement for an LGBT activist video whose backers want it to reach Pope Francis.

Father Gil Martinez, C.S.P., a member of the development team for the video “LGBT Catholics: Owning our Faith,” intended to present the video to Pope Francis in a private audience after morning Mass on March 17, according to the website of the St. Philip Neri Parish and Northwest Paulist Center in the Portland, Ore.

Retreat House Bandra