Vatican News

Better formation in discernment is Pope's prayer intention for March

Vatican City, Mar 2, 2018 / 10:22 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his prayer video for March, Pope Francis asked for prayers that Christians be better educated to discern between the voices of the “culture of death” and the voice of God, calling them to carry out his mission in the world.

“Every Christian ought to grow in the ability to ‘read within’ his or her life, and to understand where and to what he or she is being called by the Lord, in order to carry on his mission,” the pope said in the video.

It's confirmed: Pope Francis is going to Geneva June 21

Vatican City, Mar 2, 2018 / 04:21 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday the Vatican confirmed an earlier announcement by the Swiss government that Pope Francis will visit Switzerland in June to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the World Council of Churches.

Vatican spokesman Greg Burke announced the visit March 2, saying the day trip will take place June 21. No official schedule has been released, however, details of the visit are expected to be published soon.

Commentary: Placuit Deo against new paradigms

Washington D.C., Mar 1, 2018 / 01:10 pm (CNA).- The first stirring sentences of the new CDF letter to bishops, Placuit Deo, reject the very notion of a “new paradigm” by which “the newness of the Holy Spirit” could somehow mean a departure from the fullness of revelation which has already been revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Yet quickly the document turns to a different kind of “newness,” a newness which resembles the ancient errors of Gnosticism and Pelagianism, about which Pope Francis has frequently warned.

Vatican letter says modern individualism reflects ancient heresies

Vatican City, Mar 1, 2018 / 05:57 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A new letter issued by the Vatican's doctrinal office has reaffirmed that Christian salvation can only come through Christ and the Church, and highlighted modern expressions of Pelagian and Gnostic thought which contradict this belief.

Signed by Archbishop Luis Ladaria SJ, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, on the Feb. 22 feast of the Chair of St. Peter, the letter is addressed to the world's bishops.

Cardinal Parolin: Palliative care means accompanying, not abandoning

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 05:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Palliative care is a reminder that love for those who are dying means accompaniment, not abandonment, Cardinal Pietro Parolin said Wednesday.

In a Feb. 28 letter, the Holy See’s Secretary of State told the Congress on Palliative Care that medicine is based on an “untiring commitment” for new knowledge, but must also recognize the limits of disease and illness.

Vatican trains exorcists as demonic possession claims rise

Rome, Italy, Feb 28, 2018 / 02:04 pm (CNA).- With reported demonic possessions on the rise in Italy, the Vatican is hosting a weeklong training to better prepare exorcists for ministry. Catholic leaders have said that the country needs more exorcists, and better training.

Papal advisers focus on reducing cost, accelerating response to abuse

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 08:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In their latest round of meetings, Pope Francis' Council of Cardinals discussed several key topics related to episcopal conferences, the need to lower costs inside the Vatican, and efforts to speed up procedures dealing with cases of abuse.

Pope Francis taps Helena bishop as new head of Las Vegas diocese

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 05:36 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Bishop George Leo Thomas, who until now has led the Diocese of Helena, will be taking the reins in Las Vegas, bringing with him broad pastoral experience and expertise in psychology, mental health issues, mission work and prison ministry.

The first Christian altar was the cross, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Feb 28, 2018 / 04:41 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis said Wednesday that having Mass centered around the altar in commemoration of Jesus' sacrifice is meant to remind faithful that the cross is the first Christian altar on which Christ made his own offering.

Are you intimidated by confession? Don't be, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Feb 27, 2018 / 03:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- During the penitential season of Lent, Pope Francis pointed to confession as the means to true conversion, saying the faithful should approach the sacrament with trust and confidence.

“The Lord says, ‘Come now, let us reason together, let’s talk for awhile.’ He doesn’t frighten us,” said Pope Francis during Mass on Feb. 27 at the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta.

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