Vatican News

5 bishops who could move the youth synod

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2018 / 05:00 pm (CNA).- This week the Synod of Bishops begins its fifteenth ordinary general session, convoked to discuss the themes of young people, the faith, and vocational discernment. The session will take place over three weeks, from October 3-28, and include bishops and other delegates gathered from around the world.

Baldisseri reproves Chaput, says abuse crisis won’t stop synod success

Vatican City, Oct 1, 2018 / 11:23 am (CNA).- The secretary general of an upcoming synod of bishops said Monday he thinks the abuse scandal in the Catholic Church will not be a hindrance to the success of the meeting. He also criticized the recent decision of an American archbishop to publish a theologian’s critique of the synod’s working document.

Pope: Be open to the good, wherever it comes from

Vatican City, Sep 30, 2018 / 08:19 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis advised Sunday that we be open to the good, regardless of whether it comes from someone outside our own “circle”.

The pope reflected Sept. 30 on the day’s Gospel, in which Christ taught his disciples humility and to avoid scandal. He was delivering the Angelus address in St. Peter’s Square.

Pope Francis: Pray the rosary daily for Church's protection from Satan

Vatican City, Sep 29, 2018 / 08:23 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has asked all Catholics to pray the rosary daily during the month of October, asking Mary and St. Michael the Archangel to intercede for the protection of the Church in a moment of “spiritual turbulence.”

A Sept. 29 statement from the Vatican said that Pope Francis had recently affirmed that prayer “is the weapon against the Great Accuser who ‘goes around the world seeking to accuse.’ Only prayer can defeat him.”

Chaput: Youth synod depends on faith, not sentimentality

Rome, Italy, Sep 29, 2018 / 12:00 am (CNA).- In an op-ed column published Saturday, Archbishop Charles Chaput of Philadelphia has restated his concerns about the upcoming synod of bishops on young adults, faith and vocational discernment, set to begin Oct. 3.

The column was published in the Italian newspaper Il Foglio.

Holy See, China continue to negotiate situation of underground bishops

Vatican City, Sep 28, 2018 / 03:01 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Sources say the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China are involved in new negotiations over the fate of bishops who have remained faithful to Rome “underground” for years in Communist China, Agence France-Presse has reported.

These negotiations are a follow up to the agreement that was reached Sept. 22.

Archbishop Vigano issues new letter on Pope Francis and McCarrick

Vatican City, Sep 27, 2018 / 03:51 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has issued a new letter addressing his allegation that senior prelates have been complicit in covering up alleged sex abuse by Archbishop Theodore McCarrick.

Headed with Archbishop Viganò's episcopal motto, Scio Cui credidi (I know whom I have believed), the letter, dated Sept. 29, was released Sept. 27.

Pope Francis urges reconciliation in message to Church in China

Vatican City, Sep 26, 2018 / 06:33 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis sent a message Wednesday to encourage Chinese Catholics to work toward reconciliation and communion with one another following a deal between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops.

Francis said the message, published Sept. 26, is a few of his reflections on the just-signed agreement as well as “spiritual pastoral” input for the new phase about to be embarked upon.

For the persecuted, there is hope in Mary's care, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Sep 26, 2018 / 02:34 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite the pain and suffering they have experienced, Catholics in the Baltic states can take hope in the steadfast care of the Virgin Mary, as depicted at the Gate of Dawn in Lithuania, Pope Francis said Wednesday.

“The years pass, the regimes pass, but above the Gate of Dawn of Vilnius, Mary, Mother of Mercy, continues to watch over her people, as a sign of sure hope and consolation,” he said Sept. 26.

Pope Francis: On sexual abuse, Church and society have a ‘new conscience’

Vatican City, Sep 25, 2018 / 04:00 pm (CNA).- Pope Francis said Tuesday that renewed procedures and priorities in handling sex abuse cases have yielded results in the Church, and have developed alongside a greater moral awareness of the dangers of child abuse. Francis spoke during a press conference Sept. 25 on the return flight from a four-day papal visit to the Baltic region.

Retreat House Bandra