Vatican News

Scientists play a key role in solving global problems, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Nov 28, 2016 / 04:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis told a group of scientists Monday that their role in finding creative solutions to the world’s problems is more urgent than ever, and praised increasing collaboration between scientific and religious communities.

Papal Advent advice: Don't be dominated by material things

Vatican City, Nov 27, 2016 / 08:33 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The season of Advent is a reminder to us to open our horizons and have concern for more than just material things, the Pope said Sunday during his Angelus address.

Fidel Castro, communist leader who met three Popes, dies at 90

Vatican City, Nov 26, 2016 / 03:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In an unexpected televised statement, Fidel Castro’s brother and the current president of Cuba, Raul Castro, announced that the former president and leader of the Communist revolution in Cuba has died at age 90.

Drugs a 'new form of slavery', Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Nov 25, 2016 / 08:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Drug addiction is a contemporary form of slavery, Pope Francis lamented Thursday, emphasizing that a rehabilitation which restores victims' joy and dignity is much needed.

“Drugs are a wound in our society. A wound that traps many people in the networks. They are victims have lost their freedom to fall into slavery; slavery of a dependency we can call ‘chemistry,’” the Pope said Nov. 24.

Advancing relations core of meeting between Pope, Vietnam president

Vatican City, Nov 24, 2016 / 02:05 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis met Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang at the Vatican for a meeting largely focused on collaboration between the Church and State, as well as how to move forward in cementing better relations.

Detroit, Orange County get new auxiliary bishops from Pope Francis

Vatican City, Nov 23, 2016 / 09:09 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday, it was announced that Pope Francis has named two local priests as auxiliary bishops of the Archdiocese of Detroit, and has chosen a priest from Orange County to become an auxiliary bishop for that diocese.

Fr. Gerard W. Battersby and Fr. Robert J. Fisher are the priests who will be stepping up as the newest auxiliary bishops in Detroit, while Fr. Timothy E. Freyer will become an auxiliary bishop of Orange.

In latest meeting, Synod of Bishops finalizes preparatory document

Vatican City, Nov 23, 2016 / 07:11 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Synod of Bishops met in Rome this week to finalize the preparatory document and questionnaire that will form the basis of the discussion for the upcoming gathering to discuss youth, faith and discernment.

Pope Francis presided over the Nov. 21-22 meeting, which marked the second time the Ordinary Council of the Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops have met since the members were announced.

Pope Francis: we all have doubts, but living the faith helps

Vatican City, Nov 23, 2016 / 03:42 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While the Jubilee might be over, Pope Francis hasn’t stopped talking about mercy, telling faithful Wednesday that the works of mercy of counseling the doubtful and instructing the ignorant, are rooted in a deep faith, and are things we can do every day.

Want to stop fearing death? Trust in God, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Nov 22, 2016 / 11:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Death and God’s judgment should be on everyone’s mind, but faithfulness to God will conquer our fears, Pope Francis has said.

“Fidelity to the Lord does not disappoint. If each one of us is faithful to the Lord, when death comes, we will say like Francis (of Assisi) 'come sister death...' we won't be afraid,” the Pope said Nov. 22.

After Krakow, Mary at heart of next World Youth Day gathering

Vatican City, Nov 22, 2016 / 07:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Tuesday the Vatican announced the themes for the next three World Youth Day encounters, which are focused on Mary and form the basis of a spiritual journey culminating in the next global encounter in Panama in 2019.

Retreat House Bandra