Vatican News

Pope: Remember the spiritual as much as the corporal works of mercy

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2016 / 03:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Speaking to the plenary assembly of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith on Friday, Pope Francis spoke of the prime importance of all the works of mercy, both corporal and spiritual.

Saints and sinners: Pope Francis distinguishes between sin and corruption

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2016 / 03:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The saints were also sinners, Pope Francis emphasized during his homily at the Santa Marta residence chapel on Friday morning, in which he highlighted the difference between sin and corruption, saying that while everyone is a sinner, not everyone is corrupt.

Pope Francis likely to visit Auschwitz during World Youth Day

Vatican City, Jan 29, 2016 / 10:45 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his July visit to Poland for World Youth Day, it’s probable that Pope Francis will follow in the steps of his two immediate predecessors by traveling to the Nazi death camp Auschwitz, the Vatican spokesman has said.

Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, told journalists at the Jan. 27 presentation of the book “We were Jews” by 90-year-old Holocaust survivor Alberto Mieli that a summer visit to Auschwitz for the Pope is “highly probable.”

Ask Mary's help if illness makes it hard to trust God's mercy, Pope Francis advises

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2016 / 10:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- While the experience of illness can certainly test our faith, for Pope Francis it is an opportunity to entrust ourselves to the tenderness and mercy of Christ, which Mary, his mother, shows us how to do.

Pope Francis meets Leonardo DiCaprio at the Vatican

Vatican City, Jan 28, 2016 / 09:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Thursday Pope Francis met briefly with actor and environmental activist Leonardo DiCaprio, who recently won an award for his efforts environmental protection at the World Economic Forum.

The meeting between the two lasted just 15 minutes, but was enough time for DiCaprio to hand the Pope a book of art from Dutch Renaissance painter Hieronymus Bosch, according to Vatican Radio.

Vatican official: Pope's post-synod doc will be released in March

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2016 / 01:32 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation on family life following last year's synod will be published in March, says Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, president of the Vatican's Pontifical Council for the Family.

In an interview with the Portuguese Catholic agency Ecclesia, Archbishop Paglia said that the Pope will release the document in March 2016, and that it will “show that the Church is close to families in all stages of their lives.”

Pope rallies Catholics to be 'mediators of mercy' during jubilee

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2016 / 05:40 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Wednesday Pope Francis renewed his appeal for faithful to put the works of mercy into practice during the jubilee, urging them to open their hearts to others, and to show God’s tenderness to those who suffer.

In his Jan. 27 general audience, the Pope recounted how “divine mercy had saved” the biblical figure of Moses from death in the waters of the Nile as a newborn infant.

What is Pope Francis going to say in Mexico about immigration?

Vatican City, Jan 27, 2016 / 03:06 am (CNA/EWTN News).- As Pope Francis’ weeklong visit to Mexico draws near, anticipation is building not just for the presence of the Successor of Peter, but also for how he will respond to hot-button topics such as immigration.

Religious liberty at center of Pope's meeting with Iranian president

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2016 / 09:28 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Tuesday Pope Francis met with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani for the first time, an encounter that focused heavily on human rights, religious freedom, and an end to the spread of terrorism.

The Angel of Dachau: Pope Francis declares concentration camp priest a martyr

Vatican City, Jan 26, 2016 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Fr. Engelmar Unzeitig, a young priest with Czech roots serving in Germany and Austria, was arrested by the Nazis on April 21, 1941.

His crime? Preaching against the Third Reich from his pulpit, particularly against their treatment of the Jewish people. He encouraged his congregation to be faithful to God and to resist the lies of the Nazi regime.

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