Vatican News

Pope Francis donates 35 ventilators to developing countries battling coronavirus

Vatican City, Jun 26, 2020 / 11:00 am (CNA).- The Vatican announced Friday that Pope Francis has donated 35 ventilators to overwhelmed hospitals in developing countries as the number of coronavirus cases worldwide nears 10 million.

The pope donated four ventilators each to Haiti, Venezuela, and Brazil, a country which has suffered more than 50,000 deaths from COVID-19.

Douthat: Cardinals should look for 'dynamic orthodoxy' in next pope

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 25, 2020 / 02:10 pm (CNA).- Catholic columnist Ross Douthat on Wednesday said that the eventual next conclave could produce a leader in the mould of St. John Paul II, and that expectations of a more retiring successor to the charismatic leadership of Francis may shift after months of global upheaval.

Catholic catechesis directory addresses gender, biological sex, and bioethics

Vatican City, Jun 25, 2020 / 09:00 am (CNA).- Bioethics, gender identity, and biological sex are new subjects covered in the Vatican’s latest Directory for Catechesis, released Thursday. The revised directory says that new scientific developments must remain respectful of the creative will of God and human dignity.

Vatican releases Catholic directory for catechesis in ‘dynamic continuity’ with Church teaching

Vatican City, Jun 25, 2020 / 04:45 am (CNA).- The Vatican Thursday published a new directory for catechesis, emphasizing both its continuity with two previous directories and its new content on contemporary issues such as sex and gender and medical advancements.

Pope Francis thanks injured Paralympian for offering “lesson in humanity”

Vatican City, Jun 24, 2020 / 09:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis has written a letter of encouragement to a Formula One driver turned Paralympic champion who is in a coma following a collision last Friday.

In the letter, published June 24 in the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, the pope said that Alex Zanardi had offered the world “a lesson in humanity.”

Pope Francis: In life’s ups and downs, make prayer your constant

Vatican City, Jun 24, 2020 / 05:00 am (CNA).- King David is an example of being consistent in prayer no matter what life throws at you or what good or bad you do, Pope Francis said during his general audience Wednesday.

Prayer “is able to ensure the relationship with God, who is the true Companion of man’s journey, in the midst of the many hardships of life: good or bad,” the pope said June 24.

Diocesan bankruptcies could require Vatican approval, Vatican official reminds bishops

Washington, D.C. Newsroom, Jun 23, 2020 / 01:50 pm (CNA).-

The Vatican has written to the president of the U.S. bishops’ conference, to remind dioceses that filing for bankruptcy could require the consent of the Holy See.

Benedict XVI returns to Rome after visiting ill brother in Germany

Vatican City, Jun 22, 2020 / 06:00 am (CNA).- Pope emeritus Benedict XVI arrived back in Rome Monday after a four-day trip to Germany to visit his ailing brother.

The Diocese of Regensburg reported June 22 that 93-year-old Benedict XVI said goodbye to his 96-year-old brother, Msgr. Georg Ratzinger, who is in poor health, before departing for Munich airport.

Pope Francis to Catholics: Do not fear persecution, violence

Vatican City, Jun 21, 2020 / 06:41 am (CNA).- Pope Francis on Sunday encouraged Christians to fear sin, not the hostility, violence, or persecution they may face when sharing the Gospel with the world.

“Jesus advises these disciples of yesterday and today who suffer persecution: ‘do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul,’” the pope said Sunday from a window overlooking St. Peter’s Square.

Polish Catholics celebrate centenary of St. John Paul II’s baptism

CNA Staff, Jun 20, 2020 / 07:00 am (CNA).- The Church in Poland will celebrate the centenary of the baptism of St. John Paul II Saturday.

The future pope was baptized on June 20, 1920, in the Chapel of the Holy Family of the Basilica of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Wadowice, southern Poland.

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