Vatican News

Amid investigation, accounts of former Vatican Bank directors frozen

Vatican City, Dec 8, 2014 / 12:22 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- More than $19.6 million in the accounts of two former managers of the Institute for Religious Works, commonly known as the Vatican Bank or IOR, have been frozen by a Vatican prosecutor in the course of an investigation, it was announced Sunday.

For Francis, Mary teaches us to share with others the graces we receive

Vatican City, Dec 8, 2014 / 10:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his Angelus address for the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Monday, Pope Francis said because everything we have received is “a gift freely given by God,” we too must “become a gift for others.”

A silver lining from World War I? Restored ties between UK, Holy See

Vatican City, Dec 7, 2014 / 04:02 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A Mass was said on Wednesday at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls to mark 100 years of restored diplomatic relations between Britain and the Holy See, a relationship first broken amid the English Reformation.

The UK's ambassador to the Holy See, Nigel Baker, was present at the Dec. 3 Mass and stressed the significance of the anniversary coinciding with that of the beginning of World War I.

'I'm not worried' about resistance, Pope Francis says in new interview

Vatican City, Dec 7, 2014 / 11:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In an interview with the Argentine daily “La Nacion” published Sunday, Pope Francis spoke on a variety of topics, giving specific attention to the ongoing reform of the Roman Curia, and some of the resistance he’s facing.

'Let yourselves be consoled' during Advent, Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Dec 7, 2014 / 08:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his weekly Angelus address Pope Francis asked that people prepare for the Lord’s coming during advent by being open to God’s consolation, which we must receive personally before giving to others.

For Catholics and Muslims, interreligious dialogue a path to peace

Vatican City, Dec 7, 2014 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pursuing interreligious dialogue and opening hearts and minds to others are the way to face troubled times, stressed participants in the Third Catholic-Muslim Summit held this week in Rome.

Pope Francis decries persecution of Iraqi Christians in video message

Vatican City, Dec 6, 2014 / 09:36 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In a video message delivered to the displaced Iraqi Christians on Saturday, Pope Francis decried the suffering experienced by those persecuted for their faith, while expressing his gratitude for their witness.

“I thank you for the witness you give,” he said Dec. 6. “There is great suffering in your witness. Thank you!”

Advent meditations for Pope delve into meaning of peace

Vatican City, Dec 6, 2014 / 04:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Papal preacher Father Raniero Cantalamessa gave his first advent homily to Pope Francis, touching on the biblical meaning of the word peace – both as a gift from God and a longing of the human heart.

“The theme this time will be peace. But peace in the biblical meaning, which is much, much more profound than the peace in political spheres,” Fr. Cantalamessa O.F.M. Cap., told CNA.

Pope: the 'feminine genius' takes on theology's uncharted territory

Vatican City, Dec 5, 2014 / 01:07 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In an address given to theologians, Pope Francis praised the increasing presence of women in the field, saying that their femininity has the capacity to delve deeper into the mystery of Christ.

“I would like to note the significant and greater presence of women; a presence which becomes an invitation to reflect on the role that women can and must have in the field of theology,” the Pope told members of the International Theological Commission on Dec. 5.

Vatican finance czar finds robust resources as transparency measures advance

Vatican City, Dec 5, 2014 / 12:09 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a recent article for the Catholic Herald, Cardinal George Pell, prefect of the Secretariat for the Economy, shed light on the progress made in the reform of Vatican finances, which he is spearheading.

Retreat House Bandra