Vatican News

Pope Francis accepts resignation of Polish bishop under investigation

Vatican City, Oct 17, 2020 / 05:46 am (CNA).- Pope Francis accepted Saturday the resignation of the Bishop of Kalisz in central Poland, Edward Janiak, who is under investigation for his handling of an abuse case.

Since June, Janiak’s diocese has been administered by Archbishop Grzegorz Ryś of Łódź.

Pope Francis named Ryś apostolic administrator “sede plena” of the Diocese of Kalisz June 25. “Sede plena” is a term used to signify that a see is still occupied by a bishop.

World Mission Sunday: number of Catholics continues to rise worldwide

Vatican City, Oct 16, 2020 / 01:00 pm (CNA).- The number of Catholics worldwide increased by almost 16 million in a year to 1.33 billion, according to statistics highlighted by the Vatican ahead of the 2020 World Mission Sunday. 

The figures, shared by the Fides News Service Oct. 16, showed that there were 15,716,000 more Catholics at the end of 2018 -- the most recent year where numbers are available -- compared to 2017. 

Italian ‘security consultant’ appeals extradition to Vatican over financial crimes

CNA Staff, Oct 16, 2020 / 11:00 am (CNA).- A self-described geopolitical analyst at the center of the most recent Vatican financial scandal is being held in an Italian jail pending extradition to the Vatican. Cecilia Marogna was arrested October 13 by Italian financial authorities after a warrant was issued by Vatican prosecutors through Interpol.

New Vatican coin depicts 'mother carrying the earth in her womb'

Vatican City, Oct 16, 2020 / 10:15 am (CNA).-  

A new coin minted by the Vatican City State depicts a woman carrying the earth in her womb. The artist who designed the coin, which commemorates Earth Day, has said the design was his response to the ecological theme he was commissioned to portray.

The Vatican City State Mint released a new series of coins Friday, with themes on migrants, Earth Day, the painter Raphael, and the Acts of the Apostles.

World Mission Sunday: Catholics urged to support evangelization as pandemic spreads

Vatican City, Oct 16, 2020 / 10:02 am (CNA).- Vatican officials invited Catholics to participate in the 2020 World Mission Sunday with increased prayers and financial support, as local Churches around the world continue to face the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

World Mission Sunday will take place this year on Sunday, Oct. 18. The day is marked by a collection for the Pontifical Mission Societies, a group of Catholic missionary societies under the jurisdiction of the pope.

Cardinal: St. John Paul II foresaw challenges facing world today

Vatican City, Oct 16, 2020 / 05:00 am (CNA).- St. John Paul II accurately predicted the problems facing the world today, his longtime personal secretary said Friday, the anniversary of the Polish pope’s election.

In an essay marking the election on Oct. 16, 1978, Cardinal Stanisław Dziwisz said that John Paul II was accused of being out of touch with the world following the collapse of communism.

Cardinal tells diplomats: 11 million Syrians need humanitarian aid

Vatican City, Oct 15, 2020 / 01:00 pm (CNA).- The apostolic nuncio to Syria met with diplomats accredited to the Vatican Thursday to inform them that an estimated 11 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian assistance.

Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria since 2008, said that, after nearly 10 years of war, the Syrian people had now been hit with a “poverty bomb” amid the coronavirus pandemic.

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