Vatican News

Pope Francis to inmates: 'I too need to be washed by the Lord'

Rome, Italy, Apr 2, 2015 / 12:23 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Holy Thursday told inmates of a Rome prison that God’s love is personal and endless, emphasizing that he too needs forgiveness and purification.

“Today I will wash the feet of 12 of you, but among these brothers and sisters are all of you, all of you, all--all that live here. You represent them,” the Pope told inmates of the Rebibbia New Complex Prison at the April 2 Mass of the Lord’s Supper.

Don't flirt with spiritual worldliness, Pope cautions priests

Rome, Italy, Apr 2, 2015 / 04:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During Holy Thursday’s Chrism Mass Pope Francis warned priests not to fall into a tiredness that leads to worldliness, and said that only resting in the Lord will enable them to continue when they feel worn out.

“There is also weariness of ourselves. This may be the most dangerous weariness of all,” the Pope said during his April 2 Chrism Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Blood of the martyrs sustains the Church, Pope reflects

Vatican City, Apr 1, 2015 / 01:46 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis, in his General Audience address for Holy Week, said that the Christian martyrs of today, by the shedding of their blood, join with Christ in serving the Church through their witness.

“Even today,” the Pope said in off-the-cuff remarks, “there are many men and women, true martyrs, who offer their lives with Jesus to confess the faith only for this reason; it is a service. A service of the Christian witness to the point of shedding blood.”

Vatican Appointments: Cardinal Versaldi to Congregation for Catholic Education

Vatican City, Mar 31, 2015 / 11:48 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Tuesday's appointment of Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi as prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, together with Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki's commission as a member of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See, signals that Vatican financial reform continues and that curial reform will need time to become effective.

A sweet sign of hope: Pope's envoy returns to Iraq with Easter cake

Vatican City, Mar 29, 2015 / 06:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis' personal envoy to Iraq will return to the country during Holy Week, bringing with him the pontiff's love and solidarity along with a special gift from the diocese of Rome: cake.  

“During Holy Week, which is now close, these families are sharing with Christ the unjust violence of which they are victims, and participating in the pain of the same Christ,” a March 27 statement from the Vatican read.

Holy Week is about humility – there is no other way, Pope says

Rome, Italy, Mar 29, 2015 / 05:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis on Palm Sunday said that imitating the humility of Jesus is what makes Holy Week “holy,” and encouraged attendees to mimic his attitude of humiliation as the week unfolds.

Referring to the day’s second reading from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians, which recounts how Jesus “humbled himself” by taking on human form, the Pope said that “these words show us God’s way and the way of Christians: it is humility.”

Pope praises deceased Assyrian patriarch as wise pastor, ecumenical leader

Vatican City, Mar 28, 2015 / 11:17 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis has sent a telegram of condolences following the death of Catholicos Dinkha IV, patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East, describing him as an “important spiritual leader, a courageous and wise pastor.”

The patriarch passed away on Mar. 26 in Rochester, Minnesota at the age of 79.

Pope expected to visit Italian cities of Florence, Prato in November

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2015 / 03:49 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An informal announcement was made on Friday at the close of the Italian bishops conference's spring meeting in Rome revealing that Pope Francis will visit the two Tuscan cities Nov. 10.

“We welcome the news that the Holy Father will be in Prato with great joy,” Bishop Franco Agostinelli of Prato said March 27.

'This is your house' – Pope Francis meets homeless in Sistine Chapel

Vatican City, Mar 27, 2015 / 11:24 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis stopped by to visit with 150 of Rome’s homeless in the Sistine Chapel after they were invited for dinner and a private tour by the Vatican.

“Welcome. This is everyone's house, and your house. The doors are always open for all,” the Pope told his homeless guests during their March 26 visit to the Vatican Museums. He said that their visit was like a tender caress from God.

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