Vatican News

In Pope's meeting with Ukrainian president, peace takes center stage

Vatican City, Nov 20, 2015 / 09:53 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis today met with Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko, discussing both the good relations between Ukraine and the Vatican, as well as their shared concerns over the current conflict with Russia.

A Nov. 20 communique from the Vatican described the encounter as “cordial,” with discussion “dedicated principally to matters connected with the situation of conflict in the country.”

Pope Francis: What will be left of a world torn apart by war?

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2015 / 09:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In his homily Thursday, Pope Francis said that just as Jesus wept for Jerusalem in the day’s Gospel reading, he continues to weep today, because the world has rejected the path of peace in exchange for war.

“Today Jesus weeps as well: because we have chosen the way of war, the way of hatred, the way of enmities,” the Pope said Nov. 19.

Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica uncovered as Jubilee nears

Vatican City, Nov 19, 2015 / 06:04 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Hidden since the Jubilee of 2000, the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica was revealed Tuesday as the brick wall covering it was removed in anticipation of the Holy Year of Mercy launching next month.

Cardinal Angelo Comastri, the Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica, led a special “recognitio” ceremony, culminating in the removal of the brick wall.

Vatican clarifies Mother Teresa canonization report

Vatican City, Nov 18, 2015 / 11:47 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Despite rumors that a date has been set for Mother Teresa’s canonization, the Holy See Press Office told CNA Wednesday that the cause for sainthood has not concluded, and no date has been officially set.

Fr Ciro Benedettini, vice director at the Holy See Press Office, confirmed to CNA that there is “a project, a study being carried out” on the potential future canonization of Blessed Mother Teresa.

Pope to Church: Don't act like you're on lockdown

Vatican City, Nov 18, 2015 / 09:51 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis Wednesday centered his weekly catechesis on the upcoming Year of Mercy, urging the Church not only to keep its doors open, but to go out to those who may not have the strength to enter.

“An inhospitable Church, like a family which is locked in on itself, demeans the Gospel and withers up the world,” the Pope said Nov. 18 to attendees at his general audience in the Vatican. “No armored doors in the Church! Open all of them!”

Latest Ratzinger Prizes highlight Lebanese and Brazilian gifts to theology

Vatican City, Nov 18, 2015 / 06:03 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A Brazilian priest and a Lebanese scholar were awarded on Monday the 2015 Ratzinger Prizes, in recognition of their work in theology.

“With these two figures, the list of theologians who have deservedly received the Ratzinger Prizes is further enriched not only quantitatively, but also qualitatively,” Archbishop Luis Francisco Ladaria Ferrer, S.J., secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said Nov. 16.

In new interfaith move, Pope Francis will visit Rome’s synagogue in January

Vatican City, Nov 17, 2015 / 07:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Vatican announced today that Pope Francis will soon become the third-ever Roman Pontiff to visit the Great Synagogue in Rome, following in the footsteps of St. John Paul II and Benedict XVI.

“Following the invitation from the Chief Rabbi and Jewish Community of Rome, Pope Francis will pay a visit to the Great Synagogue in the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 17, 2016,” a Nov. 17 communique from the Vatican read.

Using God’s name to justify violence is 'blasphemy,' Pope Francis says

Vatican City, Nov 15, 2015 / 05:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Sunday Pope Francis again expressed shock and sorrow for Friday’s terror attacks in Paris, condemning the acts as an “affront to human dignity,” and encouraging attendees to find hope in Jesus.

“I wish to express my deep sorrow for the terrorist attacks which on Friday evening covered France in blood,” the Pope said in his Nov. 15 Angelus address.

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