Vatican News

'Have no fear': Pope Francis calls Catholics to say 'yes' to vocations

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2020 / 09:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis urged Catholics to cling to Christ and pray for the courage to say “yes” to God in his call for vocations. Acknowledging that discerning God’s plan is a daunting task, the pope said that trust in the Lord can overcome our fears.

Pope Francis prays for coronavirus fears

Vatican City, Mar 26, 2020 / 04:04 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Thursday prayed for everyone who is fearful of the future because of the coronavirus outbreak, asking the Lord for help in bearing these worries.

“In these days of so much suffering, there is so much fear,” he said March 26.

At Fatima, 24 countries consecrated to Jesus and Mary amid the coronavirus pandemic

CNA Staff, Mar 25, 2020 / 05:25 pm (CNA).- Twenty-four countries on Wednesday were consecrated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Fatima, Portugal.

Miraculous crucifix moved to St. Peter’s Square for Pope Francis' ‘Urbi et Orbi’ blessing

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 03:10 pm (CNA).- The miraculous crucifix at which Pope Francis prayed Sunday for an end to the coronavirus has been taken down from its altar and transported to St. Peter's Square, so it can be present on Friday during the pontiff's benediction "Urbi et Orbi."

Vatican updates guidelines for Holy Week liturgies during coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 12:01 pm (CNA).- After dioceses throughout the world suspended public Masses amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Congregation for Divine Worship has updated its decree on Holy Week liturgies.

The Congregation for Eastern Churches issued a similar decree.

CDF issues new Eucharistic prefaces, optional saint feasts for extraordinary form of Roman rite

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 10:20 am (CNA).- On Wednesday the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith issued two decrees giving new Eucharistic prefaces and provision for the optional celebration of more recently named saints in the extraordinary form of the Roman rite, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass.

Bishop Steven Raica to follow Bishop Baker as head of Birmingham diocese

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 06:56 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Wednesday accepted the resignation of Bishop Robert Baker of Birmingham, Alabama, nominating Bishop Steven J. Raica of the diocese of Gaylord, Michigan, as his successor.

Baker, 75, has been a bishop for 20 years. He had led the Diocese of Birmingham since 2007. The pope has appointed Baker apostolic administrator of the diocese until Raica's installation.

Pope Francis: The Church’s pro-life message is more relevant than ever

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 06:00 am (CNA).- Pope Francis said Wednesday that the Church’s pro-life message is more relevant than ever as the world faces the coronavirus pandemic.

“The attacks on the dignity and life of people unfortunately continue even in our era … We are faced with new threats and new slavery, and legislation is not always to protect the weakest and most vulnerable human life,” Pope Francis said March 25.

Pope Francis leads Christians in global Our Father for God's mercy amid coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 05:21 am (CNA).- Pope Francis Wednesday led Christians around the world in praying an Our Father to ask God’s mercy during the coronavirus pandemic, which is causing the suffering and death of many people.

“As confident children we turn to the Father. We do it every day, several times a day; but right now, we want to beg mercy for humanity severely tested by the coronavirus pandemic,” the pope said before leading the prayer March 25.

Pope Francis sends message of hope amid coronavirus

Vatican City, Mar 25, 2020 / 02:01 am (CNA).- Pope Francis expressed his “hope in humanity” in face of the drama of the coronavirus pandemic in an interview with Spanish journalist Jordi Évole for a television program aired March 22.

Asked by Évole if he were “optimistic” in face of the coronavirus pandemic, the Holy Father said, “that’s a word I don’t like, because optimism to me, I’m not saying it is, to me sounds like makeup,” putting a good face on things.

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