Vatican News

Cardinals council zeroes-in on Vatican management, finances

Vatican City, Jul 3, 2014 / 12:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On the second of four days of meetings, the council of eight cardinals discussed the management of the Vatican State and of the Curia, including the so-called “Vatican Bank,” whose process of reform is ongoing.

Pope Francis, along with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, is involved in the meetings with the group of cardinals who he selected last year to help in Church reform efforts.

Revenge only perpetuates violence, Jerusalem bishop observes

Vatican City, Jul 2, 2014 / 02:46 am (CNA/EWTN News).- In wake of escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine following the murder of three Israeli teens, Bishop William Shomali has encouraged leaders to work for reconciliation, rather than retaliation.

“We are against the killing of these three young Israeli men. It’s a homicide, it’s a crime against humanity,” the bishop said in comments made to CNA July 2.

Pope Francis to hold audience with elderly, grandparents

Vatican City, Jul 1, 2014 / 07:55 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The Pontifical Council for the Family is organizing a day dedicated to the elderly, during which Pope Francis will meet with them as sign of the important role they play in a society that lives longer.

“The day is based on the assumption that old age is not a shipwreck but a vocation,” Archbishop Vincenzo Paglia, President of the Pontifical Council for the Family, said in a statement posted on the council’s website announcing the initiative.

US ambassador: Pope draws global attention to trafficking

Vatican City, Jul 1, 2014 / 05:43 am (CNA/EWTN News).- U.S. ambassador to the Holy See Ken Hackett has praised the attention Pope Francis is giving to the “scourge” of human trafficking, and spoke of collaborative initiatives aimed at its eradication.

“These days when the Pope speaks on any issue it raises the attention level worldwide, and he has done that specifically with human trafficking calling it a ‘scourge,’” the ambassador told CNA June 27.

Vatican grieves deaths of three kidnapped Israeli teenagers

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 04:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi released a statement voicing Pope Francis' condolences over three kidnapped Israeli teenagers found dead on Monday outside a Palestinian town.

“The news of the death of three young Israelis that had disappeared is terrible and tragic,” the June 30 statement read.

Pope says communists stole Christianity's concern for poor

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 03:52 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- In a new interview about moral and material poverty, Pope Francis has stressed that care for the poor is ultimately Christian, suggesting that communists have “stolen” this from Christianity.

“I must say that communists have stolen our flag. The flag of the poor is Christian,” he said.

Hartford archbishop: receiving pallium a 'moving' experience

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 10:01 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After receiving the pallium from Pope Francis on Sunday’s feast of Sts. Peter and Paul, Archbishop Leonard Blair expressed that the “beautiful” moment serves as a reminder of the basics of his ministry.

Referring to the “ancient tradition of the pallium which the Pope confers on metropolitan archbishops,” Archbishop Blair explained to CNA June 29 that “in recent years it’s been done on this feast of Saints Peter and Paul here in Rome”

Pope Francis: Church grows from the blood of the martyrs

Vatican City, Jun 30, 2014 / 07:16 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Pope Francis focused his homily for the feast of the First Roman Martyrs on the witness of martyrdom, and prayed for all who continue to be persecuted for their faith, particularly in the Middle East.

“The Church grows thanks to the blood of the martyrs. This is the beauty of martyrdom” the Pope observed in his June 30 daily Mass.

Feast of Peter and Paul celebrates God's mercy, Pope says

Vatican City, Jun 29, 2014 / 09:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- During his Sunday Angelus on the Feast of Peter and Paul, Pope Francis called the faithful to open themselves to the transforming power of God’s grace and mercy in their own lives.

“Since ancient times the Roman Church celebrates the Apostles Peter and Paul in one unique feast on the same day, June 29,” the Pope observed.

Trust in God overcomes worldly fears, Pope tells archbishops

Vatican City, Jun 29, 2014 / 04:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On the feast of Saints Peter and Paul Pope Francis installed 24 new archbishops with the pallium, urging them, like Peter, to place their security in the Lord when faced by the fear of their own weakness.

“I wonder, dear brother bishops, are we afraid? What are we afraid of? And if we are afraid, what forms of refuge do we seek, in our pastoral life, to find security?” the Pope asked in his June 29 homily.

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