Pope orders renewal of academy that trains nuncios April 15, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has raised the status of the Vatican’s diplomatic academy to an institute of higher learning that will issue academic degrees while also strengthening its focus on evangelization.
Despite improved health, pope picks cardinals to lead Holy Week liturgies April 15, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Easter, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis is going without supplemental oxygen for longer periods and is continuing therapy to recover his voice and to recover his physical strength, the Vatican press office said, but he also is increasing the number of private meetings he is holding with the heads of Vatican offices.
Vatican updates norms on donations for special Mass intentions April 14, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments Catholic faithful do not “buy” Masses, but when a priest accepts an offering and promises to celebrate a Mass for that person’s loved one or other special intention he must do so, the Vatican said.
Pope’s visit to basilica is sign of improved health, press office says April 11, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis’ surprise visit to St. Peter’s Basilica to pray and see ongoing restoration work is a clear sign that his condition is improving, the Vatican press office said.
Britain’s royal couple meet Pope Francis at the Vatican April 9, 2025By Cindy Wooden Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Although they postponed their official state visit to the Vatican because of Pope Francis’ health, Britain’s King Charles and Queen Camilla met privately with the pope April 9, the Vatican press office said.
Vatican reports progress in flagging suspicious financial activity April 9, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Vatican bank and other Vatican offices with financial dealings are getting more adept at identifying and stopping suspicious financial activity, according to the Vatican’s Supervisory and Financial Information Authority.
Pope is following doctors’ orders for his convalescence, Vatican says April 4, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News During his second week back at the Vatican after a long hospitalization, Pope Francis continued to follow his doctors’ orders to stay home, avoid visitors and keep up with respiratory and physical therapy, the Vatican press office said.
Eastern Catholics help church be fully ‘catholic,’ speakers say April 4, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Books, Ecumenism and Interfaith Relations, News, World News The Eastern Catholic churches are not an “anomaly” or an “ecclesial monstrosity” but are Catholic communities with their own liturgical, theological, spiritual and canonical heritage that help make the church truly catholic, said Maronite Archbishop Michel Jalakh.
Lord always goes in search of the lost, pope says April 2, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Even when a person seems totally lost and unable to find a way back to God, the Lord is already looking for him or her, said the text for Pope Francis’ weekly general audience.
Pope continues to govern the church, says Vatican secretary of state March 31, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Even on his worst days in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, Pope Francis was governing the Catholic Church, although on some days, he did not seem to have the energy to sign his full name, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Pope’s condition slowly improving after release from hospital March 28, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Home from the hospital after more than five weeks, Pope Francis is showing “slight improvements” in his breathing, ability to speak and mobility, the Vatican press office said.
Pope tells priests hearing confessions is a ‘privilege’ March 28, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News, Worship & Sacraments Priests must recognize that it is a privilege to administer the sacrament of reconciliation and grant absolution, Pope Francis wrote.
