Bronze sculpture in St. Peter’s Square offers message of hospitality April 16, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News A new bronze sculpture installed in St. Peter’s Square, near the showers and medical clinic the Vatican runs for people in need, invites visitors to reflect on the sacredness of welcoming others, especially the marginalized.
God always waits, goes looking for those who are lost, pope says April 16, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Gospel contains a great message of hope, “because it tells us that wherever we are lost and however we are lost, God always comes looking for us!” said the text for Pope Francis’ weekly general audience.
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.
Peru-based Catholic movement formally suppressed by the Vatican April 15, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has ordered the suppression of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peru-based lay movement active across Latin America and the United States, and three related lay movements following decades of abuse allegations and internal investigations.
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 advances sainthood cause of famed Spanish architect, five others April 14, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News Pope Francis advanced the sainthood causes of one woman and five men, including Antoni Gaudí, the Spanish architect who designed the Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, Spain.
As ‘Laudato Si” turns 10, experts urge greater response to pope’s urgent message on climate April 14, 2025By Kimberly Heatherington OSV News Filed Under: Environment, Feature, News, Vatican, World News Writing in “Laudato Si’, on Care for Our Common Home,” Pope Francis said the Earth “cries out to us because of the harm we have inflicted on her by our irresponsible use and abuse of the goods with which God has endowed her.”
On Palm Sunday, recovering pope says to carry the cross with compassion April 13, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News Carrying the cross means more than bearing personal suffering — it means stepping into the pain of others and walking beside them, Pope Francis wrote at the start of Holy Week.
Two popes who built St. Peter’s Basilica face each other fully restored April 11, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Arts & Culture, News, Vatican, World News Two popes who played instrumental roles in building the world’s largest church now gaze at one another with renewed clarity in the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Papal preacher: Faith in Resurrection means not clinging to the past April 11, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Lent, News, Vatican, World News The temptation to cling to the past — to hold on to what was, including something sacred — can keep believers from truly embracing the hope offered by the risen Christ, said the preacher of the papal household.
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.