Pope clears way for three new saints, including first woman from Venezuela March 31, 2025By Justin McLellan OSV News Filed Under: News, Saints, Vatican, World News Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonizations of three blesseds: an Armenian Catholic archbishop martyred during the Armenian genocide, a lay catechist from Papua New Guinea killed during World War II and a Venezuelan religious sister who dedicated her life to education and the poor.
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 to Jubilee pilgrims: God acts even when we do not see the results March 31, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis encouraged pilgrim groups visiting Rome for the Holy Year to be witnesses of hope and trust in God’s faithfulness, especially in moments of discouragement.
God’s mercy is for everyone; everyone needs healing, pope writes March 31, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News While the 88-year-old pope was back at the Vatican and had appeared briefly on the balcony of Rome’s Gemelli hospital March 23, the Sunday he was discharged, to offer his blessing, he was following doctors’ orders to rest and did not make a televised or public appearance.
Pope Francis prays for victims of deadly wildfires in South Korea March 31, 2025By OSV News OSV News Filed Under: Disaster Relief, News, Vatican, World News Pope Francis offered prayers and expressed deep concern over the deadly wildfires in South Korea, which have claimed at least 28 lives and caused widespread damage.
Papal preacher: Measure your life by Christ, not social media likes March 30, 2025By Justin McLellan Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, social media, Vatican, World News Christians should resist the temptation to be swayed by applause, popularity or approval, especially in a culture driven by social media and instant recognition, instead grounding their lives firmly in Christ, the preacher of the papal household said.
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.
Not knowing pope’s role, Vatican publishes Holy Week, Easter schedule March 27, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News As Pope Francis continues his convalescence, the Vatican published a full calendar of Holy Week and Easter liturgies with no indication of who would preside or be the main celebrant.
Jubilee pilgrimage is journey of faith, hope, cardinal says March 27, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: Jubilee 2025, News, Vatican, World News A Jubilee year pilgrimage is not a series of tasks to complete in order to reap a reward, but rather a journey to help pilgrims experience God’s mercy and grow stronger in their conviction that Jesus is at their side, said Cardinal Angelo De Donatis.
Jesuits offer help to women who say they were abused by Father Rupnik March 27, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News The Jesuits have written to 20 women who have accused Father Marko Rupnik of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse, offering to work with them to find a path of reparation “geared toward healing the wounds” caused by the former Jesuit priest.
Vatican statistics: Baptisms down, but first Communions, confirmations up March 26, 2025By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service Filed Under: Feature, News, Vatican, World News The number of Catholics and permanent deacons in the world rose in 2023, while the number of seminarians, priests, men and women in religious orders, and baptisms all declined, according to Vatican statistics.
