Vatican & World News: Recent Episodes
Vatican News
These are the headlines for Friday, May 13th: - The Holy See announces that Pope Francis will be visiting Canada at the end of July - Pope Francis encourages Anglicans to contribute to the Church’s synodal process, and looks ahead to his “pilgrimage of peace” to South Sudan - A group of university professors from the Americas meets with Pope Francis as part of an initiative linked to the Synod of Bishops - Podcast - Vatican News
- Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims of devastating flooding in Libya - Cardinal Matteo Zuppi is headed to China as the Pope’s peace envoy - North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong Un is in Russia to meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin
- Pope Francis welcomes the head of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church to the Vatican - The Holy See’s representative to the UN in Geneva calls for nations to renounce the use of cluster munitions - Rescue efforts continue following an earthquake in Morocco, as the death toll rises
- Pope Francis highlights the importance of literacy in contributing to peaceful societies - The Vatican offers a glimpse of the prayer vigil that will precede the Synod General Assembly - Poland prepares for the first-ever beatification of an entire family, with the Pope praising their heroicism
- Pope Francis meets with the Holy Synod of the Ukrainian-Greek Catholic Church - At the General Audience, the Holy Father prays for victims of a tragic fire in South Africa - The Pope reflects with joy and gratitude on his Apostolic Journey to Mongolia
- Pope Francis makes a surprise visit to the Dicastery for Doctrine of the Faith to thank Cardinal Ladaria for years of service as prefect - The President of Central Asia’s Bishops’ Conference praises the Pope’s visit to Mongolia as highlighting unity despite differences - Mongolia’s Cardinal Giorgio Marengo shares a favorite moment from the Pope’s historic visit to the country
In the headlines, this Monday September 4th: - Pope Francis concludes his Apostolic Journey to Mongolia - The Holy Father inaugurates the 'House of Mercy' in Ulaanbaatar, emphasising selfless love - Mongolia’s Cardinal Giorgio Marengo speaks to us about the significance of the Pope’s historic Visit
In the headlines, this Saturday, September 2nd, - In Mongolia, the Pope tells Catholic ministers the Church must constantly proclaim Jesus - The Holy Father reminds them that God loves and believes in them - The Pope praises Mongolia’s active role in promoting world peace
- Mongolia’s small Catholic community is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Pope Francis, who begins his journey to the central Asian country on Thursday - Tomorrow, September 1st, is the Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation, marking the opening of the annual season of creation
In the headlines, this Tuesday, August 29th: - Pope Francis prays for the marginalized this September - The Vatican provides an overview of the Pope’s imminent Journey to Mongolia - Vatican Radio speaks to the Mongolian Ambassador to the Holy See
- Pope Francis asks us to reach out to those who have fallen into the “slavery” of drug addiction - Libya’s foreign minister has been suspended after an informal meeting with her Israeli counterpart - The Taliban have banned Afghan women from attending university outside the country
- Pope Francis warns against what he calls a “technocratic tyranny” dehumanizing our societies
- As the threat of war looms following a military coup in Niger, Nigerian Cardinal Onaiyekan warns of dire consequences for the region and issues a plea for peace
- Looking ahead to the Pope’s upcoming apostolic visit to Mongolia, Cardinal Marengo describes it as "an honour and a grace"
- More than 540 children have been killed in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion - Voting in Zimbabwe continues for a second day due to delays at dozens of polling stations - Nicaragua declares the Society of Jesus – the Jesuits – illegal, and confiscates their property
In the headlines this Wednesday, August 23rd: - Pope Francis praises mothers and grandmothers who hand on the faith to their children and grandchildren - The Pope decries the cruel war in Ukraine, and remembers all those lost - Bodies of migrants found dead from Greece wildfires
- Bishops in India are appealing to the United Nations to intervene to stop recurring anti-christian violence - A human rights group is denouncing mass killings of African refugees by Saudi Arabian border guards - Countries around the Pacific have expressed alarm over a Japanese plan to release radioactive water into the ocean
In the headlines this Monday, August 21st: - Pope Francis tells European lawyers to be at service of truth and justice, and some news about his encyclical Laudato si on the environment - The Pope remembers Dorothy Day finding love in the poor - He calls on Christians to witness the Gospel together
In the headlines this Sunday, August 20th: - Pope Francis says the Lord cannot resist us when we pray to Him - The Pope appeals for Niger and Ukraine - As today marks a special Day of Prayer in Pakistan, we speak to the head of Pakistan’s Bishops Conference
In the headlines this Saturday, August 19th: - Pope Francis calls and comforts mother of young man who passed away after World Youth Day - The Holy Father remembers World Humanitarian Aid Day - Canada’s wildfires continue to rage, and wreak destruction
- Pope Francis upholds the value of social friendship as an antidote to conflict and war - The Apostolic Nuncio to South Sudan praises Cardinal Parolin’s recent visit to show the Church’s solidarity with refugees and IDPs - Wildfires rage in Canada forcing the evacuation of entire towns
- Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin is in South Sudan, where he’s urging all to work for peace - Humanitarian aid agencies are working to supply Ukrainian hospitals with much-needed medical supplies - Peru’s Bishops are speaking out against a medical board’s decision to permit an abortion for a young girl
In the headlines this Monday, August 14th: - Pope Francis insists that the Church accompany workers in midst of job insecurity - Cardinal Parolin arrives in South Sudan to encourage peace process - Ukraine’s main pediatric hospital determined to keep families together
- In his message for this year's World Day for the Poor, Pope Francis says all Christians must be personally involved in the struggle against poverty - The head of the United Nations warns against “the rapid spread of lies and hatred” in the digital ecosystem - Russia launches a “massive” missile attack against civilian targets in the hometown of Ukrainian President Zelensky
In the headlines this Monday, June 12th: - All is proceeding well with Pope Francis’ recovery following his abdominal surgery last week - Italy’s longest serving premier Silvio Berlusconi dies at age 86 after health battles - More suffering in Ukraine after Russia’s recent destruction of crucial dam
- Pope Francis continues to recover from his recent surgery, with doctors reporting that he is well on the way to recovery - Fighting continues in Ukraine amidst an ongoing humanitarian effort in response to flooding caused by the destruction of the Kakhovka dam - Church leaders, businesspeople and academics gather in the Vatican for a conference on corporate ethics
- Pope Francis returns to the Gemelli Hospital for abdominal surgery
- Ukraine says tens of thousands of people are at risk after the collapse of a gigantic dam
- UN organizations are drawing attention to global food safety concerns for World Food Safety Day
- Pope Francis encourages indigenous women for their struggle to protect the Amazon rainforest - Cardinal Tagle tells missionaries that their ministry is about sharing with others the great things God has done - Nicaraguan authorities escalate their crackdown on the local Church by confiscating a Catholic school
- Pope Francis celebrates the International Day for Persons with Disabilities, recalling the duty of civil and ecclesial communities to welcome and include everyone - A focus on the "Mediterranean Dialogues" conference and the Pope’s message calling for solidarity and working together to face regional challenges - And we shine the light on how the Church in Asia is going forward in its synodal journey...
- Pope Francis says using weapons to solve conflicts is a sign of weakness - The Prime Minister of Lebanon calls on the United Nations to help Syrian refugees return to their homeland - A bishop in South Sudan welcomes confirmation of the Pope’s long-awaited visit to his country
- Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan from January 31 - February 5 - Israeli troops kill two Palestinians as violence in the West Bank continues - Pope Francis releases his prayer intention for December, asking the faithful to pray for volunteer organizations
- The Church’s synodal process surges forward as the Continental Assemblies of the Synod of Bishops share the fruits of much dialogue and discernment - The Vatican presents a project to portray the contribution of the faithful with disabilities to the Synod on Synodality - Palestinians lose their lives in a flare-up of Palestinian/Israeli violence
- Pope Francis tackles a range of issues in an exclusive interview with the Catholic “America Magazine” - We hear from a participant in the Continental phase of the Synod of Bishops on Synodality on how the ongoing process is changing views and perspectives
- Some six thousand schoolchildren and teachers flock to the Vatican to hear what Pope Francis has to say about education and peace
- At the Angelus for the First Sunday of Advent, Pope Francis calls on the faithful to be alert and vigilant - The Holy Father calls on Israeli and Palestinian authorities to find ways to move dialogue forward - Nigerian priests, religious, and seminarians in Rome hold a Rosary procession to pray for their country
- Pope Francis renews his appeal to foster fraternity and encounter in an address to religious superiors - The Papal Almoner speaks about the Church’s charitable activity in and around the Vatican - Lebanon’s prime minister insists on the need for structural reform to recover from the country’s financial crisis
- Pope Francis prays for the victims of the deadly earthquake in Java - Separate attacks in Jerusalem kill a young boy and leave many wounded - The experience of Spiritual Consolation is at the heart of the Pope’s reflection during the weekly General Audience
- Pope Francis appoints a temporary administrator over Caritas Internationalis - The Holy Father meets with members of the World Jewish Congress at the Vatican - The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warns of the critical situation in Iran
- Aid to the Church in Need highlights persecution against Christians in its annual report - Two actresses have been arrested in Iran as anti-government protests continue - The Secretary-General of the United Nations criticizes the outcome of the Cop-27 climate conference
- The Bishops of the European Union demand an end to the madness of war - Iran sentences three anti-government protesters to death - Brazilian President-elect Lula da Silva promises to fight deforestation in the Amazon
- Pope Francis sends condolences to victims of last Sunday's bomb attack in Turkey - The G-20 Summit, meeting in Indonesia, plans a condemnation of Russia’s war against Ukraine - The Church marks the 400th anniversary of the foundation of the Propaganda Fide
- Pope Francis urges pharmacists to combat a throwaway culture with a culture of care - The Pope praises an Italian charity for fighting against poverty - The President of Ukraine visits Kherson, as we get closer to nine months since Russia’s invasion
- Pope Francis reflects on the duty of the Church to seek the truth and allow God’s Word to resound - The G20 economic summit prepares to meet in Indonesia as the world grapples with high inflation and rising food and fuel costs - The Church prepares to celebrate World Day of the Poor on Sunday
- Pope Francis says priests who don’t pray 'live in the bin of mediocrity' - The COP27 climate conference looks for ways to help developing nations adapt to more violent climate events - This year’s Christmas creche and tree are set to be unveiled in the Vatican
- The Vatican ramps up charitable activities ahead of World Day of the Poor, - The Bishop of Aleppo highlights the dramatic situation of the health crisis in Syria, - Pope Francis says that priestly formation is at the heart of evangelization.
- Pope Francis decries the childish logic of weapons and calls for the mild force of dialogue. - The Vatican highlights the interconnectedness of poverty, environmental degradation and war at the UN Climate change summit. - The Holy Father describes his Apostolic Journey to Bahrain as one of dialogue and fraternity in a world affected by division and conflict.
- The Apostolic Nuncio in Ukraine reflects on the Pope’s impassioned plea for peace - As the COP27 Summit swings into action the UN Chief lays out a climate action plan to provide global early warnings on climate change - The Church in France is in shock after a Cardinal admits to abusing a minor 35 years ago
- Ukraine accuses Russia of looting empty homes as attacks continue - European bishops appeal to policymakers to ensure fair access to affordable energy for this winter - Pope Francis invites Claretians to always seek new ways to serve the Lord
- Pope Francis appeals for disarmament and the breaking of the spiral of violence - On the penultimate day of his visit to Bahrain, the Pope celebrates Mass for the Catholic flock - The Holy Father encourages Bahrain’s young people to pursue good values
- On All Saints' Day, Pope Francis says the saints can inspire us to live as peacemakers, - The Holy Father asks for prayers ahead of his trip to Bahrain later this week, - In Ukraine, Christian organizations are working to provide relief to the suffering people
- Pope Francis encourages prayers for suffering children around the world in the month of November; - The Holy Father urges communication associations to embrace values of coordination, change and encounter; - The Bishops of Asia say they are challenged by the voices of the marginalized.
- Pope Francis prays for victims of a Halloween festival stampede in South Korea and for people killed in a terrorist attack in Somalia
- Asian Bishops wrap up their first-ever general conference with a call to embrace everyone in concrete solidarity
- Governments and NGOs are gearing up for the UN’s COP27 climate conference event in November
- Pope Francis urges Catholic Action Youth to become “leaven” in society - Tropical storm Nalgae in the Philippines kills dozens of people - Cardinal Charles Bo of Yangon highlights the response of the Church in Asia to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
- The Vatican offers details about Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Bahrain - The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors forges ahead with efforts to combat clerical sexual abuse worldwide - North Korea fires two missiles into the sea as fears grow over renewed nuclear testing
- A Caritas conference highlights the role of women in leadership in society - The Vatican releases a document to guide the Continental phase of the synodal process - Pope Francis urges Malagasy priests and religious to form a unified spiritual family
- The Pope condemns attacks on a Catholic hospital in the Democratic Republic of Congo - New details published about the Pope’s recent audience with priests and seminarians studying in Rome - The Holy Father continues his catechesis on discernment at his Wednesday General Audience
- Pope Francis says both Church and state must listen to and support families in these challenging times - Former Finance Minister Rishi Sunak is set to become Britain's next prime minister - Death row prisoners in Japan launch an appeal against the nation's policy of no-notice executions
- Pope Francis reflects on the need for humility, that we might be raised up by God - Millions of people are facing the prospect of famine as violence continues in the Tigray region of Ethiopia - The group of G7 nations has condemned Russia’s kidnapping of Ukrainian nuclear plant personnel
- The Holy See and China agree to extend the Provisional Agreement regarding the appointment of Bishops
- Russian authorities order civilians in the occupied Ukrainian city of Kherson to evacuate
- The United Nations Security Council calls for an immediate end to violence in Haiti
- Pope Francis urges business leaders to use their gifts to promote the common good
- Giorgia Meloni, whose party triumphed in recent elections, is expected to be sworn in as Italy’s next Prime Minister
- The Pope encourages French public servants to always care for the disadvantaged in society
- The Catholic Church of England and Wales welcomes the publication of a report into child sexual abuse in various sectors of British society - British PM Liz Truss steps down after just six weeks in office - A top official of the Synod of Bishops explains why the Pope’s decision to lengthen the synodal process is so valuable
- The Pope makes an appeal for war-torn Ukraine
- The Holy Father decries the ongoing tragic floods in Nigeria
- Pope Francis will travel to northern Italy for a cousin’s 90th birthday
- Pope Francis calls for prayers for the suffering people of Ukraine as fresh Russsian bombardments in Kyiv and other cities cause more death and destruction on both sides
- The UN chief calls for armed action to help Haiti as the country descends further into chaos
- African Bishops demand climate justice for the continent
- Pope Francis calls for nations to eradicate poverty and hunger in a spirit of fraternity
- Russia uses kamikaze drones to bombard several Ukrainian cities
- The Vatican urges Hindus and Christians to work together to promote peace in a divided world
- Pope Francis extends the Synod on synodality for an extra year to deepen the discernment process
- Ukrainian officials say hundreds of children have died since Russia began its invasion nearly 8 months ago
- Heavy rains unleash flooding in three Australian states
- Pope Francis recalls that moments of crisis can be turned into opportunities for missionary growth and renewal
- The Bishops of the European Union renew calls for an end to the war in Ukraine, lamenting the ongoing suffering
- A blast at a coal mine in Turkey kills dozens of people
- The Holy See calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and for a start to negotiations - Pope Francis upholds the voice of missionaries who give voice to the voiceless - The World Wildlife fund reveals that in 50 years over 69% of the world’s wildlife has disappeared
- Celebrations begin in the Vatican mark 60 years since the start of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council - G7 Nations hold an emergency meeting after Russian airstrikes on Ukraine intensify for a second day - African Faith leaders call for debt reduction for the continent as many countries continue to sink into further poverty
- Pope Francis tells young people to be ambassadors of peace - Russia bombards several western Ukrainian cities - North Korea resumes missile tests worrying neighbouring countries
- Pope Francis sends telegram of condolences over victims of Thai daycare center attack - The Holy See calls for joint efforts in the fight against human trafficking - 2022 Nobel peace prize award goes to rights advocates in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus
- The Holy See Press Office releases details regarding Pope Francis’ upcoming apostolic journey to Bahrain - At least 17 migrants die and scores are still missing in two shipwrecks off the Greek coast - Pope Francis reflects on the universal call to holiness, signs of which arise “even in the most unthinkable ways”
- Pope Francis reiterates his appeal for prayers for peace for Ukraine as fighting continues unabated - The Sri Lankan Catholic Church holds talks with newly elected President Wickremesinghe on promoting the interest of the nation and its people - Colombian rebels and government representatives agree to re-start the peace process
- “The Letter” a new documentary on humanity’s power to stop the ecological crisis is released on the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi
- The Russian parliament looks set to approve the incorporation of four Ukrainian regions into Russia
- The Holy See shines the light on the need to protect and promote the rights of children of African descent across the world
- Pope Francis urges Oblates of Mary Immaculate to ‘proclaim the Gospel of hope'
- The Pope encourages Stella Maris in apostolate to maritime community - Brazil to hold second round of presidential elections
- Pope Francis appeals to the leaders of Russia and Ukraine to find a way to peace
- Tension continues to mount in Ukraine where its armed forces claim battlefield successes and the government seeks to join Nato
- The Holy Father prays for victims of Hurricane Ian and for the scores of dead and wounded in a football stadium tragedy in Indonesia
- Pope Francis urges the Redemptorists to rethink their mission to serve the poor amid the challenges of today’s world
- Condemnation abounds over Russia’s annexation of four Ukrainian regions, as Ukraine recaptures another key eastern city
- Voters in Brazil gear up to head to the polls on Sunday in a closely-watched presidential election
- Pope Francis renews the mission of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors with a slate of new appointments
- Russia’s president announces the annexation of 4 Ukrainian provinces, following a referendum denounced by the international community
- The Bishops of Canada wrap up their plenary assembly with a promise to continue the path of healing with indigenous peoples
- Pope Francis is set to travel to the Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain in early November
- Northern Ireland bishops call on politicians to tackle economic reforms with the poor in mind
- The Holy Father asks for prayers for the tormented people of Ukraine as Russia declares the annexation of four provinces
- Cardinal Parolin warns against the danger of nuclear arms
- Ukraine’s educational crisis reaches new heights
- Human rights situation in Nigeria is increasingly worrisome
- Pope Francis pens introduction to new book on the life of Jesus
- A centre-right coalition is claiming victory in Italian elections amidst low voter turnout - Protests continue in Iran after a woman died in police custody - Pope Francis encourages young members of the Sholam Catholic Community to continue to be creative
- Pope Francis calls on Christians to put Jesus at the center of their lives and become bread of tenderness and mercy for all
- The Holy Father appeals for concrete actions for peace in Myanmar, Ukraine and Cameroon
- Italians go to the polls in a divisive general election
- Pope Francis invites young people gathered in Assisi on the last day of the Economy of Francesco event to develop economic models that respond to the cry of the poor
- The Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development says the Assisi meeting has given huge momentum to a necessary work in progress
- US bishops condemn the Russian President’s threat of nuclear war
- Young economists await Pope Francis’ arrival in the Italian town of Assisi for the Economy of Francesco event
- Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine hold a referendum on annexation, with many nations denouncing it as a ‘sham’
- Dozens of Syrian migrants drown after their boat sinks in the Mediterranean Sea
- Amid the rise of global tensions and rhetoric threatening the use of nuclear weapons the Holy See reaffirms its support for the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Arms - Iranian authorities attempt to silence rising protests against restrictive government policies - Pope Francis says the corporate world has a role to play in tackling global crises
- Pope Francis reiterates his appeal for closeness and prayers for the “noble and martyred” people of Ukraine - The Bishops of the United States release their National Synthesis - Young economists from across the globe arrive in Assisi, ahead of an event seeking to find sustainable global economic solutions
- The Vatican Secretary of State addresses a top-level UN summit in New York upholding the Global Pact for Education endorsed by Pope Francis - Preparations are underway for a three-day event dedicated to The Economy of Francesco that aims to create the basis for a new model of economy - An Art and Faith Programme organized by pastoral groups of St. Peter’s Basilica shines the light on the life of the first Pope
- Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, is laid to rest in Windsor Castle - Border clashes between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have left almost 100 people dead and scores more wounded - Religious in Haiti decry the humanitarian catastrophe their country is facing and appeal for action
- Pope Francis prays for victims of recent fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia, and appeals for dialogue and peace - In an interview for an Italian newspaper, Pope Francis says it’s time for humanity to reset its course - Tens of thousands of people continue to wait to pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II, ahead of her funeral on Monday
- Ukrainian officials have discovered mass graves in territories liberated from Russian occupation - The Church in the United States prepares to observe National Migration Week amid an ongoing debate on immigration - Pope Francis speaks with Italian pilgrims about the importance of the Eucharist in Christian life
- Pope Francis says the synodal journey must make the Church more hospitable and caring
- The death toll in Armenia’s and Azerbaijan’s latest clashes rises above 200 as a new ceasefire holds up
- Mass graves are discovered in an eastern Ukrainian city recently liberated from Russia’s invasion
- Pope Francis concludes his Apostolic Visit to Kazakhstan with an invitation to religious communities to work for peace - The Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions expresses a common desire to work for a better world - The Holy Father encourages Catholic ministers in Kazakhstan to bear witness to the joy of the Gospel
- Pope Francis rounds up his second day in Kazakhstan with a congress in the morning and mass in the afternoon and - The Holy Father prays at Mass that we never grow accustomed to war, nor weary of helping its victims
- Pope Francis arrives in Kazakhstan, where he’ll be attending the Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions - Newly-created Cardinal Giorgio Marengo talks about his hopes for the Pope’s “missionary journey” to Kazakhstan - A Ukrainian counter-offensive in the northeast part of the country has led to Russian forces losing control of key cities
- Preparations are in their final stages on the eve of the Pope’s 38th Apostolic Journey to Kazakstan, - The Vatican secretary of state upholds the Pope’s visit to Kazakhstan as an opportunity for encounter and dialogue, - Pope Francis releases a message ahead of World Youth Day 2023.
- Pope Francis asks for prayers for his visit to Kazakhstan where he will encourage Catholics and promote interreligious efforts toward peace
- The Pope appeals for an end to the war in Ukraine, with the Bishop of Kharkiv lamenting the untold suffering inflicted on people
- The coffin of Britain’s late Queen Elizabeth II begins its long journey toward London for a state funeral
- Pope Francis urges catechists never to tire of showing God’s unfailing love for every person
- As Charles III is officially proclaimed king, the British Ambassador to the Holy See praises the late Queen Elizabeth II’s dedication to diplomatic relations with the Popes
- Ukraine’s army kicks off a counteroffensive to retake the eastern Kharkiv region from Russian forces
- Pope Francis sends his condolences to King Charles III upon the death of Britain’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II - In a message for World Literacy Day, the Holy Father stresses the importance of creating an education system that unites - The Church in Kazakhstan prepares to welcome the Holy Father, who will be travelling to the country next week
- Defence ministers from countries supporting Ukraine meet in Germany - An Italian missionary is killed during a terrorist attack in Mozambique - Pope Francis meets with papal diplomats during their triennial meeting at the Vatican
- An attack by extremist Muslim militants in Burkina Faso leaves at least 35 people dead and scores more injured - Preparations for the “Economy of Francesco” event to be held later this month in Assisi gather pace - The Archbishop of Astana - Kazakhstan’s largest diocese – looks ahead to Pope Francis’ upcoming apostolic journey to the nation
- Pope Francis upholds love as the most essential trait that everyone is called to bear.
- Britain elects a new Prime Minister,
- Bishops of Chad suspend their participation in the country's National Inclusive dialogue.
In the headlines this Friday, September 2nd: - Cardinal Parolin insists any escalation of war in Ukraine must be avoided - Pope Francis says the Christian mission is to bring reconciliation to the world - After Pope Francis meets celebrities in Vatican, an American actress present - Patricia Heaton - discusses her strong Catholic faith
- An American nun kidnapped in Burkina Faso has been freed after 5 months in captivity
- Chilean Bishops warn new constitution places religious freedom at risk
- Pope Francis says that liturgy must be directed toward the mystery of Christ while remaining close to daily life
- Pope Francis begins a new cycle of catecheses on “discernment” at his weekly General Audience
- Air strikes in Tigray strike a neighbourhood close to a hospital in the region’s capital
- Former Soviet leader and Nobel peace prize laureate Mikhail Gorbachev dies in Moscow
- The Holy See reaffirms that Pope Francis’ appeals for peace in Ukraine and elsewhere always steer clear of politics and are meant to defend human life
- Numerous Cardinals meet with the Pope to explore the reform of the Roman Curia
- The Bishops of Kenya urge calm amid tensions over the official results of the country’s recent election
In the headlines this Monday, August 29th: - Long-time former director of Vatican Radio, Fr. Federico Lombardi, celebrates his 80th Birthday - Cardinals comment on their expectations for Curia Reform as they meet in the Vatican - Bishops are ready to reign in the upcoming Season of Creation
- Pope Francis makes a pastoral visit to the earthquake-struck city of L’Aquila in central Italy and opens the Holy Door of the Celestinian Pardon
- The Pope prays for flood-hit Pakistan and for those suffering from the war in Ukraine
- Pope Francis says only goodness can overcome the evil of war, as he prepares to visit the Italian city of L’Aquila on Sunday
- The Pope urges French altar servers to continue their service to others even outside the Mass
- Cardinal Mario Grech offers an update on the synodal journey, as the Synod enters a new phase
- Pope Francis invites Catholic legislators to work for a more just, fraternal, and peaceful world - A relic of St Bernadette Soubirous is set to begin a pilgrimage through the United Kingdom - The Philippines' education oversight board launches an investigation into school closures in the wake of the pandemic
- Ukraine celebrates its national Independence Day amid six months of an ongoing war with Russia. - Iraqi Cardinal calls for change in governmental, social and economic policies in the country. - Pope Francis upholds the value of old age in his catechesis at the General Audience.
- Pope Francis orders institutions of the Holy See to transfer all movable assets to the Vatican Bank
- As Ukraine nears the 6th anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Church leaders and human rights organizations call for peace amid the ongoing war
- The Catholic Bishops of Asia kick off prayers for their 50th anniversary Jubilee celebrations
- Aid to the Church in need calls for efforts to put a stop to violations of freedom of religion or belief.
- We highlight the work of the Sant’Egidio community as it reaches out to the elderly and those in need during the summer months
- The Holy See and Estonia mark a century of formal diplomatic relations
- Pope Francis expresses his “concern and sorrow” about the worsening situation in Nicaragua - Caritas agencies in Ukraine and Poland are working to help victims of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine - At the Angelus, Pope Francis invites us “to enter the narrow door” by serving God and others
· The Secretary General of the United Nations, denounces the serious threats to democracy in Nicaragua… · More drone attacks against Russian targets are reported in Ukraine's Crimea peninsula… · At least 12 people are killed during an attack on a hotel in Somalia…
- Caritas Internationalis warns the humanitarian situation is worsening globally
- The Vatican says Pope Francis will attend the first-ever ‘Vitae’ Summit
- Peru’s bishops urge civil authorities to urgently seek ways out of country’s political crisis
- Catholic communicators are called “to share stories that enhance peace,” as the SIGNIS World Congress draws to a close - The head of the World Health Organisation says the situation in Tigray is the worst humanitarian crisis on earth - Pope Francis has given 100,000 Euro to help families of those killed and survivors of the deadly Easter attacks in 2019 in Sri Lanka
- Pope Francis entrusts to Mary the destiny of Europe and the world
- The Pope says the alliance between the elderly and young can save humanity
- Moscow's Archbishop speaks to Vatican Radio about the Pope’s upcoming visit to Kazakhstan
- Cardinal Charles Bo expresses concern over Myanmar’s military junta after a court sentences Aung San Suu Kyi to 6 more years in prison
- Nicaraguan officials detains another priest amid a crackdown on the local Catholic Church
- A court in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Donetsk region condemns 5 foreign nationals to death
- Pope Francis urges Christians to follow the example of Mary as the Church celebrates the Solemnity of the Assumption of Our Lady - The EU and 42 other countries urge Russia to withdraw from a nuclear power plant in Ukraine
- We highlight the work of the Capuchin Day center in Dublin which caters to the poor and homeless
In the headlines this Saturday, August 13th: - There has been a third phone call between Pope Francis and the President of Ukraine - India’s first Dalit Cardinal ever named speaks to Vatican News - Three days of mourning being observed after shootings in Montenegro
- Bishop calls for dialogue and an end to violence amid anti-government protests in Sierra Leone - Nigerian authorities announce the capture of suspects linked to the deadly Pentecost day attacks in Owo - UNICEF launches initiative to help Ukrainian pre-schoolers
· France battles a major wildfire as a heatwave scorches Europe… · A nationwide curfew is declared in Sierra Leone… · The Cardinal designate of East Timor speaks about his nomination…
- Pope Francis makes another appeal for those suffering in Ukraine - The Pope renews prayers for victims of fire in Cuba - The Holy Father says old age is a 'fruitful time to bear witness to Christ’
- Pope Francis expresses condolences over the death of Cardinal Jozef Tomko
- The Holy See calls for the peaceful use of nuclear energy
- Bishops of Japan uphold peace as a duty that concerns everyone.
- Pope Francis expresses his closeness to victims of a massive fuel depot fire in Cuba
- Christian leaders visit Ukraine in a show of solidarity amid the ongoing war
- A ceasefire eases tensions between Israel and Gaza that have killed over 40 people
- Pope Francis applauds the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine as a sign of hope that peace can be found to end the war
- Israel and a Palestinian militant group continue to exchange artillery rounds with the civilian death toll rising
- The Pope calls on digital missionaries to never tire of making mistakes as they seek to evangelize online
- Pope Francis encourages young couples to be courageous witnesses to faith and fraternit
- A bus full of Catholic pilgrims bound for Medjugorje crashes in Croatia
- The Bishops of Nicaragua lament the government’s crackdown on Catholic radio stations and religious orders
- The Holy See releases its financial report for 2021 - Pope Francis reassures young people of God’s closeness to them - Three more ships carrying grain depart Ukraine’s ports.
· Pope Francis responds to a wide range of questions during a meeting with Canadian Jesuits… · Lebanon marks the 2nd anniversary of the Beirut Port explosion… · The Bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo voice their concern over violent protests…
In the headlines this Wednesday, August 3rd: - Pope Francis prays for Lebanon - The Pope says his Apostolic Visit to Canada was like no other - Kazakhstan’s bishops share expectations ahead of the Pope’s visit to their country next month
- Pope Francis encourages young pilgrims to Medjugorje on their journey of conversion and trust in God
- The Bishops of Haiti lament the ongoing violence and lawlessness rocking the Caribbean nation
- American Bishops urge Congress to promote life and not harm the common good
- Pope Francis is set to visit Kazakhstan in September, - The Holy Father reiterates the need for a world free of nuclear weapons, - A grain ship leaves Ukraine’s ports for the first time since the Russian blockade.
· Concluding his visit to Canada, Pope Francis says the horrors committed against the nation’s indigenous people was 'a genocide'... · Cardinal Michael Czerny, describes the Pope’s visit as one that inspired healing and reconciliation... · Sovereign Order of Malta observes the World Day against Trafficking in Persons...
· Pope Francis presides at a Mass at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre near Quebec on the fifth day of his Apostolic Visit to Canada… · Notre Dame Cathedral prepares for Vespers with the Pope... · We hear from a Residential School Survivor who currently lives in Quebec...
- Pope Francis travels to Quebec on the second leg of his penitential pilgrimage to Canada - We shine the spotlight on some of the protagonists he will engage with in Quebec - We look back to the feelings and reactions of those present at the papal events in Edmonton
- Pope Francis has set off for his 37th Apostolic Visit abroad, a penitential pilgrimage to Canada, to bring his closeness to the nation’s indigenous peoples
- The Pope recalls the World Day for Grandparents and Elderly, dedicated to treasuring them and their gifts
- Our Vatican Radio correspondent, Christopher Wells, is currently on the ground in Canada ahd tells us what to expect
- A landmine kills four children in Yemen - Pope Francis sends birthday wishes to the Italian President as the country undergoes a political crisis - Cardinal Parolin looks ahead to Pope Francis’ imminent penitential pilgrimage to Canada
- Pope Francis signs a Motu Proprio that modifies some of the structures of Opus Dei
- Russia and Ukraine agree a food crisis deal
- Sri Lanka's Cardinal Malcom Ranjith forcefully condemns an attack on a peaceful protest site
- Pope Francis pleads for concrete action to save the planet so future generations can continue to rejoice in God’s creation
- Myanmar’s ruling military junta continues to attack civilians and target Catholic villages
- We look ahead to Pope Francis’ upcoming penitential pilgrimage to Canada
In the headlines this Wednesday, July 20th: - Sri Lanka has a new president - A priest recently abducted in Nigeria is dead - Pope Francis prepares for his Penitential Pilgrimage to Canada
- Pope Francis urges communicators to be wise and discerning in the face of the challenge of hate speech and fake news. - A deadly heat wave across Europe fuels ferocious fires in France amid concerns of possible record temperatures. - On International Nelson Mandela Day, his eldest daughter reflects on the timeliness of her father’s message of peace and reconciliation.
- Pope Francis asks for prayers for his upcoming penitential pilgrimage to Canada - The Pope appeals to leaders of crisis-struck Sri Lanka to initiate dialogue for the common good - The Holy Father reiterates his plea to international actors to work to resume negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, not to fuel war
- The Director of the Vatican Observatory hails the stunning images from the James Webb Space Telescope - In the wake of continuing gang violence in Haiti the UN Security Council adopts a resolution calling for a stop to the small-arms trade to Haitian Parties that support criminal activities - Pope Francis encourages the people of the Dominican Republic to overcome divisions and mistrust as they celebrate a Marian Jubilee
· As Sri Lanka’s president resigns, we look at the economic hardship facing many in the country… · Calls for a two state solution as US President Joe Biden meets Palestinian leaders in the occupied West Bank… · The Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM) closes a three-day extraordinary assembly in the Columbian capital of Bogotà…
- Pope Francis highlights the importance of evangelization in an address to religious who are meeting in General Chapters - Progress is being made in talks to allow grain from Ukraine to pass through the Black Sea - Mexico pledges one point five billion dollars to upgrade border controls to limit the flow of undocumented migrants
- Pope Francis says he has no plans to resign and that his knee is slowly getting better - The Vatican’s Migrants and Refugees section warns that despite anti-slavery legislation, migrant workers continue to be exploited - Sri Lanka's Cardinal welcomes the resignation of the country’s leaders, as anti-government protests continue throughout the nation
- Pope Francis tells young people that conscientious objection in the face of "senseless war" is legitimate
- The Smiling Pope, John Paul the 1st, will be beatified in early September
- Churches call for protecting the Holy Land as the President of the United States is set to make a four-day trip to Israel
- Pope Francis renews his appeal for peace in Sri Lanka, as the country’s president agrees to resign - A Russian missile attack on an apartment building in eastern Ukraine has left more than a dozen people dead - On Sea Sunday, the Church remembers and prays for seafarers and their families
- Pope Francis expresses his “deep sorrow” over the “senseless” assassination of former Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe - Sri Lanka’s prime minister has announced his resignation as protests over a growing economic crisis continue - The Church invites us to pray for seafarers and their families in a special way this weekend, as the world observes “Sea Sunday”
In the headlines this Friday, July 8th: - Pope Francis insists zero tolerance of abuse is non negotiable - The Pontiff will visit the Italian hilltown of Assisi and Southern Italian city of Matera in late September - The Bishops of the European Union oppose adding abortion to EU charter of fundamental rights - The Vatican’s Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin continues his visit in South Sudan, and blesses the foundation stone of the Apostolic Nunciature in the country
In the headlines this Wednesday, July 6th - In the wake of the Chicago shootings, Cardinal Cupich tells Vatican Radio weapons of war should be removed from the streets - Pope Francis to name women to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Bishops - More migrants die in the Mediterranean
- Pope Francis says he is saddened at news of yet another mass shooting in the United States - Cardinal Parolin heads to South Sudan to reiterate the Pope’s message of peace for the country - Several priests in Nigeria have been freed after being abducted in recent days
- Pope Francis denies rumors he plans on resigning and repeats his opposition to abortion in the wake of the US Supreme Court ruling overturning Roe v. Wade
- Cardinal Pietro Parolin brings the Pope’s closeness to the Democratic Republic of Congo
- Bandits in Nigeria kidnap another 3 priests over the weekend, as the worrying trend continues
- Pope Francis celebrates Mass for Rome’s Congolese community, and urges the DRC to embrace peace as the Vatican Secretary of State visits the country
- The Pope calls for nations to set aside conflictual posturing and work toward peace in Ukraine
- Pope Francis apologizes to the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan for having had to postpone his apostolic visit - UN aid workers register the first deaths from starvation in South Sudan after humanitarian agencies suspend food distribution programmes - In the wake of the overturning of the Roe versus Wade ruling in the US, European bishops reaffirm the concerns of the Catholic Church for how abortion is treated at the EU level
- More than 700 priests protest the state of insecurity in Nigeria at the funeral of a priest who was murdered last weekend - Nicaragua’s leftist government shuts down more than 100 NGOs, including an association run by the Missionaries of Charity - Pope Francis sits down for a wide-ranging interview with Argentina’s national news agency, Télam.
- Pope Francis stresses the need for Christian unity in greetings representatives of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople - Demonstrations continue in Ecuador as the government restarts talks with indigenous leaders - Haitians hold a procession in honour of an Italian missionary sister who was killed on Saturday
In the headlines, this Wednesday, June 29th: - Pope Francis decries barbaric attacks in Ukraine and calls for an end to the war - The Pope issues a new document demanding an end to battles over liturgy and calling for rediscovering its beauty. - The Archbishop of San Antonio speaks to Vatican Radio about the many migrants who have died in the past days following their hope for a better life
- Pope Francis expresses his closeness to the many migrants who have died in the past days following their hope for a better life
- The Sri Lankan Church walks with its flock and supports the people of Sri Lanka who are suffering the worst economic crisis in the country’s history
- The Pope encourages young people to be messengers of hope and rebirth for the future
- Pope Francis urges members of the Neocatechumenal Way to be docile to the Holy Spirit in communion with their local Bishops
- Spain’s Bishops appeal for more humane migration policies as nearly two dozen migrants die trying to enter Europe
- Two Catholic priests are killed at the hands of kidnappers in Nigeria
- As protests continue in Ecuador, Pope Francis calls on all parties to renounce violence and extremism - The Pope laments the death of an Italian missionary nun in Haiti, - And the World Meeting of Families concludes with a joyful Eucharistic celebration in St Peter’s Square
- Pope Francis urges Church ministers to throw themselves completely into caring for the poor
- As the United States Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and returns abortion decisions to elected officials, Archbishop William Lori hails the ruling as a chance to create a new culture of life in the US
- A couple from Cameroon offers their perspective on family life on the sidelines of the World Meeting of Families
- The death toll in Afghanistan’s earthquake continues to rise as rescuers scramble to provide food and shelter to survivors amid fears of a cholera outbreak - Canadian bishops welcome the release of the programme for Pope Francis’ apostolic journey to their country - The World Meeting of Families features the prevention of domestic violence and the role of the Church in protecting and aiding victims
- Aid workers rush to eastern Afghanistan where over 1,000 people have been killed in an earthquake - Pope Francis launches another plea for peace in Ukraine - Catholic families bring their witness of faith to the 10th World Meeting of Families in the Vatican
- Pope Francis appeals for aid for the Afghanis struck by an earthquake that left at least a thousand people dead - A UN report highlights the effects of the conflict in Tigray on the neighbouring country of Eritrea - The World Meeting of Family is set to kick off on Wednesday evening with a Festival of Families at the Vatican
- Reaffirming the immorality of possessing nuclear arms, Pope Francis says a world without nuclear weapons is possible - Two Jesuit priests have been murdered in Mexico, as they sought to protect a man seeking refuge in a church - We speak with Cardinal Kevin Farrell as the Church prepares for the celebration of the Tenth World Meeting of Families
- Pope Francis urges the world not to forget the plight of Syrians and of Christians in the Middle East
- The Pope says the pandemic has shown the Church how important it is to evangelize in the digital realm
- The Bishops of Colombia offer well-wishes to Gustavo Petro after he won a run-off to clinch the presidency
- Pope Francis appeals to the international community not to forget the suffering of the people of Myanmar
- Almost four months from the Russian invasion in Ukraine the Pope invites us to ask ourselves "what are we doing for the people of Ukraine?" - The Dutch prime minister apologizes to a UN peacekeeping mission sent to defend the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica in 1995 with what he believes were insufficient means
In the headlines this Saturday, June 18th: - Pope Francis says missionaries united with the Lord are channels of God’s love - The Pope encourages Paulines to evoke people’s hidden thirst for God - He tells Syro-Malabar youth to walk along Jesus’ path of love
- Pope Francis calls for all religions to unite in dialogue to overcome the many challenges facing the world
- Bishops of the European Union support Ukraine’s bid to enter the bloc and urge the EU to create a ‘credible’ enlargement process
- The Holy See says the World Trade Organization needs to ensure a fairer system of trade to promote growth and development
- Despite losses, the Pope’s charity funds some 10 million Euro-worth of aid projects
- Representatives of different faiths gather to pray for peace in the world
- On the solemnity of Corpus Christi, Christians are invited to give of themselves as Jesus did
In the headlines this Wednesday, June 15th: - Pope Francis appeals for war-torn Ukraine - The Holy Father says the Church must be closer to all married couples and those preparing for marriage - The Pope says the faithful must visit the elderly and help them
- Pope Francis warns against simplifying the war in Ukraine to good guys against bad guys
- The Holy Father calls for Christians to be responsible and close to the poor
- Brazilian police deny reports that search teams have found the bodies of a British reporter and a Brazilian indigenous expert missing in the Amazon
In the headlines this Monday, June 13th: - Pope Francis will not preside over Corpus Christi Mass nor its Procession due to his knee - The Holy Father encourages missionaries of Africa to embrace the meaning and strength of their charism - Caritas appeals to policymakers to enable developing countries to overcome challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic
- Pope Francis apologies to South Sudan and Congo’s authorities for postponing his trip and says he hopes to go soon - The Pope appeals for peace in wartorn Ukraine - The Holy Father remembers ten martyred nuns who were just beatified - Pope Francis appeals for eradicating the scourge of child labour
- The UK’s High Court confirms deportations of illegal migrants to Rwanda in a new deal with the African state - Fighting rocks the Libyan capital, Tripoli - Pope Francis encourages Italian Grenadiers in their service to keep the streets safe and secure
- Pope Francis postpones his trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, at the advice of doctors. - The Holy Father upholds children as an indispensable resource for the future of families and society. - European communicators reflect on the church in light of present-day challenges.
- Pope Francis receives the Chairman of Jerusalem’s Holocaust Memorial Center reiterating his forceful condemnation of anti-Semitism
- An ecumenical approach to reconciliation, unity and forgiveness is at the heart of the upcoming apostolic visit to South Sudan
- and the Pope urges the Church in Italy’s southern island of Sicily to help its people overcome bitterness and disappointment due to lack of employment opportunities
- On World Ocean Day the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences brings a panel of experts together to propose solutions on how to save our seas
- The UN Children’s Fund issues a stark warning on a looming humanitarian catastrophe for children in Somalia
- Pope Francis reflects on the elderly and on how they show us the tenderness of God
In the headlines this Tuesday, June 7th: - The bishop of the Nigerian Diocese where scores were killed in an attack on a church on Pentecost Sunday tells of the shock of the people - A caravan of South American migrants sets off for the US border - Pope Francis encourages the Church in Brazil to renew its missionary outreach to proclaim the Gospel
These are the headlines Monday, June 6th: - Pope Francis decries the terror attack killing at least 50 Catholics in Nigeria during Mass on Pentecost Sunday - Firefighters work to put out a deadly Bangladesh container blaze - The Pope says interreligious dialogue is indispensable in a world torn by conflict