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Vatican News
Lord's Day Reflection: O the marvelous joy of the Resurrection!
As we celebrate Easter, Fr Luke Gregory, OFM, offers his thoughts on how the Resurrection of Jesus Christ reframes our understanding of despair, moving us from depths of sadness into the glorious life giving light of joy.
Russia, Ukraine exchange hundreds of prisoners this Easter
As Easter approaches, there was some hope for hundreds of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war and scores of injured soldiers, with officials saying they are being exchanged on Saturday.
Christians urged to contribute to Good Friday Collection for the Holy Land
As the Church prepares to celebrate Easter the Franciscan Custody of Holy Land urges Christians worldwide to contribute generously to the annual Good Friday Collection to help give hope to Christian communities in the war-ravaged region.
Theophilos III: Dialogue is the only way to unity and peace
The Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, calls for reflection on the celebration of Easter 2025, which falls on the same day for Christians of East and West. He urges walking together also to achieve peace and security in the Holy Land. He writes, "a sound foundation has been laid but there is yet more to be done. We continue in this work confident in God's providence and renewed in the unconquered hope that is given to us in the Empty Tomb."
The Custos of the Holy Land urges us to remember the hope Easter brings
The Custos of the Holy Land, Fr. Francesco Patton, invites the faithful to celebrate with great hope the resurrection of Jesus and to avoid being "crushed under the heavy stone of the circumstances in which we find ourselves living" that speak of wars, pandemics, earthquakes, economic crises, and disasters.
Fears for struggling medical facilities in Gaza
The ongoing conflict in Gaza continues to claim lives, with Israeli airstrikes on Friday reportedly killing at least 45 Palestinians and injuring dozens more.
Cardinal Bo at Easter Vigil: Rejoice for God accompanies our agony
In his Easter Vigil homily, Cardinal Charles Maung Bo of Myanmar says that despite the nation's ongoing agony, they should take comfort and rejoice in the Lord accompanying their every step and seeing their every tear.
US Vice President JD Vance visits Cardinal Parolin in the Vatican
The Vice President of the United States, who participated in the Passion Liturgy in the Vatican Good Friday evening with his family, meets with Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, and discuss together peace, religious freedom and migration.
From the Netherlands to the Vatican: Bringing spring to St. Peter's
Some 10,000 stems of flowers from the Netherlands will once again line the steps in front of St. Peter’s Basilica for the Easter celebration—continuing an almost 40-year tradition.
Liturgy of the Lord’s Passion: 'Christ is the anchor of our hope'
Cardinal Claudio Gugerotti presides over the solemn liturgy of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday in St. Peter's Basilica, as Pope Francis' delegate, and Fr. Roberto Pasolini, OFM Cap, the Preacher of the Pontifical Household, underscores in his sermon that 'Christ is the anchor of our hope.'
Nigerian Priest: 'I would be happy to be arrested for Christ's sake'
In a country where more than 3,100 Christians were killed in 2024, the testimony of a Nigerian priest sheds light on the daily trials and deep faith of Christians in the southeast region.
The concert entitled ‘7’ recalls the final words of Christ on the Cross
We publish the video of ‘7 - a meditation on Joseph Haydn's Septem verba Christi in cruce’ - with the score written by our colleague Marcello Filotei, commissioned by Vatican Radio and performed in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on 26 February 2023 by the percussion ensemble Ars Ludi with the voice of baritone Patrizio La Placa. The work will also be broadcast by Italy's public broadcaster on channel Rai5 on 19 April at 11.35 p.m.
Pope Francis: Hope opens a window on eternity
Pope Francis pens the introduction to the book by Don Tommaso Giannuzzi entitled “Prophets of Hope. Don Tonino Bello and Pope Francis.” In the book, published by Àncora publishing house, the Italian priest draws from the words of the Holy Father and the Bishop of Molfetta with the desire of giving a face to the virtue of hope.
Cardinal Parolin: We can break the spiral of war only through dialogue
In an interview with the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”, Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin speaks about the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, the role of multilateralism, and highlights the critical importance of dialogue for Vatican diplomacy, reiterating that peace cannot be imposed but is built patiently with mutual respect.
Angola: Former Supreme Court Chief Justice reflects on slow pace of national reconciliation
In an interview with Vatican News, Cristiano Augusto Andre, a Catholic, legal scholar and former Chief Justice of Angola’s Supreme Court from 1997 to 2014, expressed his concerns regarding the national reconciliation plan as well as the pace of economic development in Angola.
Hamas rejects Israel’s ceasefire offer
Hamas has rejected Israel’s latest ceasefire proposal, stating it is ready to negotiate a deal that would secure the release of all hostages in exchange for ending the war and freeing Palestinian prisoners.
Churches highlight the “Spirit of Nicaea” in their Easter Messages
In their respective Easter Messages, the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople and the World Council of Churches draw upon the spiritual and historical significance of the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea 1,700 years ago, to emphasize unity and their shared tradition further highlighted this year by the common celebration of Easter.
Holy Week celebrations banned in Nicaragua
Since 2023, public processions have been banned and now this measure also applies to the Good Friday Stations of the Cross.
Pope’s Via Crucis meditations: Embrace God’s economy in a world of algorithms
In his meditations written for the Good Friday Way of the Cross at the Colosseum—presided over this evening, 18 April, by Cardinal Baldo Reina on behalf of Pope Francis—the Holy Father explains that, faced with inhuman economies built on calculation and algorithms, cold logic and implacable interests, the only change of course is to turn to the Savior.