In a joint statement, various religious organizations express joy for Pope Francis' historic Apostolic Visit to Iraq (5-8 March) and renew their commitment to rebuilding a society based on solidarity and fraternity.

In the run-up to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Iraq, he asks the faithful to accompany his journey with prayers so it may bear fruit for the Middle Eastern nation. The journey is scheduled to take place from 5 to 8 March.

Pope Francis appeals for an end to violence against anti-coup protesters in Myanmar, and calls on the military junta to release political prisoners and allow the country to continue its journey toward democracy.

At Wednesday’s Audience, Pope Francis says we have access to the Trinity through prayer, thanks to Jesus.

Bishops in the DRC have urged the government of Félix Tshisekedi to keep its promises made to the people of the eastern province about improving security.

The network of 32 national Justice and Peace Commissions of the bishops’ conferences of Europe has expressed its solidarity for the people of Myanmar in their call for the restoration of democracy.

Pope Francis' prayer intention for March seeks to highlight the joy that the Sacrament of Reconciliation brings, and reminds us that it’s a loving and merciful encounter between us and God.

On the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti of Pakistan, Paul Bhatti recalls the values to which his brother dedicated his life.

In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, looks ahead to Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Iraq and reflects on its significance for the Church and the people in the long-suffering middle eastern nation.

Pope Francis will be leaving soon for the most difficult and most important journey of his pontificate. On the agenda: Expressing his closeness to Christians, support for the reconstruction of a nation devastated by war and terrorism, reaching out to our Muslim brothers and sisters. When he arrives in Iraq, Pope Francis will fulfil one of John Paul II’s dreams.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Iraq offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Christianity in Mesopotamia, where Jesus’ mother-tongue endures to this day.

Government officials confirm the release of over 300 schoolgirls taken by armed men on Friday in northern Nigeria. This is the second time in less than week that unidentified gunmen have kidnapped and released schoolchildren.

The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are connected and provoke us. Pope Francis’s Encyclical, “Laudato si’”, published in 2015, makes this evident. Gaël Giraud had already become keenly aware of this twenty years ago in Chad. A Jesuit economist, Giraud has been reflecting for years about the connections between the economy, finance and ecology which led him to propose an economic model that respects people and conserves the environment from the consequences of global warming.

"Proclaiming Christ means showing that believing in Him and following Him is not only true and right, but also beautiful. At the heart of the Gospel lies the beauty of God's saving love, manifested in Jesus Christ who died and rose again." Inspired by these words of Pope Francis, the Vatican Museums and Vatican News have teamed up again to explore the masterpieces in the papal collections accompanied by the words of the Popes.

Pope Francis is to undertake the first-ever apostolic journey to Iraq from 5 to 8 March. We offer an overview of the nation's ancientand diverse Christian communities, of their plight and of their challenges.

Europe is facing a serious demographic imbalance with the number of elderly people growing and a dwindling number of children. Two Catholic organizations organized a webinar on Monday to study the issue reflecting on the theme, “The Elderly and the Future of Europe”.

Vatican News continues its series on the history, mission, objectives and operating costs of the Vatican offices assisting the Pope in his pastoral ministry. We feature an interview with the Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication, Paolo Ruffini.

As Iraqis prepare to welcome Pope Francis on his upcoming Apostolic Journey, an official with Catholic Relief Services lays out the hopes and interreligious efforts of both Christians and Muslims.

Pope Francis meets with members of the Franciscan Centre for Solidarity, based in Florence, and thanks them for their thirty years of service sowing the seeds of the Kingdom of God.

Following an attack in Eastern DR Congo on a UN agency convoy that left three people dead, including the Italian Ambassador to DRC, the UN Secretary General says the organization is supporting an investigation into the attack.