Vatican News
Lord's Day Reflection: ‘Exactly like any ordinary man’
As the Church marks the Baptism of the Lord, Marilynne Robinson offers her thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Exactly like any ordinary man”.
Pope prays for victims of Iran terror attack and for peace in the world
Pope Francis prays for the victims of a terror attack that killed almost 90 people in Iran, whilst also turning his thoughts to the devastating wars that are ravaging our world.
Pope at Angelus: Magi teach us to wonder at the humble Child Jesus
At the Angelus prayer on the Feast of the Epiphany, Pope Francis invites Christians to look to the Child Jesus and wonder at His humility, as the Magi did when they arrived at the manger in Bethlehem bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and to see the problems of the world through the eyes of children.
Pope at Epiphany Mass: Imitate the Magi to approach the Christ Child
Pope Francis presides over Mass on the Solemnity of the Epiphany, and recalls three ways that imitating the Three Kings may lead us closer to God.
Maronite bishops sound the alarm over Gaza war extending to Lebanon
Closing their monthly meeting Bkerké, the Lebanese bishops issue a statement calling for the international community to step in to prevent a new full-scale war between Hezbollah and Israel, and for a permanent ceasefire in the Holy Land.
Lord's Day Reflection: ‘Attraction, Indifference and Repulsion’
As the Church marks the Epiphany of the Lord, Fr. Marion Nguyen, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “Attraction, Indifference and Repulsion”.
Sudan paramiliary chief commits to ceasefire amid continued fighting
Following a series of meetings with African Heads of State, the Sudanese paramilitary leader says he is committed to a cease-fire to end the devastating war that has wrecked his country. However, fighting continues unabated, and no date or location for talks between the warring parties has been announced.
Centesimus Annus Foundation offers new courses on Catholic Social Doctrine
The ‘Centesimus Annus Pro Pontefice' Foundation opens registrations for new in-person and online courses to explore the contribution of the Social Doctrine of the Church to our world’s ongoing transformation and crises.
Cardinal Onaiyekan on Nigeria's massacres: Insecurity crisis raises serious questions
In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Archbishop Emeritus of Abuja, Nigeria, calls for a concrete response to the insecurity crisis witnessed in the latest Christmastime massacre, warning this coordinated series of attacks raises serious questions, and expresses gratitude to Pope Francis for his drawing attention to the 'horror' plaguing the West African nation.
Pope encourages Italian cooperative to live active charity
Speaking to members of Unicoop Florence and The Heart Melts Foundation, Pope Francis says the mystery of the Lord’s Incarnation shows us that being close to those in need is “the privileged way to encounter Him.”
Pope ‘deeply saddened’ for lives lost in Iran explosions
Pope Francis expresses his heartfelt condolences, sorrow, and prayers for those who were killed or injured by explosions in Kerman, Iran, and for those who mourn their loss.
Benedictine Nuns move into Mater Ecclesiae Monastery
Six nuns of the Benedictine Order from the Abbey of Santa Scholastica in Victoria, Argentina, accompanied by their Abbess, are welcomed in the Vatican by the president of the Governorate. They will form a monastic community in the Monastery, which served as Benedict XVI’s home after his resignation and until his death.
Archbishop Mourad: World is letting the Syrian people die
In an interview to Vatican News, the Archbishop of Homs launches an impassioned plea for the Syrian people who risk dying of hunger after the World Food Programme suspended its general food assistance programme in the war-torn country due to funding shortages.
‘An uninterrupted path of unity’ since 1964 meeting of Paul VI, Athenagoras
On the 60th anniversary of the historic meeting in Jerusalem between Pope Paul VI and the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople, Athenagoras I, Patriarch Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, explores the spirit of encounter set in motion by the two Church leaders.
Nuncio to Ukraine: Light of Jesus shines even in war
Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, speaks with Vatican News about celebrating Christmas even as bombs are falling.
Pope: Bear witness to God in every sphere
Pope Francis invites the faithful to imitate God's love in all they do, and wherever they are, during his audience with members of the Catholic University of Sant'Antonio in Murcia, Spain.
Abducted migrants released in Mexico
Mexican authorities have rescued 31 migrants who were abducted over the weekend by gunmen who hijacked their bus.
Pope to Franciscan magazine: Build bridges of peace in a world of war
Pope Francis grants an interview to the monthly magazine of the Franciscans of the Sacred Convent in Assisi and invites them to be "apostles of reconciliation and forgiveness" in a world ravaged by warns
Pope: We need a kind and prophetic communication to disarm conflict
Meeting some thirty members of the Association of German Catholic Journalists, Pope Francis highlights the precious role of Catholic communicators in providing truthful information and in not fuelling conflict even within the Church.
Dicastery for Doctrine of the Faith clarifies application of ‘Fiducia supplicans’
In a statement signed by the Cardinal prefect and the secretary, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith clarifies that ‘Fiducia supplicans’ does not change the doctrine on marriage; that bishops are able to discern the application of the document according to context; and that pastoral blessings are not comparable to liturgical and ritualized blessings. The full text of the statement is presented below.
