Pope prays for dialogue over conflict in the Middle East

The Church and Democracy

Less than a year after Pope Francis’ return visit to Portugal, a special conference in Rome organized by the Portuguese Embassy to the Holy See and Sovereign Military Order of… Read More

Grandparents and grandchildren to gather with Pope Francis for April event

At a press conference hosted by the Holy See Press Office, organizers unveiled a 27 April event sponsored by Italy’s “Fondazione Età Grande” (Old Age Foundation) that will bring together… Read More

Earth Day: Pope Francis urges responsibility for our common home

On World Earth Day 2024, Pope Francis reminds everyone of our duty to protect the planet and safeguard peace. Read all Read More

Saint Pio Foundation to release photos of Padre Pio

The Saint Pio Foundation is set to unveil ten photos of the beloved 20th century saint, in order “to foster devotion to Saint Pio” Read all Read More

‘Sr. Claire’ centre offers hope to children with intellectual disabilities

“In some ethnic groups of Sub-Saharan Africa, people with intellectual disabilities are often marginalized,” says Sr. Claudia Samba, FCSM who has worked with children with intellectual disabilities in both Senegal… Read More

SIPRI report shows huge rise in annual global military expenditure

A new study shows that global military expenditure surged to $2.443 trillion in 2023, driven by heightened tensions and regional conflicts, with top spenders like the US, China, and Russia… Read More

EU Bishops: Enlarging EU presents opportunity and challenges

Faced with prospect of enlarging the European Union to include new members, the Bishops of the European Union (COMECE) suggest the possibility offers hope and opportunities, but also presents a… Read More

Pope to La Mennais Brothers: be fathers to those you serve

On the occasion of their General Chapter, Pope Francis urges the Brothers of Christian Instruction of Ploermel – known as the La Mennais Brothers – to be “fathers who reflect… Read More

Ukraine thanks U.S. for military aid after suffering setbacks

Ukrainian and Western leaders have welcomed a desperately needed military aid package for Ukraine passed by the U.S. House of Representatives after mounting concerns the country may lose the war… Read More

Ongoing Israeli operation in West Bank leaves casualties

Palestinian officials say 13 people have been killed in an Israeli military operation at a refugee camp in the occupied West Bank. Read all Read More

Pope prays for dialogue over conflict in the Middle East

Pope Francis issues a heartfelt plea for peace in Palestine, Israel, and Ukraine, urging dialogue over conflict and remembering the suffering of those affected. Read all Read More

Pope at Regina Coeli: Jesus the Good Shepherd awaits us with open arms

At the Regina Coeli on Good Shepherd Sunday, Pope Francis reminds us that Jesus loves us without limit, giving His life for us. He prays that we may go meet… Read More

Called to sow seeds of hope and to build peace

The Fourth Sunday of Easter also known as the Good Shepherd Sunday is the World Day of Prayer for Vocations. This year marks the 61st anniversary of this event which… Read More

Ukraine: The United Nations fears mounting death toll in children

The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has expressed concern about the mounting death toll among children in Ukraine after the war against Russia entered its third year. UNICEF… Read More

Fears of disease loom in Gaza

The UN relief agency for Palestinians says the threat of disease outbreaks in Gaza is growing as winter ends and temperatures rise. Read all Read More

Lord’s Day Reflection: ‘‘I am the Good Shepherd’

As the Church marks the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Fr. Edmund Power, OSB, offers his thoughts on the day’s liturgical readings under the theme: “I am the Good Shepherd”. Read… Read More

Pope Francis receives Prime Minister of Belize

Pope Francis receives John Briceño, the Prime Minister of Belize, at an Audience in the Vatican on Saturday Read all Read More

Cardinal Parolin: Avoid escalation in Middle East conflicts

On the sidelines of an Agidae conference at the Pontifical Urban University, Cardinal Pietro Parolin comments on the recent news from the Middle East region, saying everyone is working to… Read More

Pope remembers Pius VII, a man of communion in difficult times

Pope Francis invites Italian pilgrims from the Dioceses of Cesena-Sarsina, Savona, Imola and Tivoli Pope Francis to heed the legacy of the Servant of God Pope Pius VII, a courageous… Read More

Pope to future priests: Become shepherds with Christ’s loving heart

With Christ’s loving heart, open arms and with a smile, be shepherds to your people, suggests Pope Francis when addressing seminarians of Seville, Spain, on the eve of Good Shepherd… Read More

The voice of laymen at FABC General Conference

Among those participating in the FABC General Conference in Bangkok are laymen who have been invited as guests. They too come from all over Asia. Their presence makes the People… Read More

Pope to Pontifical Institute ‘JP II’: family is not ideology

Addressing the Pontifical Theological Institute “John Paul II” for Marriage and the Family Sciences, Pope Francis highlights the need for the Church as well as the State “to listen and… Read More

Church prays for end to drought, hunger and insecurity in Kenya.

Kenya’s Catholic Bishops over the weekend led prayers for an end to drought, hunger, and insecurity facing parts of the country. This was at the ordination of the new Bishop… Read More

Pope meets French President Emmanuel Macron

Pope Francis meets with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, for their third private audience in the Vatican, and discusses the desire to promote peace in a world overtaken by… Read More

Calls for renewed hope and conviction on UN Day

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, reiterates a call for renewed hope and conviction in what humanity can achieve through solidarity, as the United Nations marks the 77th anniversary since its foundation… Read More

The heroic sacrifice of the Discalced Carmelites of Compiègne

In November 1792, a small group of Discalced Carmelite nuns of Compiègne began reciting a prayer every day, offering themselves for the salvation of France. Their prayer was answered. Read… Read More

US records sharp uptick in migration inflows

The United States says record numbers of migrants have sought to cross the border in the year to September, as economic conditions in Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba push would-be migrants… Read More

Humanitarian crisis spreads in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray state

Violence continues in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray state, where aid agencies say around a million people face famine. Read all Read More

G7 condemns Russia’s kidnapping of nuclear plant leadership

The Group of Seven (G7) of the world’s leading economies has condemned Russia’s alleged kidnapping of the leadership of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Their concern comes as Ukraine suffers… Read More

Pope calls for prayers for Ukraine, recalls World Mission Day

Speaking after the Angelus, Pope Francis recalls that today is World Mission Day, and he encourages us to support missionaries with prayer and concrete solidarity. He also invites us to… Read More

Pope prays for peace in Ethiopia, victims of flooding in Africa

At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis appeals to political leaders to find solutions for lasting peace in Tigray, and prays for victims of floods affecting various countries in Africa.… Read More

Pope Francis registers for the next World Youth Day in Lisbon

Assisted by young Portuguese university students presenting a tablet for him, Pope Francis at the Angleus on Sunday registers for the forthcoming World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugual, August 2023.… Read More

Pope at Angelus: Be humble so that God may raise you up

In his reflections on the Sunday Gospel, Pope Francis underscores the importance of seeing and acknowledging our own weaknesses and the need to develop a humility of heart so that… Read More

Russian authorities order civilians to flee Ukraine region

Russian occupation authorities in a key Ukrainian city have ordered civilians to leave immediately as Ukraine’s counter-offensive against the Russian invasion of the country intensifies. The order came as Ukrainian… Read More

UN demands end to violence in Haiti

The UN Security Council is calling for an immediate end to violence in Haiti and is inflicting punitive sanctions against a notorious street gang leader. Read all Read More

Benedict XVI: Vatican II was both meaningful and necessary

Pope emeritus Benedict XVI sends a letter to an international symposium on “The Ecclesiology of Joseph Ratzinger” held at the US Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, and upholds the importance… Read More

Caritas and Holy See at UNESCO to hold conference on women in leadership

Caritas Internationalis, in partnership with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to UNESCO, will hold a conference from 27-28 October on “The Full Face of Humanity: Women in… Read More

Pope: Bear witness on peripheries like Fr. Puglisi and St. Francis

Pope Francis meets with 250 members of Italy’s “Frontier Community”, and underscores the importance of living the Gospel and focusing on the Risen Christ in their outreach to disadvantaged youth,… Read More

Pope urges religious sisters to put relationship with Christ first

Pope Francis encourages Bridgettine and Comboni religious sisters to put Jesus first, to turn to Him constantly in Eucharistic Adoration, and to learn from the beautiful personal prayer of Pope… Read More

Parolin: ‘An Agreement on aspects essential to daily life of Church in China’

Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin grants an interview to discuss the two-year renewal of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. Read all… Read More