Francesca Pollio Fenton

Francesca is a staff reporter for Catholic News Agency. She received her degree in Communications with an emphasis in Digital Media from the University of Colorado - Denver. She is also in charge of the social media for Catholic News Agency.

On April 2, 2025, the Augustine Institute will release its second documentary in its “Based on a True Saint” series, which airs on its faith formation streaming platform Formed. The latest installment in the series, “The Boy from Milan,” focuses on soon-to-be saint Carlo Acutis. / Credit: The Augustine Institute

New Documentary on Blessed Carlo Acutis Aims to Show That Holiness is Possible Today

The latest installment in the Augustine Institute’s “Based on a True Saint” series, “The Boy from Milan,” focuses on soon-to-be...

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience on Feb. 5, 2025, in the Paul VI Audience Hall at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of April

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of April is for the use of new technologies.

Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson. / Credit: Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Resurrection of the Christ" Film to Begin Shooting in Italy this August

In an interview with podcast host Joe Rogan, Mel Gibson said the film is “very ambitious” and the story follows...

St. Teresa of Calcutta. / Credit: © 1986 Túrelio (via Wikimedia Commons), 1986 / Lizenz: Creative Commons CC-BY-SA-2.0 de

International Women’s Day: 10 Inspiring Quotes from Catholic Female Saints

On International Women’s Day, Christians can look to the wise words of female saints who serve as role models for...

Pope Francis prays during Mass on the solemnity of the Epiphany on Jan. 6, 2025, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for March 2025

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of March is for families in crisis.

“Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality” is a new documentary film exploring the life of Carlo Acutis that will be coming to theaters April 27–29, 2025. / Credit: Castletown Media

New Film on Carlo Acutis to be Released on His Canonization Date

The release date coincides with Pope Francis’ canonization of Carlo Actuis, the Catholic Church’s first millennial saint, on April 27.

Negative photo of the frontal image of the man of the Shround of Turin (left), and a side view of the sculpture “The Sign,” which depicts the man of the shroud. / Credit: Copyright 1978, Vernon Miller / Copyright Collection of Gilbert Lavoie

Saint John Paul II National Shrine to Host Exhibit on the Shroud of Turin during Lent

On the first day of Lent, the Saint John Paul II National Shrine in Washington, D.C., will host an exhibit...

The Amerigo Vespucci Italian naval ship. / Credit: Superchilum, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic Italian Naval Ship Designated a 2025 Jubilee Church, Chaplain to Accompany Sailors “in this precious time”

The Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian naval ship named after the 15th-century explorer that inspired the name “America,” has been designated...

A chalk home blessing from the feast of the Epiphany. / Credit: A.Davey via Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

How to Bless Your Home on the Feast of Epiphany 2025

The letters and numbers used in the traditional Epiphany blessing have great significance.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims and visitors gathered for the Angelus on Dec. 29, 2024, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of January

“All children and youth have the right to go to school, regardless of their immigration status,” the pope said.

Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie visits Emelyne, a little girl he has sponsored since 2023, in Rwanda. / Credit: Unbound

"So powerful": Catholic Actor, Jonathan Roumie, on Sponsoring African Children Through Charity

In 2023, Catholic actor Jonathan Roumie partnered with Unbound, a Catholic child-sponsorship charity, to support the organization’s 1 millionth child.

Pope Francis prays during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican on Oct. 9, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of December

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of December is for pilgrims of hope.

The Daughters of St. Paul during their annual Christmas concert. / Credit: Courtesy of The Daughters of St. Paul

Daughters of St. Paul Christmas Concerts in the U.S. Aim to Remind Audience of the "closeness to God"

The “Come to Bethlehem: A Christmas Concert with the Daughters of St. Paul” tour will make stops this year in...

Advent 2024: Four Catholic Resources to Help You Grow in Your Faith

As calendars get filled up and preparations are made, these four resources can help you get ready to enter into the...

From left to right: Venerable Pierre Toussaint, Venerable Henriette Delille, Venerable Mother Mary Lange, Venerable Father Augustus Tolton, Servant of God Julia Greeley, Servant of God Sister Thea Bowman. / Credit: Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons ; Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Archdiocese of Denver, Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons; Courtesy of the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration

Meet 6 Black Catholics on the Road to Sainthood

November is National Black Catholic History Month in the United States, a time to honor the history, heritage, and contributions...

“Roadmap to Reality: Carlo Acutis and Our Digital Age” is a new documentary film exploring the life of Carlo Acutis that will be coming to theaters in the spring of 2025. / Credit: Castletown Media

Carlo Acutis Film Gains Backing from National Eucharistic Congress, McGrath Institute

The National Eucharistic Congress and the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame are partnering with...

Sister Clare Crockett. / Credit: Courtesy of Servants of the Home of the Mother

7 Things to Know about Sister Clare Crockett

The community of Sister Clare Crockett, a young religious sister who died in 2016 in an earthquake in Ecuador, announced...

Pope Francis prays during the Synod on Synodality closing Mass on Oct. 27, 2024, in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of November

Pope Francis’ prayer intention for the month of November is for those who have lost a child.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square from his window in the Apostolic Palace during his Angelus address on the solemnity of All Saints, Nov. 1, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

At All Saints’ Day Angelus, Pope Francis Highlights Christians’ "identity card"

In his Angelus address on Friday, the solemnity of All Saints, Pope Francis spoke about the “identity card” of the...

Pope Francis presides at the penitential celebration ahead of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops at St. Peter’s Basilica, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

This is Pope Francis’ Prayer Intention for the Month of October

“We Christians are all responsible for the Church’s mission. Every priest. Everyone,” the pope said in a video released Sept....