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Pope Francis

Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo, and Bishop Robert Barron. | Credit: Alan Koppschall/EWTN; ACI Africa; Courtesy of DeChant-Hughes Public Relations

More Bishops Voice Criticism, Support for Vatican Document on Blessing Same-sex Couples

Dec 21, 2023

Some bishops, including Cardinal Gerhard Müller and several bishops in Africa, have firmly denounced the Vatican’s document.

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Bishops Around the World Are Divided Over Vatican’s Same-sex Blessing Declaration  

Dec 20, 2023

Some bishops are welcoming the news, some are approaching it with caution, while others are outright refusing to implement it.

A blessing service at St. Augustin Catholic church in Würzburg, Germany, for couples, including those of the same-sex, May 10, 2021. | Credit: CNA Deutsch

TIMELINE: What Has the Catholic Church Said about Same-sex "blessings"?

Dec 20, 2023

Here’s a timeline of how the controversy over same-sex blessings has unfolded.

Pope Francis attends the general audience in the Paul VI Audience Hall Oct. 21, 2020. | Vatican Media.

Pope Francis Urges Humanitarian Response to Darien Migration Tragedy

Dec 20, 2023

“We need the joint effort of the most directly affected countries and the international community to prevent this tragic reality,” Pope Francis said.

Pope Francis celebrates his birthday on Dec. 17, 2023, with children and families who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Celebrates 87th Birthday with Children Who Receive Aid from Vatican Clinic

Dec 17, 2023

Pope Francis celebrated his 87th birthday on Sunday morning ahead of his weekly Angelus by meeting with children and families who are assisted by the Vatican’s Santa Marta Pediatric Dispensary.

A member of the crowd in St. Peter's Square holds up a baby Jesus figure for a blessing by Pope Francis at his Sunday Angelus Dec. 17, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

"Only in God do we find the light of life": Pope Francis at Sunday Angelus

Dec 17, 2023

Pope Francis reflected on St. John the Baptist as a luminous figure who testifies to the light and teaches us that “only in God do we find the light of life” during his Angelus address Dec. 17 on the third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims during his Angelus address on Dec. 17, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Condemns Reported Israeli Sniper Attack on Gaza Catholic Church

Dec 17, 2023

The Latin Patriarch in Jerusalem reported that two women were shot by the IDF on Dec. 16.

Pope Francis at his general audience on Nov. 22, 2023. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Pope Francis Turns 87: One of the Oldest Popes in Church History

Dec 17, 2023

As the 266th successor of St. Peter to the papacy, Francis will be the oldest bishop of Rome since Pope Leo XIII, the oldest pope in history.

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 13, 2023, in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Says That He Wants to Be Buried in Marian Basilica in New Interview

Dec 13, 2023

Pope Francis has said that he wants to be buried in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome because of his devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis speaks at his general audience Dec. 13, 2023, in the Paul VI Hall at the Vatican. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: "The Christian must be open to the word of God and to the service of others"

Dec 13, 2023

Pope Francis on Wednesday closed his catechetical series on apostolic zeal, delivered during his recent general audiences, by noting that the attitude of being open is a duty for every Christian and a precondition for authentically announcing the Gospel. 

Pope Francis | Credit: Compañía de Jesús and ACI Press / Daniel Ibañez

Pope Francis Celebrates 54 Years as a Priest

Dec 13, 2023

On Dec. 13, 1969, just four days before his 33rd birthday, Jesuit Jorge Mario Bergoglio — who today is Pope Francis — was ordained a priest.

Bishops process into St. Peter's Basilica for the closing Mass of the first assembly of the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 29, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality Next Steps: Pope to Choose "big questions" for Further Study

Dec 12, 2023

The possible ordination of women to the diaconate is among the “matters of great relevance” that synod delegates in October said require further consideration.

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Pope to Vatican Employees: Lure of Corruption is Dangerous and "we must be vigilant"

Dec 12, 2023

Pope Francis received in an audience on Monday the members of the Office of the Auditor General.

Pope Francis meets with the prefects of the Italian Republic in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 11, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Expresses Concern about Italy’s Low Birth Rate

Dec 11, 2023

Pope Francis on Monday received the prefects of the Italian Republic in the Clementine Hall of the Apostolic Palace.

Pope Francis delivers his Angelus message on Dec. 10, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope at Angelus: "Through silence and prayer, we make space for Jesus"

Dec 10, 2023

Pope Francis highlighted the importance of listening to God by embracing the example of John the Baptist. 

Pope Francis confesses in St. Peter's Basilica. | Credit: L’Osservatore Romano

Hearing the Pope’s Confession: Vatican Confessor Reflects on Sacrament

Dec 10, 2023

A veteran Vatican confessor spoke about his time as confessor to Pope Francis, stressing the enduring and essential role of the sacrament.

Pope Francis waves from the window of the Apostolic Palace as he gives his Angelus address for the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023. | Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Announces Catholic Church’s First World Day of Children

Dec 8, 2023

The event was inspired by a 9-year-old boy named Alessandro, who proposed the idea to the pope to have an international event for younger children.

A firefighter scales a long ladder to the top of a nearly 40-foot-high column to pay tribute at dawn to the Blessed Virgin with a wreath of flowers on Dec. 8, 2023. | Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

PHOTOS: Pope Francis Honors Virgin Mary on Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Dec 8, 2023

Pope Francis prayed in front of a statue of the Immaculate Conception near Rome’s Spanish Steps, which sits atop a nearly 40-foot-high column.

Pope Francis receiving the delegation of the African Educational Pact at the Vatican on 1 June 2023. Credit: Vatican Media

First African Congress of Catholic Education: Pope Francis for “whole person” Formation

Dec 7, 2023

Pope Francis has faulted the culture of “selective and elitist” training that focuses on the intellect. 

Pope Francis greets members of Italy's National Association of St. Paul on Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023. | Credit: Vatican

Pope Francis Reads Speeches Unassisted for the First Time in Nearly Two Weeks

Dec 7, 2023

The pope seemed to show improvement Thursday by reading out his speeches during his various meetings on Dec. 7.