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.

Pope Leo XIV interacts with a baby before celebrating Mass in Beirut, Lebanon, on Dec. 2, 2025. / Credit: Vatican Media

Powerful Moments from Pope Leo XIV’s Trip to Turkey and Lebanon

Here are some of the most powerful moments from Pope Leo XIV’s first international trip.

Nadia Howlader is given a key to a new apartment by Pope Leo XIV on Nov. 16 on the ninth World Day of the Poor. / Credit: Vatican Media

Homeless Mother Given "key" to New Apartment by Pope Leo XIV

Nadia Howlader and her daughter were given a key to a new apartment by Pope Leo XIV on Nov. 16...

null / Credit: Kara Monroe via Flickr (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0)

Five Catholic Resources to Help You Grow Closer to Christ This Advent

Here are five Advent resources to help you prepare to welcome Jesus this Christmas.

Theo is a free Catholic prayer and meditation app for children and their parents. / Credit: Theo

Kids Catholic Prayer App Aims to Bring 1 Million Children Together for Advent Campaign

A new Catholic prayer app for children and their parents called Theo plans to host the largest Advent celebration for...

The Vatican did not release any details about what was discussed during the Nov. 19, 2025, meeting Pope Leo XIV held with Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. / Credit: Photo courtesy of the Office of Gov. JB Pritzker

Pope Leo XIV Meets with His Home State’s Governor

Pope Leo XIV met with the governor of his native Illinois, JB Pritzker, on Wednesday at the Vatican.

St. John Paul II. / Credit: Adrian Tusar/Shutterstock

Vatican-set Thriller Based on True Story Set to Begin Filming in 2026

“Santo Subito!” will follow Father Joseph Murolo, an American priest asked by the Vatican to serve as the “devil’s advocate”...

Pope Leo XIV prays during his general audience on Sept. 24, 2025, in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

This is Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of November

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of November is for the prevention of suicide.

A portrait of a young St. John Henry Newman hangs in Cathedral High School, part of the Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, in Houston. / Credit: Amira Abuzeid/CNA

Meet 10 Patron Saints of Catholic Education, Students, and Teachers

Newman will join a list of several other Catholic saints considered patrons of other aspects of education. Get to know...

Pope Leo XIV will canonize seven new saints on Sunday including an Italian lawyer who renounced Satanism and became “an apostle of the Rosary,” a martyred Armenian archbishop, and a Venezuelan considered the “doctor of the poor.” Banners of the new saints are on display on St. Peter's Basilica for all to see in St. Peter's Square. / Credit: Courtney Mares / CNA

Meet the Seven Saints Pope Leo XIV Will Canonize on October 19

Pope Leo XIV will canonize seven new saints on Sunday, Oct. 19.

Fr. Konteh’s “story was so amazing”: ACI Africa’s Agnes Aineah on Inspiration for New Book about Sierra Leonean Priest

Despite a brutal civil war from 1991 to 2002 in Sierra Leone, the African country with the help of the...

St. Thérèse of Lisieux. / Credit: Public domain

How to Pray the St. Thérèse of Lisieux Novena

The St. Thérèse novena has become popular over the years. Here’s how to pray it.

This is Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the month of October

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of October is for collaboration between different religious traditions.

The premiere of “Triumph of the Heart” in Dallas on Sept. 8, 2025. / Credit: Nicole Marie Richards

New Film on St. Maximilian Kolbe’s Final Days Highlights Hope amid Darkness

A new film called “Triumph of the Heart” depicts St. Maximilian Kolbe’s last days on earth in a starvation bunker...

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square from the popemobile during his Wednesday general audience on Aug. 6, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

This is Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of September

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of September is for our relationship with all of creation.

Soprano Catherine Wethington sings during a live performance of “Journey of Faith: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa” at Carnegie Hall. / Credit: Richard Termine

Live Musical Performance Honors Life and Legacy of St. Teresa of Calcutta

“Journey of Faith: A Musical Tribute to Mother Teresa” highlights the life and legacy of Mother Teresa, especially her service...

Pope Leo XIV blesses a baby during his Wednesday general audience in St. Peter’s Basilica on Aug. 13, 2025, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

A Pontiff and His People: Pope Leo XIV Welcomes the World in His First 100 Days

Here are some of the best moments of Pope Leo XIV meeting pilgrims, visitors, and dignitaries during his first 100...

Pope Leo XIV prays with pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his general audience on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

This is Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of July

Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of July is for formation in discernment.

The outside of Guaranteed Rate Field, where the Chicago White Sox baseball team plays. / Credit: Spirit Juice Studios

"He’s one of us": New Short Film Chronicles Pope Leo XIV’s Chicago Life Before Papacy

CEO and President of Spirit Juice Rob Kaczmark takes viewers on a tour of Pope Leo XIV’s childhood life on...

From left to right: Karol Wojtyla Sr., Joseph Ratzinger Sr., Mario Jose Bergoglio, Louis Marius Prevost. / Credit: Public domain; courtesy of Ignatius Press; courtesy of The Society of Jesus Argentina; fair use

Meet the Fathers Behind the Church’s Four Most Recent Popes

Here’s a look at the dads behind our last four Holy Fathers.

Pope Leo XIV greets the faithful in St. Peter's Basilica, May 31, 2025. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

This is Pope Leo XIV’s Prayer Intention for the Month of June

In his first prayer intention video of his papacy, Pope Leo XIV has asked the faithful to pray that the...