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.

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...

The Veil of Manoppello, which is kept in a church in Manoppello, Italy, known as the Santuario del Volto Santo. / Credit: Sonovision

What Did Jesus Look Like? New Documentary Explores 3 Divine Images

“The Face of Jesus” examines two images of Christ — the Shroud of Turin and the Veil of Manoppello —...

Left: Ismael with his friend Dalia, who traveled from Barcelona, Spain. Right: Nadia Trujillo, Ana Asensio, and their friend who joined them from Portugal. / Credit: Ursula Murua/EWTN News

First Pilgrims Begin to Line up 12 hours Ahead of Pope Francis’ Funeral

The first of thousands of pilgrims were already lining up along the streets to catch a glimpse of the late...

Now in its fifth season, Part 1 of “The Chosen: Last Supper” — the first two episodes — has become the highest-grossing installment of the series, raking in a little over $19 million. / Credit: 5&2 Studios

"The Chosen" Hits Milestone as Creator Reflects on Powerful Last Supper Portrayal

Dallas Jenkins, creator of “The Chosen,” along with some of the actors from the show shared their experiences of filming...

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...