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Indonesian police direct traffic next to billboards displaying a welcome message for Pope Francis in Jakarta on Sept. 2, 2024. / Credit: BAY ISMOYO/AFP via Getty Images

Pope Francis Begins Historic Apostolic Journey to Southeast Asia and Oceania

Sep 2, 2024

During his 11-day journey the 87-year-old pontiff will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Singapore from Sept. 2–13.  

Speaking to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for the Sunday Angelus prayer on Sept. 1, 2024, the pope called for peace in the Holy Land, urging the release of the remaining hostages and humanitarian aid for the polio outbreak in Gaza. The pope also expressed his closeness to the people of Burkina Faso after hundreds of people were killed in a terrorist attack there on Aug. 24. Afterwards the pope asked for prayers for his apostolic journey beginning tomorrow to Oceania and Southeast Asia. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Urges Release of Hostages, Aid for Polio Outbreak in Gaza

Sep 1, 2024

The pope appealed for peace in Gaza and for humanitarian aid to continue and also expressed his closeness to the people of Burkina Faso after a terrorist attack there on Aug 24.

Pope Francis addresses members of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who are meeting in an extraordinary plenary assembly Aug. 29–30, 2024, to discuss the future of the Pontifical Urban University, which educates priests and religious from the Catholic Church’s mission territories. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Opposes Idea to "dissolve" 400-year-old Missionary University in Rome

Aug 31, 2024

“There is some plan to ‘dissolve’ [the university] with the other universities: No, this will not do,” Francis said to members of the Dicastery for Evangelization.

Pope Francis meets with members of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) on Friday, Jan. 26, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Grants "nihil obstat" to Our Lady of Mercy Shrine in France

Aug 31, 2024

On Aug. 22, the Holy See issued a “nihil obstat” (no objection) to the miraculous visions and physical healing of French woman Estelle Faguette.

Graha Maria Annai Velangkanni Church, an Indian-Mughal style Catholic church in Medan, Indonesia. / Credit: MarlonH/Shutterstock

20,000 Miles Over the Sea: Here’s Where Pope Francis is Headed in Southeast Asia and Oceania

Aug 30, 2024

Pope Francis will embark on an 11-day trip on Sept. 2 that will bring him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Singapore.

Pope Francis addresses pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his general audience on Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Intentionally Hurting Migrants "is a grave sin": Pope Francis

Aug 28, 2024

The pope spoke at length about the poor conditions of migrants who attempt to cross a sea or desert to reach safety but sometimes lose their lives in the process.

Pope Francis addresses the crowd gathered in St. Peter's Square for his Angelus address on Aug. 25, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Human Dignity Must Be "common commitment" of all Christian Churches: Pope Francis

Aug 28, 2024

This year’s symposium is titled “What Is Man? In the Time of Anthropological Mutation” and is taking place in Trani, Italy.

Pope Francis visits the Basilica of St. Augustine in Rome on Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Makes Surprise Visit to St. Monica’s Tomb in Rome

Aug 27, 2024

During his Tuesday visit to the basilica near Piazza Navona in Rome’s historic center, the pope prayed in the side chapel containing the tomb of St. Monica.

Pope Francis speaks with journalist Fabio Marchese Ragona. / Credit: Vatican Media

Author Explains How St. John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and Francis Have Opposed the Devil

Aug 26, 2024

Author of “Exorcists against Satan” discusses how St. John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have confronted the devil.

“To the beloved people of Nicaragua: I encourage you to renew your hope in Jesus. Remember that the Holy Spirit always guides history toward higher designs,” Pope Francis said at the end of this Angelus address on Aug. 25. / Credit: Vatican Media.

"Renew your Hope in Jesus": Pope Francis Prays for People of Nicaragua at Sunday Angelus

Aug 25, 2024

The pope entrusted Nicaragua to the protection and intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis addressed the International Catholic Legislators Network as it holds its 15th annual meeting in Italy from Aug. 22-25. The theme of the gathering is “The World at War: Permanent Crises and Conflicts — What Does It Mean for Us?” / Credit: Vatican Media

War has an "abyss of evil" at Its Center: Pope Francis

Aug 24, 2024

Pope Francis asked Catholic politicians and legislators to be witnesses of hope to a “war-weary world,” especially the next generation.

Pope Francis made his remarks on synodality during an annual meeting for moderators of international associations of the faithful, ecclesial movements, and new communities, organized by the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life on June 13, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Synod on Synodality: Catholic Bishops Launch Regional, Continental Workshops ahead of October Meeting in Rome

Aug 22, 2024

Around the world, bishops together with the Catholic faithful of their dioceses are gearing up for the second session of the 2021-2024 Synod on Synodality to take place Oct.2-27 in Vatican City. 

Pope Francis continued a series of lessons on the Holy Spirit during his weekly meeting with the public in the Vatican's Paul VI Hall on Aug. 21, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibanez/CNA

Living the Fruits of the Holy Spirit Helps us Spread Holiness: Pope Francis at General Audience

Aug 21, 2024

During his general audience in the Vatican, Pope Francis spoke about the Holy Spirit, focusing on the fruits of being anointed with blessed oil in the sacraments of baptism and confirmation.

Pope Francis addresses the faithful during second vespers on the feast of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Aug. 5, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Pens Preface to U.S. Death Row Chaplain’s Book on Death Penalty

Aug 19, 2024

The pope personally penned the introduction to “A Christian on Death Row: My Commitment to Those Condemned” by Dale Recinella.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims at the Vatican during the Sunday Angelus, August 18, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Reflects with Wonder on "the miracle of the Eucharist"

Aug 18, 2024

Pope Francis said Sunday that the Eucharist is a “miracle” in which Jesus nourishes us with his life and satisfies the hunger in our hearts. 

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​​Bioethicists Scrutinize Pontifical Academy for Life’s New Guidance on Withdrawing Food, Water

Aug 17, 2024

The Pontifical Academy for Life’s new document last month on “artificial nutrition and hydration” has some observers concerned.

Vatican peace envoy Cardinal Matteo Zuppi spoke Aug. 14, 2024, with Li Hui, China’s special representative for Eurasian affairs, about the Russia-Ukraine war. The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the region. / Credit: Roberto Serra - Iguana Press/Getty Images; JADE GAO/AFP via Getty Images

Vatican Talks to China in Continued Russia-Ukraine Peace Efforts

Aug 16, 2024

The phone conversation was the most recent step in the Vatican’s continued diplomatic efforts to promote lasting peace in the region.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square at the Vatican for his Angelus address on the solemnity of the Assumption on Aug. 15, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Mary Goes Before us on the Journey of life

Aug 15, 2024

During his Angelus address on the solemnity of the Assumption, Pope Francis reminded Catholics that the Blessed Virgin Mary always “goes before us on the journey.”

A Ukrainian military vehicle drives from the direction of the border with Russia carrying blindfolded men in Russian military uniforms in the Sumy region on Aug. 13, 2024, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. / Credit: ROMAN PILIPEY/AFP via Getty Images

Vatican Secretary of State Says Ukraine’s Military Advances into Russia are "worrying"

Aug 14, 2024

Cardinal Pietro Parolin is expressing concerns about Ukraine’s recent military advances inside Russian territory, warning the actions could further escalate the war.

Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin (left) and Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian. / Credit: Horacio Villalobos#Corbis/Getty Images; Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

Vatican Urges Iran to Avoid "in any way" Escalating Conflict in Middle East

Aug 12, 2024

Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s secretary of state, spoke on the phone on Monday morning with Iran’s new president, Masoud Pezeshkian.