Advertisement

Rome

Paolo Gabriele sits in front of Pope Benedict XVI in the popemobile in St. Peter's Square Oct. 24, 2011. / Alan Holdren/CNA.

Benedict XVI’s Former 'Vatileaks' Butler Paolo Gabriele Dies at age 54

Nov 24, 2020

The papal butler who was pardoned by Benedict XVI for his role in the “Vatileaks” affair has died at the age of 54.

Pope John Paul II in 1996. / Vatican Media.

New Book Highlights St. John Paul II’s Influence Amid Cold War

Nov 18, 2020

A new book on St. John Paul II examines the relationship of the Polish pope with Central and Eastern European countries during the Cold War.

Fr. Linus Ngenomesho (left) appointed, Apostolic Administrator of Namibia's Apostolic Vicariate of Rundu and Fr. Godefroid Manuga-Lukokisa (right) named a member of the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Pope Francis Appoints Congolese Cleric to Propaganda Fide, Namibian Priest Administrator

Nov 17, 2020

The National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has been appointed to the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (CEP), whose members are responsible for coordinating the church’s missionary work. 

Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara, (right) and former president and opposition leader Henri Konan Bedie (left) have their first meeting since the national election in Abidjan on November 11, 2020.

Holy Father Appeals for “reconciliation, peaceful coexistence” in Ivory Coast amid Tension

Nov 16, 2020

Pope Francis on Sunday, November 15 appealed for reconciliation and peaceful coexistence in Ivory Coast amid rising tension following the contested October 31 poll.

Joe Biden walking with supporters in Iowa, May 25, 2020. / Pix_Arena/Shutterstock

Pope Francis Congratulates Biden on Election Victory in Phone Call

Nov 12, 2020

Presumptive President-elect Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Thursday, his office has announced. The Catholic, former vice president, and presumptive next president was congratulated on his electoral victory by the pope on the morning of Nov. 12.

Participants at the South Sudan peace talks that resumed Monday, November 9 mediated by the Community of Sant’Egidio.

Lay Catholic Association Resumes South Sudan Peace Talks in Rome

Nov 11, 2020

The Rome-based Catholic lay association dedicated to the provision of social services and arbitrating conflicts has resumed South Sudan peace talks, South Sudan’s Radio Tamazuj reported November 10. 

Fr. Luigi Maccali after an audience with Pope Francis in Rome. / ©️ Vatican Media

Freed Missionary Cleric in West Africa Recounts Moving Experience after Meeting Pope

Nov 10, 2020

Fr. Pier Luigi Maccalli, the Catholic missionary Priest who was freed last month in Mali after he was kidnapped in Niger in September 2018 was evidently overcome with emotion when he had an audience with Pope Francis earlier this week following his release.

Theodore McCarrick talks with other church leaders at the Spring meeting of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops June 15, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois. / Scott Olson/Getty

McCarrick Report: Vatican Details McCarrick's Career and Decades of Sexual Misconduct

Nov 10, 2020

The Vatican’s Secretariat of State published Tuesday a report on Theodore McCarrick, saying that the Holy See had received inaccurate information about McCarrick from three New Jersey bishops before McCarrick’s 2001 appointment as archbishop of Washington.

Portraits of Nadine Devillers, Vincent Loques, and Simone Barreto Silva. / Screengrab from the livestream of the Nice attack victims' memorial Nov. 7, 2020.

Pope Francis to Meet with Families of the Victims of the Nice Basilica Attack

Nov 8, 2020

Pope Francis will meet with families of the victims of the Nice basilica attack, the city’s mayor said Saturday at the national memorial service for the victims.

All Souls Day Mass in a Catholic cemetery in Mobile Alabama. / Fr. Stephen Vrazel

The Hallowed Tradition of Cemetery Masses

Nov 1, 2020

The end of October and the first few days of November comprise of “Allhallowtide” in the Church--All Hallows Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. During the month of November, the Church takes special notice to remember, honor and pray for the dead. There are many different cultural traditions around this period, but one of the most consistently honored is the practice of visiting cemeteries. 

Promotional poster of the Documentary film, "Francesco."

Pope Francis’ Comment Not Departure from “Catholic Christian Marriage”: African Prelates

Oct 25, 2020

The statement by Pope Francis that has made global headlines and triggered a series of controversies is not a departure from the meaning of Catholic Christian Marriage as has been consistently held over the centuries, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have said in a statement shared with ACI Africa.

A statue of Our Lady in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina. / Gnuckx via Flickr (CC BY 2.0).

Former Spiritual Director of 'Medjugorje Visionaries' Excommunicated

Oct 24, 2020

A laicized priest who had been the spiritual director to six people who said they experienced visions of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Bosnian town of Medjugorje has been excommunicated.

Pope Francis. / Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

What did Pope Francis Say About Civil Unions? A CNA Explainer

Oct 22, 2020

“Francesco,” a newly released documentary on the life and ministry of Pope Francis, has made global headlines, because the film contains a scene in which Pope Francis calls for the passage of civil union laws for same-sex couples.

Relatives of 18 fishermen detained in Libya and Marco Marrone the owner of one of the boats seized, are seen during a protest demanding the release of the sailors, in front of parliament, in Rome, Italy. / Reuters.

Pope Francis Expresses Solidarity, “encouragement, support” for Fishermen Held in Libya

Oct 20, 2020

Pope Francis on Sunday, October 18 expressed his solidarity with the 18 fishermen who, for over one and a half months, have been held in Libya.

Pope Francis light a candle during an interreligious ceremony in the Campidoglio Square, Rome, Oct. 20, 2020. / Vatican Media

"Today the world has a profound thirst for peace": Pope Francis

Oct 20, 2020

Pope Francis affirmed the signal importance of peace at an interreligious gathering Tuesday on Rome’s Capitoline Hill.

The uncovered tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Blessed Carlo Acutis’ Tomb Closes After Extended Time of Public Veneration

Oct 20, 2020

The glass that has allowed pilgrims to view Blessed Carlo Acutis will be permanently covered Monday as the official multi-week celebration of the Italian teen’s beatification in Assisi comes to an end. 

The tomb of Blessed Carlo Acutis in Assisi, Italy. / Daniel Ibáñez/CNA.

Blessed Carlo Acutis’ Doctors Recall His Last Days in Hospital

Oct 17, 2020

Fifteen-year-old Carlo Acutis died within a week of being diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, offering his suffering for the pope and for the Church. Following his beatification last Saturday, his doctors and hospital chaplain recalled their memories of his final days.

Opposing Parties in South Sudan Resume Rome-Mediated Peace Talks, Officials Announce

Oct 14, 2020

The leadership of the South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOMA) has, in a Press Release, announced the resumption of peace talks.

Pope Francis at the “Protection of Minors in the Church” Meeting, that took place from February 21 to 24 2019 in the Vatican / Vatican News

Rome Meeting on Protection of Minors Inspired Tanzania’s Children Radio Program: Official

Oct 13, 2020

An ongoing radio program in Tanzania hosted by children aimed at making children in the East African nation aware of sexual abuse cases and the safeguarding of minors was inspired by the 2019 Vatican meeting on the “Protection of Minors in the Church,” an official who was in the team that spearheaded the program has said.

Mattheus (left) holds a photo of Carlo Acutis (right), whose prayers are attributed with the boy's healing. / Campo Grande News

The Miracle Attributed to Carlo Acutis' Prayers

Oct 11, 2020

The beatification of Carlo Acutis took place Oct. 10 after a miracle attributed to his prayers and the grace of God. In Brazil, a boy named Mattheus was healed from a serious birth defect called an annular pancreas after he and his mother asked Acutis to pray for his healing.