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Pilgrims cross the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Dec. 25, 2024. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/EWTN News

More Than 500,000 People Pass Through St. Peter’s Holy Door After Christmas Opening

Jan 7, 2025

Pope Francis, the first “pilgrim of hope” to cross the Holy Door’s threshold, inaugurated the 2025 Jubilee Year by opening the papal basilica’s door on Dec. 24. 

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer and delivers an address from a window in the Apostolic Palace on Dec. 26, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Vatican Media

On Feast of St. Stephen, Pope Francis Prays for Persecuted Christians

Dec 26, 2024

In his Angelus address on Dec. 26, Pope Francis reflected on Stephen’s last words as he was being stoned to death: “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

Pope Francis delivers the Urbi et Orbi address in St. Peter's Square, Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

In "Urbi et Orbi Blessing, Pope Francis Urges World Leaders to Pursue Dialogue, Peace in Jubilee Year

Dec 25, 2024

Delivering his Christmas Day message overlooking crowds of thousands of international pilgrims in St. Peter’s Square from the Central Loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica, the pope insisted that a “just and lasting peace” can only be achieved in our world if people first turn to the “Father of Mercies.

A marble sculpture of St. Cajetan holding the infant Jesus identifies the spot where the saint’s vision occurred in the crypt of the Chapel of the Nativity, the side chapel to the right of the main altar of the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome. / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

The Little-known Story of a Saint’s Christmas Vision of the Infant Jesus in Rome

Dec 24, 2024

The experience of the newborn Jesus occurred within the storied walls of the Marian basilica’s Chapel of the Nativity, where St. Cajetan of Thiene prayed.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Wednesday general audience on Dec. 4, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Beauty Urges Us to Take Christ out into the Streets and Bring Him to People

Dec 5, 2024

In a message to participants in this year’s conference on popular piety in Seville, Spain, from Dec. 4-8, the pope emphasized the significance of “beauty.”

Chiara Porro, Australia's ambassador to the Holy See, presents her credentials to Pope Francis Aug. 27, 2020. / Vatican Media/EWTN.

Outgoing Australian Ambassador Notes Growing Momentum of Women Leadership in the Vatican

Nov 28, 2024

Australia’s ambassador to the Holy See, Chiara Porro, says she has seen a rise in the participation and promotion of women’s leadership in the Catholic Church under Pope Francis.  

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at his general audience on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024, at the Vatican. / Credit: Daniel Ibáñez/CNA

At General Audience, Pope Francis Pleads for Ukraine's Children

Nov 27, 2024

“Think of the Ukrainian children and young people who suffer at this time without heating in a very harsh winter,” the pope said on Nov. 27, addressing youngsters gathered around him in St. Peter’s Square.

Dr. Todd Ovokaitys speaks at the World Changers Ethical & Innovation Summit at the Pontifical Lateran University in Vatican City, Nov. 26, 2024 / Credit: Courtney Mares/CNA

Scientists and CEOs Share Big Ideas at Vatican Ethical Innovation Summit

Nov 27, 2024

This week's World Changers Ethical & Innovation Summit at the Vatican's Pontifical Lateran University showcased groundbreaking ideas for innovation in various fields.

Facade of St. Peter's Basilica / Credit: Nils Huber / Unsplash

Vatican May Add "spiritual abuse" to Crimes in Church Law

Nov 26, 2024

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF) is forming a working group with the Dicastery for Legislative Texts with “the task of analyzing this possibility and presenting concrete proposals” on the matter,

Pope Francis meets with the academic community of the John Paul II Pontifical Theological Institute for Marriage and Family Sciences in the Vatican, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024 / Credit: Vatican Media

Use the Gospel to Spread Salvation: Pope Francis Urges Marriage and Family Institute

Nov 25, 2024

The pope said it is necessary that the institute continues to develop a “critical understanding” of the anthropological and cultural challenges affecting marriage and family life today.

The Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation awards the Ratzinger Prize to Notre Dame theologian Cyril O’Regan and Japanese sculptor Etsurō Sotoo at in a ceremony at the Vatican on Nov. 22, 204. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Prestigious Ratzinger Prize Awarded to Notre Dame Theologian, Japanese Sculptor at Vatican

Nov 22, 2024

The Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Vatican Foundation chooses the annual recipients of the award, which is named in honor of the late Pope Benedict XVI.

Pope Francis meets with the Dicastery for Culture and Education at the Vatican on Nov. 21, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis: Desire and Christian Hope Can Overcome "dangerous plague" of Nihilism

Nov 21, 2024

Describing nihilism as “perhaps the most dangerous plague of today’s culture,” the pope told dicastery members their institution should work to inspire humanity.

Cardinal Kevin Farrell celebrates Mass for the World Meeting of Families 2022 on June 25, 2022. / Credit: Daniel Ibañez/CNA

Pope Francis Assigns U.S. Cardinal to Carry out "urgent" Overhaul of Vatican Pension Fund

Nov 21, 2024

In a Nov. 21 letter to cardinals, prefects, and managers in the Roman Curia, the pope underlined the gravity of the unsustainability of the pension fund.

Pope Francis meets with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley on Nov. 14, 2024, at the Vatican ahead of a meeting of the Pontifical Academy for Life titled “Common Good: Theory and Practice” in which Mottley was a panelist. The academy’s meeting discussed the global financial system in light of the social doctrine of the Catholic Church and crises that have impacted the world. / Credit: Vatican Media

Vatican Meeting Highlights "common good" as Key Objective to Reform Global Financial Order

Nov 15, 2024

The participants gathered to discuss the multifaceted and interconnected impacts of war, technology, health crises, and the environment.

Pope Francis waves to pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square for his Angelus address on Nov. 10, 2024. / Credit: Vatican Media

Pope Francis Asks Rome’s Catholics to Help Combat "housing emergency" during 2025 Jubilee

Nov 15, 2024

“I want all diocesan realities that own real estate to offer their contribution to stem the housing emergency,” Pope Francis said.

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Pope Francis Urges "human-centered" Approach to "climate finance" at UN COP29 Summit

Nov 13, 2024

Pope Francis warned that both foreign debt and ecological debt are “mortgaging the future” of nations.

The Vatican and Microsoft have created a 3D digital model of St. Peter’s Basilica using the latest in artificial intelligence to offer a new way to experience the nearly 2,000-year history of the tomb of St. Peter. / Credit: Microsoft La Basilica Di San Pietro: AI-Enhanced Experience

Discover the History of St. Peter’s Basilica in New Microsoft Oline AI-enhanced 3D Model

Nov 13, 2024

Accessible worldwide at virtual.basilicasanpietro.va, the free interactive platform allows anyone in the world to “visit” the virtual 3D model of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Sistine Hall of the Vatican Library, the library of the Holy See, currently located in Vatican City, is one of the oldest libraries in the world. / Credit: Checco2/Shutterstock

Pope Francis Moves Part of Vatican Library and Archive to Rome Seminary

Nov 12, 2024

The pope declared that part of the archives and library be moved to a building on extraterritorial Vatican property at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.

Pope Francis addresses participants in a training course promoted by the Roman Rota at the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Sept. 27, 2018. / Credit: Vatican Media

Rome’s Most Important Church Celebrates 1,700th Birthday

Nov 9, 2024

The church is the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome and the seat of the bishop of Rome, the pope. The adjoining palace served as the papal residence until the 14th century.

Altar of the Chair in St. Peter's Basilica, where Bernini's gorgeous bronze monument to the Chair of Peter acts as a massive
bronze reliquary for the historic wooden chair. / Credit: Vatican Media

Historic "Chair of St. Peter" on Public Display in Vatican Basilica for First Time in 150 Years

Nov 9, 2024

The relic dispayed just above the tomb of St. Peter will be accessible for public viewing until Dec. 8, the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.