Pope Francis
Pope: Make Sure Confirmation is not Last Time Parish Sees Young People
The Catholic Church must put more effort into ensuring that the sacrament of confirmation is not the "sacrament of goodbye" for young people, who receive it and then do not come to church again until they want to get married, Pope Francis said.
Papal Commission Releases Report Highlighting Progress in Safeguarding
Highlighting progress made in safeguarding and recommendations for rectifying ongoing gaps, the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors dedicated its first annual report to all victims and survivors of sexual abuse by members of the Catholic Church.
Pope to Open Holy Door at Rome Prison at Beginning of Jubilee 2025
Two days after opening the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica to inaugurate the Holy Year 2025, Pope Francis will travel to a Rome prison to open a Holy Door as a "tangible sign of the message of hope" for people in prisons around the world, the Vatican announced.
Pope Warns Against Becoming a ‘Sedentary’ Church After Synod’s Close
Three years after he asked the world's Catholics to walk together in faith on a synodal journey, Pope Francis said that the church cannot risk becoming "static" but must continue as a "missionary church that walks with her Lord through the streets of the world."
Publishing Synod Document, Pope Says He Will Not Write Exhortation
After members of the Synod of Bishops approved their final document, Pope Francis announced that he would not write the customary post-synodal apostolic exhortation but would offer the final document to the entire church to implement.
Archbishop on War in Ukraine: U.S. ‘Must Not Fall into Isolationism’
After a two-day trip to Ukraine Oct.19-20, Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore said that U.S. Catholics must thoughtfully consider the implications of recent escalations in the region without succumbing to polarized political discourse.
Synod is Lesson in Moving at ‘Pace of the Holy Spirit,’ Archbishop Says
Change in the Catholic Church, including a commitment to recognizing women's leadership gifts and being more welcoming of all people, happens slowly and deliberately, which is a good thing in a rapidly changing world, said the archbishop of Seattle.
Only Love Will Save Humanity, Pope Says in Encyclical on Sacred Heart
In his encyclical, "Dilexit nos," Pope Francis urges the world to counter indifference, greed and war by embracing Christ's infinite love and he highlights the devotion to the Sacred Heart as key to renewing the church’s missionary mandate and fostering fraternity and care for creation.
Praying to the Holy Spirit can Help Couples Stay United, Pope Says
Because the Holy Spirit specializes in love and unity, Catholic couples should pray regularly for the Spirit to be present in their marriage, Pope Francis said.
U.S. Church Contributes to Synod Through its Diversity, Delegate Says
The U.S. delegates at the Synod of Bishops on synodality are contributing to discussions on the future of the Catholic Church by bringing the diversity of the U.S. church to the Vatican, a U.S. synod delegate said.