Announcing the Holy Year

Celebrating the first vespers for Divine Mercy Sunday, Pope Francis formally will deliver the “bull of indiction” or proclamation of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy.

Papal Preacher: Persecutions Being Ignored

Widespread indifference to the violent persecution of Christians and other communities suggests the world is full of Pontius Pilates who eagerly wash their hands of all responsibility, said Father Raniero Cantalamessa, preacher of the papal household.

Pope: Exhaustion Is Part of Being a Priest

Priestly ministry is hard, sometimes lonely or dangerous work serving the neediest with an open, vulnerable heart, Pope Francis told the world’s priests.

Palm Sunday Mass at Vatican

Tens of Thousands Will Join Church This Easter

By Kristi Anderson ST. CLOUD, Minn. (CNS) – Who was Jesus? Why do we need a pope? How were we made by God? All of these are good questions that anyone considering becoming Catholic might ask. But the questions are even more poignant when they come from a young man who grew up in a […]

Pope Shares Easter Joy

As Holy Week and Easter approached, Pope Francis wanted to show his ongoing concern for people persecuted and displaced by violence in Iraq and in northern Nigeria.

Vatican Defends Appointment of Bishop

By Laura Ieraci VATICAN CITY (CNS) – The appointment of a controversial bishop in Chile was made after a careful review found no “objective reasons” to prevent Bishop Juan Barros from taking over the Diocese of Osorno, the Vatican press office said. The bishop had been accused of covering up for a priest who was […]

Tunisian Bishop Asks Help from West

After terrorists attacked tourists in the famed Bardo National Museum, the head of Tunisia’s Catholic Church urged Western Catholics not to abandon his country.