Vatican News

Although more fatigued, Pope Francis spends Saturday sitting in an armchair, as blood transfusions were necessary and the prognosis remains guarded. Read all  

In this week’s News from the Eastern Churches: A new Assyrian Cathedral opens in London, Armenians celebrate St Sargis, and a heritage conference is held in Bethlehem Read all  

The Holy See Press Office said Saturday that the text prepared by Pope Francis for the Angelus will be published at noon, while the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization will read the homily prepared by the Pope for the Jubilee of Deacons. Read all  

The UN Security Council has unanimously called on anti-government militants in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to immediately cease hostilities and withdraw from all the areas they now control. Read all  

Cardinal Czerny spends time during his mission in Lebanon to visit a refugee camp in Kfardlakos, Tripoli. The strip of land has tents and small structures giving minimal shelter to Syrian refugees Caritas serves with humanitarian aid as well as with a mobile health clinic. Read all  

Messages of support and prayers for Pope Francis’ health pour in, as he continues to be hospitalised at Rome’s Gemelli hospital. Read all  

In an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, the Vatican Secretary of State says the only matters of concern are the Pope’s health, his recovery, and his return to the Vatican. The Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith also says news of calls for the Pope to resign is unfounded. Read all  

The Holy See Press Office says Pope Francis had a restful night the morning after the Pope’s doctors held a press conference at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, where he is being treated for double pneumonia, noting “he is responding to therapy” but “not out of danger.” Read all  

At a press conference in Rome’s Gemelli hospital, members of the Pope’s medical team say that he is not yet out of danger, and will be in hospital at least another week – but they note that he is joking as much as usual, and has even begun working again. Read all  

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered an escalation of military raids in refugee camps across the occupied West Bank. Read all  

A joint initiative between the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences (PASS) and Columbia University’s Initiative for Policy Dialogue (IPD) has led to the creation of a commission aimed at proposing reforms and solutions for sustainable economic, social, and environmental growth. Read all  

The Pontifical Mission Societies (PMS) in Zambia’s National and Diocesan Directors Council Meeting, which commenced on 18 February and concluded on 21 February 2025, was held under the universal Jubilee Year 2025 theme – “Pilgrims of Hope.” Read all  

The fourth major event of the Jubilee of Hope is dedicated to deacons: from February 21 to 23, 4,000 of them will be in Rome to pass through the Holy Door and participate in a series of meetings. The Jubilee will conclude with Mass presided over by the pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, Archbishop Rino Fisichella, on Sunday February 23 in St Peter’s Basilica. Read all  

While the ongoing war waged by Russia against Ukraine continues displace and endanger millions, the unwavering efforts of Church organizations like Caritas and Aid to the Church in Need continue to provide a lifeline to those in need. Read all  

The High Court of England and Wales publishes its ruling on the legal proceedings initiated by the Italian financier in 2020 against the Secretariat of State in an attempt to halt the investigation launched by the Vatican’s Promoter of Justice. Read all  

The Catholic Bishops of Ghana have asked the government to collaborate with the Church and build the country’s brighter future through holistic education that nurtures not just knowledge but also character. Read all  

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue and the World Council of Churches release a joint statement in which they reaffirm their commitment to dialogue as a means of fostering peace and understanding. Read all  

The Leadership Academy for Peace, led by Bishop Jules Boutros, trains young people in Lebanon to bring the values of Catholic Social Teaching into politics. Read all  

The pastor of Bethlehem’s Lutheran Church tells Vatican News that the West Bank is currently experiencing one of its “darkest moments”. “We see what’s happening in Gaza”, he says, “and we ask: Will this be our fate too?”. Read all  

The Bishops of Italy have expressed deep concern over a new regional law that allows medically-assisted suicide in Tuscany, stressing respect for life and calling for a legal framework that enhances care and support for the terminally ill. Read all  

The Holy See Press Office reports that the Pontiff got up to have breakfast. According to the statement released yesterday, his condition is slightly improving. Read all  

Rev. Prof. Piotr Stanisz, Head of the Department of Religious Law at the Catholic University of Lublin, reflects on some of the consequences of the secularization of the state, including the abolishment of public funding for religious education. Read all  

A communiqué issued by the Holy See Press Office to journalists says Pope Francis’ health shows a slight improvement, and that during the day he received the Eucharist and dedicated himself to some work. Read all  

As part of the ongoing ceasefire deal, Hamas has released the bodies of four slain hostages to Israel. Read all  

Brazilian authorities have formally charged former President Jair Bolsonaro with attempting a coup to overthrow, alter, and transform his re-election defeat of 2022. Read all