Vatican News

On the 20th anniversary of John Paul II’s passing, thousands gather for a special evening prayer vigil in St. Peter’s Square led by the President of the Polish Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Tadeusz Wojda. Read all  

The Jesuit review La Civiltà Cattolica celebrates its 175th anniversary, at a ceremony featuring Holy See Secretary of State Pietro Parolin and Italian President Sergio Mattarella. In a message for the occasion, the Pope praises “good journalism that listens to all voices, and embodies that docile gentleness that does good to the heart”. Read all  

Cardinal Pietro Parolin presides at Mass marking the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope St. John Paul II. During his homily, he commemorates the legacy of a pontiff who profoundly shaped the Church and the world. Read all  

Two decades after Pope John Paul II died, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, who served as his papal ceremonialist for the last seven years of the Polish Pope’s life, recounts the spirituality of the Polish Pope. Read all  

The extraordinary mobilisation of Abidjan’s young Catholics was held in the context of the diocesan pilgrimage at the Alassane Ouattara Olympic Stadium in Ebimpe. The objective of this meeting was twofold: to strengthen young people’s relationship with God and to deepen their faith in Christ. At the same time, they also took time to pray for peace and the smooth conduct of the upcoming elections in their country. Read all  

Pope Francis released his catechesis for the weekly General Audience, which was not held as he recovered at Casa Santa Marta. Remembering the tax collector Zacchaeus, he urges the faithful never to lose hope even if they feel incapable of change. Read all  

The Holy See calls for Middle Income Countries to be granted access to debt-free financial assistance so that they can reach their full potential without crushing levels of debt. Read all  

Vatican News launches our Azerbaijani edition, expanding the Dicastery for Communication’s multilingual service to 56 languages to enhance communication, strengthen faith, and foster interreligious dialogue. Read all  

Twenty years after the death of Pope John Paul II on 5 April 2005, our Editorial Director explores how the Church celebrates the saint and recalls his unheeded words against war. Read all  

As armed gangs expand their influence outside of the capital city, they storm a town and free 500 inmates from the local prison. Read all  

In his Prayer Intention for April, Pope Francis invites us to pray that the use of new technologies may not replace human relationships, may respect the dignity of the person, and may help us face the crises of our times. Read all  

In a video message with his prayer intention for April, the Pope urges putting technology at the service of everyone, especially those most in need. Read all  

More than 2,700 people have been confirmed dead after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday, while more than 4,500 were injured and hundreds more remain missing. Read all  

The Rossing Center releases a new report highlighting acts of violence that were carried out against Christians in the Holy Land during 2024. Read all  

Palestinians hold funerals for 15 medics and emergency responders killed by Israeli troops in southern Gaza after their bodies and crushed ambulances were found buried in a mass grave in the sand. Read all  

Amid global calls for greater inclusivity, Syrian interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa appoints a new transitional government with 23 ministers from diverse backgrounds, including Hind Kabawat, a Catholic and the only woman in the cabinet. Read all  

A Mass held in the Bahrain’s Cathedral of Our Lady of Arabia marked the launch of the Pontifical Holy Childhood Society in the Apostolic Vicariate of Northern Arabia. Read all  

An international workshop for Catholic media professionals in Africa’s Lusophone countries has endorsed a proposed guide to assist them in handling media stories about migrants. This was revealed at the conclusion of a week-long workshop held in Maputo, Mozambique. Read all  

In a message addressed to participants in the Second Synodal Assembly of Italian Churches, Pope Francis reminds them that the Church is made by the people of God who walk together, and that Christian joy does not come from easy solutions to problems but from the certainty that the Lord never abandons us. Read all  

Pope Francis continues to recuperate from bilateral pneumonia at his residence in the Vatican’s Casa Santa Marta, according to an update provided by the Holy See Press Office. Read all  

‘Vulnerability and Healthcare’ is the title of a roundtable discussion to be held in Rome on April 7, organised by the Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU). Read all  

As rescue teams struggle to cope with the tens of thousands of people left injured, homeless and buried under rubble by the March 28’s massive earthquake, the death toll has rised to over 1,700, while the military government continues bombing parts of Myanmar despite calls for a ceasefire. Read all  

The mosaics on the two side doors of the Shrine, created by Marko Rupnik, have been covered. The Bishop of Tarbes et Lourdes, Jean-Marc Micas, announces that the mosaics on the two large central doors will also be covered in a few days. Read all  

France is preparing to host the European Broadcasting Union’s Radio Assembly, scheduled for April 3–4, which will see the participation of Vatican Radio, a founding member of the EBU. Read all  

On April 2, 2025, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, will preside over the special Mass in the Vatican commemorating the 20th anniversary of the death of Pope Saint John Paul II. Pope Francis has sent his encouragement to those partaking in the commemorations for the late Polish Pope that day, including a prayer vigil in the evening. Read all