Vatican News

The Coptic Orthodox Church in Egypt says that a fire at a church in Giza resulted in the deaths of 41 worshippers. Read all  

At the end of the recitation of the Angelus, the Pope’s thoughts turn to the population of Somalia and neighbouring countries, grappling with a serious humanitarian crisis also linked to an unprecedented drought. Read all  

At the Sunday Angelus, Pope Francis says the Gospel provokes change and invites us to conversion, like a fire that warms us with God’s love, burning away our selfishness and moving us to share His love with others. Read all  

The Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the Organization of American States expresses concern over the social and political situation in Nicaragua, calling for dialogue that serves the common good. Read all  

Facing a climate of government hostility toward the Church, Bishop Rolando Álvarez leads the rosary with prayers for peace in the country. Another priest reported that he could not leave his parish, while even the procession of Our Lady of Fatima in Managua was blocked. The Bishops’ Conferences of Latin America and the Caribbean offer solidarity with the Nicaraguan people. Read all  

On the Solemnity of the Assumption, the Dominican Church closes the Altagracia Virgin Jubilee celebrations. Joining the closing event on August 15 will be Pope Francis Special Envoy, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State. Read all  

“If you dream, it will happen” is the motto behind Sr Mary-Joy, the inspiring founder of Wormwood Scrubs Pony Centre in London, serving children with special needs and physical disabilities. Read all  

Pope Francis speaks by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who thanked the Pope for his constant prayers as the nation endures ongoing aggression. Read all  

The Chairman of the US Bishops’ Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, says the climate provisions contained in the Inflation Reduction Act respond to Pope Francis’ call to care for our common home. Read all  

Leading up to the Feast of the Assumption on 15 August, Archbishop Visvaldas Kulbokas, the Apostolic Nuncio to Ukraine, reflects on the example of Mary Queen of Heaven as a sign of hope for Ukrainians living in the darkness of war. Read all  

The London-based Ukrainian Welcome Centre is providing support and hope to thousands of Ukrainians who have arrived in the UK in order to escape the bloodshed in their country. Read all  

The Pandemic and the Magisterium of Pope Francis: the third in a series of videos created by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Vatican’s Covid-19 Commission explores the Pope’s teachings on the global health crisis, reaffirming that one does not come out of the crisis the same, but either better or worse. And “one does not come out alone” but “taking the other by the hand”. Read all  

In an interview with Vatican News, the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, Bishop Giorgio Bertin, talks about the humanitarian emergency in Somalia facing its worst drought in 40 years, as the Church seeks to offer humanitarian relief for the millions of people affected. Read all  

As the war wages on in Ukraine, UNICEF has launched a new mobile application for Ukrainian preschoolers that offers interactive games aimed at developing skills such as logic and creativity, in an effort to promote learning, play and distraction from the war. Read all  

Ibtisam Habib Gorgis, a Franciscan Missionary Sister of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, born in Qaraqosh, Iraq, recounts her vocation and the impact of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit in 2021. Read all  

Nigerian authorities announce the arrest of several suspects connected to the 5 June attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, Ondo State – a win for the nation’s military amid rising insecurity in the world’s most populous African nation. Read all  

France has become the latest European nation to appeal for international help to respond to a massive southwestern wildfire that officials say has already destroyed nearly 7,000 hectares or 17,300 acres of forest. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said several nations are already assisting France to help contain raging fires. The blaze comes as Europe struggles with deadly wildfires triggered by record temperatures and droughts across the continent that authorities say killed at least 1,000 Read all  

Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re celebrates the funeral Mass for the late Cardinal Jozef Tomko, and recalls the former Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples’ faithful and fruitful service to the Church and the Pope. Read all  

Violence against Bishops and clergy by armed groups aligned with the Nicaraguan government continues to affect the local Catholic Church, as Bishop Rolando Alvarez of Matagalpa is kept under house arrest. Read all  

As Pakistan commemorates its annual National Minorities Day on 11 August, Christian leaders draw attention to the ongoing reality of forced conversions. Read all  

Sierra Leonean authorities declare a nationwide curfew following anti-government protests that led to deadly clashes between demonstrators and security operatives. Read all  

In a wide-ranging interview with Vatican News, meet Cardinal-elect Virgilio do Carmo da Silva of Dili, who will become East Timor’s first Cardinal at the end of August. Read all  

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) say they are concerned with what is happening to South Africa’s economy and how households are sinking into debt and deep poverty. Read all  

Pope Francis asks for ongoing prayers for the people of Ukraine, as the nearly six-month war with Russia continues. Read all  

A new report by the charity Save the Children reveals that since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan a year ago, children are suffering with girls more likely to go hungry and feel isolated. Read all