By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis has approved a major updating of the criminal laws of Vatican City State, including in areas dealing with child abuse and terrorism financing, and has ruled that any Vatican employee can be tried by the Vatican court for …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Presenting Pope Francis‘ new encyclical and acknowledging how much of it was prepared by retired Pope Benedict XVI, top Vatican officials hailed it as a unique expression of the development of papal teaching and unity in faith.

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis signed a decree clearing the way for the canonization of Blessed John Paul II and has decided also to ask the world’s cardinals to vote on the canonization of Blessed John XXIII, even in the absence of a …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The director and the deputy director of the Vatican bank, which is being investigated by a special papal commission, resigned July 1.

Staff Report Archbishop Dennis M. Schnurr notified the priests of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati today (June 21) of the following decree from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. The decree calls for the inclusion of the name of St. Joseph, spouse of the Blessed Virgin …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis told members of the ordinary council of the Synod of Bishops that he was preparing to publish an encyclical on faith written “with four hands” — his own and those of Pope Benedict XVI.

By Carol Glatz Catholic News Service VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Francis ditched a 1,250-word prepared speech to students saying it would be “a tad boring” to read out loud and opted instead to just quickly hit the high points and spend the rest of the time answering people’s questions.

Staff Report On Sunday, June 2, Pope Francis will preside over an hour of eucharistic exposition in Rome at 5:00 p.m. Italian time. The pope has asked all Catholics to join him in prayer to celebrate the feast day of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — In the face of difficulty, it’s natural to hope just to get by, but being Christian means patiently enduring trials and overcoming oppression with love, Pope Francis said at a Mass that included special prayers for China. During the Mass …

By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service  VATICAN CITY (CNS) — The head of the Vatican office promoting new evangelization said that while he does not like the terms “Francis effect” or “Francis bump,” it is true that “Pope Francis has touched the hearts and minds of many people.” Archbishop Rino …