By Madalaine Elhabbal Washington, D.C. Newsroom, May 17, 2025 / 08:30 am Senate Democrats this week blocked the confirmation of Brian Burch, President Donald Trump’s nominee for U.S. ambassador to the Holy See, stalling the confirmation process ahead of Pope Leo XIV’s installation Mass on Sunday. Making good on a pledge he …

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Apr 30, 2025 / 09:23 am The College of Cardinals on Wednesday called on Catholics around the world to pray for them as they prepare to enter the conclave next week to elect the next pope, acknowledging the “enormity of the task ahead” in choosing the …

According to the Apostolic Constitution Apostólica Universi Dominici Gregis issued by Pope John Paul II in 1996, the confirming of the death of a Pontiff includes an ancient tradition: The death of the Pope is verified by the Cardinal Camerlengo who is to gently strike the Pope’s head with a …

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 19, 2025 / 07:35 am U.S. Vice President JD Vance was received at the Vatican Secretariat of State by Cardinal Pietro Parolin on Holy Saturday morning, where the two discussed international relations, religious freedom, and humanitarian concerns. The April 19 meeting included Secretary of State …

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Apr 13, 2025 / 14:50 pm The Vatican’s Dicastery for the Clergy issued a decree updating the Church’s norms governing Mass intentions and stipends, emphasizing both proper spiritual understanding and practical solutions for modern pastoral challenges. Pope Francis approved the document — published so far only in …

By Kristina Millare Rome Newsroom, Apr 13, 2025 / 10:50 am Marking another in a series of recent surprise public appearances, Pope Francis on Sunday briefly greeted thousands of pilgrims gathered in St. Peter’s Square to celebrate Palm Sunday. “Happy Palm Sunday and beginning of Holy Week!” the Holy Father said with some …

By Victoria Cardiel Vatican City, Apr 5, 2025 / 08:00 am On Sunday, April 6, the fifth Sunday of Lent, St. Peter’s Basilica will display the revered “Veronica’s Veil,” a cloth that, according to tradition, was used to wipe the face of Jesus on his way to Calvary, renewing a very …

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Mar 23, 2025 / 07:04 am Shortly before his expected release on Sunday, Pope Francis made a brief appearance from a fifth-floor balcony of the Gemelli Clinic in Rome to a crowd of faithful gathered outside the hospital. The moment marked his first public engagement in …

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Mar 18, 2025 / 13:35 pm King Charles III and Queen Camilla of the United Kingdom will make a state visit to the Holy See next month, with plans to hold an audience with Pope Francis on April 8. The English royalty will be in Italy …

By Marco Mancini Rome Newsroom, Mar 2, 2025 / 09:00 am Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, LC, president of the Governorate of Vatican City State and president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State, celebrated his 80th birthday on Saturday, March 1, marking his departure from these crucial Vatican positions. Sister …