VATICAN NEWS

Vatican weighing papal trip to Ukraine
The Holy See’s foreign minister said it is evaluating the timing and conditions for a possible visit to the country by Pope Leo XIV.
5 things to know about St. Bridget of Sweden, mystic and mother
On July 23, the Catholic Church celebrates the feast day of St. Bridget of Sweden, a mystic of the Middle Ages who was a wife and mother of eight children.
Summer advice from Pope Leo XIV: Don’t forget the less fortunate
“Let us think of the privilege we have when we support the poor,” Pope Leo said.
Dicastery for Bishops prefect discusses selection of new bishops, challenges they face
The prefect for the Dicastery for Bishops explained how it performs its functions, what qualities the pope encourages in bishops, and the nature of their role in governing the local Church.
Vatican denies Marko Rupnik has been acquitted
The Holy See said the canonical criminal trial remains open and judges are continuing to review evidence in the case involving the former Jesuit accused of sexual and psychological abuse.
Pope Leo XIV names another Chinese bishop under Vatican-Beijing agreement
Bishop Joseph Chang Yanfeng was ordained July 22 to lead the Diocese of Chifeng in Inner Mongolia, continuing episcopal appointments made under the provisional accord.
Pope Leo XIV visits major Italian pilgrimage sites while on vacation
The pontiff left Castel Gandolfo on July 22 to visit holy sites in Vallepietra and Subiaco.
Pope Leo XIV to U.S. religious superiors: Prioritize community life
The Vatican issued the pontiff’s letter on July 22 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Conference of Major Superiors of Men in the United States.
Pope Leo XIV urges peace and nuclear disarmament in new book foreword
The pontiff invoked Bob Dylan and others in the book “Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift,” which was published in Italian on July 21.
Pope Leo XIV makes private visit to St. Benedict’s tomb, prays for peace
The pontiff visited the Benedictine Abbey of Montecassino on July 20 from Castel Gandolfo, where he is on vacation.
New Pope Leo XIV medal on sustainability to debut in Rome in October
The pontiff will personally present the Villanova University-sponsored award at the International Sustainability Conference Oct. 12–15.
Pope Leo XIV calls for evangelical approach without force or ‘arrogant judgments’
At the Sunday Angelus in Castel Gandolfo, the pontiff said God’s kingdom grows quietly through smallness, patience, and service rather than spectacle or power.
Pope Leo XIV to attend summer concert at Castel Gandolfo
The pontiff, who is on vacation at the lakeside town, will attend a classical concert in his honor on July 18.
Echoing Pope Leo XIV, experts sign Rome declaration on limits for AI and nuclear arms
The declaration was signed on July 16, marking the conclusion of a three-day Vatican summit on AI security risks.
Vatican clarifies pope’s role ‘as universal shepherd’ in wake of US ambassador’s comments
“The pope normally speaks as a head of the Church,” papal expert Father Roberto Regoli told EWTN News.
Vatican Bank names new director general
Giovanni Boscia will succeed Gian Franco Mammì in managing the daily operations of the Institute for the Works of Religion.
BBC correspondent David Willey, longtime Vatican and papal chronicler, dies at 93
EWTN News spoke to the journalist in February about his more than 50 years covering the Vatican.
Vatican hosts Nobel laureates, experts to discuss AI security risks
The July 14–16 summit is being held at the Borgo Laudato Si’ gardens at Castel Gandolfo.
Historic ‘pope’s hospital’ unites innovation with care to help sick children
The Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital — founded in 1869 — is made up of six facilities located across Rome and the Italian region of Lazio.
Society of St. Pius X appeals to Vatican against schism decree
The society filed its appeal with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith on July 11, arguing that under canon law the move suspends the recent excommunication decree.
Papal nuncio to Great Britain: A visit from Pope Leo is ‘likely’
The apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, Archbishop Miguel Maury, has been in the Vatican's diplomatic service for nearly four decades.
Pope Leo XIV to launch exhibit on water at the Vatican Library
The new exhibit reflects a recent focus on promoting contemporary art at the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIV: Make time for prayer and silence in the summer
The pontiff addressed the faithful during the July 12 Angelus at Castel Gandolfo, where he is currently on vacation.
A month of married saints: July brings feast days of holy husbands and wives
Throughout the month of July, the Church celebrates the feast days of several holy married couples whose lives continue to inspire Catholic families today.
At lunch with the poor, Pope Leo XIV calls on society to eliminate the causes of poverty, injustice
The Holy Father on July 11 hosted "Lunch with the Pope," a day of hospitality and fraternity at Borgo Laudato Si' within the papal gardens of Castel Gandolfo.
Vatican commission seeks to address legal loophole facing women religious suffering abuse
Efforts to address the abuse crisis in the Church have focused on minors and vulnerable adults, leaving unaddressed the abuse suffered by women religious. Efforts are underway to rectify that.
Why does the Vatican recognize Orthodox marriages but not those of the SSPX?
The answer has to do with profoundly different juridical and ecclesial realities.
Fiat donates 30 electric vehicles to Vatican in sustainability push
The vehicles will support the daily work of governorate employees as Vatican City State moves toward its 2030 goal of a zero-emissions fleet.
Pope Leo XIV to Iraqi Christians: Be Christ’s light in challenging times
The Vatican published a video message from the pontiff on July 8 for the Ankawa Youth Meeting.
Pope Leo XIV continues reform of Diocese of Rome with addition of leadership position
The appointment continues Leo’s reform of the Diocese of Rome, of which he is bishop, rolling back changes made by Pope Francis in 2023.
Pope Leo XIV to share lunch with 200 people in need at Castel Gandolfo
The gathering will take place during the pope’s July stay at the papal villa and will include prayer, a guided visit to Borgo Laudato Si’, and a meal with people served by Catholic charities in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV tells UN: Confront AI misuse to promote human dignity
The pontiff sent a letter on July 8 to be read at the AI for Good Global Summit in Geneva, Switzerland.
Training journalists to be peacemakers: EWTN Summer Academy concludes in Rome
EWTN hosted 43 young media professionals from around the world for an intensive journalistic training program June 22 to July 1.
U.S. ambassador describes July 4 dinner with Pope Leo XIV
Speaking with Italian media, Brian Burch said the informal evening showed a pontiff who is both personally at ease with his American roots and conscious of his universal mission.
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of July
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of July is for respect for human life "in all circumstances."
Vatican October meeting to focus on divorce, other family issues
Pope Leo XIV has called the presidents of bishops’ conferences to Rome Oct. 7–14 for a weeklong gathering on Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia."
Pope Leo XIV dines with U.S. ambassador on Independence Day
The pope visited the private residence of U.S. Ambassador Brian Burch after returning from Lampedusa.
Pope Leo XIV says Christ is hope amid the scourge of war
The pontiff prayed the Angelus in St. Peter’s Square before traveling to Castel Gandolfo for three weeks of vacation.
Pope Leo XIV: Migrants lost at sea are victims of choices made and unmade
Celebrating Mass on the Mediterranean island of Lampedusa, Pope Leo XIV urged Europe to respond to migration with long-term policies rooted in human dignity.
SSPX rejects Vatican’s excommunication, calls it ‘objectively’ unjust and invalid
In a letter addressed to Pope Leo XIV, released on July 3, Father Davide Pagliarani, superior general of the SSPX, justified the episcopal consecrations that prompted the Vatican’s decree.
Pope Leo XIV congratulates the U.S. on its 250th anniversary
The pontiff's letter stressed religious freedom, the right to life, and the contributions of Catholics and immigrants to American history.
EWTN News explains: As a Catholic, can you attend an SSPX Mass?
The traditionalist group has been declared in schism with the Catholic Church after an illicit "ordination" of bishops.
Peter’s Pence collected more than $65.8 million for the pope’s mission in 2025
Almost $50 million was used to support the activities of the Holy See in the service of the Holy Father's apostolic mission. U.S Catholics contributed 26.1% of the total.
2 SSPX bishops hold dubious distinction of being excommunicated twice
Society of St. Pius X bishops Galarreta and Fellay have been excommunicated twice: by Pope John Paul II in 1988 and again on July 2 for the canonical offense of schism.
Vatican official to Catholic journalists: Be ‘disciples before influencers’
Archbishop Fortunatus Nwachukwu reflected on the importance of communicating the truth in a digital age of trends.
Pope Leo XIV to spend July 4 with migrants on Italian island of Lampedusa
Only about 80 miles from Tunisia, Lampedusa is a main gateway for Africans escaping poverty and violence to enter the continent of Europe.
Vatican releases biopic on Pope Leo XIV’s early years in Rome
The Dicastery for Communication released a documentary on July 1 about the then-Robert Prevost’s two decades in the Eternal City.
Vatican confirms excommunication of SSPX bishops, declares schism
Because the traditionalist group consecrated bishops without papal approval, the Vatican issued a decree on July 2 declaring those bishops and their consecrators automatically excommunicated.
Parolin: SSPX ordinations are ‘schismatic’
Cardinal Pietro Parolin said the episcopal ordinations carried out without papal mandate by the Society of St. Pius X “deeply wound” Church unity.
Vatican begins 5-year, 5-million-euro restoration of Renaissance frescoes in Hall of Raphael
The conservation work marks “a pivotal moment both in the history of restoration and in the history of Italian Renaissance art,” according to Vatican Museums Director Barbara Jatta.