VATICAN NEWS

Pope leads pilgrims in prayer one day after leaving hospital
The pontiff, five days after undergoing surgery for cancer, said he would “gradually resume my activities.”
International rosary in Rome held in advance of 100th World Mission Sunday
The rosary, recited in 13 languages, also marked the 75th anniversary of the World Mission Rosary by Blessed Fulton Sheen.
Pope’s surgeon green lights Nov. 6–17 apostolic trip to Latin America
“No clinical reasons why it should not take place,” said Dr. Stefano Margaritora, who called Pope Leo “an ideal patient.”
Pope Leo XIV leaves Gemelli Hospital, returns to Vatican
The 71-year-old pope had been admitted last Tuesday and underwent surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung.
For the first time in 5 years, the number of priests worldwide rose
The Catholic Church has 407,421 priests, 425 more than the previous year. Africa and Asia are driving this growth, while Europe recorded another decline.
Pope Leo XIV cleared to leave hospital SSaturday aturday after successful surgery
The Vatican said the pontiff will lead the Angelus from the Vatican as usual on Sunday.
Pope Leo speaks with Russian President Putin by phone
The hospitalized pontiff initiated the call to the Russian president, according to the Vatican secretary of state.
Pope Leo XIV calls world hunger a ‘terrible offense’ against human dignity
The pontiff, still hospitalized after surgery, sent a message for World Food Day on Friday.
Vatican releases first photos of Pope Leo XIV following surgery
Vatican sources also indicated that the pope will publicly lead the Angelus this Sunday, although it has not yet been determined whether it will be from the hospital or the Vatican.
Cardinal Parolin: Pope Leo’s demanding Latin America trip now depends on doctors
The Vatican secretary of state also said Thursday that the pontiff may have to “adjust his pontificate if it becomes necessary.”
Pope Leo XIV sends message after surgery to Vatican conference, asks for prayers
“I ask you please to pray for me, as I pray for you,” Pope Leo XIV wrote.
‘Do we understand truth anymore?’: Conference in Rome discusses distrust in age of AI
The Acton Institute held a discussion on “Communicating Truth in an Age of AI.”
Doctors confirm Pope Leo XIV’s operated lung is recovering well
The Vatican has not yet announced whether the pope will lead the public Angelus prayer from Gemelli Hospital on Sunday.
Another bishop in China consecrated under deal with Vatican
Father Ignatius Ding Zuyao’s consecration as bishop of Haimen on Oct. 15 is the ninth such consecration in Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate.
Vatican meeting on the family ends inconclusively amid Pope Leo’s hospitalization
The pontiff said this week he would offer his reflections on the Amoris Laetitia gathering “in due course.”
Pope Leo XIV shares message after lung cancer surgery
The Holy See Press Office confirmed the nodule removed on Tuesday during Pope Leo’s surgery is a type of non-small cell lung cancer. Follow here for more updates.
Pope Leo XIV recovering after lung cancer surgery; Vatican says he intends to make South America trip
Doctors say the pontiff's recovery is proceeding as expected, while the Vatican confirms his desire to go ahead with a planned visit to Latin America in November.
Who is St. Peregrine, the ‘cancer saint’ Catholics are invoking for Pope Leo XIV?
As Pope Leo XIV recovers from lung cancer surgery, meet St. Peregrine Laziosi, the Servite priest healed the night before his amputation and now patron of cancer patients.
Pope Leo XIV has lung cancer, Vatican says
The Holy See Press Office confirmed Tuesday evening that the nodule removed during Pope Leo XIV’s surgery was cancerous.
EWTN News explains: Who’s in charge of the Vatican while Pope Leo XIV is hospitalized?
Who exactly runs the Vatican when a pope is hospitalized or unable to perform his normal duties?
Praying for Pope Leo? Meet the patron saint of lung problems
As the Church and the world prays for Pope Leo XIV this week, we turn to St. Bernardine of Siena, known as “the Apostle of Italy” and for his intercession for those with lung and respiratory issues.
Who is Dr. Luigi Carbone, Pope Leo XIV’s personal physician?
As the pontiff undergoes surgery at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the Vatican’s chief medical official plays a central role in coordinating his care.
Pope Leo XIV breaks with decades of secrecy by announcing his own surgery
The pontiff’s surprise disclosure about a lung nodule has drawn praise from senior cardinals, who see it as an unprecedented gesture of transparency and an expression of humility and trust.
‘Lead, Kindly Light’: New documentary on St. John Henry Newman premieres in Rome
“Lead Kindly Light: The Story of St. John Henry Newman” has premiered in Rome.
Carlo Acutis and the 4 popes
Carlo went on pilgrimage to see John Paul II, offered up his suffering from cancer for Benedict XVI, was beatified during the pontificate of Pope Francis, and was canonized by Pope Leo XIV.
Breaking the stigma: Rome conference highlights Catholic mental health ministry
The conference “A Healing Presence: The Church’s Call to Mental Health Ministry” aligns with the pope’s October prayer intention.
Pope Leo XIV appoints new archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica
The appointment also includes the positions of vicar general for Vatican City and president of the Fabric of St. Peter.
Pope Leo XIV to be admitted to Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday
The Holy See Press Office announced on Monday the date of the pontiff’s hospitalization for surgery.
Pope Leo XIV calls the death penalty ‘inadmissible’ after announcement of public execution in US
He emphasized that the protection of society and the application of justice can be guaranteed without resorting to capital punishment.
Bishops around the world ask for prayers for Pope Leo XIV’s health
Prayers for the pope’s health have been pouring in from all over the world.
What we know about Pope Leo XIV’s health
Doctors comment on the pontiff’s news about his upcoming lung surgery.
Pope Leo XIV announces he will undergo surgery to remove a lung nodule
The pontiff says doctors detected the nodule at a very early stage and have recommended surgery, which is scheduled for the coming days.
Vatican meeting examines why young people are reluctant to marry
At a gathering marking the 10th anniversary of Amoris Laetitia, Church leaders point to changing attitudes toward sexuality, widespread divorce, and economic insecurity as obstacles to marriage.
Pope Leo XIV to open international congress on infertility in Rome
The three-day gathering will bring together experts to examine the scientific, anthropological, and ethical challenges surrounding fertility, infertility, sexuality, and human reproduction.
Cardinal Tagle elected new dean of the College of Cardinals
Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, who leads the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, succeeded Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re on Oct. 9.
The lifesaving miracle that led to St. John Henry Newman’s canonization
St. John Henry Newman, who was declared a doctor of the Church on Nov. 1, 2025, was canonized after two miracles were attributed to his intercession.
Martyrs or rebels?: Rome conference debates 100-year legacy of Cristero movement
A century after the Cristero War began in 1926, scholars gathered to discuss the church-state relationship in Mexico and Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV urges pontifical university students to ‘guard your hearts’
At a Mass opening the academic year, the pontiff warned against false teachers, stressed the limits of algorithms, and called for study rooted in faith, friendship, and service to the poor.
Pope Leo XIV appoints Sister Mary Barron president of Pontifical Mission Societies
The Irish religious sister, who previously spoke about women who sensed a call to the priesthood or diaconate, will also serve as adjunct secretary of the Dicastery for Evangelization.
Pope Leo XIV says unity is necessary for evangelization
The pontiff marked the 100th anniversary of World Mission Day.
Pope Leo XIV urges bishops to show courage in responding to struggling families
Opening a Vatican meeting marking 10 years since Amoris Laetitia, the pope said the Church must learn from families marked by hardship, loneliness, and fragility.
‘Amoris Laetitia’ is consistent with Church teaching, sister tells pope and bishops
Dominican Sister Helen Alford, a prominent social scientist, addressed a Vatican conference on the 10th anniversary of the controversial document.
Pope Leo XIV receives relic of Blessed Fulton Sheen from Peoria Bishop Louis Tylka
The meeting brought together the first American-born pope and one of the country’s best-known Catholic evangelists, both with deep roots in Illinois.
Pope Leo XIV: We need more beauty in age of technology
The pontiff held a private audience on Wednesday with a group of Vatican Museum patrons.
Pope warns that ‘watering down’ Christianity’s demands won’t make it more attractive
Leo also recalled the Oct. 7 liturgical memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary and emphasized the importance of this traditional Marian prayer.
‘How long, O Lord?’: Pope Leo XIV laments new attacks on Gaza victims
The pontiff sent a message of condolence for those killed in Gaza by airstrikes on Oct. 3.
Pope Leo urges Vatican police to guard their hearts as they protect others
At a Mass honoring their patron, St. Michael the Archangel, the pontiff called on gendarmes to exercise authority with humility and compassion.
Vatican to publish Pope Francis’ personal diary
A collection of Pope Francis’ private writings will be available on Nov. 24.
Pope Leo XIV, ahead of World Youth Day in 2027, praises Korean courage
The pontiff met with Korean clergy on Monday, marking the 25th anniversary of the Korean Pontifical College in Rome.
Pope Leo XIV to Vatican employees: AI cannot replace human work
The pontiff held a private audience on Monday with the Vatican labor associations.