VATICAN NEWS

Pope Leo XIV: Mary shows that ‘true beauty’ is found in ‘the light of the Risen Lord’
In a homily on the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the pope urged the faithful to reject “consumerist” standards in favor of love.
Marian dogmas: What every Catholic should know
Over the centuries the Catholic Church has formally proclaimed four Marian dogmas: her immaculate conception, divine motherhood, perpetual virginity, and assumption into heaven.
Pope Leo: Child migrants are too easily ignored by society
The pontiff’s message was published ahead of the 112th World Day of Migrants and Refugees, observed on Sept. 27.
Pope Leo XIV on liturgy: Priests must remain faithful to Mass rubrics
Pope Leo sent a letter to Cardinal Arthur Roche for a conference on liturgical formation at Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon Aug. 14–19.
Pope Leo XIV sends 100,000 euros to Church in Colombia to aid earthquake victims
The papal donation is an initial response to address the most urgent needs with more to come as new needs are identified.
EWTN News explains: Canon law and how it applies to Catholics
Canon law has often made headlines in the Catholic Church. But what is canon law, and how does it apply to the everyday Catholic?
Pope Leo XIV: Attendance at Sunday Mass cannot be replaced by virtual participation
The pontiff’s Aug. 12 general audience focused on the importance of the liturgical year.
Pope chooses theme on AI and war for World Day of Peace 2027
The 60th World Day of Peace will take place on Jan. 1, 2027.
Pope Leo XIV expresses sorrow for the victims of earthquake in Colombia
The pontiff expressed his closeness to the Colombian people in a message on Aug. 11.
Pope Leo XIV appoints new members to Vatican’s Council for the Economy
The pope also reconfirmed eight existing members, including president Cardinal Reinhard Marx and vice coordinator Charlotte Kreuter-Kirchhof.
7 things to know about St. Clare of Assisi, the patron saint of television
The Catholic Church celebrates the feast of St. Clare of Assisi on Aug. 11.
EWTN News explains: What does it mean that the pope is both head of state and head of the Church?
What do the Holy Father’s two roles mean in the context of his day-to-day work as the visible leader of the world’s Catholics?
Pope Leo XIV: Stop vicious cycle of violence in Sudan and Ukraine
The pontiff also appealed for peace in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia during his Aug. 9 Angelus address.
Why the feast of St. Dominic is not actually the Dominicans’ biggest feast day
While the August feast is “always a feast” for Dominicans, it’s not the primary one.
Poland prepares for possible papal visit
No date has been set, but the Polish government and bishops’ conference are jointly preparing for what would be Leo XIV’s first visit to the country as pope.
Vatican releases schedule for Pope Leo’s September trip to France
The pontiff will meet with authorities, clergy, religious, and young people, celebrate three public Masses, and meet with victims of clerical sexual abuse.
The Transfiguration of Jesus Christ: A gift to his closest followers
Pope Benedict XVI once said the Transfiguration of Jesus prepared his apostles for “the coming scandal of the cross.”
Pope Leo XIV’s face featured on new set of Vatican coins
This marks the first time since 2014 that the papal image has been printed on the coins.
New Vatican constitution corrects Francis-era anomaly, experts say
Pope Leo XIV’s new Fundamental Law removes language linking papal sovereignty over Vatican City to the Petrine office and allows laypeople to lead the city-state’s governing commission.
Pope Leo XIV to Assisi youth: ‘Europe and the whole world are looking to you to be new saints’
At Mass outside the Portiuncula, the pope urged 2,500 participants in the GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting to embrace evangelical freedom and go to the margins.
Pope Leo XIV calls young Franciscans to Gospel radicalism and peace
At the GO! Franciscan Youth Meeting in Assisi, Italy, the pope urged 2,500 young adults to become “artisans of peace,” make lasting commitments and help renew the Church through service.
Pope Leo XIV to visit Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November
The pontiff accepted the invitation of the heads of state and ecclesiastical authorities of the three countries; it will be his first papal trip to Latin America.
Pope Leo XIV warns prayer is disappearing from Christian families
The pope urged Catholics to rediscover prayer “in its true form” and embrace the Liturgy of the Hours as a daily school of Christian prayer.
Medjugorje youth festival participants receive message from Pope Leo XIV
The Holy Father invited festival participants to return to the source of true joy, following this year’s motto: “Ad fontem! To the source!”
Pope Leo XIV to Peruvian youth: Do not be afraid to be God's instruments
“Many people need that joyful and contagious witness that a young person in love with Christ can convey,” Pope Leo XIV observed.
Pope Leo XIV names apostolic administrator for Rabat in Morocco amid investigation of cardinal
Cardinal Cristóbal López Romero has stepped back from public ministry while the Church investigates allegations of sexual abuse and inappropriate conduct involving adult women, which he denies.
Pope Leo XIV to Ecuadorian Catholics: Keep following Christ
The Vatican published a video message from the pontiff on Aug. 2 for Ecuador’s seventh National Youth Day.
Pope Leo XIV appeals for peace and justice amid ‘alarming’ Ceuta crisis
The pope also prayed for victims of war, recalled the Pardon of Assisi, and urged Catholics to witness to the Eucharist by blessing meals and sharing with those in need.
This is Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of August
Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention for the month of August is for evangelization in the city.
Vatican increases net worth to $3 billion in 2025
The Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA) published its annual report on July 31.
Pope Leo XIV receives Patti Smith at Vatican
The Chicago-born pontiff and the influential American singer, poet, and visual artist met privately for about 40 minutes at the Apostolic Palace.
Pope issues new constitution for Vatican City State
The pontiff approved the new Fundamental Law of Vatican City State on July 31, enshrining the ability of non-cardinals to head its government.
Pope confirms second Chinese bishop in a week under Vatican-Beijing agreement
The ordination of Bishop Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun as coadjutor bishop of Bameng is the latest episcopal appointment carried out under the provisional agreement between the Holy See and China.
Ukrainian ambassador says papal visit would give major boost to peace
Andrii Yurash said a visit by Pope Leo XIV would bring a message of peace and justice, while recent Vatican missions show that Ukraine is not alone.
Pope Leo XIV: I still have a great love for America
The U.S.-born pontiff expressed affection for his homeland in an interview with NBC News on July 29.
‘Canticle of Peace’: Leo XIV presents the beauty of music as a path to God
The Holy Father made his remarks at an event organized by the Laudato Si’ Center for Higher Education and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation.
Catholic anti-trafficking network led by nuns assists 1.2 million worldwide
The International Network Against Human Trafficking published its 2025 annual report on July 29.
Vatican urges UN to combat homelessness
The Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the United Nations published a statement on urban planning on July 28.
Vatican to launch first conference of Christians and Confucians
The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue will hold a conference on Confucian-Christian relations in South Korea from Aug. 4–5.
Explaining the Vatican’s engagement with contemporary art
Amid the latest Venice Biennale, one of the world’s premier art exhibitions, a senior Vatican official explained why the Catholic Church is taking part.
Pope Leo XIV: Use AI prudently because it can project ‘an unreal world’
Addressing a youth festival in Brazil, Pope Leo encouraged young people to use both social media and AI appropriately, keeping Christ at the center, like St. Carlo Acutis.
The peace proposed by Pope Leo XIV is not a naive hippie ideal, expert says
A new Vatican anthology presents the pontiff’s teaching on peace as rooted in Christ’s cross, Augustinian spirituality, and missionary experience. An English-language edition is expected soon.
Vatican calls for assessment of synodality implementation ahead of 2028 assembly
The General Secretariat of the Synod published the “Recollecting” resource for diocesan synodal teams on July 27.
San Francisco archbishop among new members of Vatican’s highest court
Pope Leo XIV also appointed Bishop Edward Lohse of Kalamazoo, Michigan, along with canon law experts from Spain, Germany, Poland, and Italy, to five-year terms on the Apostolic Signatura.
Pope Leo XIV to attend musical prayer service with Andrea Bocelli
The pontiff will lead a moment of prayer during the “Canticle of Peace” concert in Castel Gandolfo on July 29.
Pope Leo XIV urges halt to Mideast attacks, return to diplomacy
The pontiff also reflected on the kingdom of God as a treasure that enlarges life and unites people of different backgrounds in Christ.
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.