Declaration by Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J., regarding the nomination of Pope Francis as “Person of the Year” by Time Magazine This fact is unsurprising, considering the resonance and very widespread attention given to the election of Pope Francis and the beginning of his pontificate. It is a positive sign that one of the most prestigious ...read more

Pope Francis decided to create a Vatican commission for the protection of minors, a cardinal involved in Curial reform announced this week. Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston told reporters on Thursday that the eight member Council of Cardinals which advises the pope on curial reform, had proposed the creation of a commission for the protection ...read more

Pope Francis knows what challenges are facing the church and he has a few ideas on how to overcome those challenges while admiting he doesn’t have all the answers. The pope made the statements in his Apostolic Exhortation, “Evangelii Gaudium” released November 26. During the first months of his pontificate Pope Francis has addressed all ...read more

 This week: Pope Francis is set to release a document on evangelization, Google uncovers the catacombs, and Cardinal Zen shares his insights into the relationship between the Holy See and China.  *** One story that didn’t make into this week’s program but merits a second look is Pope Francis and the mafia.  Pope Francis has ...read more

This is one of the 20,000 boxes that were handed out at St. Peter’s square on Sunday during the Angelus. Pope Francis held up a box just like this one and told the crowd he wasn’t a pharmacist, but he could confidently say the contents of this little box are good for spiritual health. The ...read more

This week we look at the preparations for the Extraordinary Synod on the Pastoral Challenges to the Family. CNS brings us an interview with Cardinal Peter Erdo, the Relator General for the Synod. We look at the pope’s agenda, what Cardinal Dziwisz says about the Roman Curia, and we give you an in depth look ...read more

The local Church or diocese established in Rome was founded by the two Apostles Peter and Paul and sanctified by the lives of many martyrs. As the spiritual leader of the worldwide Catholic Church, the Pope is also the Bishop of Rome in the footsteps of St. Peter the Apostle, the first Pope and Bishop ...read more

This week’ Vatican Connections looks at the innovations of Pope Francis: using the Vatican’s media spokesperson to confirm the date of a consistory for new Cardinals, and celebrating All Saints day Mass at the Verano Cemetary for the first time in 20 years. Plus we bring you a look at the Vatican’s involvement in the ...read more

In a week when the media was focusing on bishops with lavish spending habits, and funeral rites for Nazi war criminals, Pope Francis was drawing people back to what matters: prayer. Pope Francis put prayer front and centre this week any chance he could get. On Thursday the official papal tweet read: “Our prayer cannot ...read more

  Pope Francis has been invited to visit and speak at the European Parliament. Martin Schultz, president of the EU Parliament made the invitation when he met with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday. If he were to accept, Pope Francis would be the second pope to address the European Parliament. Pope John Paul ...read more