Vatican News

God commanded it, Jesus practiced it, Church Fathers have preached the importance of it – fasting is a powerful and fundamental part of the Christian life. But for many Catholics today, it’s more of an afterthought: something we grudgingly do on Good Friday, perhaps on Ash Wednesday if we remember it. Would we fast more, especially during Lent, if we ...

By Courtney Grogan Pope Francis spoke out about inequality, the environment, sustainable development and the elimination of poverty during his visit to the United Nations’ agricultural development agency in Rome Thursday. “Few have too much and too many have little, this is the logic of today. Many have no food and go adrift, while a few drown in the superfluous,” ...

The following is the Message of the Holy Father for Lent 2018 on the theme: “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12). Message of the Holy Father “Because of the increase of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold” (Mt 24: 12) Dear Brothers and Sisters, Once again, the Pasch ...

Catholic Olympic gold-medalist Yuna Kim lit the torch at the Opening Ceremony for the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea on Feb. 9. The Korean skating sensation has long expressed a desire to use her public role to share the light of Christ by witnessing to her Catholic faith in international competitions and performances. Kim was honored as the ...

As the 2018 Winter Olympic Games continue in Pyeongchang, the world is watching Korea for more than just sports. The sister of North Korean dictator, Kim Jong Un, was present at the games’ opening ceremony where athletes from both Koreas marched together under an inter-Korean flag. Vice President Mike Pence stated that U.S. policy will remain unchanged after his trip ...

For the first time in nearly six years, Christians from the eastern city of Deir Ezzor in Syria were able to celebrate a liturgy at the local church of St. Mary’s. “It’s an indescribable feeling for us to pray in a nearly-destroyed church, which serves as a consolation for our hearts and a message of hope to the people of ...

The Archdiocese of Acapulco, Mexico, reported that two priests were murdered early Monday morning, Feb 5. Fr. Iván Añorve Jaimes, pastor of Holy Family Parish in the town of Las Vigas, and Fr.  Germain Muñiz Garcia, the pastor of Mezcala; were killed in an attack by unidentified individuals in Taxco township. According to a press release from the Guerrero State ...

Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Lagos has expressed concern that the country’s political leaders give precedence to their political fortunes over the security and welfare of the people of the country. The Cardinal’s condemnation was contained in a statement issued in Lagos, recently. While condemning in strong terms, kidnapping and other criminal activities taking place in different ...

By Christine Rousselle After calling God “stupid,” Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Tuesday that he will seek to have a dialogue with the country’s Bishops’ Conference in an effort to repair relationships. The president’s spokesperson announced that a committee would be created to better collaborate and communicate with the country’s bishops. On Friday, Duterte caused controversy when, in a ...