Read the pope’s first-ever message for the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation.
Gerard O’Connell
Gerard O’Connell is America’s senior Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History. He has been covering the Vatican since 1985.
Pope Francis launches a new Vatican department, including an office for refugees reporting directly to him
The new Vatican department focuses on “integral human development.”
Why the Vatican hopes an agreement with China is within reach
The Catholic Church’s formal relationship with China broke off in 1951, but the Vatican secretary of state explains why that might be about to change.
As the quake’s death toll grows, scenes of tragedy and heroism in central Italy
The sorrow and pain is great. The stories of heroic deeds of rescuers and ordinary people are great, too.
Pope Franics expresses “heartfelt sorrow and spiritual closeness” to those hit by powerful earthquake in Italy
The quake left at least 120 people dead, including many children, and obliterated mountain villages.
Pope Francis is returning to Assisi, 30 years after the first interfaith World Day of Prayer for Peace
The pope is expected to reaffirm the vital contribution that different religions can make to peace in the 21st century.
At the Vatican, French president thanks Pope Francis for his support after recent terror attacks
After years of frosty relations between France and the Holy See, François Hollande speaks from his heart to a pope who much prefers this attitude
Pope Francis appoints Bishop Kevin Farrell of Dallas to head new department for laity
Bishop Kevin Farrell is known as a pastor “with the smell of the sheep.”
How Pope Francis chooses new cardinals
In choosing new cardinals, Francis has been guided by five criteria.
Pope Francis in Assisi: ‘The world needs forgiveness’
“How truly difficult it is for us to pardon those who have done us wrong!”
