Pope Francis’ remarks from his general audience on Wednesday, Jan. 13.

Both Pope Francis and retired Pope Benedict XVI have received the first dose of the vaccine against COVID-19 after the Vatican started vaccinating its employees and residents Jan. 13.

“I grew up Catholic, I went to church. went to Catholic school, I learned the Bible and my catechisms. And from those days I remember a phrase that is relevant today: a servant’s heart.”

The Vatican asked priests to take special anti-COVID-19 precautions this year when distributing ashes on Ash Wednesday, including sprinkling ashes on the top of people's heads rather than making a cross on people's foreheads.

Father James Martin: An alarming number of Catholic clergy contributed to an environment that led to the fatal riots at the U.S. Capitol.

Women have served as lectors and acolytes for decades. Now Pope Francis has changed canon law to formally recognize their ministry.