Hello and welcome to this week’s Vaticano Updates – the most important news from the Holy Father and

California Governor Gavin Newsom shared that after a Vatican conference, Pope Francis endorsed California's efforts to end the death penalty, praising the state's progress.

On the solemnity of Pentecost, Pope Francis urged Christians to proclaim the Gospel with the Holy Spirit's power and gentleness. He emphasized that this power isn't arrogant but rooted in truth and fidelity.

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, pro-prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, as his special envoy to the National Eucharistic Congress in the United States, which will be celebrated in Indianapolis July 17–21.

Jimena, who regained her sight after receiving Communion at WYD Lisbon 2023, shared with ACI Prensa about that miraculous moment, her return home, and meeting Pope Francis in Rome to thank the Virgin.

Construction projects are underway in Rome as the city prepares for the Jubilee Year of 2025. According to the city's mayor, Gualtieri, the upcoming "Jubilee of Hope" is expected to attract between 30 and 35 million tourists.

Pope Francis might be traveling to Turkey next year for the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea, according to Eastern Orthodox Patriarch of Constantinople Bartholomew in comments he made on Thursday.

Pope Francis’s one-day visit to Verona focused on promoting peace, offering an alternative to the current social paradigm. Though Verona has just over 250,000 residents, the pope's message was global in scope.

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández held a press conference addressing the Vatican’s new guidelines on apparitions, with the prelate noting that the new norms would help introduce greater prudence in the discernment process.

In a "60 Minutes" interview airing this Sunday, Pope Francis critiques his "conservative critics" in the U.S., labeling their stance as "suicidal" for clinging to the past without openness.

The legacy of the Venerable Robert Schuman, hailed as the founding father of a united Europe, continues to inspire efforts to build peace across the continent.

Vatican’s top doctrinal office is centralizing its authority over the investigation of alleged Marian apparitions and other religious phenomena under new norms it issued Friday, a break from past protocols that gave local bishops greater autonomy.

Pope Francis urges young people to unite Catholics and Orthodox, overcoming centuries of antagonism. At a Thursday audience with Metropolitan Agathangelos, he emphasized collaboration and education.

Pope Francis will celebrate World Children’s Day with actor Roberto Benigni and soccer star Gianluigi Buffon on May 25-26. Events include a soccer match and a Mass in St. Peter’s Square.

Servant of God Chiara Corbella Petrillo, who died of cancer in 2012, moves closer to sainthood. The Diocese of Rome will close her beatification's diocesan phase on June 21.

Throughout the Marian Month of May, the Vatican Gardens are opening their gates to pilgrims from around the world for a special tour in honor of the Blessed Mother.

A century ago, the First Council of the Catholic Church in China convened, led by Archbishop Celso Costantini, to indigenize the Church and separate missions from colonialism.

Pope Francis reflects on charity as the highest Christian love, emphasizing forgiveness and love for enemies, drawing from St. Paul's teachings.

A delegation of Polish faithful is commemorating the 43rd anniversary of the attempted assassination of St. John Paul II at the Vatican.

Pope Francis proclaims the Jubilee 2025, urging believers to be builders of hope in a world plagued by despair. The Holy Year begins with the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica on Christmas Eve 2024.

Pope Francis, surrounded by children, emphasizes the importance of unity and care for future generations at the World Meeting on Human Fraternity in Rome.

Bl. Carlo Acutis to be canonized Saint

Global fertility rates are declining, even in Catholic countries. The 4th "Stati Generali della Natalità" in Rome emphasized investing in youth to combat this trend and support family growth.

April had the hottest global sea surface temperatures on record, per the EU’s Copernicus Climate Change Service. Amid this, the Vatican hosts a climate summit, May 15–17, to address environmental action.