In Damascus, Syria, today, news that the 11 “Martyrs of Damascus” will be canonized was received with “emotion and hope,” according to Father Firas Lufti, guardian of the Franciscan convent of Bab-Touma in Damascus.

Pope Francis today urged the abolition of human trafficking, “one of the most terrible scourges of our time” that disrespects and disregards human dignity and delivers “large profits to people without moral scruples.”

Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, who heads the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, met with the leader of the Coptic Orthodox Church to discuss a rift caused by the Vatican's statement allowing non-liturgical blessings for same-sex couples.

Pope Francis has recognized a miracle attributed to the intercession of Blessed Carlo Acutis, paving the way for him to become the first Millennial saint.

George Weigel, biographer of St. John Paul II, lamented that the Pontifical Academy for Life betrayed Dr. Jérôme Lejeune, its founding president, with a book that dissents from the pontiff’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae (The Gospel of Life).

The bishop of Shanghai defended the Chinese government’s religious freedom record at a Vatican conference on Tuesday in a speech that called for the Church in China to “follow a path of ‘sinicization.’”

Pope Francis said at an interfaith symposium on palliative care in Toronto that “genuine palliative care is radically different from euthanasia, which is never a source of hope or genuine concern for the sick and dying.”

Pope Francis on Wednesday closed his catechetical series on vices and virtues with a review of humility, a virtue that forms the “the base of Christian life” and is a source of peace for the Church and the world.

In Ecuador, the first country consecrated to the Sacred Heart

Pope Francis has praised the Catholic Church’s first council in China 100 years ago as “an authentic synodal journey” that opened the way for the Church in China “to increasingly have a Chinese face.”

Pope Francis on Monday offered prayers to the Islamic Republic of Iran after the country’s president was killed in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Pope Francis has once again come out strongly against an ordained female diaconate, reiterating what for the Holy Father has been a consistently firm stance against women becoming clergy.

The Vatican on Tuesday said it would take “no further canonical procedure” after an investigation into abuse allegations against a Canadian cardinal revealed no evidence of misconduct or abuse.

Pope Francis addressed a wide range of topics, including the war in Ukraine, anti-Semitism and American immigration policy, in his first interview with a US broadcast network.

The International Chair of Bioethics Jérôme Lejeune held its second annual international conference in Rome on May 17–18 to reflect on the bioethical challenges surrounding the health and care of people at different stages of life.

Pope Francis will visit Luxembourg and Belgium at the end of September. From Sept. 26-29, he will celebrate the 600th anniversary of Catholic universities in Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve, concluding with a Mass in Brussels.

In a new interview, Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, SJ, suggested that the Church’s position on female priests is not set in stone and should be discussed further, at the same time warning of triggering “a huge backlash.”

Pope Francis has appointed Cardinal Kevin Joseph Farrell, prefect of the Dicastery for the Laity, the Family, and Life, as his special envoy for the 53rd International Eucharistic Congress, which will be held in Quito, Ecuador.

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.