Reform aims to carry Gospel mission forward, not clean up past, pope says

The Christian idea of reforming one's life is not about making it perfect but initiating a process of going outside of oneself to best follow one's vocation and carry out a mission, Pope Francis said.

Pope urges prayers for Colombia, Jerusalem, Afghanistan

Loving others as Jesus loved means serving others, reaching out and helping those in need, Pope Francis said.

Vatican’s vanishing artisans: Traditional workshops struggle amid COVID-19

The neighborhood of ivy-draped two-story buildings, cobblestoned streets and Marian shrines adjacent to St. Peter's Basilica is perhaps best-known today for serving gelato and pizza to tourists visiting the Vatican.

Humility, open mind needed to crack coronavirus’ secrets, expert says

Much is still unknown about the 2019 novel coronavirus and why it can kill so many people and yet also can infect many more without causing any symptoms, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease expert, told a Vatican conference.

Papal vaccine campaigns offered punishments, rewards 200 years ago

When popes were king, they ordered all their subjects in the Papal States to be vaccinated, using punishments and rewards to convince the hesitant and making sure the poor and the prisoners were inoculated as well.

After son’s death, Minnesota couple tackles stigma surrounding suicide

Their eyes light up with love when Scott and Reyne Roeder talk about their son, Jackson. But behind the glow is the heartbreaking truth that he is gone -- and much too soon.

Move to waive vaccine patents is good step, says Catholic health official

The Biden administration's May 5 announcement that it supports waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines -- as a means to expand the vaccine's production and distribution -- is a move the Vatican has been suggesting.

Trial hearings begin on Salvadoran massacre U.S. may have known about

An expert witness testified to the "illegal" presence of a high-ranking U.S. military adviser who may have known about the plot to kill nearly 1,000 civilians who perished in El Mozote, El Salvador, nearly 40 years ago.

President, Maine bishop offer reflections for National Day of Prayer

A diverse group of Christians, including the nation's Catholic president and the bishop of the statewide Diocese of Portland, Maine, have offered reflections for the National Day of Prayer, observed on the first Thursday of May each year.

Pope tells new Swiss Guards they represent a church that welcomes

Meeting new recruits to the Swiss Guard, Pope Francis thanked the young men for having chosen to serve the successor of St. Peter and he thanked all the guards for their diligence and service.