Follow the latest Catholic Church news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
April 29, 2024 at 12:53 AM
Pope Francis travels outside of Rome for first time this year
The 87-year-old Pontiff traveled to Venice for a popular arts festival that featured a Vatican exhibition at a women's prison.
April 29, 2024 at 12:53 AM
April 28, 2024 at 6:46 PM
Pope visits Venice to speak to artists and inmates and finds city taxing day-trippers
Pope Francis has met with women prisoners in Venice who are the protagonists of the Vatican pavilion at the Venice Biennale art fair
April 28, 2024 at 6:46 PM
1 month ago
Vatican issues declaration on threats to 'human dignity'
The Vatican's doctrine office issued the "Infinite Dignity," which was approved by Pope Francis, and declares sex change operations and surrogacy on par with abortion and euthanasia.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pope Francis presides over Easter Sunday Mass
Francis, 87, had skipped a Good Friday ceremony so that he'd be able to attend the Sunday Mass, the Vatican press office said in a statement on Friday.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pope Francis overcoming concerns about his health
Pope Francis made an appearance in St. Peter's Square Easter Sunday to more than 60,000 followers.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Holy Easter activities commence, Pope Francis calling for peace
Pope Francis presided over an Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square and later used his blessings to invoke prayers for victims of war, calling for an end to ongoing conflicts.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pope Francis returns to Easter services
87-year-old pontiff skipped a Good Friday procession to preserve his health ahead of Easter Sunday. He has had health issues in recent months and now needs a wheelchair or a cane to move around.
1 month ago
1 month ago
Pope Francis presides over Easter ceremonies
Despite cold and flu symptoms and mobility issues, the pope is determined to carry out a full schedule during Easter weekend, the most important time of year for Christians.
1 month ago
2 months ago
Pope Francis visits hospital for tests
During his weekly appearance at the Vatican earlier in the day, Pope Francis said he "still had a bit of a cold."
2 months ago
2 months ago
Pope taken to Gemelli hospital for tests
Pope Francis gave a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
2 months ago
2 months ago
Pope briefly hospitalized with cold
The Vatican confirmed that the pope was hospitalized for about 90 minutes for diagnostic tests but has not given any further details.
2 months ago
4 months ago
Pope Francis delivers midnight mass
Pope Francis delivered his traditional Christmas Eve mass in Vatican City.
4 months ago
4 months ago
Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples
ABC News papal contributor Father James Martin discusses the latest after Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples.
4 months ago
5 months ago
Scholar reflects on Pope Francis allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples
The Rev. James Martin spoke with "Start Here" following Pope Francis' change on allowing priests to bless same-sex couples who request it.
5 months ago
5 months ago
Pope allows Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples
Pope Francis has formally signed off on allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples -- a radical change in Vatican policy.
5 months ago
5 months ago
Pope Francis approves allowing Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples
A document from the Vatican's doctrine office released Monday details the declaration.
5 months ago
5 months ago
Pope allows blessing of same-sex couples
Friar James Martin talks about the major update to Catholic doctrine about blessing same-sex couples and what it means for the church.
5 months ago
5 months ago
Cardinal sentenced to 5 1/2 years in Vatican's financial 'trial of the century'
Cardinal Becciu and 8 others were convicted of financial crimes.
5 months ago
5 months ago
Pope Francis cancels trip to climate conference on doctor's orders
Pope Francis has canceled a trip to a climate conference in Dubai on doctor's orders, according to the Holy See Press Office.
5 months ago
7 months ago
What you need to know about upcoming Papal meetings
ABC News’ James Longman explains how the Pope is hosting a special meeting to discuss elevating women to decision-making roles in the church and better at welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Critical meeting starts at Vatican
Plus, It's Golden Week in China, an annual mid-autumn festival, which has travel booming across the country.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Vatican meetings to decide future of the Catholic Church
Delegates from all over the world are gathering for what is expected to be a defining moment for Pope Francis’s reform agenda.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Vatican meeting will discuss contentious issues facing Catholic church
The meeting comes months after Pope Francis suggested it may be possible to bless same-sex unions.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Pope Francis opens possibility for blessing same-sex unions
Pope Francis suggested it may be possible to bless same-sex unions in a newly public response to cardinals who questioned the pope's affirmation of the LGBTQ community.
7 months ago
7 months ago
Pope Francis opens possibility for blessing same-sex unions
In August, Pope Francis called on the hundreds of thousands gathered before him to yell that the Catholic Church is for "todos, todos, todos" -- everyone, everyone, everyone.
7 months ago
9 months ago
Pope Francis restates church is for everyone, including LGBTQ+ people
"The Lord is clear," the pope insisted on Sunday. "The sick, the elderly, the young, old, ugly, beautiful, good and bad."
9 months ago
9 months ago
Pope greeted like rockstar, appears revitalized at 'Catholic Woodstock' in Portugal
Aboard the Papal plane, he joked with reporters that he expected to come out of World Youth Day feeling "rejuvenated." By day three, that seemed to be the case.
9 months ago
9 months ago
Nearly a million people celebrate with Pope Francis
Pope Francis is wrapping up his five-day trip to Portugal for World Youth Day, his first trip since undergoing abdominal surgery in June.
9 months ago
10 months ago
Pope Francis names 21 cardinals, including clergymen from Hong Kong, US
Pope Francis announced Sunday he's elevating 21 clergymen from around the world to become cardinals in a ceremony this September.
10 months ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis returns to duties
Two days after being released from the hospital, the Pope greeted thousands in St. Peter's Square this morning for his traditional prayer service.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis visits children at his hospital
More than a week after his surgery, the wheelchair-bound pontiff visited the children’s oncology wing at Gemelli Hospital, where he’s recovering.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Vatican releases first photos of Pope Francis recovering from surgery
The Vatican press office released photos on Thursday of Pope Francis recovering after undergoing intestinal surgery.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis recovering after abdominal surgery
It is not clear when the 86-year-old pontiff will return to the Vatican.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis recovering from intestinal surgery
Pope Francis' night "passed well" after he underwent intestinal surgery on Wednesday, Vatican officials said Thursday morning.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope's night 'passed well' after intestinal surgery in Rome
Pope Francis' night "passed well" after he underwent intestinal surgery on Wednesday, Vatican officials said Thursday morning.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis recovering from intestinal surgery
Pope Francis is out of surgery after a three-hour operation on his abdomen.
1 year ago
1 year ago
World View: Pope Francis is in the hospital for abdominal surgery
On today’s World View, ABC News correspondent James Longman explains Pope Francis’ operation, and Prince Harry testifies in a phone hacking case.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis set to undergo abdominal surgery
The 86-year-old pontiff will be under general anesthesia and will remain in the hospital for several days, according to the Vatican.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis to undergo intestinal surgery in Rome
Pope Francis will undergo an intestinal surgery on Wednesday and spend several days in the hospital recovering, Vatican officials said.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope's latest health scare
The 86 year-old pontiff canceled his meetings on Friday after running a fever.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope cancels meetings over fever
The Vatican said the Pontiff is expected to preside over mass on Sunday.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis to allow women to vote at bishop’s meeting
Pope Francis approved changes to allow women to vote at the upcoming bishop’s meeting, a move being called "a significant crack in the stained glass ceiling.”
1 year ago
1 year ago
Francis defends John Paul II against missing girl insinuations
Pope Francis is defending St. John Paul II after the brother of a missing teenager linked her disappearance in 1983 to the late pope. ABC’s Rhiannon Ally has more.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis holds Easter services for thousands in St. Peter’s Square
The pontiff prayed for conflict resolution between Ukraine and Russia, as well as peace in the Middle East as violence has escalated recently in the region.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis leads Easter Sunday mass in front of millions worldwide
One week after his release from the hospital, Pope Francis leads Easter Sunday services at the Vatican.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope misses traditional Good Friday procession
The Pope was missing from the procession following his bout of bronchitis last weekend but he is still expected to preside over the Easter Vigil.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope misses Good Friday procession
The Vatican announced the pontiff could not attend the outdoor procession of the stations of the cross.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis expected to take part in Good Friday events
The pontiff has been active following his recent health scare and is expected to attend multiple events during one of the holiest days on the Christian calendar.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis presides over Holy Thursday mass
The pontiff presided over Holy Thursday mass, five days after he was released from the hospital.
1 year ago
1 year ago
Pope Francis leaves hospital after treatment for respiratory infection
The 86-year-old pontiff led Palm Sunday mass in Vatican City after leaving the hospital.
1 year ago