Catholic Church
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis travels outside of Rome for first time this year
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
Pope Francis delivers his message as he meets with youths in Venice, Italy, Sunday, April 28, 2024. The Pontiff arrived for his first-ever visit to the lagoon town including the Vatican pavilion at the 60th Biennal of Arts. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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
VIDEO: Vatican issues declaration on threats to 'human dignity'
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
Pope Francis attends the Easter Mass, at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, March 31, 2024.
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis overcoming concerns about his health
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
VIDEO: Holy Easter activities commence, Pope Francis calling for peace
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis returns to Easter services
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis presides over Easter ceremonies
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis visits hospital for tests
2 months ago

Pope taken to Gemelli hospital for tests

Pope Francis gave a general audience at the Vatican on Wednesday.
2 months ago
Pope Francis smiles to a young member of a choir on the day of the weekly general audience, in Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Feb. 28, 2024.
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
VIDEO: Pope briefly hospitalized with cold
4 months ago

Pope Francis delivers midnight mass

Pope Francis delivered his traditional Christmas Eve mass in Vatican City.
4 months ago
VIDEO: Pope Francis delivers midnight mass
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
VIDEO: Pope approves blessings for same-sex couples
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
Pope Francis waves from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St. Peter's square during the weekly Angelus prayer, Oct. 29, 2023, in The Vatican.
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
VIDEO: Pope allows Catholic priests to bless same-sex couples
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
Pope Francis waves to the crowd as he appears at the balcony to deliver his Christmas Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter's Square at The Vatican on December 25, 2022.
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
VIDEO: Pope allows blessing of same-sex couples
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
Cardinal Becciu and 8 others were convicted of financial crimes.
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
Pope Francis attends his weekly general audience in Saint Peter's square in The Vatican on Nov. 15, 2023. Pope Francis canceled his upcoming trip to Dubai for the COP 28 climate talks, after doctors' recommendations, the Vatican said on Nov. 28, 2023.
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
VIDEO: What you need to know about upcoming Papal meetings
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
VIDEO: Critical meeting starts at Vatican
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
VIDEO: Vatican meetings to decide future of the Catholic Church
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
VIDEO: Vatican meeting will discuss contentious issues facing Catholic church
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
Pope Francis leads an ecumenical prayer with Protestants and Orthodox at St. Peter's square in The Vatican, Sept. 30, 2023.
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
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.
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
Pope Francis meets with thousands of World Youth Day volunteers near Lisbon, Sunday, Aug. 6, 2023.
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
Pope Francis attends the Stations of the Cross with young people on Meeting Hill at Parque Eduardo VII in Lisbon, Portugal, August 4, 2023.
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
VIDEO: Nearly a million people celebrate with Pope Francis
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
Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window at the Vatican, July 9, 2023.
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis returns to duties
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis visits children at his hospital
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
Pope Francis visits the Pediatric Oncology and Children's Neurosurgery Department at Gemelli hospital in Rome, Italy, on June 15, 2023, in a photo released by the Vatican.
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis recovering after abdominal surgery
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis recovering from intestinal surgery
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
Pope Francis pays tribute to the relic of Saint Therese of Lisieux during the weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, June 7, 2023.
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis recovering from intestinal surgery
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
VIDEO: World View: Pope Frances is in the hospital for abdominal surgery
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis set to undergo abdominal surgery
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis to undergo intestinal surgery in Rome
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
VIDEO: Pope's latest health scare
1 year ago

Pope cancels meetings over fever

The Vatican said the Pontiff is expected to preside over mass on Sunday.
1 year ago
VIDEO: Pope cancels meetings over fever
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
Pope Francis is seen in a file photo.
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
VIDEO: Francis defends John Paul II against missing girl insinuations
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis holds Easter services for thousands in St. Peter’s Square
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis leads Easter Sunday mass in front of millions worldwide
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
VIDEO: Pope misses traditional Good Friday procession
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
VIDEO: Pope misses Good Friday procession
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis expected to take part in Good Friday events
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis presides over Holy Thursday mass
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
VIDEO: Pope Francis leaves hospital after treatment for respiratory infection