New polls in the US and UK show while regard for the Catholic Church is higher than it was this time last year, Pope Francis has fallen in favour. The latest Saint Leo University poll shows Americans’ favorable opinion of the Catholic Church in the US remains almost the same as in November, the public’s Read more
Pope Francis visited a deserted Rome on Sunday to pray at two shrines for the end of COVID-19. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore was his first stop. Then he walked along one of Rome’s usually busy main streets to visit St. Marcello church. There he prayed before a crucifix used in a procession when Read more
If asked about Catholicism, most people think of the pope, a Pew Research Center survey has found. The survey, published on Tuesday, found over half the respondents (4 percent) said “the pope,” “Pope Francis,” or “Pope John Paul II” when asked who they thought of first when they heard the word “Catholic.” Of those, 47 Read more
French bishop Emmanuel Delmas of Angers, who has the COVID-19 virus, says his symptoms first appeared while he was in Rome earlier this month. Delmas was among 31 French bishops who met with Pope Francis during their ad limina visit on 9 March. The delegation included bishops from Bordeaux, Tours, Rouen, and other parts of Read more
Modifications to COVID-19 measures have been announced in Rome after Pope Francis cautioned against “drastic measures” and Catholics complained on social media. “My heart is in pieces,” Father Maurizio Mirilli, a pastor of a Rome parish tweeted. “I have to close everything, even the church … I feel like a father whose children have been Read more
The next ordinary Synod of Bishops will be a synod on synodality, the Vatican announced March 7. In October 2022, bishops from around the world will meet in Rome to discuss the theme: “For a synodal Church: communion, participation and mission.” The concept of “synodality” has been a topic of frequent discussion by Pope Francis, Read more
Mary, you always shine on our path as a sign of salvation and of hope. We entrust ourselves to you, Health of the Sick, who at the cross took part in Jesus’ pain, keeping your faith firm. You, Salvation of the Roman People, know what we need, and we are sure you will provide so Read more
Prisoners, guards and the chaplain of a prison in Padua, Italy have been asked by Pope Francis to write this year’s Way of the Cross meditations. The service will take place on Good Friday, at Rome’s Colosseum. In a public letter, the pope said he chose the parish community so the meditations would reflect on Read more
Pope Francis has encouraged priests to go out and ‘meet the coronavirus sick’ as he avoids crowds amid an outbreak that has killed more than 4,000 people. The 83-year-old pontiff has come down with a cold and cancelled appearances at the Vatican to avoid interacting with worshippers during the crisis. His message came after a Read more