By Tina Dennelly CNA Staff, Jan 11, 2025 / 19:45 pm U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Pope Francis on Saturday and named him a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom with distinction, the White House said in a statement. As the nation’s highest honor, the medal is “presented to individuals …

By AC Wimmer CNA Newsroom, Jan 11, 2025 / 06:15 am Pope Francis expressed his condolences Saturday to Los Angeles communities affected by devastating wildfires that have destroyed homes and churches, including the historic Corpus Christi Catholic Church. In a telegram released by the Vatican’s secretary of state, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, …

By Hannah Brockhaus Vatican City, Jan 6, 2025 / 09:25 am Pope Francis has named for the first time a woman, Sister Simona Brambilla, to head a dicastery of the Roman Curia, continuing to add to the number of women in leadership roles at the Vatican, a hallmark of his pontificate. …

By Hannah Brockhaus Rome Newsroom, Jan 6, 2025 / 06:08 am Pope Francis appointed Cardinal Robert McElroy, bishop of San Diego, to lead the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., the Vatican announced Monday. The 70-year-old cardinal, who holds doctorates in moral theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University and in political science from …

By Courtney Mares Vatican City, Jan 2, 2025 / 09:40 am Pope Francis offered his condolences after 15 people were killed in New Orleans when a U.S. Army veteran drove a pickup truck with an Islamic State flag into a crowd celebrating the New Year. The pope sent a condolence message …

by Kary Ellen Berger Giving thanks to God goes beyond words and impacts every aspect of our lives. Whether it’s through prayer, helping others or simply feeling grateful, we are invited to recognize His many blessings. Those blessings and more will be celebrated as the Church prepares for the Jubilee …

By Kristina Millare Vatican City, Dec 25, 2024 / 12:54 pm Pope Francis on Christmas Day delivered the traditional Urbi et Orbi address and blessing in Vatican City, inviting all individuals and nations to “silence the sound of arms and overcome divisions.” Delivering his Christmas Day message overlooking crowds of thousands …

By Daniel Payne CNA Newsroom, Dec 23, 2024 / 09:40 am President Joe Biden on Monday commuted the death row sentences of more than three dozen federal prisoners, ordering that the formerly condemned inmates serve out life sentences instead of being executed by the government. The White House announced the clemencies on …

By Kate Quiñones CNA Staff, Dec 19, 2024 / 19:45 pm U.S. President Joe Biden accepted an invitation to visit Pope Francis next month and discuss efforts to advance peace, the White House announced on Thursday. Biden, the country’s second Catholic president, is set to travel to Rome from Jan. 9–12 …