Vatican News

Rome, Italy, Aug 4, 2010 / 05:29 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Benedict XVI underscored the importance of the Eucharist on Wednesday as a "treasure whose value cannot be measured." Illustrating a young third century martyr's dedication to the Body of Christ, he exhorted the tens of thousands of altar servers present at the audience to also give their lives in service to the Lord.

Rome, Italy, Aug 2, 2010 / 12:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Following Friday's news that a U.S. company has been given the go ahead to experiment with embryonic stem cells on human patients, a former head of the Pontifical Academy for Life told Vatican Radio that the trials are unacceptable. He said that regardless of whether the result of testing is positive or negative, "morally it remains a crime."

Rome, Italy, Aug 2, 2010 / 08:26 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Redemptorist Fr. Joseph William Tobin was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as the new secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life on Monday.

Vatican City, Aug 1, 2010 / 08:04 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- It was with "great contentment" that Benedict XVI observed the first day of the worldwide ban on cluster munitions, which took effect on Sunday. The Vatican participated in the talks that led to the international agreement, focusing upon the "logic of peace."

Vatican City, Aug 1, 2010 / 10:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The person who trusts in the Lord and does not give in to a fear of adversity or death shares "a wise heart" with the saints, Pope Benedict XVI said Sunday. Remembering the saints' examples of trust in God, the Holy Father taught that any dependence on "passing realities" is "foolishness."

CNA STAFF, Aug 1, 2010 / 05:11 am (CNA).- Both Roman and Eastern rite Catholics will soon celebrate the Church's feast of the Transfiguration on its traditional date for both calendars, August 6.

Vatican City, Jul 31, 2010 / 11:33 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- The new president of the Pontifical Academy for Life, Archbishop Ignacio Carrasco de Paula, announced that his dicastery is preparing a document on the effects of abortion on women, often called post-abortion syndrome. The document will focus on the study of the "habit of abortion" and is expected to be published next year.

Vatican City, Jul 31, 2010 / 03:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- A newly digitized 1950's film on Fr. Damien of Molokai still offers a relevant message for today, remarked L'Osservatore Romano (LOR) on Friday. According to the Vatican newspaper, the film's images not only show us the priest's life, but reveal "timeless and fundamentally human themes."

Vatican City, Jul 31, 2010 / 10:56 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Reflecting on Cardinal Ivan Dias' July letter to Chinese Catholic clergy, Vatican Radio director Fr. Federico Lombardi on Saturday said that the invitation to them to lead lives of "holiness, unity and communion" must be that of the entire Church.

Rome, Italy, Jul 30, 2010 / 08:05 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- An interview with former Swiss Guard Joseph Schmidt, was released this week in which he addressed the meaning behind his 15 years of service in the mid-20th century. Schmidt, who also highlighted the history of the office, died the same day the interview aired.

Vatican City, Jul 30, 2010 / 11:31 am (CNA/EWTN News).- On Friday, the Vatican released Pope Benedict XVI's prayer intentions for the month of August. In his intentions, the Pontiff is praying that those in serious financial need or require housing will be assisted.

Castel Gandolfo, Italy, Jul 30, 2010 / 04:57 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Nobody could lead the Church without the assistance of God, said Pope Benedict XVI on Thursday. After seeing a film highlighting important moments in his ministry and the life of the Church from the last five years, the Pope observed that the Church is young and full of variety and that the role of the Successor of Peter is making the unity within it concrete and visible.

Vatican City, Jul 29, 2010 / 10:25 am (CNA/EWTN News).- A film called "Five Years: Pope Benedict XVI" will be screened at Castel Gandolfo on Thursday evening in the presence of the Holy Father.

Rome, Italy, Jul 29, 2010 / 05:18 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Catholic clergy of mainland China were encouraged in their work towards communion with Rome and greater unity in their communities this month. In a letter from the head of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, they were urged to "continue without fear on the path of holiness, unity and communion."

Vatican City, Jul 28, 2010 / 07:54 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Similarities between the teachings of Pope Benedict XVI and Cardinal John Henry Newman are detailed in Wednesday's edition of Il Foglio. According to the author, at least one major element unites their thought, their aversion to a relativistic society.

Vatican City, Jul 28, 2010 / 11:32 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Just under two weeks ago Russian officials accepted the credentials of Archbishop Antonio Mennini as the first papal nuncio to their country. The event ushers in a new era of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Russian Federation.

London, England, Jul 28, 2010 / 06:39 am (CNA/EWTN News).- The importance of Great Britain's relationship with the Holy See could surprise critics during the papal visit there this fall. In spite of the complications in planning the joint state and pastoral visit, the U.K.'s special representative for the occasion is predicting it will be a "terrific success."

Vatican City, Jul 26, 2010 / 09:58 pm (CNA).- The apostolic nuncio to Spain, Archbishop Renzo Fratini, recently sent a message on behalf of Pope Benedict XVI to those celebrating Grandparents Day on July 26, the feast day of Sts. Joachim and Ann.

Vatican City, Jul 26, 2010 / 11:58 am (CNA/EWTN News).- St. Anne's Church, the pontifical parish in the Vatican, celebrated the feast of its patroness and her husband on Monday. During Mass to mark the occasion, the cardinal vicar general of the Vatican prayed that Christian families would "wake up" and fulfill their purpose by openly loving each other and bearing witness to the faith.

Rome, Italy, Jul 26, 2010 / 06:30 am (CNA/EWTN News).- After being closed for three years for restructuring and restoration, the Apostolic Vatican Library will reopen on September 20. The renewed facilities will provide easier access to the wealth of information the library houses.