Awaiting Pope Francis’ arrival in Iraq on Friday, 5 March, Iraqis of all faiths are preparing to welcome him. The Chaldean Patriarch, Cardinal Sako, says hopes are high for a spiritual renewal in the name of fraternity.

A new report released by the United Nation’s children’s fund draws attention to the “catastrophic education emergency worldwide” that the Covid-19 lockdowns have created.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols, President of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, celebrates Mass on Tuesday for all those who have died of Covid-19 in Europe.

Fr Rebwar Basa, a parish priest in Essen Germany, reflects on the hopes, expectations and concerns of the thousands of Iraqi/Chaldean Catholics in the diaspora who cannot travel to their homeland due to the pandemic, but nonetheless joyfully await Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Iraq, which begins on Friday.

The Russian translation of the encyclical of Pope Francis on fraternity and social friendship is now available in the Russian language. Pope Francis sends a message on the occasion of the release of the translation in Moscow on Wednesday.

As the Pope prepares for his historic visit to Iraq, humanitarian consultant Maha Ganni speaks about her hopes for his trip. She also charts her own journey from that of a migrant in Kuwait, to assisting refugees today.

In a joint statement, various religious organizations express joy for Pope Francis' historic Apostolic Visit to Iraq (5-8 March) and renew their commitment to rebuilding a society based on solidarity and fraternity.

In the run-up to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Iraq, he asks the faithful to accompany his journey with prayers so it may bear fruit for the Middle Eastern nation. The journey is scheduled to take place from 5 to 8 March.

Pope Francis appeals for an end to violence against anti-coup protesters in Myanmar, and calls on the military junta to release political prisoners and allow the country to continue its journey toward democracy.

At Wednesday’s Audience, Pope Francis says we have access to the Trinity through prayer, thanks to Jesus.

Bishops in the DRC have urged the government of Félix Tshisekedi to keep its promises made to the people of the eastern province about improving security.

The network of 32 national Justice and Peace Commissions of the bishops’ conferences of Europe has expressed its solidarity for the people of Myanmar in their call for the restoration of democracy.

Pope Francis' prayer intention for March seeks to highlight the joy that the Sacrament of Reconciliation brings, and reminds us that it’s a loving and merciful encounter between us and God.

On the 10th anniversary of the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti of Pakistan, his brother, Paul Bhatti recalls the values and ideologies that his brother dedicated himself to.

In an interview with Vatican News, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, looks ahead to Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to Iraq and reflects on its significance for the Church and the people in the long-suffering middle eastern nation.

Pope Francis will be leaving soon for the most difficult and most important journey of his pontificate. On the agenda: Expressing his closeness to Christians, support for the reconstruction of a nation devastated by war and terrorism, reaching out to our Muslim brothers and sisters. When he arrives in Iraq, Pope Francis will fulfil one of John Paul II’s dreams.

Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey to Iraq offers a unique opportunity to learn about the history of Christianity in Mesopotamia, where Jesus’ mother-tongue endures to this day.

Government officials confirm the release of over 300 schoolgirls taken by armed men on Friday in northern Nigeria. This is the second time in less than week that unidentified gunmen have kidnapped and released schoolchildren.

The cry of the earth and the cry of the poor are connected and provoke us. Pope Francis’s Encyclical, “Laudato si’”, published in 2015, makes this evident. Gaël Giraud had already become keenly aware of this twenty years ago in Chad. A Jesuit economist, Giraud has been reflecting for years about the connections between the economy, finance and ecology which led him to propose an economic model that respects people and conserves the environment from the consequences of global warming.

"Proclaiming Christ means showing that believing in Him and following Him is not only true and right, but also beautiful. At the heart of the Gospel lies the beauty of God's saving love, manifested in Jesus Christ who died and rose again." Inspired by these words of Pope Francis, the Vatican Museums and Vatican News have teamed up again to explore the masterpieces in the papal collections accompanied by the words of the Popes.