Almost six million pilgrims and visitors joined Pope Francis for an audience, liturgy or prayer at the Vatican in 2014, the Vatican has confirmed. The Prefecture of the Papal Household, the Vatican office that coordinates the audiences and distributes the free tickets to Papal audiences and liturgies, said a total of 5,916,800 people attended a…

Sri Lankan Catholics are looking forward to Pope Francis’ canonisation of Blessed Joseph Vaz on January 14, but the enthusiasm and eagerness of Fr Cosme Jose Costa stands apart. “It is Blessed Joseph Vaz’s intercession that saved my life, and I look forward with deep gratitude (to) this great event,” said Fr Costa, a 76-year-old…

Pope: true charity takes compassion that does not demand conversion ‘Quality of life’ proponents who think the gravely ill lead lives not worth living are peddling a great lie, Pope Francis said in a message for the 2015 World Day of the Sick. Criticising approaches that devalue human lives, especially the lives of those who suffer from serious illness, Pope Francis highlighted the importance…

Catholic leaders in the Central African Republic said their help for Muslim rebels is part of an effort to promote interreligious reconciliation in the war-torn country. "We're ready to assist everyone in difficulty, whatever their faith or affiliation," said Msgr Elysee Guedjande, national director of the church's Caritas aid organisation. "The two main fronts aren't…

Men dressed as the Three Kings ride on horses leading a procession of Catholics of Polish decent, from St Ferdinand Parish to St Ladislaus Parish in Chicago in celebration of the feast of the Epiphany (January 6). Photo: CNS 

The shift reflects the Pope’s emphasis on Africa and Asia, where the Church is growing fastest, writes Francis Rocca

The new year finds Mexico still seeking a new reality, writes Paul Keenan