On the second day of his Apostolic Journey to Iraq, Pope Francis celebrates the Divine Liturgy at the Chaldean Cathedral of St. Joseph in Baghdad. The Holy Father on Saturday told Iraq’s Catholics that they are precious in the eyes of God because they witness to the Beatitudes of Jesus in their daily life. He said they are witnesses who, by living the Beatitudes, are helping God fulfil His promises of peace. Read more at the Vatican News web portal: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-0

The Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples shares his hopes for Christmas 2020, and offers words of encouragement to those who are suffering because of Covid-19. See the full interview on our web portal: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2020-12/advent-christmas-2020-pandemic-cardinal-tagle-solidarity.html | Vatican News

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. Read more at the Vatican News web portal: | Vatican News

Pope Leo closed the Catholic Church's Holy Year on Tuesday (January 6), sealing shut a special "Holy Door" in St. Peter's Basilica. The year was opened by the late Pope Francis in December 2024. Holy years, or jubilees, typically occur every 25 years and are considered a time of peace, forgiveness and pardon. Pilgrims to Rome can enter special "Holy Doors" at four Rome basilicas, and can see the pope at special audiences throughout the year. At 9:41 am (0841 GMT) on Tuesday, Leo, dressed in gold