News

St. Peter's Square - Cardinal Pietro Parolin celebrated the second Mass of the Novendiali [the nine days of official mourning for the death of a pope]

Pope Francis' heavenly embrace for the employees and faithful of Vatican City

"On Divine Mercy Sunday, we remember our beloved Pope Francis with affection. Indeed, such memories are particularly vivid among the employees and faithful of Vatican City, many of whom are present here, and whom I would like to thank for the service they perform every day. To you, to all of us, to the whole world, Pope Francis extends his embrace from Heaven". Thus Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State for the Francis papacy, presided over the Eucharistic concelebration in suffrage of the Pope. The rite took place on Sunday morning, April 27, the Second of Easter or Divine Mercy Sunday. About 200,000 people were present, including the employees of Vatican City and tens of thousands of adolescents who had come to Rome from all over the world with their parishes, schools and families for this day of the Jubilee dedicated to them.

Testament of the Holy Father Francis

TESTAMENT OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS

__________________

Miserando atque Eligendo

In the Name of the Most Holy Trinity. Amen.

As I sense that the twilight of my earthly life is approaching, and with firm hope in Eternal Life, I wish to express my final wishes regarding my burial place.

I have always entrusted my life and priestly and episcopal ministry to the Mother of Our Lord, Mary Most Holy. Therefore, I ask that my mortal remains rest, awaiting the day of resurrection, in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major.

Vatican issues series of postage stamps for the Sede Vacante 2025

On Monday 28 April the Vatican City’s Postal and Philately Service of the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, released the series of postage stamps commemorating the Sede Vacante MMXXV, valid for postal correspondence mailed from the Vatican City.

The issue of the postage stamp commemorating the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis is temporarily suspended

The Postal and Philately Service under the Directorate of Telecommunications and Information Systems, informs that the joint postal issue between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Vatican City State, celebrating the canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis, scheduled for Sunday, April 27, has been temporarily suspended until further notice. The canonization of Blessed Carlo Acutis itself had to be suspended in mourning of the death of our Holy Father Pope Francis.

In Memory of Pope Francis

The Mark He Left and His Legacy to the Governorate

Pope Francis passed away peacefully this morning, Monday, April 21, at 7:35 a.m.
He gave himself completely to the Church, to his brothers and sisters, and to humanity. His heart has ceased to beat, but his voice will echo forever in the minds of the men and women of our time, in those who had the privilege to hear his words, to witness his prophetic gestures, and to follow his Magisterium.

Until the end, he continued to serve the Church, never taking time for himself, as the needs of the Church were always his priority. Just as he consistently asked others to reject a throwaway mentality and to never discriminate, he never held back in proclaiming God’s mercy to the world. He made this the central theme of his pontificate.

Holy Saturday: Waiting Before the Sepulchre

Between the Eucharistic celebration of Holy Thursday and that of the Easter night, the Church does not celebrate the Eucharist. It relives the mystery of Jesus’ burial, when everything seems to be over. It is the day when Christ descends into the netherworld to reward the hope of the righteous ones of old, held captive by the chains of death.