Vaticano Updates provides the latest news from the Vatican and Rome. EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief Andreas Thonhauser presents:
Synod on Synodality Document Part of Magisterium
Pope Francis affirmed that the final Synod on Synodality document is part of the Church's ordinary magisterium and must be implemented by dioceses and local churches. Highlighting its importance, the Pontiff described it as “the authentic teaching of the Bishop of Rome.” The document calls for structural reforms, including greater participation of laypeople and women in the Church.
U.S. Secretary Blinken Met With Pope Francis
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Pope Francis at the Vatican. While the Holy See did not disclose details of the audience, the State Department reported that discussions centered on conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine as part of Blinken's European diplomatic tour. Key topics included the recently announced Israel-Lebanon ceasefire and efforts to mitigate the humanitarian impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Pope Francis Writes Letter to Nicaraguan Catholics
Pope Francis has written to Catholics in Nicaragua, expressing his closeness, affection, and constant prayers to the Virgin Mary, asking for her comfort amid the persecution of faith under President Daniel Ortega's regime. The Holy Father reaffirmed his deep love for the Nicaraguan people and encouraged them with these words: “Be assured that faith and hope work miracles.”
Chinese Joins Official Languages at Papal Audiences
Chinese has been added as the ninth official language at papal general audiences, expanding the weekly events' multilingual reach. Key portions, including Scripture readings, papal address summaries, and greetings, are now delivered in Mandarin alongside Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, and Arabic. Mandarin, the world's most spoken language, boasts nearly one billion speakers, surpassing Spanish and English.
Pope Francis Plans to Visit Turkey
Pope Francis has invited Orthodox leaders to jointly celebrate the 1,700th anniversary of the First Council of Nicaea in 2025, as proposed in a letter to Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople. While praising the “renewed fraternity” fostered since Vatican II, the Pope emphasized that full communion, including sharing “the one Eucharistic chalice,” remains an unfulfilled aspiration. He also announced plans to visit Turkey for the anniversary.
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Andreas Thonhauser is EWTN Vatican Bureau Chief. He earned a Master of Business Administration from the WU Executive Academy in Vienna and a Master’s degree in German Philology/Anglistics and Americanistics from the University of Vienna. Prior to joining EWTN, Thonhauser worked as the Director of External Affairs for a global human rights organization, and for several media outlets in Vienna, Austria.
