A press conference was held in the Holy See Press Office to discuss two meetings taking place in the Vatican next week on climate change, human trafficking, and sustainable development.

The meetings will bring together mayors from around the world, to discuss how cities can help contribute to the solution of some of these problems facing humanity.

The Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences will host the workshop “Modern Slavery and Climate Change: the Commitment of the Cities” and the symposium “Prosperity, People, and Planet: Achieving Sustainable Development in Our Cities” in the Vatican’s Casina Pio IV on 21 – 22 July 2015, for the first time bringing a group of international mayors to the Vatican…

The Holy See views the new agreement on the Iranian nuclear programme in “a positive light”, according to Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, the head of the Holy See Press Office.

The deal was reached by Iran and the so-called P5+1 (the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, and Germany) after nine years of negotiations in an effort to ensure Iran’s nuclear programme will be used only for peaceful purposes…

Pope Francis said on Sunday (July 12th) that Mary is always with us, her children, especially the poor and the most needy.  He also prayed that Mary may strengthen the Church’s members in fraternal love and that with her help the Church may be a welcoming home for all. His words came during his Angelus address pronounced at the end of the open-air Mass celebrated at Nu Guazu outside Asuncion on the final day of his visit to Paraguay. 

Please find below an English translation of the Pope’s prepared remarks at his Angelus address following the Mass at Nu Guazu: “I thank the Archbishop of Asuncion, the Most Reverend Edmundo Ponziano Valenzuela Mellid, for his kind words…

Asked by a journalist, here in Asuncion, during the final press briefing, what he thinks is the main common denominator of Pope Francis’ three-nation Latin American tour, Papal spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi didn’t have to think too hard.

No, he didn’t say “the appeal for justice and equality,”  “closeness to the poor and the needy” or “the call to leaders to combat corruption”; he didn’t even talk about the strong Marian dimension of the journey or about Pope Francis’ embracing pastoral approach as he reached out to millions of faithful during massive Eucharistic celebrations, private moments of prayer, encounters with his fellow bishops and with representatives of civil society…