The Christian includes, he does not close the door to anyone, even if this provokes resistance. He who excludes, because he believes himself to be better, generates conflicts and divisions, and does not consider the fact that “we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.” That was the message of Pope Francis during Thursday morning’s Mass at Casa Santa Marta…

Pope Francis held his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday morning. In his catechisis, he continued to reflect on the importance of family as a place where we learn the values of forgiveness and reconciliation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:  Following the recent Assembly of the Synod of Bishops which reflected on the vocation and mission of the family, today we reflect on the importance of the family as the place where we learn the value of forgiveness.  Each day, in the words of the Our Father, we ask God to forgive us and to grant us the grace to forgive others.  As difficult as forgiveness may be, it is essential for our personal growth, our capacity to acknowledge our failures and to mend broken relationships.  It is a virtue we learn first in the family.  Forgiveness strengthens families in love and, through them, makes society as a whole more loving and humane.  It is a solid rock on which to build our lives and an eloquent sign of our Christian discipleship and obedience to the Father’s will.  May the coming Jubilee of Mercy encourage families everywhere to rediscover the power of forgiveness, and enable the great family of the Church to proclaim the power of God’s reconciling love at work in our world…

Pope Francis on Tuesday celebrated Mass in St Peter’s Basilica for all the cardinals and bishops who have died over the past year. Recalling with gratitude the vocation of those Church leaders, the Pope noted that the principle task of all ordained ministers is that of service to others.

Pope Francis said just as Jesus knelt to wash the feet of his closest disciples, so he calls all his ministers today to renew their commitment to service in his Church…

Pope Francis visited the crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Monday evening, for a time of private prayer for the repose of the souls of his predecessors in the office of bishop of Rome, who have departed this life. 

It is a tradition for Popes to pray for their departed predecessors in this way on the Solemnity of All Souls – the day on which the whole Church prays for the dead, recommending friends, enemies, loved-ones, relatives and strangers alike to the mercy of God…