Pope Francis

Pope: The elderly are the ‘firm foundation’ of the future

In his Message for the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on 28 July 2024, Pope Francis recognizes the situation of many elderly people today, and assures them: “God never abandons His children, never.”

“Do not cast me off in my old age” (cf. Ps 71:9): This sincere plea, taken from Psalm 71, is the theme of the Fourth World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, which will take place on 28 July 2024… Read more »

AI is awakening humanity from the slumber induced by the illusion of omnipotence – Pope Francis

Dear brothers and sisters!

The development of systems of artificial intelligence, to which I devoted my recent Message for the World Day of Peace, is radically affecting the world of information and communication, and through it, certain foundations of life in society. These changes affect everyone, not merely professionals in those fields. The rapid spread of astonishing innovations, whose workings and potential are beyond the ability of most of us to understand and appreciate, has proven both exciting and disorienting… Read more »

Bull of indiction of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025

  St. Peter's Basilica, the Vatican

1. SPES NON CONFUNDIT. “Hope does not disappoint” (Rom 5:5). In the spirit of hope, the Apostle Paul addressed these words of encouragement to the Christian community of Rome. Hope is also the central message of the coming Jubilee that, in accordance with an ancient tradition, the Pope proclaims every twenty-five years. My thoughts turn to all those pilgrims of hope who will travel to Rome in order to experience the Holy Year and to all those others who, though unable to visit the City of the Apostles Peter and Paul, will celebrate it in their local Churches… Read more »

Il-Papa fl-Udjenza – The world needs hope

  Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters!

In the last catechesis we began to reflect on the theological virtues. There are three of them: faith, hope and charity. Last time, we reflected on faith. Now it is the turn of hope. “Hope is the theological virtue by which we desire the kingdom of heaven and eternal life as our happiness, placing our trust in Christ’s promises and relying not on our own strength, but on the help of the grace of the Holy Spirit” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no… Read more »

Pope at Regina Caeli – It takes friendship

  Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today the Gospel tells us about Jesus who says to the Apostles: “I do not call you servants any longer, but friends” (cf Jn 15:15). What does this mean?

In the Bible the “servants” of God are special people, to whom He entrusts important missions, such as, for example, Moses (cf. Ex 14:31), King David (cf.  … Read more »

Pope at Audience – The great enemy of faith is fear

  Paul VI Audience Hall, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today I would like to talk about the virtue of faith. Together with charity and hope, this virtue is described as theologal. There are three theologal virtues: faith, hope and charity. Why are they theologal? Because they can be lived – this virtue, the three theologal virtues – only thanks to the gift of God… Read more »

Pope to youth in Venice: Get off your phones and pay attention to others

As he visits the Italian city of Venice, Pope Francis urges young people to make themselves a gift for other people by focusing on how we can help someone else instead of complaining about being alone or misunderstood.

Pope Francis met on Sunday morning with young people in Venice in the square in front of the Basilica of St. Mary of Good Health… Read more »

Pope at Regina Caeli – May the God of Peace enlighten hearts

  Saint Mark's Square, Venice

Dear brothers and sisters!

Before concluding our celebration, I wish to greet all of you who have participated. I thank the Patriarch, Francesco Moraglia, from my heart, and with him all the collaborators and volunteers. I am grateful to the civil authorities and the police, who have enabled this visit to take place. Thank you!

Also from here, like every Sunday, let us invoke the intercession of the Virgin Mary for the many situations of suffering in the world… Read more »

Pope: A negotiated peace is better than an endless war

In an interview with CBS, Pope Francis calls for an end to the wars in Ukraine, Gaza, and around the world. He says there is room for everyone in the Church pointing out that if a parish priest doesn’t seem welcoming, one can look elsewhere: “There is always a place, don’t run away from the Church.”

Referring in particular to the wars in Ukraine, in Gaza and others that continue to ravage the world, Pope Francis said ” Please, countries at war, all of them… Stop the war… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Pride is a powerful poison, a drop is enough to spoil a lifetime of goodness

  St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Cycle of Catechesis. Vices and Virtues. 16. The life of grace according to the Spirit

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In recent weeks we have reflected on the cardinal virtues: prudencejusticefortitude, and temperance. They are the four cardinal virtues. As we have emphasized several times, these four virtues belong to a very ancient wisdom that predates even Christianity… Read more »