Pope Francis

Pope at Angelus: Everything changes when you truly know the Lord

15/09/2024   Saint Peter's Square

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

The Gospel of today’s Liturgy tells us that Jesus, after asking the disciples what the people thought of Him, directly asks them: “But who do you say that I am?” (Mk 8:29). Peter answers on behalf of all the group, saying. “You are the Christ” (v. 30), that is, you are the Messiah. However, when Jesus starts to talk about the suffering and death that await Him, the same Peter objects, and Jesus harshly rebukes him: “Get behind me, Satan!” – He says Satan – For you are not on the side of God, but of men” (v… Read more »

Pope at Mass: Love is the centre of the Gospel

12/09/2024   “Singapore Sports Hub” Stadium

“Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Cor 8:1). Saint Paul addresses these words to the brothers and sisters of the Christian community at Corinth. In his letters to this community, which was rich in many charisms (cf. 1 Cor 1:4-5), the Apostle often recommends that it cultivate communion in charity.

Let us listen to those words of Paul as together we thank the Lord for the Church in Singapore, which is also rich in gifts, a Church that is vibrant, growing and engaged in constructive dialogue with the various other Confessions and Religions with which it shares this wonderful land… Read more »

Pope at Mass in Timor-Leste: Children show us the importance of ‘smallness’

10/09/2024

“A child has been born for us, a son given to us” (Is 9:6).

With these words, in the first reading, the prophet Isaiah addresses the inhabitants of Jerusalem. It was a prosperous time for that city, but sadly also characterized by great moral decadence.

We see much wealth there, but this affluence blinds the powerful, seducing them into thinking that they are self-sufficient, with no need for the Lord, and their conceit leads them to be selfish and unjust… Read more »

Pope to Papua New Guinea Catholics: God is close to those who feel distant

09/09/2024   Sr John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

The first words the Lord addresses to us today are, “Be strong, do not fear!” (Is 35:4). In this way, the prophet Isaiah addresses all those who have lost heart. He likewise encourages his people and, even amid difficulties and suffering, invites them to raise their eyes to a horizon of hope and to a future where God is coming to save us… Read more »

Pope to Indonesian authorities: ‘Interreligious dialogue fosters mutual respect’

04/09/2024

As he meets with Indonesia’s civil authorities in Jakarta, Pope Francis upholds the nation’s motto of “Unity in Diversity,” and promises the Catholic Church’s efforts to support interreligious dialogue and civil harmony.

Pope Francis delivered his first speech on Indonesian soil on Wednesday as he met with the country’s authorities, civil society, and diplomatic corps at the Istana Negara presidential palace in Jakarta… Read more »

A celebration of God’s decision to create

01/09/2024

As the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, Indian Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences’ Office of Human Development, reflects on the importance of praising God for His marvellous gift of Creation.

The World Day of Prayer for Creation takes place each year on September 1. Motivated by the rich tradition of the Eastern Church, this is both a moment to celebrate God’s loving decision to create, and a moment to reflect on how we have stewarded the great gift of creation… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: We are called to live our faith consistently in prayer and practice

01/09/2024   Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today, in the Gospel of the liturgy (cf. Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus speaks about the pure and the impure: a matter very dear to his contemporaries, which was linked principally to the observance of rites and rules of behaviour, to avoid any contact with things or persons considered unclean and, if this happened, to erase the “stain” (cf. Lev 11-15)… Read more »

Pope urges Bishops to keep hope alive amidst escalating Middle East tension

28/08/2024

Pope Francis on Wednesday again expressed his deep concern over the intensifying tensions in the Middle East, warning how these often escalate into open conflicts and war.

His words came as Palestinian officials said that at least nine people were killed in Israeli raids across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday and observers express fears of a wider war.

Addressing participants of the Latin Episcopal Conference of the Arabic Regions (CELRA) who are meeting in Rome for their plenary assembly, in his prepared remarks the Pope warned that “the conflict, instead of finding a fair solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk of spreading and igniting the entire region.”

“The conflict [in the Holy Land], instead of finding a fair solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk of spreading and igniting the entire region.”

The situation, the Holy Father noted, has resulted in countless deaths, massive destruction, and widespread suffering, fostering sentiments of hatred and resentment that could lead to future tragedies… Read more »

Pope at Audience: World must heed cries of migrants dying in deserts and seas

28/08/2024   Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today, I will postpone the usual catechesis and I would like to pause with you to think about the people who – even at this moment – are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and safety.

Sea and desert: these two words return in many testimonies I receive, both on the part of migrants, and of people who are engaged in coming to their aid… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Seek and remain in the Lord for fullness of life

25/08/2024   Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel of the liturgy (Jn 6:60-69) relates to us the famous response of Saint Peter, who says to Jesus: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68). It is a very beautiful expression that gives witness to the friendship and manifests the trust that bind him to Christ, along with the other disciples… Read more »