Pope Francis

Pope Francis appeals for peace in a war-torn world

27/10/2023

Photo: Vatican Media As today we observe a Day of Prayer, Fasting, and Penance for Peace, especially in the Holy Land, we recall various occasions when Pope Francis has spiritually mobilized Christians to pray for the gift of fraternity, as he continues to denounce war as “a defeat for humanity”.

Throughout the ten years of his pontificate, Pope Francis has repeatedly called on believers and non-believers alike to dedicate days of prayer and fasting for the precious gift of peace… Read more »

Pope at Audience: To be creative, to be constant and to be humble

25/10/2023   Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today I will talk to you about two brothers, very famous in the east, to the point of being called “the apostles of the Slavs”: Saints Cyril and Methodius. Born in Greece in the ninth century into an aristocratic family, they renounced a political career to devote themselves to monastic life. But their dream of a secluded existence was short-lived… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: What image do I carry inside myself?

22/10/2023   Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

The Gospel of today’s Liturgy tells us about some pharisees who join with the Herodians to set a trap for Jesus. They were always trying to set traps for Him. They go to Him and ask: “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” (Mt 22:17). It is a ruse: if Jesus legitimizes the tax, He places Himself on the side of a political power that is ill-supported by the people, whereas if He says not to pay it, He can be accused of rebellion against the empire… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Let us be simple people

18/10/2023   Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Let us continue in our encounter with some Christian witnesses rich in zeal for proclaiming the Gospel. Apostolic zeal, the zeal for proclamation: and we are looking at some Christians who have been an example of this apostolic zeal. Today I would like to talk to you about a man who made Jesus and his poorest brothers the passion of his life… Read more »

Pope: ‘May weapons fall silent, situation in Gaza is desperate’

18/10/2023

“The number of victims is growing and the situation in Gaza is desperate.”

With these words, Pope Francis turned his thoughts to Palestine and Israel pleading that “everything possible be done to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.”

Speaking at his weekly General Audience, the Holy Father also drew attention to the unsettling possibility of the conflict’s expansion.

“The world already witnesses so many open war fronts,” he lamented… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Sinners yes, corrupt no!

01/10/2023   Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today, the Gospel speaks about two sons. Their father asks them to go to work in the vineyard (cf. Mt 21:28-32). One of them responds “yes”, right away, but then does not go. The other, says “no”, but then repents and goes.

What is there to say about the behaviour of these two? What quickly comes to mind is that going to work in the vineyard requires sacrifice, and sacrifice costs… Read more »

‘Laudate Deum,’ to be title of Pope’s Apostolic Exhortation on climate

29/09/2023

The name of Pope Francis’ next Apostolic Exhortation on the environment will be Laudate Deum, Pope Francis has revealed.

The Holy Father shared this on Thursday, Sept. 21 when addressing in the Vatican some 200 participants in the meeting of the Rectors of public and private universities of Latin America and the Caribbean, sponsored by the Red de Universidades para el Cuidado de la Casa Común and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America on Sept… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Hope needs to be restored to our European societies

27/09/2023   Saint Peter's Squary, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters!

I went to Marseille at the end of last week to participate in the conclusion of the Rencontres Méditerranéennes (Mediterranean Meetings), which involved Bishops and mayors from the Mediterranean area, along with numerous young people, so that their outlook would be open to the future. In fact, the event that took place in Marseille was called “Mosaic of Hope”… Read more »

Pope renews invitation to Saturday’s Synod Vigil

26/09/2023

Pope Francis has reiterated his invitation to all Christians to attend the upcoming Synod prayer vigil in St Peter’s Square.

Speaking after his weekly recitation of the Angelus prayer, the Holy Father said that “I renew my invitation to participate in the ecumenical prayer vigil entitled ‘Together’, which will take place next Saturday, the 30th September, in St Peter’s Square, in preparation for the Synodal Assembly which will begin on the 4th October.”

Entrusting the Synod to the Holy Spirit

Around 3,000 young people from 40 different countries are expected at the vigil, which will be held from 5 to 7pm on Saturday 30th October… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Do I know how to forgive?

24/09/2023

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today’s Gospel presents us a surprising parable: the master of a vineyard goes out from the first dawn until evening to call in some workers, but in the end, he pays everyone equally, even those who have only worked one hour (cf. Mt 20:1-16). It would seem an injustice, but the parable is not to be read through wage criteria; rather, it intends to show us the criteria of God, who does not calculate our merits, but loves us as children… Read more »