Pope Francis

Pope at Audience: Think about this – What can I do for others?

  Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

This past Sunday, the Liturgy had us listen to the Passion of the Lord. It ended with these words: “They sealed the stone” (cf. Mt 27:66). Everything seemed over. For the disciples, that boulder signified the final end of their hope. The Teacher was crucified, killed in the cruelest and most humiliating manner, hung upon the infamous gallows outside the city – a public failure, the worst possible ending, it was the worst at that time… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: May Our Lady help us stay close to Jesus

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters!

I greet all of you, people from Rome and pilgrims, especially those who have come from far away. I thank you for your participation and also for your prayers, which intensified during these past days. Thank you indeed!

I extend a special blessing to the Caravan of Peace that, during these days, departed from Italy bound for Ukraine, promoted by a variety of associations: Pope John XXIII, FOCSIV, Pro Civitate Christiana, Pax Christi and others… Read more »

Rekindling memories of Pope Francis’ visit to Malta a year ago

May your visit among us and your blessing upon us instil in the heart of each and every one of us that warmth of charity and that unusual kindness that are among the best fruits of the Holy Spirit.

Part of the thanksgiving speech by Archbishop Charles Scicluna

On the 2nd and 3rd April 2022, Pope Francis visited Malta and Gozo for the first time… Read more »

Pope Francis returns home after brief hospital stay

Pope Francis was released from Gemelli Hospital on Saturday morning following a brief hospital stay that involved scheduled tests and treatment for bronchitis.

In a brief statement Saturday morning, the Holy See Press Office noted that, before his departure, the Holy Father greeted the leadership of the hospital, including Franco Anelli, the Rector of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart; Marco Elefanti, the General Director of the Policlinic; and the General Ecclesiastical Assistant for the hospital, Bishop Claudio Giuliodori, as well as the medical team and healthcare workers who assisted him during his convalescence… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Jesus tells us “take away the stone”

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today, fifth Sunday of Lent, the Gospel presents to us the resurrection of Lazarus (cf. Jn 11:1-45). It is the last of Jesus’ miracles narrated before Easter: the resurrection of his friend Lazarus. Lazarus is a dear friend of Jesus, who knows he is about to die; he sets out on his journey, but arrives at his house four days after the burial, when by now all hope is lost… Read more »

Pope at Audience: We need to receive the word of God and change our life – every day

  Saint Peter's Square, The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today we will listen to the “magna carta” of evangelization in the contemporary world: Saint Paul VI’s Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii nuntiandi (EN, 8 December 1975). It is topical, it was written in 1975 but it is as though it were written yesterday. Evangelization is more than just simple doctrinal and moral transmission… Read more »

Pope at Audience: God’s love is not only for a little group

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In the last catechesis we saw how the first “council” in the history of the Church – council, like that of Vatican II –, the first council, was convened in Jerusalem over a matter linked to evangelization, namely the proclamation of the Good News to non-Jews – it was thought that Gospel should be proclaimed only to Jews… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Go forward!

  Saint Peter's Square, Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

On this Second Sunday of Lent, the Gospel of the Transfiguration is proclaimed. Jesus takes Peter, James and John with him on the mountain and is revealed to them in all his beauty as Son of God (cf. Mt 17:1-9).

Let us pause a moment over this scene and ask ourselves: Of what does this beauty consist? … Read more »