Pope Francis

Pope at Audience: We elders, let us look at the young, and always with a smile

22/06/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Catechesis on Old Age: 15. Peter and John

Dear brothers and sisters, welcome and good morning!

In our catechetical journey on old age, today we meditate on the dialogue between the risen Jesus and Peter at the end of John’s Gospel (21:15-23). It is a moving dialogue, from which shines all the love of Jesus for his disciples, and also the sublime humanity of his relationship with them, in particular with Peter: a tender relationship, but not melancholic; direct, strong, free, and open… Read more »

Pope at Angelus asks us not to forget the people of Myanmar and Ukraine

19/06/2022 The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno and blessed Sunday!

Today in Italy and in other countries, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ is celebrated. Instituted during the Last Supper, the Eucharist was like the destination of a journey along which Jesus had prefigured it through several signs, above all the multiplication of the loaves narrated in the Gospel of today’s Liturgy (cf. Lk. 9:11b-17)… Read more »

Pope at Audience: The dialogue between young people and grandparents is fundamental for society

15/06/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Catechesis on Old Age: 14. The joyful service of faith that is learned in gratitude (cf. Mk 1, 29-31)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

We have listened to the simple and touching account of the healing of the mother-in-law of Simon – who is not yet called Peter – in Mark’s version of the Gospel… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Let us all work to eliminate the scourge of child labour

12/06/2022 The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno and blessed Sunday!

Today is the Solemnity of the Holy Trinity, and in the Gospel of the celebration Jesus presents the other two divine Persons, the Father and the Holy Spirit. He says of the Spirit: “He will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come”… Read more »

Pope at Audience: The elderly’s tenderness opens the door toward understanding God’s tenderness

08/06/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Catechesis on Old Age: 13. Nicodemus. “How can a man be born when he is old?” (Jn 3:4)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Among the most relevant elderly characters in the Gospels is Nicodemus – one of the Jewish leaders – who, wanting to know Jesus, went to him at night, although in secret (cf. Jn 3:1-21)… Read more »

Pope at Pentecost calls on leaders: ‘Do not lead humanity into ruin’

05/06/2022 The Vatican

In the final words of the Gospel we have just heard, Jesus says something that can offer us hope and make us think. He tells his disciples: “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all I have said to you (Jn 14:26). “Everything”, “all” – these words are striking; they make us wonder: how does the Spirit give this new and full understanding to those who receive him? … Read more »

Pope at Audience: The elderly are the memory of the family, of humanity, of the country

01/06/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Catechesis on Old Age: 12. “Forsake me not when my strength is spent” (Ps 71:9)

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

The beautiful prayer of the elderly man that we find in Psalm 71, which we have listened to, encourages us to meditate on the strong tension that dwells in the condition of old age, when the memory of labours overcome and blessings received is put to the test of faith and hope… Read more »

The Pope at Regina Caeli: true love is close but not possessive

29/05/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today in Italy and in many countries the Ascension of the Lord, that is, his return to the Father, is celebrated. In the Liturgy, the Gospel according to Luke narrates the final apparition of the Risen Christ to the disciples (cf. 24:46-53). The earthly life of Jesus culminates precisely with the Ascension, which we also profess in the Creed: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father”… Read more »

Pope at audience urges the elderly to sow hunger and thirst for justice in the young

25/05/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Catechesis on Old Age: 11. Ecclesiastes: the uncertain night of meaning and of things in life

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In our reflection on old age – we are continuing to reflect on old age – today we are dealing with the Book of Qoheleth, or Ecclesiastes, another jewel set in the Bible. On a first reading, this short book is striking and leaves one bewildered by its famous refrain: “Everything is vanity”, everything is vanity: the refrain that goes on and on, everything is vanity, everything is “fog”, everything is “smoke”, everything is “emptiness”… Read more »

The Pope at Regina Caeli: No one can give peace unless that person is at peace

22/05/2022 St Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

In the Gospel of today’s Liturgy, bidding his disciples goodbye during the Last Supper, Jesus says almost as a sort of testament: “Peace I leave with you”. And he adds immediately, “My peace I give to you” (Jn 14:27). Let us reflect on these short phrases.

First of all, peace I leave with you… Read more »