“War is always, always, always a defeat.” With these words, Pope Francis prayed once again for an end to war around the world at the close of his General Audience.

Peace is a gift

Speaking to the thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, the Pope remembered the countries racked with violence: “the martyred Ukraine, Palestine, Israel, Myanmar, North Kivu, and many countries in war.” He reiterated that no one wins with war and that “peace is a gift from the Holy Spirit.”

On October 29, the Palestinian Civil Defense reported “770 people were killed in the last 19 days alone.”

“Yesterday I saw that 150 innocent people were shot,” Pope Francis said, “What do children and families have to do with war?” he asked, “They are the first victims.”

Seven “mass casualty incidents” in less than a week

The United Nations recorded seven “mass casualty incidents” between October 24 and 29… Read more »

“‘He loved us’, Saint Paul says of Christ (cf. Rom 8:37), in order to make us realize that nothing can ever “separate us” from that love (Rom 8:39)”: Thus begins Pope Francis’ fourth Encyclical, which takes its title from the opening words, Dilexit nos.

The Encyclical is dedicated to the human and divine love of the Heart of Jesus Christ: “His open heart has gone before us and waits for us, unconditionally, asking only to offer us His love and friendship,” the Pope writes in the introductory paragraph… Read more »

“Dilexit nos” (He Loved Us) will be Pope Francis’ fourth encyclical, and it comes at a time of profound global challenges.

The world today is scarred by war, social and economic imbalances, rampant consumerism, and technologies that threaten to undermine human nature.

With this document, Pope Francis will call for a change of perspective, urging humanity to rediscover what is most essential: the heart… Read more »