Pope Francis

Pope: Easter faith spurs us to seek the risen Lord with hope and joy

21/04/2025

Mary Magdalene, seeing that the stone of the tomb had been rolled away, ran to tell Peter and John. After receiving the shocking news, the two disciples also went out and — as the Gospel says — “the two were running together” (Jn 20:4). The main figures of the Easter narratives all ran! On the one hand, “running” could express the concern that the Lord’s body had been taken away; but, on the other hand, the haste of Mary Magdalene, Peter and John expresses the desire, the yearning of the heart, the inner attitude of those who set out to search for Jesus… Read more »

Pope on Easter Vigil: May the light of the Resurrection illumine our hearts

19/04/2025

It is night, as the Paschal candle slowly advances towards the altar.  It is night, when the chant of the Easter Proclamationinvites heartfelt rejoicing, “Be glad, let earth be glad, as glory floods her, ablaze with light from her eternal King… knowing an end to gloom and darkness” (Exsultet).  It is in the last hours of the night that the events take place that are recounted in the Gospel we have just heard (cf. Lk 24:1-12).  The divine light of the Resurrection begins to shine and the Lord’s Passover from death to life takes place as the sun is about to rise… Read more »

Pope Francis visits prison inmates on Holy Thursday

18/04/2025

Pope Francis visits Regina Coeli Prison  (Vatican Media)

Pope Francis marked Holy Thursday with a visit to Rome’s Regina Coeli prison, continuing a tradition he has observed since the beginning of his pontificate: drawing close to those living behind bars. While unable this year to celebrate the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper and the Washing of the Feet, the Pope greeted inmates personally, offered them words of encouragement, and gifted each of them with a Rosary and a pocket-sized Gospel… Read more »

Pope at Chrism Mass: Pray for the joy of priests

17/04/2025

Dear bishops and priests,
Dear brothers and sisters!

“The Alpha and the Omega, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty” (Rev 1:8), is Jesus himself. That same Jesus whom Luke presents to us in the synagogue of Nazareth, among those who have known him since he was a child, and are now amazed at him… Read more »

Pope appeals for end to war in Sudan

13/04/2025

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

As we celebrate Palm Sunday today, we have listened to the account of the Lord’s Passion according to Luke (cf. Lk 22:14-23:56) in the Gospel. We have heard Jesus addressing the Father several times: ” “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.” (22:42); Father, forgive them, they know not what they do ‘ (23:34); Father, into your hands I commend my spirit” (23:46)… Read more »

Pope Francis: We must release all burdens holding us back from God

09/04/2025

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we will look at another of Jesus’ encounters, narrated by the Gospels. This time, however, the person encountered does not have a name. The evangelist Mark presents him simply as “a man” (10:17). He is a man who has observed the commandments ever since his youth but who, despite this, has not yet found the meaning of his life… Read more »

Pope: Salesians should educate young people with passion for Christ

08/04/2025

File photo of young people receiving education from Salesian institutions in india 

The Salesians of Don Bosco are holding their 29th General Chapter in Turin, Italy, from February 16 to April 12, coinciding with the 150th anniversary of their founder’s first missionary expedition to Argentina.

As he recovers from bilateral pneumonia at his Vatican residence, Pope Francis sent a message to express his support for members of the Society of St… Read more »

Angelus: Pope calls for healthcare systems that prioritise poorest

06/04/2025

Pope Francis greets the faithful after Mass  (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)

Dear brothers and sisters,

The Gospel of this fifth Sunday of Lent presents to us the episode of the woman caught in adultery (Jn 8:1-11). While the scribes and the pharisees want to stone her, Jesus restores the lost beauty to this woman. She has fallen in the dust; Jesus passes his finger on this dust and writes a new story for her… Read more »

Pope: Even if you fear you’re incapable of changing, don’t lose hope

02/04/2025

Vatican News

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today we will continue to contemplate Jesus’ encounters with some figures from the Gospel. This time, I would like to focus on Zacchaeus: an episode that is particularly close to my heart, because it has a special place in my spiritual journey.

The Gospel of Luke presents Zacchaeus to us and one who seems irredeemably lost… Read more »