Pope Francis

Pope at Angelus: Discover the presence of God in our lives

13/06/2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Buongiorno!

The two parables, which the Liturgy presents us today, – the two parables –  are inspired precisely by ordinary life and reveal the attentive and deep gaze of Jesus, who observes reality and, through small everyday images, opens the windows on the mystery of God and on the succession of human events. Jesus spoke in a way that was easy to understand; he spoke with images of reality, of everyday life… Read more »

Pope: Prayer, life, faith keep flame of Christian life alight

09/06/2021

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

In this penultimate catechesis on prayer we are going to speak about perseverance in praying. It is an invitation, indeed a command that comes to us from Sacred Scripture. The spiritual journey of the Russian pilgrim begins when he comes across a phrase of Saint Paul in the First Letter to the Thessalonians: “Pray constantly, always and for everything give thanks” (5:17-18)… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: The Eucharist is the bread of sinners not a reward of saints

06/06/2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters, Buongiorno!

Today, in Italy and in other countries, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. The Gospel presents us the narrative of the Last Supper (Mk 14:12-16, 22-26). The words and gestures of the Lord touch our hearts: He takes the bread in his hands, pronounces the blessing, breaks it and offers it to the disciples, saying: “Take; this is my body” (v… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Jesus the model of prayer for his disciples

02/06/2021

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

The Gospels show us how prayer was fundamental in the relationship between Jesus and His disciples. This already appears in the choice of who would then become the Apostles. Luke places their election in a precise context of prayer, and he says: “In these days He went out to the mountain to pray; and all night He continued in prayer to God… Read more »

Pope at audience: Your prayers are being heard, do not give up

26/05/2021

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

There is a radical objection to prayer, which derives from an observation that we all make: we pray, we ask, and yet sometimes our prayers seem to go unheard: what we have asked for – for ourselves or for others – is not fulfilled. We have this experience, very often… If the reason for which we prayed was noble (such as intercession for the health of a sick person, or for the end of a war, for instance), the non-fulfilment seems scandalous… Read more »

Pope on Pentecost: Open your heart to the Holy Spirit

23/05/2021

Presiding over Mass in Saint Peter’s Basilica on Pentecost Sunday, Pope Francis recalls Jesus’ promise to send His disciples the Holy Spirit, “the ultimate gift, the gift of gifts”, the Spirit who “is the very love of God”.

“When the Paraclete comes, whom I will send to you from the Father…” (Jn 15:26). With these words, Jesus promises to send his disciples the Holy Spirit, the ultimate gift, the gift of gifts… Read more »

Pope during General Audience: distractions, time of barrenness, sloth

19/05/2021   The Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Continuing in the line of the Catechism, in this catechesis we refer to the lived experience of prayer, trying to show some very common difficulties, which must be identified and overcome. Praying is not easy: many difficulties present themselves in prayer. It is necessary to know them, recognise them and overcome them… Read more »

Jesus’ Ascension brings us joy says Pope Francis at Regina Coeli

16/05/2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Buongiorno!

Today, in Italy and in other countries, we celebrate the Ascension of the Lord. The Gospel passage (Mk 16:15-20) – the conclusion of the Gospel of Mark – presents us the Risen One’s final encounter with the disciples before he ascends to the right hand of the Father. Usually, as we know, farewell scenes are sad… Read more »

Pope at Regina Coeli: Love means serving others, not controlling them

09/05/2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters, buongiorno!

In this Sunday’s Gospel passage (Jn 15:9-17) after having compared Himself to the vine and us to the branches, Jesus, explains what fruit is borne by those who remain united to Him: this fruit is love. He again repeats the key-verb: abide. He invites us to abide in his love so that his joy may be in us and our joy may be full (vv… Read more »