Pope Francis

A celebration of God’s decision to create

01/09/2024

As the Church celebrates the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation on September 1, Indian Bishop Allwyn D’Silva, Chairman of the Federation of Asian Bishops Conferences’ Office of Human Development, reflects on the importance of praising God for His marvellous gift of Creation.

The World Day of Prayer for Creation takes place each year on September 1. Motivated by the rich tradition of the Eastern Church, this is both a moment to celebrate God’s loving decision to create, and a moment to reflect on how we have stewarded the great gift of creation… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: We are called to live our faith consistently in prayer and practice

01/09/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today, in the Gospel of the liturgy (cf. Mk 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23), Jesus speaks about the pure and the impure: a matter very dear to his contemporaries, which was linked principally to the observance of rites and rules of behaviour, to avoid any contact with things or persons considered unclean and, if this happened, to erase the “stain” (cf. Lev 11-15)… Read more »

Pope urges Bishops to keep hope alive amidst escalating Middle East tension

28/08/2024

Pope Francis on Wednesday again expressed his deep concern over the intensifying tensions in the Middle East, warning how these often escalate into open conflicts and war.

His words came as Palestinian officials said that at least nine people were killed in Israeli raids across the occupied West Bank on Wednesday and observers express fears of a wider war.

Addressing participants of the Latin Episcopal Conference of the Arabic Regions (CELRA) who are meeting in Rome for their plenary assembly, in his prepared remarks the Pope warned that “the conflict, instead of finding a fair solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk of spreading and igniting the entire region.”

“The conflict [in the Holy Land], instead of finding a fair solution, seems to be becoming chronic, with the risk of spreading and igniting the entire region.”

The situation, the Holy Father noted, has resulted in countless deaths, massive destruction, and widespread suffering, fostering sentiments of hatred and resentment that could lead to future tragedies… Read more »

Pope at Audience: World must heed cries of migrants dying in deserts and seas

28/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today, I will postpone the usual catechesis and I would like to pause with you to think about the people who – even at this moment – are crossing seas and deserts to reach a land where they can live in peace and safety.

Sea and desert: these two words return in many testimonies I receive, both on the part of migrants, and of people who are engaged in coming to their aid… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Seek and remain in the Lord for fullness of life

25/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel of the liturgy (Jn 6:60-69) relates to us the famous response of Saint Peter, who says to Jesus: “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (Jn 6:68). It is a very beautiful expression that gives witness to the friendship and manifests the trust that bind him to Christ, along with the other disciples… Read more »

Pope at Audience: Sin distances us from Jesus

21/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Cycle of Catechesis. The Spirit and the Bride. The Holy Spirit guides the people of God towards Jesus our hope. 6. “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me”. The Holy Spirit in the Baptism of Jesus

Dear brothers and sisters, good morning!

Today we will reflect on the Holy Spirit who comes upon Jesus in the baptism in the Jordan, and spreads from Him into His body, which is the Church… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Welcome the gift of heavenly Bread found in Jesus

18/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today, the Gospel tells us about Jesus, who says, very simply: “I am the living bread that came down from heaven” (Jn 6:51). Before the crowd, the Son of God identifies himself with the most common and ordinary food- bread: “I am the bread”. Among those who are listening to Him, some start arguing among themselves (cf… Read more »

Pope on Angelus: The Blessed Mother leads us toward eternal life

15/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, buongiorno!

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the Gospel of the liturgy we contemplate the young girl of Nazareth who, having just received the Angel’s announcement, sets out to visit her cousin.

This expression in the Gospel is beautiful: “Mary set out and went” (Lk 1:39)… Read more »

Pope at Angelus: Faith is not true if based on our prejudices

11/08/2024 Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican

Dear brothers and sisters, happy Sunday!

Today the Gospel of the liturgy (Jn 6:41-51) tells us about the reaction of the Judeans to the statement of Jesus, who says: “I have come down from heaven” (Jn 6:38). They are scandalized.

They murmur among themselves: “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? … Read more »

Vatican reveals theme for 2025 World Day of Peace

08/08/2024

“Only from a genuine conversion on all levels – personal, local and international – will true peace be able to flourish,” says the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development in its statement on the theme for the 2025 World Day of Peace.

In Thursday’s statement, the Dicastery adds that peace comes not only from an end to conflicts, “but also in a new reality in which wounds are healed and each person’s dignity is recognized”… Read more »