Among the many treasures of this magnificent country, one that stands out is the importance of women. As Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, whom we commemorate today, wrote: “they love God in much larger numbers than men do” (Autobiography, Manuscript A, VI). Here in Georgia there are a great number of grandmothers and mothers who unceasingly defend ...read more

A year has passed since Pope Francis trip to Cuba and the United States. In the 4 days spent on the island, the pontiff visited several cities: Havana, Holguin and Santiago, leaving a message of hope everywhere. The contribution the Holy Father made to the re-establishment of relations between Cuba and the United States after 50 ...read more

At the end of the afternoon the Holy Father Francis traveled by car to the Church of St. Simon Bar Sabbae Tbilisi for the meeting with the Assyrian-Chaldean community. It is the first time that a Pope visited a place of the Assyrian-Chaldean worship. Upon arrival, at 18.00, Pope Francis was welcomed by the Patriarch ...read more

At 16:30, the Holy Father traveled by car to the headquarters of the Georgian Orthodox Patriarchate for the meeting with His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II, Catholicos Patriarch of All Georgia. Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the Patriarch. After the presentation of the delegations, Pope Francis and His Holiness and Beatitude Ilia II ...read more

The plane carrying the Holy Father left this morning at 9:15 am from Rome-Fiumicino Airport, and is expected to land at 15:00 local time (13:00 Brussels time) at the Tbilisi International Airport, after four hours of flight. Upon arrival Pope Francis was welcomed by the President of Georgia, Mr. Giorgi Margvelashvili and wife, as well ...read more

“Pax vobis – peace to you,” taken from chapter twenty of John’s Gospel, is the motto of Pope Francis’s apostolic visit (Sept. 30-Oct. 2) to Georgia and “You are all brothers” chapter 23 of Matthew’s Gospel is the motto for his visit in Azerbaijan. This trip represents the second phase of Francis’s trip to Caucasus, ...read more

Last week, writing about Mary in the Americas, made me think of how this idea of liberation (or freedom) has a particular meaning for those living in the Americas, probably dating as far back as when Christopher Columbus first arrived in 1492. It definitely took a particular meaning during the late 70s and 80s. That’s ...read more

Learn more about, and reflect on the life of Mother Mary with Deacon Pedro in his 5-part series, "Deacon-structing: Mary." ...read more

Learn more about, and reflect on the life of Mother Mary with Deacon Pedro in his 5-part series, "Deacon-structing: Mary." ...read more

The summer is coming to a close and the Vatican is getting back into its typical routine.   Pope Francis, unlike his predecessors, never takes much of a break during the summer, despite frequent prompts coming from his inner circles: those concerned his busy schedule will negatively affect his overall health…and theirs.  But, as Austen Ivereigh ...read more