People pack into the popular Christkindlmarkt to shop and see the Christmas illuminations in Vienna’s Rathauspark. Vienna is known for its outdoor Christmas markets with handcrafted Christmas ornaments, which are popular destinations for locals and tourists during Advent. CNS photo/Chaz Muth ...read more

The Jubilee of Mercy is upon us and you know what that means? No? Me neither. At least, I didn’t really know what it meant or how it pertained to me until a little while ago. Earlier this year, March 13, 2015 to be exact, Pope Francis announced a Holy Year of Mercy for the ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For December 2015, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Experiencing God’s Mercy – That all may experience the mercy of God, who never tires of forgiving. Families –That families, especially those who suffer, may find in the birth of Jesus a sign of certain ...read more

Pakistani Christian boys decorate a Christmas tree on the roof of their house in Islamabad, Pakistan. I love images, and as the saying goes, a picture tells a thousand words.  My hope is that over the next couple of weeks our mini-blog series called,  This is Christmas will speak volumes about God’s presence in our ...read more

In the lead up to COP21—the landmark international climate change summit in Paris—a massive climate mobilization has started happening around the world. On Sunday, November 29 at Queen’s Park in downtown Toronto, an event called “Light the Way to Climate Action” saw thousands of people come together of all faiths and backgrounds to stand in ...read more

This photo taken in Basilica of St Denis in Paris, where the petition delivery event took place on November 28. Bernd Nilles, Secretary General of CIDSE; Yeb Saño, leader of the People’s Pilgrimage; Tomás Insua, Global Coordinator of the Global Catholic Climate Movement; Mgr Josef Sayer, Misereor (Germany); Cardinal Cláudio Hummes OFM, President of Pan-Amazonian ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on his last day in Africa, Pope Francis celebrated Mass at Barthélémy Boganda Stadium, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Bangui, Barthélémy Boganda Stadium 30 November 2015 We might be astonished, listening to this morning’s first reading, ...read more

On Monday, November 30, 2015, on the final day of his first Apostolic Visit to Africa, Pope Francis met with the Muslim Community in Bangui, Central African Republic. Below you will find the full text of his prepared remarks: Address of Pope Francis Meeting with the Muslim Community Bangui, Central Mosque November 30, 2015 Dear ...read more

In this Advent series, Deacon Pedro Guevara-Mann learns from Judaism as he prepares for the coming of the Messiah. In the first episode, Deacon Pedro and Rabbi Aaron Flanzraich explore the meaning of words in Judaism. ...read more

Here is a ZENIT transcription and translation of the address Pope Francis gave this evening in Bangui, Central African Republic, at a prayer vigil outside of the cathedral. The Pope had just completed a ceremony to open the Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy and celebrated Mass. Pope Francis’ Unscripted Address at Prayer Vigil ...read more