The Holy Father addresses Croatian youth at the Prayer Vigil in Ban Josip Jelacic square. The Holy Father got an opportunity to hear two very moving personal testimonies from Croatian youths. The Holy Father also spoke about the challenges of youth: marked by a deep longing and questioning. The Holy Father says that Jesus Christ ...read more

The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI says that religion is a natural element of society as it places man in right relation with God. He spoke on the importance of our conscience. The Holy Father said that our conscience is the place in which to listen to truth and goodness. It is also the place ...read more

Upon his arrival at the international airport in Zagreb, Croatia, the Holy Father makes this joyful address on the first National Day of Croatian Catholic Families. He speaks of Croatia’s strong bonds and faithfulness to the Holy See, and the importance of family values: Mr President, Dear Brother Bishops, Distinguished Authorities, Dear Brothers and Sisters, ...read more

This weekend, Pope Benedict XVI will make his first trip to Croatia as the successor of Peter. However, as Holy See Press Office director Father Federico Lombardi, SJ, points out, it’s not his first visit to the strongly Catholic country. The Vatican spokesman offered an editorial previewing the trip on the Vatican Television program Octava ...read more

Did you know that killing raccoons is illegal in Toronto? Raccoons. Killing them. It’s against the law. Raccoons. I’m not advocating the killing of innocent animals (or guilty ones, for that matter). But really. It’s illegal? A few weeks ago I heard about a man being charged for shooting his dog. Apparently his dog was ...read more

Oh May, how we hardly knew you! Thirty one days zipped by and we are already entering into the halfway point of the year. In May, we paid particular attention to our Blessed Mother, in June we traditionally contemplate the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Last year, on the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart, Pope Benedict ...read more

The Vatican returned to the contentious issue of HIV/AIDS prevention at a conference sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Health Care Workers. One hundred invited experts ranged from theologians to doctors. Speakers included Michel Sidibe, the executive director of UNAIDS, and Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Vatican’s Secretary of State. Another participant was Edward C. Green, ...read more

I have to be honest – while I grew up in an environment where devotions to Mary were very common – my Parish was “Our Lady of Guadalupe” – I didn’t ever really develop a special devotion to Our Lady. In fact, even calling Mary, “Our Lady” or “Our Blessed Mother,” seems a bit weird ...read more

Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga describes Caritas Internationalis as more than a nongovernmental organization. “Caritas is a sign of the love of God for all humanity. It is a love that knows no bounds or boundaries.” said the Honduran prelate of Tegucigalpa at the organization’s general assembly held this week in Rome. At the assembly, Cardinal ...read more

Sometimes (actually most times) our work at S+L takes us to unexpected places. Last week, I found myself in a sunny stucco alleyway in the west end of Toronto to scout out a potential film location. After a little aimless wandering on my part, a man in dirty coveralls delivered me safely to my destination. ...read more