Address of Pope Francis to the Coordinating Committee of CELAM, the Latin American Bishops’ Conference, July 28, 2013 1. Introduction I thank the Lord for this opportunity to speak with you, my brother bishops, the leadership of CELAM for the four-year period from 2011 to 2015. For 57 years CELAM has served the 22 Episcopal ...read more

Homily of Pope Francis at the Concluding Mass of World Youth Day 2013 on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, July 28, 2013 Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Young Friends, “Go and make disciples of all nations”. With these words, Jesus is speaking to each one of us, saying: “It was wonderful to take part in ...read more

Worshipping God on Copacabana Beach: A Reflection on the Final Mass from World Youth Day Rio, 2013. ...read more

Closing remarks and annoucement of host city for next WYD by Pope Francis at the Closing Mass of WYD Rio on Copacabana Beach, July 28, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, At the end of this Mass, in which we have raised up to God our song of praise and thanksgiving for every grace received during ...read more

Remarks of Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz, Metropolitan Archbishop of Krakow and former Private Secretary to Pope John Paul II, at the announcement of Krakow, Poland as the host city of the next World Youth Day at the Closing Mass of WYD Rio on Copacabana Beach, July 28, 2013 It is with great joy that I received ...read more

The sea: tempestuous, chaotic, and tumultuous. In early Christian literature, the seas were a metaphor for the great unknown.  The book of Revelation even compares heaven to a sea of glass, resplendent in all the beauty of the ocean but without the uncertainty that comes with seafaring. World Youth Day, the international Catholic event that ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the 28th World Youth Day Prayer Vigil on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 2013 Dear Young Friends, We have just recalled the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. In front of the crucifix he heard the voice of Jesus saying to him: “Francis, go, rebuild my house.” The ...read more

Watching the footage of this week, and especially the Way of the Cross yesterday and the Vigil tonight, I am reminded of the essence of our mission here at Salt and Light.  In so many ways, the world is covered in darkness and embraced by a wave of indifference, and the fault is ours. It ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the Bishops of Brazil, Archbishopric São Joaquim, July 27, 2013 Dear Brothers, How good it is to be here with you, the Bishops of Brazil! Thank you for coming, and please allow me to speak with you as one among friends. That’s why I prefer to speak to you in Spanish, so ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to Brazilian Leaders, July 27, 2013 Your Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank God for the opportunity to meet such a distinguished representation of the political, diplomatic, cultural and religious, academic and business leaders of this immense country of Brazil. I would like to speak to you in your own beautiful Portuguese ...read more