As World Youth Day draws near, the Vatican today released statistics about the Church in Brazil. For your reference we’ve included the published bulletin below:   Vatican City, 20 June 2013 (VIS) For the occasion of Francis’ upcoming apostolic trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to preside at the 38th World Youth Day, statistics have ...read more

In the lead-up to World Youth Day Rio I thought we’d get acquainted with the patron saints and intercessors for this year, as there are 18 in total. Now, that’s some serious intercession! Some of these saints you’ll recognize immediately like St. Therese of Lisieux, others will be completely new – isn’t it great how ...read more

Issues of an ecumenical and interfaith nature hold a special place in my heart. In John’s gospel account, I hold Jesus’ words to be true when he speaks with his disciples and says, “Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made ...read more

Pope Francis and the British Prime Minister exchange letters in the lead-up to today’s G8 Summit, and highlights from the Gospel of Life celebrations in Rome this past weekend. ...read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This celebration has a very beautiful name: “Evangelium Vitae”, the Gospel of Life. In this Eucharist, in the Year of Faith, let us thank the Lord for the gift of life in all its forms, and at the same time let us proclaim the Gospel of Life.  On the basis of ...read more

This weekend, Catholics are gathering at the Vatican to celebrate John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. Details about the festivities, titled “Believing May They Have Life”, were revealed at a press conference on May 28. “We have given it this name to testify to the grand theme that revolves around the Church’s commitment to the ...read more

When you think of religious pilgrimage, the Holy Land comes to mind, or perhaps the Vatican. But there’s another pilgrimage destination where ancient ruins emerge from a dramatic landscape – testaments to an over 1500-year-old Christian tradition. This destination is Ireland, whose heritage was celebrated at the 50th International Eucharistic Congress. Catholic Focus takes a ...read more

Full disclosure: my family tree doesn’t extend even a single root in Ireland. So when I traveled to Dublin last summer for the International Eucharistic Congress, I didn’t know much about the nation’s history. That would explain my surprise  when Tourism Ireland proposed that, during our stay, we visit the country’s religious pilgrimage sites. ‘Why ...read more

At the United Nations, we talk a lot about universalizing things. Sounds appropriate, right? If we can agree on things, it unifies us in our approach to make local, national and international changes. Who in their right mind wouldn’t want world peace? Ultimately, we all want the same things: health, happiness, security and fulfillment. During ...read more

Tonight on Perspectives Pope Francis urges us to proclaim the gospel generously and simply. ...read more