Pope Francis is gearing up for his first Christmas. Pope Francis paid an early Christmas visit to his predecessor, Pope-emeritus Benedict XVI, on Monday afternoon in the monastery Mater Ecclesia in the Vatican gardens. The two warmly greeted each other and prayed briefly in Benedict’s chapel. They had a private conversation and exchanged Christmas wishes. Pope ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 22, the antiphon is based on Isaiah ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 21, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 9:1; ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 20, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 22:22, ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 19, the antiphon is based on Isaiah 11:1, ...read more

From December 17-23, I’d like to share with you these antiphons, that you will pray with them and they will help you continue to prepare for the Advent of our Lord. May they become part of your Advent tradition as they are becoming part of mine. For December 18, the antiphon is based on Exodus ...read more

I vaguely remember my mother telling us, during the Season of Advent, while growing up, about the “O” antiphons. I never really understood what these were. Even as an adult, she would occasionally send me various reflections on the “O” antiphons. I must say, with regret that while I thought it to be an important ...read more

The Italian newspaper La Stampa has published an exclusive interview with Pope Francis where he speaks about Christmas, hunger in the world, the suffering of children, the reform of the Roman Curia, women cardinals, the Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), and his upcoming apostolic visit to the Holy Land.   By: ANDREA TORNIELLI (VATICAN INSIDER) ...read more

This is one of the 20,000 boxes that were handed out at St. Peter’s square on Sunday during the Angelus. Pope Francis held up a box just like this one and told the crowd he wasn’t a pharmacist, but he could confidently say the contents of this little box are good for spiritual health. The ...read more

A major meeting led by the Pontifical Commission for Latin America and co-sponsored by the Knights of Columbus is discussing the role and mission of the Catholic Church in North, South and Central America. The conference is taking place at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City from Nov. 16 to 19. ...read more