Over the weekend, Pope Francis addressed the Pontifical Institute of Arabic and Islamic Studies. Speaking on the occasion of its 50th anniversary, the Holy Father focused on the concept of dialogue, lauding the academy for their work in furthering Christian-Islamic relations. He told them “the most effective antidote against all forms of violence is education ...read more

Conclusion of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity January 25, 2015 At 5:30 this evening (Rome time) in the Basilica of St. Paul outside the walls, Pope Francis presided at the celebration of Second Vespers for the Solemnity of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle. This ceremony formally concludes the Week of Prayer ...read more

Read the message of His Holiness Pope Francis from Pontifical Council for Social Communications on the 49th World Communications Day: the importance of the family as ‘environment in which we learn to communicate’. Pontifical Council for Social Communications  49th World Communications Day 2015 Message of His Holiness Pope Francis The family is a subject of profound ...read more

For those who watched or witnessed the recent papal visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines, it’s impossible not to have noticed the involvement of Manila’s archbishop, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Tagle is easily the most popular Cardinal of the Catholic Church, and not just among Filipinos. He’s been likened to Pope Francis, in wide ...read more

The recent extraordinary assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the theme “Pastoral Challenges of the Family in the Context of Evangelization” will be remembered as a milestone in the history of the Church. At this world gathering of Catholic Church leaders Synod, Pope Francis invited the universal Church to journey together and reflect on ...read more

Sunday saw Pope Francis wrap up what was by all accounts, an enormously successful trip to Asia. He canonized Sri Lanka’s first saint, celebrated the single largest Mass in the Church’s history in Manila (attendance estimated to have been between six and seven million) and received nothing short of a rock star welcome everywhere he ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Sunday Mass in Rizal Park in Manila for approximately 6 million people on January 18, 2015. Below you will find the full text of his homily & the greetings of Cardinal Tagle & Archbishop Villegas. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Manila, Rizal Park January 18, 2015 “A child is born to ...read more

On Sunday, January 18, Pope Francis met with the young people of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. Below you will find the full text of his address, along with the Welcome Message of the Encounter with Youth, given by Rev. Leopoldo Jaucian, Chairman of the Episcopal Commission on Youth. Welcome Message to ...read more

On Saturday, January 17, Pope Francis met with Priests, Religious, Seminarians and Families at the Cathedral of the Transfiguration of our Lord in Palo, Leyte. Below you can the full text of the Holy Father’s address, along with Archbishop John Du’s Presentation of the Delegates address. Presentation of the Delegates by Archbishop John Du January 17, ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on the grounds of the airport in Tacloban City, Philippines, on Saturday morning. An estimated 500 thousand people braved wind and often driving rain to take part in the liturgy. Putting aside his prepared text for the homily, the Holy Father spoke to the gathered faithful in his native Spanish. Below, ...read more