Yesterday Pope Francis held a special, impromptu meeting with the youth of his native Argentina in the Cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio. Below is Vatican Information Service’s account of this joyful occasion as well as full text of the Holy Father’s remarks in Spanish and Italian. “I WANT THE CHURCH TO GO INTO THE ...read more

Reflection of Pope Francis during the Papal Welcoming Celebration following the Gospel Reading of the Transfiguration [Luke 9:28-36], July 25, 2013 Dear Friends, “It is good for us to be here!” Peter cries out after seeing the Lord Jesus transfigured in glory. Do we want to repeat these words with him? I think the answer ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the WYD Rio Papal Welcoming Ceremony, July 25, 2013 Dear Young Friends, Good evening! In you I see the beauty of Christ’s young face and I am filled with joy. I recall the first World Youth Day on an international level. It was celebrated in 1987 in Argentina, in my ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the people of the Varginhas community, July 25, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, It is wonderful to be here with you! From the start, my wish in planning this visit to Brazil was to be able to visit every district throughout the nation. I would have liked to knock on ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the community of the Saint Francis of Assisi Hospital in Rio de Janeiro, July 24, 2013 Dear Archbishop Tempesta, brother Bishops, Distinguished Authorities, Members of the Venerable Third Order of Saint Francis of Penance, Doctors, Nurses, and Health Care Workers, Dear Young People and Family Members, God has willed that ...read more

Homily of Pope Francis at the Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida, July 24, 2013 My Brother Bishops and Priests, Dear Brothers and Sisters, What joy I feel as I come to the house of the Mother of every Brazilian, the Shrine of our Lady of Aparecida! The day after my election as Bishop of ...read more

Pope Francis arrived in Rio de Janeiro for the 28th World Youth Day on Monday, July 22nd. He addressed government officials, dignitaries and the President of Brazil, Dilma Rousseff with these words: Madam President, Distinguished Authorities, Brethren and Friends! In his loving providence, God wished that the first international trip of my pontificate should take ...read more

Courtesy of ZENIT, a 360 interactive image is available of “Campus Fidei” (“Field of Faith”), the site of next weekend’s WYD Rio Prayer Vigil and Closing Mass. Check it out for yourself: Launch interactive image! ...read more

Late yesterday afternoon, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops received the following message from the Apostolic Nunciature. It is a message from the Holy Father to the people of Lac-Mégantic. Upon learning of the tragic train derailment at Lac-Mégantic, with its many victims of whom a large number is still unaccounted for, His Holiness Pope ...read more

On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Tunisia, in solidarity with the many African migrants who have sought refuge there and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the attempt. The following is the homily of the Holy Father at an open air ...read more