In the Benediction Hall on 22 December, 2022, Pope Francis exhorted the Roman Curia to practice “vigilance…in the service of the Holy See, at the heart of the Church.” Reflecting on St. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians, he told them that “kindliness, mercy and forgiveness are our medicine for building peace.”   Address of His Holiness Pope Francis ...read more

  Pope Francis concludes his series on discernment by looking at various aids to help us “read” our lives: “evaluating with the Word of God and the doctrine of the Church,” experiencing an “affective relationship with the Lord Jesus,” and remembering “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Read the full text below: Dear brothers and sisters, good morning, and ...read more

Partnering with the Faithful In Part One, I raised the possibility that the Synod on Synodality is both a microcosm of the millennia-long process of Tradition, and an active participant in that process. I then paused to explore the Scriptural meaning of the word “Tradition,” specifically, the way the first Christians handed on and widely ...read more

In today’s catechesis on discernment, Pope Francis reflects on the importance of vigilance and “keeping watch to safeguard our heart.” Read the full text below: Dear brothers and sisters, good morning! We are now entering the final phase of this journey of catechesis on discernment. We started out from the example of Saint Ignatius of Loyola; ...read more

Handing on the Faith As I was writing my reflection on the Working Document for the Continental Stage last month, I mulled over multiple ways to describe this synod process. In that post, I called it a “conversation.” TheWorking Document represented the participants of the Diocesan Phase, in conversation with the regional assemblies of the ...read more

On Monday, December 12, Pope Francis celebrated Mass and gave a homily on the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Guadalupe. Pope Francis spoke about celebrating Guadalupe at a difficult time for humanity. Read the full text of his homily below:   Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Holy Mass Blessed Virgin Mary of ...read more

Pope Francis continues his catechesis on discernment and decision-making by discussing “some important aspects that help us read the time after the decision as a possible confirmation of its goodness.” He says that a decision is good if it “is seen as a possible sign of response to the Lord’s love and generosity,” it gives ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For December 2022, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Volunteer not-for-profit organizations We pray that volunteer non-profit organizations committed to human development find people dedicated to the common good and ceaselessly seek out new paths to international cooperation. Click the ...read more

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — While some people want to “reform” the Catholic Church and others want “to put the brakes on the synod process,” those involved in preparing the continental phase of the synod process want “to mend” the church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the pope, said Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich of ...read more

VATICAN CITY (CNS) — A daily examination of conscience is an important tool for recognising where God is at work in one’s life and where “the evil spirit” tries to lead one astray, Pope Francis said. “Learn to read in the book of our hearts what has happened during the day. Do it. Just two ...read more