On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, Pope Francis attended a Marian Prayer service at the Madhu Shrine in Colombo. Below you can find his full address during the service: Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Marian Prayer Madhu Shrine January 14, 2015 Dear Brothers and Sisters, We are in our Mother’s house.  Here she welcomes us ...read more

On Wednesday, January 14, 2015, Pope Francis presided over the Canonization Mass of St. Joseph Vaz, Apostole of Sri Lanka, in Colombo. Below you will find the Holy Father’s homily, along with a thank you address by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, Archbishop of Colombo. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Canonization Mass of Saint Joseph Vaz ...read more

Shortly after arriving in Sri Lanka, Pope Francis attended an Interreligious and Ecumenical Gathering. Below you will find the Holy Father’s full address during the meeting, along with a welcoming address, given by Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB, chairperson of the Interreligious and Ecumenical Gathering. Dear Colleagues and Friends, Greeting by Bishop Cletus Chandrasiri Perera OSB, ...read more

Upon arrival at the International Airport in Colombo this evening, and after an airline flight of almost ten hours from Rome, the Pope was welcomed by the newly elected President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Maithripala Sirisena, along with several government authorities, Cardinal Albert Malcolm Ranjith Patabendige Don, bishops of Sri Lanka, a group ...read more

This week, Pope Francis is set to make his first apostolic journey of 2015, a year when he will travel extensively. He begins Monday in Asia, the world’s most populous continent, by visiting a pair of island nations: Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Both nations have in recent years been the site of incredible human suffering and social upheaval. ...read more

“How I want a poor church; a poor church for the poor” – these were the words that Pope Francis used at the start of his pontificate to make clear his plans for the church. His decision to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines is confirmation of his view of the church. Beginning January 13, ...read more

Pope Francis final meeting in Turkey was with a group of 50 young people, including many refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East and Africa.  The young refugees are cared for by the local Salesian community in Istanbul. The Salesian Oratory (Youth Center) in Istambul is headed by Salesian Fr. Andres ...read more

This is the special prayer of the Orthodox community during the Divine Liturgy. The most exalted vessel of the Ortohodoxy is being glorified now receiving from the West the venerable Sheperd and Primate. And receving this auspicious day with joy now implores Christ devoutly: Guard Your world with Your power, keeping all in harmony, as ...read more

This morning following the Eucharist celebrated in private in the chapel of the Apostolic Delegation in Istanbul, Pope Francis met with the Chief Rabbi of Turkey, His Excellency Isak Haleva. He then traveled by car to the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in the Church of St. George in ...read more

Pope Francis and Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople jointly presided over an ecumenical prayer service on Saturday evening in the church of St. George, within the Ecumenical Patriarchate. Below, please find the full text of the allocution His All Holiness, Bartholomew, prepared for the occasion. Your Holiness, In offering glory to the all-good God in Trinity, ...read more