300 More than three hundred religious leaders from across the globe gathered in Assisi for the “Day of reflection, dialogue, and prayer for peace and justice in the world”. 25 We celebrate twenty-five years since the anniversary of the first Assisi interfaith prayer summit. 19 St. Francis of Assisi was nineteen years old when he ...read more

Here is Pope Benedict XVI’s speech in the Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli in Assisi, Italy, before representatives of the world’s religions and non-believers: Dear Brothers and Sisters, Distinguished Heads and Representatives of Churches, Ecclesial Communities and World Religions, Dear Friends, Twenty-five years have passed since Blessed Pope John Paul II first invited representatives ...read more

Twenty-five years ago, John Paul II joined leaders of other world religions for a historic encounter in Assisi, Italy. Tomorrow, his successor makes his own journey to the town of St. Francis for the “Day of Reflection, Dialogue and Prayer for Peace and Justice”. Benedict XVI typically travels by plane, but tomorrow he will be ...read more

In the video above, Msgr. Patrick Powers shares what we can expect on the final day of the Canadian bishops’ annual gathering in Cornwall, Ontario. Two of the events he describes will be televised live on S+L and streaming on the CCCB Plenary Assembly section of our website. First, the bishops will celebrate Morning Prayer ...read more

On Wednesday, the Canadian bishops addressed one of the more controversial topics of the CCCB Plenary Assembly: the ongoing process of renewal of Development and Peace (CCODP). According to Bishop Fred Henry of Calgary, the bishops are continuing to revision Development and Peace in light of Benedict XVI’s social encyclical Caritas in Veritate. The reform ...read more

In my time covering the Church, I’ve had the opportunity to meet bishops from around the world, of all different leadership styles and personalities. I’ve often been struck by stories I hear from bishops in Africa. I’ve been told that in Africa, the bishop is not just an authority figure. He walks with the people; ...read more

Since John Paul II, the pope has been in the spotlight of news media. But unlike his predecessor, Benedict XVI is not very easy for journalists to cover, as demonstrated by his recent four-day trip to Germany. ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI’s farewell address given at Lahr Airport: Mr President of the Federal Republic, Distinguished Representatives of the Federal Government, of Baden Württemburg and its Communities, Dear Brother Bishops, Ladies and Gentlemen, Before leaving Germany, I would like very much to thank you for these days, so moving and eventful, spent in my native ...read more

The Holy Father reminds those Catholics working in the Church and society of the origins of the Church’s mission: the triune God, in the mystery of divine love. The Church finds her meaning solely in being a tool for salvation, in filling the world with God’s word, and in transforming the world by bringing it ...read more

Holy Father’s Angelus address at Freiburg Airport: Dear Brothers and Sisters! At the end of this solemn celebration of holy Mass we now pray the Angelus together.  This prayer constantly reminds us of the historical beginnings of our salvation.  The Archangel Gabriel presents God’s plan of salvation to the Virgin Mary, by which she was ...read more