The final lessons of John XXIII and Benedict XVI G.K. Chesterton once wrote: “It is of the new things that men tire… of fashions and proposals and improvements and change. It is the old things that startle and intoxicate. It is the old things that are young.” This was the paradoxical justification Chesterton gave for ...read more

Sebastian Gomes speaks with Cardinal Donald Wuerl about Pope Benedict XVI, his resignation, and the Papal Transition to Pope Francis. ...read more

By Sebastian Gomes, Special to CNN In hindsight we see how calculated Benedict’s thinking was, and not only about his resignation. He called an unexpected consistory to be held on November 24 in which he created six new cardinals, none of them coming from Europe. That came nine months after the previous consistory, meaning that ...read more

Pope Benedict XVI delivered his final public homily on February 13, 2013 during Ash Wednesday Mass, just days after announcing his resignation. Here is the full homily. ...read more

Pope Francis’ Homily for the Final Mass of his Apostolic Visit: Jan. 21, Las Palmas Air Base, Lima, Peru: “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you” (Jon 3:2). With these words the Lord spoke to Jonah and directed him to set out towards that great ...read more

Dear Brother Bishops, Thank you for the kind words addressed to me by the Cardinal Archbishop of Lima and the President of the Episcopal Conference in the name of all present. I have looked forward to being here with you. I recall with pleasure your visit ad limina last year. These days I have spent ...read more

Dear young people, I am pleased to be here with you. These meetings are very important for me, especially in this year of preparation for the Synod on young people. Your faces, your questions and your lives are important for the Church and we need to give them the importance they deserve. We must also ...read more

God our Father, through Jesus Christ you founded your Church on the rock of the Apostles, that, guided by the Holy Spirit she may be a sign and instrument of your love and mercy in the world: we thank you for the gifts you have bestowed upon our Church in Lima. that, guided by the ...read more

Dear Sisters from different monasteries of contemplative life: How good it is to be here in this Shrine of the Lord of Miracles, visited so often by Peruvians, to ask his grace so that he will show us his closeness and mercy! He is “the light that guides, that illumines us with his divine love”. ...read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters: Good afternoon! I am grateful for the words of greeting that Archbishop José Antonio Eguren Anselmi of Piura addressed to me in the name of all those present. Meeting with you, getting to know you, listening to you and sharing our love for the Lord and for the mission he has ...read more