Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am happy to be meeting with you. I like the way that Cardinal Ezzati presented you: Here they are… consecrated women, consecrated men, priests, permanent deacons and seminarians. It made me think of the day of our ordination or consecration, when after being presented, each of us said: “Here I ...read more

Dear Sisters and Brothers: Thank you for giving me this opportunity to visit you. For me it is important to share this time with you and draw closer to our many brothers and sisters presently deprived of their freedom. Thank you, Sister Nelly, for your kind words and especially for testifying that life always triumphs ...read more

We have heard so many stories about the Church in China, about persecution and about an underground church, yet for Bishop Ignatius Wang, the retired Auxiliary Bishop of San Francisco, it’s not so simple and it’s not so hopeless. Deacon Pedro speaks with him about his vocation, the challenges being a Chinese Bishop in the ...read more

S+L’s Matteo Ciofi interviews the Ambassador of Chile to the Holy See, Mr. Francisco Mariano Fernández Amunátegui, about Pope Francis’ upcoming visit. He talks about the expectations, preparations, and important events that will take place during Pope Francis’ stay in Chile. The Pope’s Apostolic Journey to Peru and Chile will begin on January 15, and end ...read more

It’s that time of year again! The S+L team ranks the top 10 stories of interest to the Catholic Church in 2017. From the Pope’s trip to Myanmar amidst the Rhohingya refugee crisis, to the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, we look back at the events and underlying issues that drew the attention of ...read more

Christmas urges us to reflect on the Mystery of the Incarnation. In a short video series, Fr. Eric Nicolai, an Opus Dei priest and art expert, helps us reflect on this mystery through religious art from the early Christians to roughly around the 18th century. Despite all the changes in the artistic depictions of the ...read more

Pope Francis addressed participants in an Interreligious and Ecumenical Meeting for Peace on Friday, which took place in the Archbishop of Dhaka’s residence on the second day of the Pope’s Apostolic Journey to Bangladesh. Please find below the official English translation of the Pope’s speech: Distinguished Guests, Dear Friends, Our meeting, which brings together representatives ...read more

Pope Francis spoke to several bishops of Bangladesh on Friday at the Archbishop of Dhaka’s residence during his Apostolic Journey to Bangladesh. Please find below the official English translation of the Pope’s speech: Dhaka, Home for Retired Priests Friday, 1 December 2017 Your Eminence, Dear Brother Bishops, How good it is for us to be ...read more

Pope Francis traveled to the Suhrawardy Udyan Park in Dhaka on Friday, December 1, 2017. Upon his arrival, and after greeting the faithful from the Popemobile, at 10.00 local time (5.00 am, Rome time) the Pope celebrated Mass during which he orders 16 priests. Here below is Pope Francis’ homily preached at the Ordination mass for ...read more

Upon arrival in Bangladesh, Pope Francis paid a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Abdul Hamid at 5.30 pm local time. Upon arrival, the Pope was welcomed by the Military Secretary who accompanied him at the entrance of honor where the President awaited him. In the Credentials Hall there was ...read more