On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Tunisia, in solidarity with the many African migrants who have sought refuge there and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the attempt. The following is the homily of the Holy Father at an open air ...read more

What are we to make of this latest encyclical written by the four hands of Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI?  Remember that encyclicals make up a very significant part of the magisterial teaching of the Church.  Not only are they written and promulgated by the pope, but they focus on and are particularly ...read more

  Dear Brothers and Sisters, Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting you, and today our joy is even greater, because we have gathered for the Eucharist on the Lord’s Day. You are seminarians, novices, young people on a vocational journey, from every part of the world. You represent the Church’s youth! If the Church ...read more

The very light that guides our path Deacon Pedro Guevara Mann Producer, Salt and Light Catholic Television Network In Porta Fidei, Pope Benedict wrote: “Faith is a personal act – the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself. But faith is not an isolated act. No one can ...read more

Pope Francis’ first encyclical is a beautiful invitation to believers and seekers alike.  While Lumen Fidei is officially addressed to bishops, priests, members of religious orders and “the lay faithful,” it is also a heartfelt attempt to speak to anyone still searching for God. There is probably little that will be deemed “newsworthy” in Lumen ...read more

The Most Reverend Terrence Prendergast, S.J., Archbishop of Ottawa, on today’s publication and distribution of the encyclical letter of faith entitled “Lumen Fidei” – The Light of Faith, made the following statement: “It is with great joy that I welcome Pope Francis’ first encyclical. His reflections on faith are in continuity with all that the ...read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters, This celebration has a very beautiful name: “Evangelium Vitae”, the Gospel of Life. In this Eucharist, in the Year of Faith, let us thank the Lord for the gift of life in all its forms, and at the same time let us proclaim the Gospel of Life.  On the basis of ...read more

This weekend, Catholics are gathering at the Vatican to celebrate John Paul II’s encyclical Evangelium Vitae. Details about the festivities, titled “Believing May They Have Life”, were revealed at a press conference on May 28. “We have given it this name to testify to the grand theme that revolves around the Church’s commitment to the ...read more

On Friday Pope Francis surprised a huge audience of young students from Jesuit schools in Italy and Albania  by setting aside a prepared five-page script and engaging in a question and answer session with his audience in the Paul VI hall.  The assembly consisted of over 9000 students, teachers and staff of Jesuit grade schools ...read more

This evening in Rome, Pope Francis addressed a group of pilgrims from the Italian diocese of Bergamo in St Peter’s Basilica, where they had gathered to mark the 50th anniversary of the passing of one of their most illustrious sons, Blessed Pope John XXIII. The following is Vatican Radio’s English translation of the Holy Father’s ...read more