During the Easter Sunday Mass in St. Peter’s Square, the Holy Father gave an unscripted homily. The Pope’s Easter message “Urbi et Orbi” is given to the world at the end of mass, from the central loggia of the Vatican Basilica. Here is the English language translation of the “Urbi et Orbi” message: Dear Brothers ...read more

At 8:30 pm on Holy Saturday evening, Pope Francis presided in the Vatican Basilica at the Solemn Easter Vigil in this holy night. The ritual began in the atrium of St. Peter’s Basilica with the blessing of fire and preparation of the paschal candle. The procession to the main altar with the lighted Paschal candle and ...read more

Good Friday – Passion of the Lord Way of the Cross, Led by His Holiness Pope Francis Meditations by Anne-Marie Pelletier Introduction The hour has now come. Jesus’ journey along the dusty roads of Galilee and Judea, an endless encounter with afflicted bodies and hearts, a journey driven by his urgent need to proclaim the ...read more

On Good Friday at 5:00 p.m., Rome time in St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Francis presided over the celebration of the Lord’s Passion. During the Liturgy of the Word, the Passion according to the Gospel of John was proclaimed. This was followed by the homily delivered by the Preacher of the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, O.F.M. Cap. ...read more

Here is a Zenit translation of the text of the homily Pope Francis gave off-the-cuff after the proclamation of the Holy Gospel. ...read more

On Thursday, Pope Francis presided over the Chrism Mass, during which the sacred oils used for the Sacraments and Ordinations were blessed. In his homily for the Mass, the Holy Father spoke about the “joy of the Gospel”. ...read more

On Saturday, April 8, 2017, Pope Francis presided at the prayer vigil in preparation for the 32nd World Youth Day on Palm Sunday. Below, find the full text of his unscripted remarks: ...read more

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Palm Sunday 9 April 2017 Today’s celebration can be said to be bittersweet. It is joyful and sorrowful at the same time. We celebrate the Lord’s entrance into Jerusalem to the cries of his disciples who acclaim him as king. Yet we also solemnly proclaim the Gospel account of ...read more

French Biblical Scholar Anne-Marie Pelletier was asked by Pope Francis to compose the meditations for the Vatican’s Way of the Cross. ...read more

On Sunday April 2, 2017 the Holy Father departed by helicopter from the Vatican airport for his pastoral visit to Carpi. ...read more