Dear Friends, I have wanted to be with you today. I want to tell you that you are not alone. In these weeks and months, you have endured much suffering in your search for a better life. Many of you felt forced to flee situations of conflict and persecution for the sake, above all, of ...read more

On April 16, 2016, Pope Francis was welcomed by the Ecumenical Patriarch, His Holiness Bartholomew, and His Beatitude Ieronymos, Archbishop of Athens in Lesbos, Greece. Below you will find the full text of his address: It is with unique joy that we welcome today to Lesvos the Head of the Roman-Catholic Church, Pope Francis. We consider ...read more

Most papal trips are planned months, sometimes years in advance and involve several visits by vatican delegations to sort out the logistical intricacies. This weekend’s papal visit to the Greek Island of Lesbos was put together in record time and announced just one week before the scheduled departure date. Pope Francis will land on the ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For April 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Small Farmers – That small farmers may receive a just reward for their precious labor.  African Christians – That Christians in Africa may give witness to love and faith in Jesus Christ amid political-religious conflicts. ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For March 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Families in Difficulty – That families in need may receive the necessary support and that children may grow up in a healthy and peaceful environments.  Persecuted Christians – That those Christians who, on account of their faith, are discriminated ...read more

Over the last couple of days, I’ve been sharing with you what stood out most for me during Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico. First it was his focus on young people and the challenges they face. Next it had to do with how we respond to challenges that we all face in the light of sin. Yesterday we looked ...read more

Over the next couple of days, I’d like to share with you what stood out most for me during Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico. First it was his focus on young people and the challenges they face. Next it had to do with how we respond to challenges that we all face in the light ...read more

Over the next couple of days, I’d like to share with you what stood out most for me during Pope Francis’ visit to Mexico. First it was his focus on young people. Sadly, my next point is a bit more sobering. Fertile Soil Pope Francis could not have gone to Mexico and not spoken about ...read more

Pope Francis went to Mexico, he said, as a “missionary of mercy and of peace but also as a son who wishes to pay homage to his mother, the Blessed Virgin of Guadalupe, and place himself under her watchful care” (Meeting with Authorities at National Palace in Mexico City, Feb. 13, 2016) and that he ...read more

Cardinal Roger Mahony Archbishop Emeritus of Los Angeles February 18, 2016 AT THE US-MEXICO BORDER, EL PASO – When the visit of Pope Francis to Mexico reached its close with his February 17th Mass at Ciudad Juarez, I could’ve had the privilege to cross the border and concelebrate with him. Instead, however, I chose to ...read more