Pope Francis was the principal celebrant and homilist at Mass for Egyptian Catholics in the “Air Defense Stadium” in Cairo on Saturday. Below, please find the full text of the Holy Father’s prepared remarks, in their official English translation. Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Holy Mass, Cairo 29 April 2017 As-salamu alaykum! Peace be ...read more

At the end of the courtesy Visit to His Holiness Pope Tawadros II, in the Coptic Orthodox Patriarchate of Cairo, Pope Francis Francesco and Pope Tawadros II signed the following Joint Declaration: Common Declaration of His Holiness Francis and His Holiness Tawadros II We, Francis, Bishop of Rome and Pope of the Catholic Church, and ...read more

On Friday, April 28, 2017 Pope Francis paid a courtesy visit to Pope Tawadros II, Patriarch of the Coptic-Orthodox Church of Alexandria. Below, find the full text of his prepared remarks: The Lord is risen, he is truly risen! [Al Massih kam, bilhakika kam!] Your Holiness, Dear Brother, Only a short time has passed since ...read more

Pope Francis this afternoon met with Egyptian Political and Civil authorities during his Apostolic Visit to Egypt. Below, find the full text of his prepared address: Mr President, Honourable Members of Government and Parliament, Distinguished Ambassadors and Members of the Diplomatic Corps, Ladies and Gentlemen, As-salamu alaykum! Peace be with you! I thank you, Mr ...read more

At 3:40 pm this afternoon, Pope Francis went paid a courtesy visit to the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, the highest theological and religious institution of Sunni Islam in the world and the oldest Islamic University. Upon his arrival, the Pope was received at the entrance by the Vicar of the Grand Imam who accompanied him ...read more

The Pope’s agenda this week includes his apostolic and symbolic visit to Egypt. Greg Burke, Director of the Holy See Press Office, affirmed the Pope Francis’ will to send out a positive message. “He is serene, and not naive, because he knows the situation in Egypt,” Burke told Vatican Radio. “He knows what happened to the Copts ...read more

Sebastian Gomes shares two reasons why you should follow Pope Francis’ trip to Egypt very closely. Learn more about #PopeInEgypt! Pope Francis to Visit Egypt Also, Carl Hétu, Director of the Catholic Near East Welfare Association in Canada, sat down with Sebastian last week to discuss the current political and social landscape while looking ahead to Francis’ ...read more

(S+L Photo: Bishop Ricardo Ramírez, CSB, presents his book “Power from the Margins: the Emergence of the Latino in the Church and in Society” on the set of Subject Matters at Ben McNally Books in Toronto, ON) The timing of Bishop Ricardo Ramírez’s book “Power from the Margins” couldn’t be more appropriate. As debates rage about ...read more

Sometimes, because it’s Lent we may overlook some feasts or solemnities that fall during the season. It’s hard to ignore the Feast of St. Patrick, but how many really pay attention to the Solemnity of St. Joseph? ...read more

Saints would be the first ones to declare that prayer is a battle. But a battle with who and what? Well, they would say, with ourselves and with whatever is keeping our eyes fixed on God. “The great figures of prayer of the Old Covenant before Christ, as well as the Mother of God, the saints, ...read more