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

One of the greatest but often overlooked gifts given to us by the Catholic Church are the many saints canonized over the years. They are given to us as examples of hope during all possible combinations of human hardship we might find ourselves in. This group provides real examples of people who have overcome great tribulations, ...read more

One of the defining celebrations of the 2016 Jubilee Year of Mercy was the canonization of Mother Teresa. Beloved around the world by believers and non-believers alike, her relentless care for the poor and abandoned struck the heart of humanity. Her story continues to spread through the ministry of her postulator, Fr. Brian Kolodiejchuk, MC, ...read more

On his return trip from Sweden last Tuesday, Pope Francis spoke with the journalists on the flight answering their questions about a range of topics including welcoming refugees, female priests, secularization and his meetings with Venezuela’s President. Commenting on the new direction of Sweden to close its borders to refugees, the Pope stressed the clear difference between the ...read more