“Today we have touched the martyrs.” – Pope Francis On Sunday, September 21, 2014, during his visit to Albania, Pope Francis met with priests, seminarians, religious men & women & lay leaders in Tirana Cathedral to celebrate Vespers. Upon hearing the very moving testimonies of a priest and sister who were imprisoned for many years under ...read more

Below you will find the complete transcript of Pope Francis’ hour-long Press Conference with journalists aboard the return flight from Korea to Rome earlier today. This text is published here with the permission and encouragement of Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ, Director of the Holy See Press Conference.  The text was meticulously prepared by senior Vatican ...read more

Address by His Eminence Cardinal Andrea Yeum Soo-jung Mass for Peace and Reconciliation Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul August 18, 2014 Holy Father, I wanted to thank you very much for visiting our country split in two, north and south and for praying for his peace by celebrating the Eucharist. Today is the last day of ...read more

Homily of His Holiness Pope Francis Mass For Peace And Reconciliation Seoul, Myeong-dong Cathedral 18 August 2014 Dear Brothers and Sisters, As my stay in Korea draws to a close, I thank God for the many blessings he has bestowed upon this beloved country, and in a special way, upon the Church in Korea.  Among ...read more

Expression of thanks to Pope Francis Bishop Peter Kang U-il Messa After Communion at concluding Mass of Asian Youth Day Sunday August 17, 2014 I thank His Holiness Pope Francis with all your heart, on behalf of the bishops of Asia for coming to stay close to young Asians. At the World Youth Days, the ...read more

Closing Holy Mass homily 6th Asian Youth Day Haemi Castle August 17, 2014 Dear Young Friends, The glory of the martyrs shines upon you!   These words – a part of the theme of the Sixth Asian Youth Day – console and strengthen us all.  Young people of Asia: you are the heirs of a great testimony, ...read more

 This morning (August 17) at 7:00 a.m. in the Chapel of the Apostolic Nunciature, Mr. Lee Ho Jin received the sacrament of baptism. He is the father of a young boy, one of many young persons who died in the Sewol ferry tragedy earlier this year. Mr. Lee Ho Jim had asked the Pope for ...read more

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with the Asian Bishops Haemi, Martyrs’ Shrine 17 August 2014 Dear Brother Bishops, I offer you a warm and fraternal greeting in the Lord as we gather together at this holy site where so many Christians gave their lives in fidelity to Christ.  Their testimony of charity has ...read more

Meeting with the Asian Bishops Haemi, Martyrs’ Shrine August 17, 2014 Greetings by Oswald Cardinal Gracias Archbishop of Bombay & President, Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences Most Holy Father, At this moment, our minds and hearts go back to that historic occasion forty four years ago when the Bishops of Asia met together in Manila ...read more

Address of His Holiness Pope Francis Meeting with the Lay Apostolate, Kkottongnae, Spirituality Center 16 August 2014 Dear Brothers and Sisters, I am grateful to have this opportunity to meet you, who represent the many expressions of the flourishing apostolate of the laity in Korea.  I thank the President of the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council, ...read more