Today, people around the world are responding to the call of Pope Francis and uniting in the cause for peace through fasting and prayer. We do so with the hope that these offerings may place us in solidarity with those who suffer the tragedies of violence and aggression, especially in Syria. We do so in ...read more

Returning home after World Youth Day Rio 2013 there were several things I didn’t miss: the long walk from our accommodations to the media centre because traffic was closed, the language barrier, and the weather that fluctuated between hot beach weather, and damp, winter rain. One thing I discovered I really do miss the incredible ...read more

For those who wanted to participate in WYD but were unable to come to Brazil, the opportunities to watch the events in the secular media were painfully few and far between. Although sound-bites were occasionally scattered throughout the news, it was clear that the global appetite to understand the context of the Pope’s trip to ...read more

As Pope Francis was leaving the cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday following mass with the bishops and priests, he met a couple who presented to him their own newly-born daughter who was born anacephalic (without a brain). Normally the baby would have died at birth but she was still alive.  ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the Coordinating Committee of CELAM, the Latin American Bishops’ Conference, July 28, 2013 1. Introduction I thank the Lord for this opportunity to speak with you, my brother bishops, the leadership of CELAM for the four-year period from 2011 to 2015. For 57 years CELAM has served the 22 Episcopal ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the 28th World Youth Day Prayer Vigil on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 2013 Dear Young Friends, We have just recalled the story of Saint Francis of Assisi. In front of the crucifix he heard the voice of Jesus saying to him: “Francis, go, rebuild my house.” The ...read more

Watching the footage of this week, and especially the Way of the Cross yesterday and the Vigil tonight, I am reminded of the essence of our mission here at Salt and Light.  In so many ways, the world is covered in darkness and embraced by a wave of indifference, and the fault is ours. It ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to the Bishops of Brazil, Archbishopric São Joaquim, July 27, 2013 Dear Brothers, How good it is to be here with you, the Bishops of Brazil! Thank you for coming, and please allow me to speak with you as one among friends. That’s why I prefer to speak to you in Spanish, so ...read more

Address of Pope Francis to Brazilian Leaders, July 27, 2013 Your Excellencies,Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank God for the opportunity to meet such a distinguished representation of the political, diplomatic, cultural and religious, academic and business leaders of this immense country of Brazil. I would like to speak to you in your own beautiful Portuguese ...read more

Homily of Pope Francis at a Mass with Bishops, Priests, Religious, and Seminarians at the Cathedral of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, July 27, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Seeing this Cathedral full of Bishops, priests, seminarians, and men and women religious from the whole world, I think of the Psalmist’s words ...read more