Address of Pope Francis to Young Pilgrims at the World Youth Day Way of the Cross on Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro, July 26, 2013 Dear Young Friends, We have come here today to accompany Jesus on his journey of sorrow and love, the Way of the Cross, which is one of the most intense ...read more

Angelus address of Pope Francis given at the Archbishop’s Residence on the Feast of Sts. Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus, July 26, 2013 Dear Brothers and Sisters, Dear Friends, I give thanks to Divine Providence for bringing me here to the city of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro. I offer heartfelt thanks ...read more

Yesterday Pope Francis held a special, impromptu meeting with the youth of his native Argentina in the Cathedral of St. Sebastian in Rio. Below is Vatican Information Service’s account of this joyful occasion as well as full text of the Holy Father’s remarks in Spanish and Italian. “I WANT THE CHURCH TO GO INTO THE ...read more

Reflection of Pope Francis during the Papal Welcoming Celebration following the Gospel Reading of the Transfiguration [Luke 9:28-36], July 25, 2013 Dear Friends, “It is good for us to be here!” Peter cries out after seeing the Lord Jesus transfigured in glory. Do we want to repeat these words with him? I think the answer ...read more

Address of Pope Francis at the WYD Rio Papal Welcoming Ceremony, July 25, 2013 Dear Young Friends, Good evening! In you I see the beauty of Christ’s young face and I am filled with joy. I recall the first World Youth Day on an international level. It was celebrated in 1987 in Argentina, in my ...read more

Courtesy of ZENIT, a 360 interactive image is available of “Campus Fidei” (“Field of Faith”), the site of next weekend’s WYD Rio Prayer Vigil and Closing Mass. Check it out for yourself: Launch interactive image! ...read more

On Monday, July 8, Pope Francis visited the Italian island of Lampedusa off the coast of Tunisia, in solidarity with the many African migrants who have sought refuge there and in remembrance of those who have lost their lives in the attempt. The following is the homily of the Holy Father at an open air ...read more

It’s a liturgy that most Catholics never get to experience: the ordination of a bishop. The faithful of Hamilton, Ontario, however, will have this privilege on Tuesday, May 7 – as will viewers on S+L television and online. That day, Fr. Daniel Miehm will be ordained as Auxiliary Bishop for the Diocese of Hamilton. The ...read more

Pope Francis chose a fitting day to preside at the first priestly ordinations of his pontificate. Tomorrow, April 21, is the 50th World Day of Prayer for Vocations, an occasion instituted by Servant of God Paul VI in the midst of the Second Vatican Council. The fourth Sunday of Easter also represents Good Shepherd Sunday, ...read more

Most dioceses in Canada have just come off celebrating the most important liturgical time in their calendar, that being Easter. But for one diocese on the west coast, the celebration continued as parishioners and lay faithful of Prince George, British Columbia welcomed Msgr. Stephen Jensen as their new bishop. This came on Tuesday, April 2 ...read more