“Open your hearts to the dimensions of the world…” Although we are aware of the many problematic situations, which also affect the area of faith and membership of the Church, we renew our faith in the youth, to reaffirm that the Church sees their condition, their cultures, as an essential and unavoidable point of reference ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Benedict XVI. For February 2013, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Migrant Families. That migrant families, especially the mothers, may be supported and accompanied in their difficulties. Peace. That the peoples at war and in conflict may lead the way in ...read more

Do we really care about Christian unity? That was the challenging question posed by of one of my colleagues this morning, as he perceived a lack of interest in ecumenical issues in the Catholic community. His observation prompted a few questions of my own. Why might some Catholics feel that ecumenism isn’t a priority? And, ...read more

Message of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI Pontifical Council for Social Communications 47th World Communications Day Social Networks: portals of truth and faith; new spaces for evangelization Dear Brothers and Sisters, As the 2013 World Communications Day draws near, I would like to offer you some reflections on an increasingly important reality regarding the way in ...read more

On Sunday, January 6 Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass for the Epiphany of Our Lord at St. Peter’s Basilica. During the Mass he also ordained four archbishops, including his own personal secretary, Monsignor Georg Ganswein. Below is the full text of his homily. Dear Brothers and Sisters, For the Church which believes and prays, the ...read more

The top Catholic stories of this past year also included the Pope’s meeting with Fidel Castro and the Synod on the New Evangelization. Deacon Pedro sits with S+L producers Kris Dmytrenko, Alicia Ambrosio and Sebastian Gomes to explore the highlights of the Church in 2012. What do you think were the highlights of 2012? Share ...read more

CNS photo/L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters CNS description: Pope Benedict XVI speaks to astronauts on the International Space Station from the Vatican via a video link May 21, 2011. ...read more

CNS file photo Pope Paul VI watches the moon landing at Castelgandolfo on 21 July, 1969. ...read more

CNS file photo CNS description: Archbishop Karol Wojtyla receives the cardinal’s red biretta from Pope Paul VI at the beginning of the consistory in the Sistine Chapel June 26, 1967. The future Pope John Paul II had a warm relationship with Pope Paul VI (Giovanni Battista Montini), who served as a priest in Warsaw in ...read more

The term “synod of bishops” seems to have become a household name among certain Catholics. Most have, at least heard of one of these: The Synod on the Word of God, the Synod on the Middle East, or the recent Synod on the New Evangelisation. But 15 years ago, many of you probably did not ...read more