This week, Pope Francis is set to make his first apostolic journey of 2015, a year when he will travel extensively. He begins Monday in Asia, the world’s most populous continent, by visiting a pair of island nations: Sri Lanka and the Philippines. Both nations have in recent years been the site of incredible human suffering and social upheaval. ...read more

This morning at 10:30 in the Sala Regia of the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican, Pope Francis delivered this address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Holy See. It is the traditional address of the Holy Father at the beginning of each New Year. Following some introductory words by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His ...read more

This morning at 11:30 in the Clementine Hall in the Vatican, Pope Francis delivered the following address to participants in the special meeting convened by the Pontifical Council “Cor Unum” and the Pontifical council for Latin America, marking the fifth anniversary of the Haitian earthquake. The theme of the meeting that took place yesterday and ...read more

Point of View: Interpreting the Francis Effect is a S+L series that goes deeper into the important questions surrounding the person and pontificate of Pope Francis.  The series consists of a selection of the full interviews from S+L’s original documentary The Francis Effect. This week: Alison Smith Alison Smith is a renowned and highly respected ...read more

“How I want a poor church; a poor church for the poor” – these were the words that Pope Francis used at the start of his pontificate to make clear his plans for the church. His decision to visit Sri Lanka and the Philippines is confirmation of his view of the church. Beginning January 13, ...read more

Pope Francis announces twenty new Cardinals during Sunday Angelus – January 4, 2015 At the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Francis announced the names of fifteen Archbishops and Bishops whom he will raise to the dignity of the Cardinalate on February 14, 2015. In addition, the Holy Father announced that five retired Archbishops and Bishops “distinguished ...read more

In his Angelus address on the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God – which is also observed as World Day of Peace – Pope Francis called on us “to fix our gaze of faith and of love on the Mother of Jesus.” Below, please find the complete text of Pope Francis’ address at the ...read more

On January 1, the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God, Pope Francis celebrated Solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint Peter. Below, please find the complete text of the Pope’s homily for the Mass: Today we are reminded of the words of blessing which Elizabeth spoke to the Virgin Mary: “Blessed are you among ...read more

December 24, 2014 At 9:30 p.m. Rome time, Pope Francis presides at the Christmas Midnight Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica for the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord. The full text of his homily is found below. “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land ...read more

Pope Francis final meeting in Turkey was with a group of 50 young people, including many refugees from Syria, Iraq and other countries of the Middle East and Africa.  The young refugees are cared for by the local Salesian community in Istanbul. The Salesian Oratory (Youth Center) in Istambul is headed by Salesian Fr. Andres ...read more