Last Sunday during the Angelus, Pope Francis announced thirteen new cardinals from eleven different nations, plus four non-electors. The consistory, where they will be made cardinals, will be held on November 19th, the day before the end of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. “I will choose the Cardinals a little everywhere, because the Church is ...read more

Look to the model of Mary Pope Francis celebrated Mass for the Marian Jubilee on Sunday as part of the celebrations for the Year of Mercy. In his homily he told the faithful present in St Peter’s Square that, “we are given a model, indeed the model, to whom we can look: Mary, our Mother.” ...read more

At 17:30 on Saturday evening, in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis presided over the Holy Rosary on the occasion of the Marian Jubilee being held from October 7-9, 2016 in the context of the celebrations of the Jubilee of Mercy. Before the arrival of the Pope, Those present took part in a moment animation with ...read more

On Saturday, October 8, 2016, Pope Francis will preside at the Marian Vigil in the Jubilee of Mercy, after the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Rosary. This opportunity for prayer will include Marian songs and prayers, during which there will be a procession of delegations from national communities in Italy and from Marian Shrines. ...read more

Last Tuesday, on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy, Pope Francis made a surprise visit to the areas affected by the earthquake last August. The Holy Father arrived in Amatrice, before going to Arquata, Accumoli and Pescara del Tronto, explaining his visit with these words: “I thought long and hard ...read more

On Wednesday, October 5, 2016, Pope Francis met with the Participants at the First World Conference on Faith and Sports, promoted by the Pontifical Council of Culture together with the United Nations and the International Olympic Committee. Below, find the full text of his prepared remarks: Dear brothers and sisters, I am delighted to greet you, protagonists ...read more

Join us in prayer for the intentions entrusted to us by Pope Francis. For October 2016, we join the Holy Father in praying for: Journalists – That journalists, in carrying out their work, may always be motivated by respect for truth and a strong sense of ethics. World Mission Day – That World Mission Day may renew within ...read more

At 17:30, Pope Francis traveled by car to the “Heydar Aliyev” Mosque in Baku for the private meeting with the Sheikh of Caucasus Muslims, Allahshukur Pashazadeh. Upon arrival at 17.45, the Pope was greeted at the entrance of the Mosque by the Sheikh who accompanied him into the building. At the “Mihrab” (semicircular niche in ...read more

This afternoon, the Holy Father Francis traveled by car to the Presidential Palace at Ganjlik for the official protocol ceremony of welcome. Upon arrival at 15.30, the Pope was welcomed by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Mr. Ilham Heydar Aliyev at the entrance of the courtyard of the palace. After playing of the ...read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass on Sunday at the Salesian centre in Baku, the central event of his 10-hour visit to Azerbaijan. The Pope’s homily, delivered to the congregation gathered in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, centred on the Lord’s call for Christian’s to live in faith and in service. Below, please find the official ...read more